

The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting
Stephan Kesting
What is it that allows some people to push themselves beyond their limitations? Why can some people survive situations others do not? On this podcast we try to find out the answers. Stephan Kesting, is a lifelong martial artist, BJJ black belt, career firefighter, and outdoorsman. Join us as he talks to fighters, adventurers, competitors, coaches, firefighters, trainers and other people living the strenuous life.
Stephan also runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials.
His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art.
Stephan also runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials.
His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 6, 2019 • 12min
245 - Can You Crosstrain in BJJ and Traditional Martial Arts At the Same Time?
I sit down with Japanese ju-jutsu black belt Alex Kask to discuss the benefits, pitfalls and procedures for training in traditional systems and in modern BJJ at the same time. Both Alex and I have extensive backgrounds in both approaches, although I've done more BJJ and he's done more classical jujutsu, aikido and hapkido. I hope you find this an informative and entertaining chat! Also while I have your attention can I remind you to download the BJJ Master App for iOS and Android? There are more than 500 minutes of free black belt instruction on that app. You can grab it free at https://www.grapplearts.com/masterapp Good luck with your training, Stephan

Dec 2, 2019 • 1h 14min
244 - The 10 Most Nutritious Foods, with Nick Hiebert from The Nutrivore
This was a fascinating conversation with Nick Hiebert who has done a ton of research into the nutrient density of different foods. In this talk we look at the all time greatest, most nutrient dense foods, the ketogenic diet, fats vs carbs vs proteins, and much more. Check out Nick's blog at https://thenutrivore.blogspot.com/ or follow him on Twitter @The_Nutrivore where he spends a ton of time debunking bad nutritional science https://twitter.com/The_Nutrivore And if you're on Twitter anyway why not follow me @stephankesting https://twitter.com/StephanKesting because I'm reasonably active on there and share cool stuff all the time Peace, Stephan

Nov 28, 2019 • 10min
243 - If I Don't Know, I Won't Allow! A Strategy for When Things Get SERIOUS on the Mat
I think you'll like this one, because I share a fighting strategy that comes from Roberto Leitão, the godfather of Luta Livre who has trained fighters like Jose Aldo, Pedro Rizzo and Marco Ruas. I also discuss times when you should use the exact opposite strategy to develop your game! Check out The Guard Retention Formula at https://www.grapplearts.com/guardretention. It's an absolutely amazing instructional that will make your guard much, much, MUCH harder to pass or your money back! Cheers Stephan

Nov 22, 2019 • 58min
242 - A Roadmap for BJJ, the Complete Audiobook (Free)
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can seem incredibly complicated when you're first exposed to it. In this episode I explain the positional hierarchy, the underlying logic, and the method behind the madness of what happens when two people are rolling on the ground. I think this'll really help you and I hope you share it with your friends! Download 'The Roadmap for BJJ' in PDF form for free at https://www.grapplearts.com/book And grab 'The Roadmap for BJJ App' for Apple and Android devices for free at https://www.grapplearts.com/roadmap Good luck with your training! Stephan Kesting

Nov 12, 2019 • 16min
241 - Boxing vs BJJ in a Fight (plus Stephan's Epic Rant on Self Defense)
In this podcast I answer a question I received on an Instagram Live Q&A about a boxing beating jiu-jitsu in a real streetfight. Then I go on an epic rant about the three specific things most BJJ guys need to do first to make their martial art streetworthy. Follow me on Instagram (@stephan_kesting) and maybe a future podcast episode will be devoted to answering one of your questions! Also go to https://www.grapplearts.com/guardretention to find out more about the upcoming step-by-step formula for stopping your guard from getting passed. I guarantee this instructional will completely change your jiu-jitsu And, as always, good luck with your training! Stephan

Nov 4, 2019 • 1h 6min
240 - Pain is a Universal Language, with Endurance Athlete Mike McCastle
Mike McCastle has accomplished some of the most amazing tasks of endurance I've ever heard of. In this episode we go deep into developing mental strength, maintaining commitment in the face of adversity, and dealing with physical and emotional pain. This is an amazing episode and I hope you really like it! Mike's feats of endurance are part of the 12 Labors Project and include setting the world 24 hour pull-up record while wearing a 30 lb pack (5804 pull-ups), pulling an F150 pickup truck for 22 miles through Death Valley, climbing the height of Mount Everest (29,029 feet) by going up and down a 20-foot rope 1,450 times, flipping a 250 lb tire for 13 miles the day after he lost his father to Parkinson's disease, running 20 miles a day for 100 days straight, and more. Follow Mike on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikemccastle/?hl=en or check out his website at http://www.twelvelaborsproject.com ----------------------------------- Grab my free downloadable guide to learning BJJ fast at https://www.grapplearts.com/book Check out the huge archive of techniques and detailed training tips at https://www.grapplearts.com/articles/ ----------------------------------- Grab the "Grapplearts BJJ Master App" with more than 500 minutes of free black belt instruction here: iPhone and iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bjj-master-app-by-grapplearts/id1308072068 Android phones and tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grappleartcontainer ----------------------------------- Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting ----------------------------------- And, most importantly, good luck with your training! Stephan

Oct 28, 2019 • 51min
239 - On Being Willing to Die in the Ring with Tristan Connelly, UFC Fighter
Tristan Connelly, fresh off his absolutely amazing underdog win over Michel Pereira in the UFC, talks with Stephan Kesting on The Strenuous Life Podcast. We went into detail about mindset, strategy and training. I think you'll find this a great episode! Specific topics included, 00:14 A detailed breakdown of his fight with Michel Pereira, 07:00 Weight control for MMA Fighters, 09:23 What quitting fighting will look like, 11:10 On being a chronic trainer, 12:09 Developing fight strategies, 15:10 Taking a fight on short notice, 18:14 What he does for recovery after hard training, 19:46 What the average week of training looks like, 21:56 The factor that set off Tristan's winning streak, 24:07 The effect of your win to loss ratio on your MMA career, 25:00 How to figure out if MMA isn't for you, 29:25 Amateur mistakes Tristan made in pro fights, 37:02 Fighting MMA in Japan, 38:43 Why cornering guys is more stressful than fighting yourself, 41:40 Working as a motion capture model for the UFC game with Electronic Art, 47:37 How to find Tristan on social media. Follow Tristan on Instagram @mmatristan or here: https://www.instagram.com/mmatristan/ Check out his Youtube video on how to set up and finish the guillotine choke at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHrevZDt_4g&feature=youtu.be ----------------------------------- Grab my free downloadable guide to learning BJJ fast at https://www.grapplearts.com/book Check out the huge archive of techniques and detailed training tips at https://www.grapplearts.com/articles/ ----------------------------------- Grab the "Grapplearts BJJ Master App" with more than 500 minutes of free black belt instruction here: iPhone and iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bjj-master-app-by-grapplearts/id1308072068 Android phones and tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grappleartcontainer ----------------------------------- Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/stephan_kesting ----------------------------------- And, most importantly, good luck with your training! Stephan

Oct 22, 2019 • 9min
238 - Best Tips for Starting to Spar Full Contact
Sparring is just as essential in the striking arts as it is in the grappling arts, but the addition of percussive trauma raises the stakes and makes safety the single most important consideration. In this short episode I talk with Ritchie Yip from The Precision Kickboxing Masterclass (http://www.selfdefensetutorials.com/kickboxing) about sparring in boxing and kickboxing and his top tips for doing it safely! Enjoy your training, Stephan

Oct 18, 2019 • 4min
237 - Survive First and Win Later - Timeless Jiu-Jitsu Wisdom
"Survive first, win later" was one of the very first pieces of advice I ever received in jiu-jitsu. It helped me then and it still helps me now, both on and off the mat. I hope this mentality helps you too! And just a quick reminder that a rating or a review of the podcast is the easiest thing you can do to help out, so thank you for that in advance. Good luck with your training, Stephan Kesting

Oct 17, 2019 • 1h 19min
236 - The Mad Scientist of Strength, Chris Duffin
I talk with Chris Duffin, one of the most elite powerlifters in the world, about his absolutely inspiring journey from a childhood spent in poverty to becoming one of the strongest men on the planet. Learn what it's like to deadlift 1000 lbs and squat 900 lbs for reps! Some of the highlights of today's episode include Chris talking about overcoming an upbringing in complete poverty, powerlifting at the highest levels, struggling with addiction, the importance of escaping bad influences, dealing with with injuries, how less is more when it comes to achieving big goals, and much more. Follow Chris on Instagram at @mad_scientist_duffin and check out his training programs and unique training equipment at https://store.kabukistrength.net/ If you like today's chat with Chris Duffin please subscribe to The Strenuous Life Podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. And if you already subscribe then a rating or review would be super-appreciated because they really help! Thanks Stephan


