

Strong By Design Podcast
Team CriticalBench
We believe that you are STRONG BY DESIGN. We believe you were made in God’s image to have a strong body, mind and spirit. The Strong by Design podcast is the #1 resource for strength, health, and fitness solutions in the world. Tune in for expert interviews, fitness tips, nutrition advice, free workout sheets, supplement giveaways all while being encouraged, inspired and entertained. Brought to you by Critical Bench who reaches over 30 million fans per month between our email newsletter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. If you're interested in being a guest on the show or doing a collaboration please send an email to strongbydesignpodcast@gmail.comNew Episodes go LIVE every week on Wednesday and sometimes bonus releases on Saturday. So let’s get ready to unlock your potential and transform your life!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 16, 2019 • 49min
Ep 41 Metamorphosis - Rebuilding Your Body from the Inside Out with Nick Nilsson
Send us a textYour "genetic" limitations on muscle size are NOT genetic. You've stopped growing because your training hasn't optimized the four key physiological factors that are essential for accessing your TRUE muscle growth potential. In today's episode Coach Chris connects with the Mad Scientist of Muscle Nick Nilsson. Find out how exercise science has proven that these four factors can be TRAINED and IMPROVED so that you can finally build the muscle mass that your body is TRULY capable of building and unlock your hidden potential. Discover How to Unlock 5, 10, even 20 Pounds of Your TRUE "Untapped" Muscle Growth Potential in the Next 90 Days with Metamorphosis. "Connective tissue unlike muscle tissue really does not go away with time, you develop this connective tissue strength, you've got it for a long time.." -Nick Nilsson Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 02:40 How Nick developed the Metamorphosis program over 25 years of in-depth hands on experience 04:21 Definition of Angiogenesis training 07:46 Why Connective Tissue takes so long to strengthen 16:47 How Phase 3 Hyperplasia training will help you grow MORE muscle fibers 24:50 Super-human nervous system activation that is the SPARK that makes everything happen 33:04 How often the Mad Scientist works in his gym laboratory 36:14 Putting all 4 phases together of the Metamorphosis program 39:50 How ALL future training programs are impacted by your Metamorphosis training 42:08 Meet Nick's 3 dogs and eating fur for added protein 44:06 You are literally FAST-FORWARDING yourself into muscle and strength building over 90 days Resources Text "TESTO” to 345-345 for the Free 7 Worst Testosterone Killers Report madscientistmuscle.com metabolicmonsters.com Connect with Nick: madscientistofmuscle.com YouTube Instagram Facebook Connect with Critical Bench: Facebook Instagram Youtube wwwSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Jan 9, 2019 • 58min
Ep 40 Optimize Your Gut Health with Wade Lightheart from BiOptimizers
Send us a textGastrointestinal diseases are still prevalent and according to statistics, as of 2018 22% of the adult population in the US suffered from it. Do you want to know why and how you can avoid it? On today’s episode, Coach Chris talks with Wade Lightheart, author, athlete, and President of BiOptimizers, a digestive health company. They delve into the digestion process and the causes of the common gastrointestinal problems and how to prevent them. Wade shares the important role of enzymes and probiotics to our gut health. Tune in and find out how you can make not only your gut healthy but your whole body as well. “Humans are the ONLY species on the planet that eats enzyme-deficient food... We have to make more enzymes in our body to break down the food that we are eating.” -Wade Lightheart Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 01:35 Three transformative events in Wade’s life, how he started in bodybuilding, joined Mr. Universe and got sick afterward 04:59 How Wade recovered from his sickness, went back to bodybuilding better than before and made it his goal to share to the world how he improves his health and his performance 08:52 Why is gut health or digestion very important, what happens to the food that we ate and what are the causes of gastrointestinal-related disorder like indigestion and heartburn 17:54 Reasons why you're diet is not working for you and how you can know if your diet is doing you good or not - plus how the bad bacteria thrive inside our body 20:06 The important aspect of the digestion process, why it changes when you get old and the importance of probiotics and enzymes to a healthy gut and body 26:52 All about probiotics - the good bacteria- their role in our body, how we have forgotten about them or disrupt their production that led to a lot of our diseases, and are probiotic drinks or chocolate bars really effective 32:45 The Navy Seals of probiotics (the P3-OM) which fights the bad bacteria and make you more resilient against diseases, what makes it the superior probiotics and how it can make your gut and your whole body healthy - plus how it can also use to help cancer patients 45:02 Why Wade and his partner built BiOptimizers, a diSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Jan 2, 2019 • 1h
Ep 39 Fat Burning Fingerprint with Gary Watson
Send us a textIs your health regimen not working or not doing you any good? You've tried on different diets, but you remain the same, desperate to lose weight and be fit. The thing is you may be doing it wrong because not all diets work for all. On today's episode, Coach Chris talks to Gary Watson about the importance of finding your fat burning fingerprint. If you know your fat burning fingerprint type, you would know the right food to eat and must avoid. This way it would be easier to manage your diet and live a healthy lifestyle. “When a belief system no longer serves us for a greater good, that belief system becomes nothing more than BS!” -Gary Watson Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 01:36 Gary’s personal background, his life as a Kinesiologist and what he’s up to 06:53 Dispelling vampire myths about diets and uncovering the truths about the fat burning fingerprint 10:48 The types of fat burning fingerprint and the food you should eat or must avoid depending on your type 20:13 The importance of knowing your fat burning fingerprint type 27:54 Gary’s initial misgiving about intermittent fasting and the fascination that leads to complete belief in it 35:38 Your fat burning fingerprint type, the corresponding meals a day you should consume and the explanation that goes with it 45:34 How Gary’s day goes with a meal he designed for himself and his eating habits 50:29 All about treating yourself and cheat days 56:25 Progress versus perfection Resources: Text "STRETCH” to 345-345 for the 5 Best Core Killer Exercises Wake The Fork Up: How to Lose 10, 15, Even 20 Pounds of Fat in 30 Days or Less by Gary Watson Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Dec 26, 2018 • 32min
Ep 38 One-Minute Interval Workouts with Meredith Shirk
Send us a textDo you want to be fit and healthy, but don't have the time to go to the gym? Here's the thing, even if you only have a minute to spare you can transform your life and be healthy. Find out how on today’s episode as Coach Brian talks with Meredith Shirk. Meredith is a lifestyle coach, wife, mom, and founder of Svelte Training. They discuss the importance of movement and how short workouts can make a lot of difference in your health. Discover, among other things, how you can incorporate short workouts into your daily routine and make it works for you. “I want to be able to bend down and play with my daughter and not feel like, you know, my back’s gonna be thrown out.” -Meredith Shirk Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 01:12 Meredith’s background in sports and how she came to build Svelte Training and where the name came from 05:19 Realizing the need for a kind of exercise for busy people who have little time but wants to be healthy 07:09 Why Meredith shifted from lifting and doing long workouts to one-minute exercises and what makes it works for her 10:48 Why short intense workouts are more effective and the best options for anyone especially busy parents 16:07 How to be successful doing short intense workouts 19:36 A great fitness workout applicable for aging men and women 23:55 Meredith's advice for people who have doubts about short workouts and think that going to the gym is the only effective way to be fit and healthy 25:46 Two ideas or mantras that Meredith instills in herself and in her clients 29:46 Looking at the future and not in the past to make a difference and transform your life Resources Text "CORE” to 345-345 for the 5 Best Core Killer Exercises Connect with Meredith: sveltetraining.com Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Dec 19, 2018 • 32min
Ep 37 How to be an ALPHA Dad with Chris Lopez
Send us a textWhat does being an ALPHA Dad mean? Find out on today’s episode as Coach Tonya talks with Chris Lopez, known in social media as the ALPHA Dad. Chris shares, among other things, why he’s called the ALPHA Dad, what an active lifestyle their family have and how he manages an online business even without an internet connection at home. And what’s more, Chris reveal his favorite equipment for exercise and his latest project to help other dads became an ALPHA Dad. "Strength is a skill just like anything else, it’s like learning a golf swing...so the more you do something, the better neurologically you get at it." -Chris Lopez Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 01:14 Chris' background, why he's called the ALPHA Dad and moving to Costa Rica 04:45 Living at the edge of the comfort zone and showing the kids how to live with integrity 06:47 What an active lifestyle in the ALPHA Dad's house looks like 09:29 Why Chris loves kettlebells, its origin plus the benefits of using it 14:04 Chris as an entrepreneur and his survival method 15:51 Chris' two favorite kettlebell moves and what they can do to your body 19:30 All about the ALPHA Dad Project and how he helps other dads be a model to their kids by living a healthy lifestyle and become an ALPHA Dad too 24:36 Chris’ biggest accomplishments and how to have an online business without an internet connection at home 26:15 What moving to Costa Rica has done to Chris' life and how he became successful in building his business around his life, his family and the things that he loves Resources Text "TESTO” to 345-345 for the Free 7 Worst Testosterone Killers Report Pavel Tsatsouline kettlebellworkouts.comSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Dec 12, 2018 • 1h 2min
Ep 36 Natural Bodybuilding Legend John Hansen
Send us a textNothing compares to hard work. Not even steroids! Listen to today’s episode to hear John Hansen’s stories from his experience as a bodybuilder, Natural Mr. Olympia, and 3x Natural Mr. Universe. Hear how bodybuilding has changed from the 70s and what John learned from people like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Find out how you can apply hard work to get the results that will get you the most satisfaction. “I had to go up to like 5,000 calories a day because my metabolism was so fast... and there was guys in the gym saying just go on some steroids man... and I was like, no, no, I gotta do it natural...” -John Hansen Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 1:40 - How John set and reached his goal to be Natural Mr. Universe and why he continues to get ripped at the age of 55 7:53 - Why superheroes and the “real-life superhero” Bruce Lee started John’s journey into bodybuilding 21:37 - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lessons on marketing: How John Hansen learned about marketing from Arnold 28:23 - The difference between people who fit in and people who change the world: Where you need to find your motivation 33:56 - The biggest challenge John faced in training: How to start and persist through the intensity of bodybuilding training 39:47 - Nutrition vs. training: How character can be developed through your personal training and commitment 45:52 - How Arnold convinced John to stay away from steroids at an early age and what it takes to build muscle with the natural method 55:39 - John’s goals for 2019 and how hard work and preparation for competitions can be fun and rewarding Resources Iron Man Magazine Tom Platz Bodybuilding Legends Show Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Dec 5, 2018 • 28min
Ep 35 Life Begins At The End Of Your Comfort Zone with Tonya Fines
Send us a textOn this episode of Strong By Design Coach Chris is joined by his friend and occasional podcast host, Tonya Fines. On today’s show we get personal with Tonya as she shares her journey from being diagnosed with degenerative disc disease and Spina Bifida. She opens up about her low points and how she was able to muster up the strength and develop a fighter mentality to take control over her health. You don’t want to miss this triumphant story! "I ended up just going full steam like 210 mph and felt like I hit a cement wall...I woke up one morning and I couldn’t do anything..." -Tonya Fines Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 4:37 - The morning that changed Tonya’s life 5:35 - Surgery in her 30’s - could this really be the only solution? 7:24 - How Tonya started figure competitions 13:24 - Developing the right relationships 16:40 - Are you investing in and taking care of yourself? 21:06 - Life lessons learned from Tonya’s struggles Resources: TEXT "CORE” to 345345 for the FREE report Connect with Tonya Fines: Website Instagram Connect with Critical Bench: Facebook Instagram Youtube www.criticalbench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Nov 28, 2018 • 40min
Ep 34 3 Glute Training Barriers Preventing a Strong Round Butt with Brian Klepacki
Send us a textDo you pay enough attention to your glutes? Do you know that aside from aesthetic purposes, developing your glutes has many benefits? That’s what Coach Chris and Coach Brian talk about on today’s episode of Strong By Design. They tackle the three training barriers that prevent people from developing their glutes and the benefits of having a strong butt. Stay tuned to find out some amazing exercises that you can do to activate your glute muscles. "How to do the most amount of work in the least amount of time? … Short, fast, intense workouts are valid, they get to the point, they get the job done." -Coach Brian Klepacki Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 04:30 The first ‘myth’ glute development barrier 10:40 Examples of exercises to develop your glutes 12:15 The second ‘biggest’ glute development barrier 14:50 What bodyweight training can do to your glutes 19:30 The third ‘harmful’ glute development barrier 23:35 A simple exercise to activate your glute muscles 27:08 How to create your own workout routine 29:20 Three tips if you want to change your body 33:50 The benefits of having a strong glutes Resources TEXT "GLUTES” to 345-345 for the FREE 5-Minute Glute Workout unlockyourglutes.com Aaron Reed Connect with Critical Bench: Facebook Instagram Youtube Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Nov 21, 2018 • 45min
Ep 33 Riches to RAGS to Riches with Pastor Mike Thornhill
Send us a textToday’s episode is about the story of Pastor Mike Thornhill, who serves as a Pastor in Feather Sound Church in Clearwater, Florida. Pastor Mike shares how he became financially rich, lost everything, got addicted and then became rich again in Christ. Hope and inspiration will fill your heart when you hear the testimony of Pastor Mike’s roller-coaster life. Tune in now and be blessed! "I can remember laying in bed [in Hawaii] looking up at the ceiling and thinking is this it? Is this all life has to offer? I was still empty inside and I knew there was more..." -Pastor Mike Thornhill Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 02:57 Pastor Mike’s background and why he used and sold drugs at a young age 09:30 Being married and having two daughters made him leave drugs and do legal works 11:59 How he transition into real estate and earn his first million dollars 13:15 What happened to his life that made him lose all hope and started using drugs again 17:00 He became a slave to drug addiction and even thought of killing himself 23:42 How the faith-based program slowly changed his life and filled the void in his heart 29:00 The moment when he completely surrendered his life, his trust and his faith to Jesus 30:23 How he started serving in the church as a janitor and later became a Pastor 39:01 His responsibilities in the church and his mission to love and serve other people Resources TEXT "GLUTES” to 345345 for the FREE report Feather Sound Church Connect with Pastor Mike: Facebook - Feather Sound Church Instagram - Feather SounSupport the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com

Nov 14, 2018 • 40min
Ep 32 Your HIDDEN Survival Muscle with Chris & Brian
Send us a textHow many hours a week are you sitting? Are you doing anything to combat the damage that sitting is causing you? Tune in to this episode of Strong By Design as Coach Chris and Coach Brian discuss the hidden survival muscle and what is actually going on in your body as you spend countless hours sitting each week. Find out how you can reverse these effects with the “Unlock Your Hip Flexors” routine. "If we're in the woods and a bear starts attacking us, we're going to crunch up in a tiny ball... From a seated position [fetal position] your body barely differentiates between true panic or just everyday routine... " -Coach Brian Subscribe to iTunes Love the podcast? Leave a review on iTunes! What do you want to hear from the Critical Bench Podcast? Tell us here! Time Stamps: 05:09 How movement drives the brain07:17 The main functions of the sympathetic nervous system12:54 All about the Psoas 19:27 Why it's so important to stretch your hip flexors21:50 Movement is medicine! Repair your body with simple exercises23:12 The relationship between your hips and glutes25:24 How tight hips damage the entire body29:22 How sitting adds to your body becoming a fat storing machine35:28 All about the unlock your hip flexor program Resources TEXT "STRETCH” to 345345 for the FREE report Connect with Critical Bench: Facebook Instagram Support the showConnect w/ CriticalBench: Youtube Facebook Instagram CriticalBench.com StrongByDesignPodcast.com


