The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

James Deirmendjian, a three-time IBJJ World medallist and strength coach, dives into the science of training and conditioning for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He debunks common myths, like the inefficacy of long-distance running in favor of sprint training. The discussion also critiques the misleading supplement industry and nutritional myths surrounding diets, advocating for balanced approaches instead. Deirmendjian emphasizes personalized training methodologies and effective recovery hacks to enhance performance, making his insights invaluable for combat sport enthusiasts.

Frank Wolf is an explorer, a writer, and one hell of an adventurer.  In this episode we cover what he learned about endurance and survival during his travels in the Arctic, Central America, and Antarctica. Check out his fantastic book Two Springs, One Summer anywhere you get books in including Indigo and Amazon. https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/two-springs-one-summer-a-year-inside-the-life-of-a-chronic-adventurer/9781771606844.html https://www.amazon.com/Two-Springs-One-Summer-Adventurer/dp/1771606843 Please feel free to share this episode with that one crazy outdoor enthusiast in your life because that's how the show grows! Cheers, Stephan Kesting P.S. Also check out my own book Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic - links available at https://www.stephankesting.com/perseverance-book  

I've got something special for you today: a true adventure story set in the Far North featuring that I underwent a few years ago after a kidney transplant.  I ended up learning a LOT about mental toughness, resilience, and strategies for making progress when I was absolutely at the end of my rope, lessons that I think are universally applicable. The book out today in hardcover, Kindle, and Audible audiobook formats. Since this is a podcast, I thought I'd give you the first three chapters in audio form, including an incident so embarrassing that I almost didn't include it in the book at all. If you grab the hardcover this week, I'll make sure you get a signed copy!  If you get the Kindle or audiobook format, then you'll get my thanks and undying gratitude.   You can get it at your local bookstore but you also get it at ALL the big online sites, including these links here at Amazon.com, and Barnesandnoble.com, In Canada you can get it at Amazon.ca or Indigo.ca. In the UK  it comes out a little later, but you can still preorder it at any of the links on  simonandschuster.co.uk. I hope you enjoy consuming this book in your favorite format it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you! Thanks so much, Stephan Kesting P.S. You can see some very kind early reviews of the book at stephankesting.com/perseverance-book

I was thrilled to have Jeff Nelson on the show to talk about Spartans, Samurai, Ninja, developing confidence through jiu-jitsu, fight scenes in movies that drive us crazy, and pro-training at some of the best BJJ schools in the world.   Follow Jeff on Instagram (@thoughtandmindjj) and check out his book Ninja Punks, @*&% OFF! on Amazon! Also check out my new book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Indigo, or your favorite local bookstore!

In this discussion, Paul Kindzia, a BJJ black belt known for his unique training journey as a 'homeschooled' practitioner, dives into the challenges of achieving a black belt without a traditional school affiliation. He shares insights on training safety, the importance of quality partners, and the emotional nuances of moving between schools. Paul also tackles cult-like dynamics in some BJJ environments and the evolving landscape of jiu-jitsu over the past decade, emphasizing personal growth and adapting to new training paradigms.

Jost Kobusch is just back from Everest, where he is doing a multi-year project to climb the tallest mountain in the world... by himself... without oxygen... up the incredibly difficult West Ridge route in the middle of winter.   In winter, the effective altitude of Everest is over 9,000 meters, and the winds can reach 250 km/hour (155 mph).  And - on top of that - the mountain was hit by a powerful earthquake while he was on it.  Find out... How Jost Kobusch optimises his training The relative importance of physical vs mental attributes in extreme sport How he overcame a potentially career-ending injury The dichotomy of fitness vs experience for maximum performance What it's like to be a full-time athlete Jost's best advice for someone who is considering an Everest climb! And more Check out Jost's Altitude Academy https://jostkobusch.de/en/akademie/ and/or follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jostkobusch Finally, if you've read down this far, you must like adventure stories, so check out my new book, "Perseverance, Live and Death in the Subarctic" available everywhere you can get books, including https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Please share this episode with somone who you think will like it! Cheers, Stephan Kesting  

Explore how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense intertwine, with vital tips on adaptations for women and smaller individuals. Delve into the flaws of traditional self-defense seminars and the significance of force-multipliers, including firearms. Engage in a candid discussion about masculinity, societal narratives, and how these impact personal safety. Tyson shares insights on empowering women's self-defense through relatable training and the ethics of gender-affirming care in healthcare. A compelling conversation blending martial arts, social issues, and personal empowerment!

The standard BJJ approach of throwing newcomers to the wolves may work for young and talented athletes, but it's definitely not optimal for most older, non-athletic, or female grapplers (otherwise known as the vast majority of people).  In today's episode I'm joined by Jesse Walker from Rough Hands BJJ in Louisville, Kentucky, to discuss the training methods and school culture that'll make jiu-jitsu accessible to (almost) everyone.   Check out Rough Hands BJJ training center in Louisville, Kentucky at https://roughhandsbjj.com/ and/or get in touch with Jesse on most social media platforms at @roughhandsbjj. If you want to delve deeper into training methods that maximize results and minimize injuries check out the ground-breaking BJJ Games instructional I did with Rob Biernacki at https://www.grapplearts.com/bjjgames And for specific techniques and strategies applicable to the older grappler check out the two BJJ for Old F***s instructionals at https://www.grapplearts.com/2-for-1-sale-on-bjj-for-old-fs/ Good luck with your training! Stephan Kesting        

Kalle Beck has competed, coached and commentated in Strongman events and has helped thousands of people become much, much stronger. Here's how some of the lessons learned from Strongman apply to other sports... Check out Kalle's site at https://startingstrongman.com/ and the Facebook group he runs (the biggest strongman community in the world) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/startingstrongman/ Check out Stephan Kesting's latest jiu-jitsu instructional, No Gi Pin Escapes at https://www.grapplearts.com/PinEscapes and also his book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, with links for more information here: https://essentialwilderness.com/book/ Cheers, Stephan Kesting

One of the biggest trends in BJJ right now is the so-called "ecological approach."  In episode 412 of The Strenuous Life Podcast I'm joined by renowned coach Rob Biernacki to discuss the do's and don'ts of game-based training.  Check out Rob's instructional BJJ Games here https://www.grapplearts.com/bjj-games/ for more information.