I wrote about “Strong & Useless” in my Encyclopedia of Underground Strength & Conditioning. It’s when an athlete can move big weights on the barbell but can’t do basic bodyweight exercises such as lunges, pull ups, pushups, sprints, and jumps. I always say, Strong is Strong. This is why I don’t chase the 1 RM testing you see so often in high school weight rooms. The first athlete who demonstrated Strong & Useless to me held all the weight room records for his high school … [Read more...]
241 | Fergus Connolly: We’re Coaching PEOPLE, Not Athletes
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...]
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 239 with Jake Tuura | Strength & Conditioning, Knee Rehab & The Art of Coaching
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 239 with Strength & Conditioning Coach, Jake Tuura. This episode is a powerful deep dive into training athletes, from the mindset to the technical aspect. We also discuss Jake's research on knee pain / knee rehab and how he rehabbed himself from years of patellar tendon pain to being able to dunk a basketball every week. I highly recommend you dig into Jake's work, from his YouTube Videos to his Training ebooks. BIG thank you for supporting The STRONG Life … [Read more...]
199 | Rachel Balkovec Interviews Zach on Childhood Upbringing, Coaching Philosophy & More!
Here we go, STRONG Life Podcast ep. 199 with Rachel Balkovec. Rachel interviewed me for her Theta Wave Podcast while on my drive to teaching and we got into some awesome history behind my training, my childhood and how these experiences have shaped my coaching philosophy. I share the infamous story of "Andrei The Giant" from Israel and lots of history from The Underground Strength Gym including how my mindset has changed from the business focus to the coaching / teaching focus. Prepare … [Read more...]
Art of Coaching: How & Why Strength & Conditioning Is MUCH More Than Sets & Reps
I've watched the worst movers in the weight room achieve some of the highest levels of success in their chosen sport. I've watched the highest achievers in high school struggle at the D1 Level and give up altogether. I've watched the strongest & toughest guys in the weight room demonstrate the least grit & toughness in their sport. These stories of irony go on and on. They are ironic only when you are new to training athletes. Once you've coached for a while, you see how … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep 153 | Brett Bartholomew | Strength Coach Work Ethic + The Art of Coaching
What started out as a solo episode to discuss Strength Coach Work Ethic on my Instagram evolved into an awesome convo / STRONG Life Podcast with Brett Bartholomew! In this STRONG Life Podcast / Livecast we discuss the following topics: … [Read more...]
ULTIMATE Motivation: “Who Am I?” I AM A CHAMPION!!!!
"Who Am I?" I AM A CHAMPION!!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX39J_YyKbs Today gentlemen, I am honored to coach you More honored to be leading you onto the field of battle But there's another honor to be bestowed upon you And that is in the answer that comes with that question: Who am I? I AM A CHAMPION! That's right, and you need to remember that all through this game I will conquer what has not been conquered Defeat will not be in my creed I … [Read more...]