The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

Catch wrestling was a brutal method for settling disputes on the American Frontier as well as one of the largest, most respected spectator sports prior to the modern era. In this episode Val Childs - who has been training in catch wrestling since he was 5 - takes us on a tour through the historical roots of catch, the modern catch competition circuit, and the training methods that can be adopted to make any combat athlete much more effective. Incidentally, catch wrestling has had a significant impact on my own development. For example it has had a strong influence on my submission game as you can see in something like the Kimura Roadmap. https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura. Follow Val Childs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cc_catchwrestling or check out his school in San Antonio, Texas at https://combatcitysa.com/

AOJ black belt Tom Wortman is a fierce competitor; he won IBJJ Pans, Euros, North Americans and Master Worlds in a single year as a brown belt. He's also a jiu-jitsu gypsy, typically training at a club for 3 to 6 months, then moving thousands of miles to see a new part of the country and training at a new club. Find out how he he does this, what the red and green flags are for training at new clubs, how to stay injury free even when training 7 days a week, and redefining success on your own terms. I hope you find Tom as inspiring and insightful as I did - enjoy! Also, please rate and review this podcast on whichever podcast platform you listen to it - I can't emphasize enough how useful this is and how much I appreciate it. Finally, if you're interested in my take on living life on your own terms please check out my best-selling book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, available anywhere you get physical, digital and audio books and also here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Thanks! Stephan

Canoeist and author Adam Shoalts on the mindset that drives individuals to seek adventure, and the importance of safety and decision-making in the wilderness. We also dive into the mysterious disappearance of the greatest explorer you've never heard of. Grab Adam's book, Vanished Beyond the Map, anywhere books are sold or here: https://adamshoalts.com/literature/ Follow Stephan Kesting's outdoor adventures here: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@essentialwilderness Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/essentialwilderness TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@essentialwilderness Check out Stephan's book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ And here are some links to the audio-only form this podcast : Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast Cheers, Stephan Kesting

Today the tables get turned and I end up on the other end of the microphone as Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models picks my brain about the huge benefits that arise to treating your jiu-jitsu submissions as positions first, and submissions second. I promise this will make perfect sense by the end of the episode, and may change how you approach your training. Check out my positional approach to mastering the Kimura and tapping out more training partners and competition opponents at https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura And check out Steve Kwan's excellent BJJ Mental Models podcast at https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com Thanks! Stephan

Renowned BJJ blackbelt Roy Dean came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to talk about his research into how BJJ got started in North America, martial arts culture in Japan, the power of Judo in self defense situations, the importance of role models in shaping one's conception of masculinitym and more. If you get a chance, please give this show a rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts. That really helps! Also, you can order Roy's new book "Groundswell" here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bjjpioneers/groundswell-the-rise-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-america And check out "The Kimura Roadmap" here: https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura Cheers, Stephan Kesting

Beatrice Jin shares the competition strategies that have allowed her to become the American National adult black belt middleweight champion and one of the top ranked black belts in the world. From guard pulls to sweeps to takedowns to pin escapes to conditioning to KO grips to structuring open mats so that they become a competitive advantage for you, Beatrice doesn't hold anything back. If you compete, or if you're thinking about competing, this is a must-listen. Follow Beatrice on Instagram at @berimbozo and her incredibly successful women's open mat program at @dmvwomensbjj. Or train with her at Kogaion Academy in Arlington, VA.

Alicia Reitz and I dive deep into how BJJ can be used to develop a strong sense of self confidence for everyone, and how that self confidence can then be put to good use in self defense and the the rest of your life. We also digress a little into specifics of the social media drama that I was involved in recently, which certainly raised my blood pressure just a little. Alicia Reitz (Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed. Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed.) is a BJJ Brown Belt and does in person and remote coaching. Follow her and get in touch with her via Instagram at @angelishfit. Please like, share and subscribe. And if you sometimes prefer your podcasts in video form, click here to check out this episode on the Strenuous Life YouTube Channel. Thank you so much, Stephan Kesting P.S. If you're interested in the topic of building self confidence and mental fortitude I think you might like my book about the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of dealing with extreme circumstances, available in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook format everywhere including Amazon here: Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

James Deirmendjian a strength and conditioning coach specialising in combat and tactical athletes who ALSO competes in BJJ, fighting against much younger opponents. As such he was the perfect choice to finish our 4-part series on hybrid training and the science of developing strength and endurance at the same time. In this episode James and I touch on many topics, including… The most important aspects of fitness for winning matches in BJJ and how to develop it The difference between getting tired in a match vs not recovering between matches How to schedule weightlifting and cardio so they don't interfere with each How to recover more fully between workouts Training to maintain your cognitive abilities under stress And much more. Reach out to James on Instagram at @fight_fit_training And check out The Strenuous Life Podcast on YouTube here. And if you're interested in adventures and the mindset required to keep going against all odds check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

James Pieratt, founder of Runs Wild Hunt Conditioning and an ultramarathoner, shares insights from his incredible 802-mile run through California's indigenous sites. He discusses the synergy between ultrarunning and strength training, emphasizing how both enhance athletic performance. The conversation dives into the emotional trials of endurance athletes, the significance of training regimens, and the science behind optimal hybrid training. James also highlights the essential balance of strength and endurance for injury prevention and overall health.

Record-setting powerlifter and freak athlete Chris Duffin discusses the intricacies of hybrid training, focusing on the balance between strength and endurance. He shares his unique qualifications, including his experience with elite athletes and his world record feats. Chris breaks down the relative importance of skill, and the mechanical, neurological, and metabolic factors that influence power output, and the often-overlooked role of the diaphragm in performance. Duffin also provides insights on training for generalists, emphasizing the need for injury mitigation and effective training strategies. Check out Chris's site at https://www.chrisduffin.com/ and his LiftLab App that helps athletes optimize their training using tools that previously were out of range for most recreational athletes: And check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, on Amazon or anywhere books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold! https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Thanks! Stephan Kesting