At age 25 I was going through a hellish time in life. I had a bad case of “God complex” and left a job (voluntarily) which I loved and was very successful at with hopes of making a difference at a new position.
Guess I thought I could save the world, which, for teachers, is the way you MUST think if you wanna do a GREAT job and it pushes you to think outside the box and bring better and better things to the students. But, trying to save the world wasn’t my job, and I learned the hard way.
I was stressed beyond belief yet somehow juggled my training, full time job, coaching wrestling, training and competing in BJJ and to cap it all off I tore my ACL and cried in the middle of a class during Grad School.
Yep, that SUCKED. Life at 25.
That was 10 years ago yet it seems more like 10 minutes ago. Funny how pain and suffering are things we NEVER forget. Pain and suffering also motivates me to NEVER go back to that feeling or that place whether it be holding down a horrible job or losing wrestling matches. This is when I learned about lifestyle design….. the hard way.
I thought it would be interesting, motivating, inspirational and educational ALL at once to interview a 25 year old who has crafted a life according to his rules as well as being a Damn STRONG dude.
Regardless of your age, we can ALL learn something from this 25 year old stud who crafted a pretty kick ass life for himself and can Bench Press 225 for 20 + reps and only weighs 185 lbs.
Pretty darn cool. Grab some coffee or whip up a protein shake, here’s 22 minutes of Nate Green, enjoy 
I have learned how to go after life the same way I learned to go after strength. It’s a constant evolution, you’re always finding new ways to get stronger, bigger and faster.
Same in life…. you’re always trying to climb your personal Mount Everest. Time goes fast. Life is too short to be weak or stick with a job that makes you miserable.
Make it happen!
Please leave your comments / questions below.
Peace!
–Z–
Recommended Resources:
How to Kick Ass Business Immersion Weekend
Underground Inner Circle 30 Day Test Drive
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Filed under Kick Ass Business, Kick Ass Life, Monday Motivation, Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Feb 21st, 2011. 11 Comments. 
Enjoy the audio interrogation with Coach Ripp.
Sorry, a little static during the first 2 minutes but it clears up after the 2 minute mark. Have mercy on me as my office is out of a military back pack since moving out and awaiting for our new home to be ready and I don’t have a land line
Regardless….The information in this interview is Golden and make sure you READ the article linked below. It is what I would call “F**ING EPIC!!”.
Read THIS Article: Reflections Of Iron: Mike Webster
It is my FAVORITE article I’ve ever seen on Coach Rip’s site and perhaps one of my All Time favorites. As you know, I have an affinity for anything “Old School” and these stories kinda remind me of how The Underground started in my backyard using stones & logs year round, winter and all.
Drop your comments / questions below regarding this interview with Coach Mark Rippetoe and especially let me know your thoughts on the amazing article!
Of course, if you dig it, share it out via facebook and twitter!
–Z–
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Filed under Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, freak strength friday, muscle building, old school strength by on Dec 31st, 2009. 10 Comments.
Check out my interrogation with Dan John.
I gotta say, guys like Dan John, Coach Ethan Reeve – these guys are amazing coaches, but also a bit crazy. I feel related to them – kinda like we’re from the same mentally crazy Strength Tribe.
Thoughts or comments on the audio, drop a comment below, looking forward to hearing your feedback!
Peace!
–Z–
Click HERE to Play The Dan John Audio (be patient as it uploads
Reccomended Resources:
http://UndergroundKettlebells.com
http://UndergroundStrengthManual.com
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Filed under Articles, Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Dec 6th, 2009. 10 Comments.
I had an awesome time doing the Kettlebell Interrogations last night with Geoff Neupert.
The final question I could NOT get to on the phone because were 90 minutes IN and my wife had called me 3 times already!
Here’s my answer to the last question:
And, if you have some time and wanna grab dinner or a protein shake, kick back and chill while you listen to my unleashing all my Kettlebell Training Secrets and more.
This is awesome stuff, no doubt
http://kettlebellinterrogations.com/zach/replay.html
Peace!
–Z–
PS: Here are my very own Kettlebell Products and Favorite Kettlebell Resources, just click on the title to get more info:
Kettlebells for Combat
Kettlebell Training for Sport
Underground Kettlebells
PPS: Do you want MORE than just Kettlebells? Check out the newly released BEAST Strength Program by Clicking HERE
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Filed under Announcements, Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Nov 20th, 2009. 18 Comments.
Listen to Elliott Hulse and I talk shop about http://HybridBodybuilding.com and why this is the style of training you should be using to become athletic, lean AND strong as hell.
Click HERE to download and listen, BUT, please be patient a few minutes as the audio file uploads as this teleseminar was 1 hour of action packed Hybrid Bodybuilding info.
Listen to the Hybrid Bodybuilding Teleseminar by clicking HERE < ==== Click
Post your comments below and don’t forget to get your free Hybrid Bodybuilding Video Series by clicking HERE.
Peace!
–Z–
PS:You can save the audio to your I Pod as well, enjoy!
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Filed under Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Nov 3rd, 2009. 21 Comments.
Many, Many, MANY years ago, as a young teen, reading Arnold’s book, ‘Education of a Bodybuilder’ I remember Arnold speaking about being Fearless.
I would keep taking the book out from the school library, renewing it every 2 weeks so noone else could read about Arnie and learn his secrets. Just me, it was all mine!
I remember laughing to myself as my name was the only name to fill up both front and back of all the sign out cards for this awesome book.
Arnold was Fearless to go heavier and move HUGE & Massive poundages that others feared.
Arnold would perform calf raises with over 1,000 lbs, loading the calf machine to maximum 
capacity plus having his training partner stand on the machine!
Arnold went the extra mile and did NOT fear the heavy load sitting on his back because he was sooo freaking hungry to make his calves grow because he wanted to win so badly!
Arnold also understood that this going the extra mile, or sometimes only the extra few inches is what created the greatness that so many others feared doing.
Are you going the extra mile?
What about the extra inch?
On Sunday my athletes were invited to come in for a free workout with the Coaches going through the certification / mentorship. It was a 10 AM workout.
2 kids who said they would show, did not. That is missing out on inches and miles.
That is FEAR of waking up and doing something when perhaps your mind and body are not wanting it. Sometimes, ya just gotta say ‘F**k it!”, right?
Arnold was Fearless to travel to America to compete against the best bodybuilders in the world when he did not speak English.
Fearless to tell people of his lofty goals of becoming the best built man in the world, moving to America and becoming a Hollywood star known around the world.
Everyone else around Arnold focused on how crazy he was, and how he should not have such “dreams”.
His passioned toppled and trampled over all obstacles and road blocks.
Arnold’s most powerful weapon: His Mind.
Your most powerful weapon? Your Mind.
Only if you so choose.
Most people remain scared their entire life and fear the risk of doing what Arnold did; Achieving Greatness.
Greatness to you may not mean becoming a Hollywood action hero and Mr. Olympia.
It might mean benching 315 lbs, quitting your lame 9-5 suit & tie job and not waking up to an alarm clock.
YOU decide what Greatness means and only you can define it.
But, just like Arnie did, you gotta have that “F**K It!” attitude and go for it.
You gotta believe that you too, are Numero Uno!
Above, Arnold believed he was Numero Uno, even when he wasn’t smokin’ The Ganja Mon!
It’s OK to be scared, the trick is, not allowing your fear to control you!
Want to know more ways to achieve greatness and become fearless?
Listen to this Audio Interrogation that I did with Matt Furey, author of The Unbeatbale Man.
** Feel Free to download the Kick Ass, Guaranteed to “Pump You Up” audio with Matt Furey and I to your I Pod as well! **
Click HERE for the Greatness & Fearless Audio Interrogation with myself and Matt Furey…
Or….Click Play Below while you listen….
This was obviously just the scratching of the surface.
But, I definitely want to hear your thoughts on how you overcome fear and what you do to achieve greatness in your life.
What does greatness mean to you?
I am psyched to see what you write in the comments section!
Peace!
–Z–
PS: If greatness and becoming fearless means opening your own fitness business, then you owe it to yourself to meet me HERE!
PPS: If you need to give your mind the right food to become fearless then you must read The Unbeatable Man HERE.
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Calendar, Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Oct 12th, 2009. 14 Comments.
Check out some of the good times had with stone training. This is just a small taste, but don’t forget, basics kill, not the fancy stuff!
Post your thoughts in the comments below!
–Coach Z–
PS: Want more stone training, No rules training and workouts that will get you kicked out of your pansy ass gym? Click HERE and get your workouts. Enjoy!
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Filed under Podcasts, Underground Strength Show by on Jul 29th, 2008. 12 Comments.
On my one hand, I can count those who have REALLY influenced me in training AND in life.
Without hesitation, Jonny Hinds is one of those people. I connected with Jon maybe 2 or 3 years ago by phone, after Pat Miletich, the MMA Coach and former UFC Champion, sent me his way.
I would spend over an hour on the phone talking about physical culture and nutrition every time we chatted. We would philosophize about life and exchange cool training and life stories and experiences, and, I’ll admit, Jonny has many more cooler stories than I do ha ha
You have probably also seen me promote very few things that are not my own creations. The equipment Jonny has developed blows my mind and kick ass physically as well as spiritually. Sounds crazy, but if you’ve done bodyweight training you understand that it heals the mind AND body, something I am BIG on.
Two of my favorite tools are his kettlebells and the power wheel, although I am also quite the avid fan of his various weighted jump ropes (which I have ALL of them), the jungle gym and the power push up.
The conversation you are about to hear is jam packed with golden nuggets of awesome strength and conditioning information. You’ll love it. From bodyweight training, healing your injuries through Eischen’s Yoga, REAL core training, the NFL combine and tons more.
Please let others know about this Blog and this audio so we can spread the powerful info unleashed in this audio interrogation with my homeboy, Jonny Hinds. Enjoy!
Click HERE for the Jonny Hinds Podcast!
In Strength,
–Coach Z–
P.S. – Get the power wheel HERE. I have spoken about the powers of hand walking, and the incredible core and ab training you can get from this awesome training tool. You will love it when you get it, I know it!
P.P.S. – Check out all of Jon’s products HERE.
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Loue has a new book out and it is awesome.
Here’s a little gift for you so enjoy it and feel free to let others know about this Blog.
Click HERE for the Louie Simmons Podcast.
In Strength,
-Z-
30 Day Trial in The Underground Inner Circle
‘The Westside Barbell Book of Methods’ HERE.
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Filed under Announcements, Articles, Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Zach's Workouts, muscle building by on Jun 25th, 2008. 8 Comments.
I got a chance to grill my homeboy, Jim Wendler.
Jim is 100% through and through a super genuine guy, and although a bit crazy, you want to listen carefully to his methods for building brute strength. They produce powerful results, period. In the end, results are what count, so pay attention to this audio and please let all your strength fanatic friends know about the ass kicking info rocking at my blog (TONS MORE to come
In Strength,
–Zach–
Click the Photo above or Click HERE for your Jim Wendler audio podcast!
Recommended Resources:
5 3 1 Strength System with Jim Wendler
Underground Strength Audio Interrogations (includes 45 minute audio with Jim Wendler, Jim Smith of Diesel Crew, Joe DeFranco, AJ Roberts & More!)
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Filed under Podcasts, Q & A, Strength Building, Success, muscle building by on Jun 14th, 2008. 4 Comments.
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