STRONG Life Podcast ep. 241 with Performance Coach & Consultant, Fergus Connolly. This was a GREAT conversation that lasted over 2 hours and if neither of us had to go, we would have kept on going! Fergus has worked at the D1 Level, in professional sports from the NFL to the best of the best in Military, Soccer & Rugby. His books have influenced thousands upon thousands around the world as has his Tedx talk which is featured below. Fergus and I got into the deeper, inner … [Read more...]
Shoulder Health, Deadlifts & 1989 YMCA Weight Room Stories
I remember as a kid reading Arnold's bodybuilding books and his Encyclopedia mentioned how he uses Deadlifts. He said to do "a few sets of a few reps". I took that as keeping it fast & furious, never killing the Deadlift or it will kill you. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and done. 3 x 3. 2 x 2. Any of the simple combos above seem to work very well. I recall when I Deadlifted 545 I never went heavier than 405 in training. Of course, I squatted heavy, did various rowing exercises, weighted … [Read more...]
Doing the Right Thing (Strength Coach Business)
I've shared something with Strength Coaches I consult with on the regular, and it's something simple yet unfortunately, not everyone does it. What is that "thing"? It's simple. … [Read more...]
Why Strength Coaches MUST Have Grit aka “Mental Toughness” (Plus Business Tips)
This article is about GRIT & Toughness for the Strength & Conditioning Coach. This profession is NOT easy. The hours can be crazy and the vacations can be little but we are SO damn passionate about what we do, it's a double edged sword. I've been at The D1 Level and of course the independent level, running at times up to 4 locations of The Underground Strength Gym. Thank God for wrestling because it taught me to be TOUGH. From my first job working at JFK Fitness Center to my … [Read more...]
Seek The Discomfort
Here is a short snippet From my morning newsletter aka The STRONG Life Insider. I am intrigued by people. MORE intrigued with who is tough vs who is not. Who quits vs who keeps going. Who punches the clock vs who does AWESOME work. Who genuinely cares about their work and how they work vs those who never gives a sh-t. What type of person are you? Normal people quit. A LOT. … [Read more...]
188 | John Welbourn & Zach Philosophize on LIFE
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 188 with my Dude, John Welbourn from Power Athlete. This episode covers little in the realm of training / strength & conditioning and instead, Johnny & I chat about the meaning of life and lessons we've learned as we "get older". I gotta tell ya, I could talk with Johnny ALL day without stopping, very few guys I connect with who keep it real like Welbourn. In fact, we did chat all night in Philly a few years back and unfortunately, it was no recorded due to … [Read more...]
Beyond the Chalk: Going BEYOND The Underground Strength Gym, BEYOND “Strength & Conditioning”
Beyond the Chalk is an inspiring look into the DEEPER meaning of Coaches lives, brought to us by Ron McKeefery and PLAE. I was honored and floored when they asked me to kick off season 2. I've always said, on the surface, people see The Underground Strength Gym as a "strength & conditioning" facility. But as I always say, THAT is just the surface. The Underground exists to change lives through strength. The Underground has always stood for much more than helping an athlete become … [Read more...]
147 | Brian “Tosh” Chontosh | Suck Less Everyday
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 147 with Tosh / Brian Chontosh. First of all, who is Tosh? Here's a short intro, but then our conversation together takes you down a deeper level. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Chontosh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoSnBwAz9mw I had such a blast chopping it up with Tosh as we spoke about life and training for life. Real Talk on sucking a little bit less everyday. If only there was more time, these conversations would flow even more so because … [Read more...]
141 | Find a Way VS Finding Excuses | Jerred Moon
STRONG Life Ep. 141 with Jerred Moon. I had a blast talking life and lifting with Jerred and I was on his podcast about a year ago. We got into the common question of "Is there a substitute for ______?" NO, there are no substitutes, this is life, FIND A WAY! HERE'S WHAT WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: … [Read more...]
The Lost Art of Showing Up, Working HARD & Being AWESOME
I told my son who just turned 9 that I already had a job at his age, delivering papers everyday after school. My neighbor told me he wanted his newspaper in the morning so he told me I should deliver the paper before school to the neighbors, that it was the right thing to do. I listened and did as he told me to. I had my bike stolen in 3rd grade, so, I got another paper route and began delivering one route before school, another route after school. My Dad didn't offer to buy me a new bike … [Read more...]