STRONG Life Podcast ep. 127 with Mike Cupples. Mike used to weigh 560 lbs at age 17 and is now down to the 260-270 lb range! Think about that for a few seconds..... Listen to Mike and I discuss how he lost 250+lbs, how / why his mindset changed, and how he has grown his own Training Business! This is an inspiring podcast and Mike opens up about the deeper intangibles that have changed his life as a Student of Strength & Life. Here's some of what we discuss: … [Read more...]
Knee Pain, Weightlifting Belts & Back to Bodybuilding
I've been getting questions regarding injuries, knee pain, back pain and nutrition for a LONG time. After 3 knee surgeries, a shoulder surgery, a broken nose, aches and pains since my early teens with Wrestling and practically living in the gym, I've experienced a LOT of ups and downs. I blend an approach where I experiment and figure things out for myself as well as reaching out to a few friends who have more experience than I do. Here's the deal. I used to always wear a thin … [Read more...]
Age Doesn’t Matter: STRONGER, Faster, Tougher STRENGTH Tips
In a world filled with entitlement, excuses and complainers, NOW more than ever is the time to spread the word on being STRONGER both in and out of the gym. Every time I hear someone complaining about something trivial, something that has ZERO effect on their own life, I feel like I need to drag them to the gym for some Squats and Deadlifts. Or they need to carry groceries home for a few miles rather than driving in their air conditioned car. Too Much Comfort = Too Many Complainers. Manual … [Read more...]
3 Simple Tips To Improve Olympic Weightlifting & Get STRONGER
Here's a cool question that came in the mail box and I wanna answer this question more in depth for you with some sample workouts: Zach, I've been following you for awhile and now that I'm not an active trainer at my local CF box, I have slowly pieced together a garage gym to call home. Which program from your Online Training would you recommend to A) build my strength and .... B) stay on top of Oly/CF type movements? I know I desperately need the strength build up, but … [Read more...]
3 Key Truths In Training You Must Accept To Maximize Size & Strength Gains
There are 3 critical keys that have been largely responsible for my success in training as well as coaching. Yes, there is science behind it, but most of all, there are these 3 keys behind the training. … [Read more...]
Why Does Worrying Too Much Make You WEAK?
Should I squat with a box or with out? Should I use a double overhand grip, a hook grip or alternate grip? Should I pull sumo or conventional? Should I follow The Rock's Hercules program or 531 or 5 x 5 or ...... There are only a few details you need to concern yourself with. The details the majority of people worry about will NOT make the difference between you becoming a champion or not. Here are the details you need to concern yourself with: … [Read more...]
STRONGCast 17: Barbell Buddha, Living Your Dreams & Being STRONG
In this episode of The STRONG Life, I interview Chris Moore, aka Barbell Buddha. Chris has been in the iron game since he was a child. He became a different kind of a "meathead". Yes, he loved lifting heavy and he was damn good at it. But he also loved learning about life and what it takes to live a life on your own terms; Doing the things we all desire.... - Lifting Heavy - Drinking Coffee - Living Life on Your Own Terms … [Read more...]
Back To KILLING My Workouts
With my injury in my ankle and achilles I was doing some slower, heavy lifting workouts. I was hitting PRs and very focused on the moving big weights in the squat, bench, deadlift and clean. But, I wasn't satisfied. I wanted MORE intensity, MORE pain, MORE discomfort. Why? Because THAT is exactly where I find my comfort. I find my comfort in the DIS-comfort. It lets me know I am alive. It reminds me that I am STRONG and NOT weak, physically and mentally. I am having a very difficult time … [Read more...]
Training Log, Flow & Where Are My Training Videos?
So, where have my training videos gone? Why don't I record all my workouts? What gives? Let me explain while I crushed a weekend training session.... … [Read more...]
10 Reasons You’re NOT Gaining Muscle or Getting Stonger
Tomorrow I turn 38. By the time you read this, who knows how old I'll be..... It got me thinking about time, training, life and a slew of other things. This whole life thing goes way too fast. Every year I get older I quickly do the math and have a memory from age 6 of what seemed like yesterday. You must make it ALL count. Life is too short to walk around weak and with a laundry list of excuses. Bill Starr has a GREAT book call The Strongest Shall Survive. The title alone hits home, it … [Read more...]