I feel like I just don't fit into this world anymore. Do you ever feel like that? I recall that feeling many times as a kid and a teenager. MANY times. When I do feel normal, I am with the Wrestling Coaches at Rutgers or training the team. I am in the 90+ degree Underground Strength Gym drenched in sweat, training athletes who see the hard work, the intensity and the struggle as "normal". These people see the work as the gift! I feel normal when I am among Strength Coaches who talk … [Read more...]
WHY I Refuse To Bend for Mediocrity, Fads & Gimmicks
STRONG Life Episode 115, QnA from Instagram. This episode unfolds in a unique manner as each and every question keeps bringing me back to WHY we must stand our ground for Excellence. None of this "good enough" BS and figuring out how to make things easier for everyone. I am at a point where I am not going to refuse for wanting excellence. My ability to accept weak excuses has dwindled to nothing. Your excuse is your excuse. ALL in, ALL the time. Here's some of the Questions I … [Read more...]
Before The “Perfect Workout” Program, Do This 1 Thing
The world is in a strange place...... I find myself saying that often. Hence, why I get so fired up and this article will be part rant and part advice on "what it takes"... I see what is happening in this world and of course experience some strange things on a daily basis between running The Underground Strength Gym and training athletes, working with parents and coaches on the regular. Before you can be a state champ, national champ, pro athlete, etc ..... You MUST pull your head out of your … [Read more...]
How To SQUAT Properly + My Disdain For Low Standards In The High School Weight Room
I love Squats, especially when I see someone doing them properly. But I'll be brutally honest, I get fired up hearing the athletes we work with at The Underground Strength Gym telling me what they do at their high school weight room. Why do I get fired up? Because the standards have been dropped. The technique has been given a lower standard. Because standards are dropped and technique is ignored, the results that come from the squat are dramatically reduced. For 9 years now, I … [Read more...]
AJ Roberts On Breaking World Records In Powerlifting & LIFE!
Episode 71 of The STRONG Life Podcast is with a close friend of mine, World Record Holder in Powerifting, AJ Roberts. AJ's story and skills go FAR beyond being one of the strongest powerlifters to ever walk the face of this earth, as you'll learn in this episode. AJ set his world record while training under Louie Simmons at the Strongest Gym in the World, Westside Barbell. Here's some stats from AJ when he achieved his World Record All Time Total at 308 lbs in powerlifting: 1205 lbs … [Read more...]
The Problem With Strength Training Advice On The Internet
Here's a little news flash that will hurt many people's feelings: Just because you see it on YouTube doesn't mean it's what ALWAYS happens in that person's training. Just because the guy behind the camera is ripped doesn't mean he knows more about training than the other Coach. The internet has given us opportunity to learn as much as we want, not all of it good and not all of it accurate. The opposite holds true as well, there is some amazing and powerful information out there that was once … [Read more...]
Don’t Play The Age Card & My 40th Birthday Workout
I was on the phone with my buddy, AJ Roberts, a former world record holder in Powerlifting while he was a member at Westside Barbell, aka The Strongest Gym in the World. We were talking training, life, business, the usual..... We got to the training talk and I mentioned something about how I feel and he said, "Oh man, you're already playing that age card!" He was right. I was 38 or 39 at the time and I made up some poor excuse about training, how I feel because of my age and then proceeded … [Read more...]
Warrior Workouts [March 2015], Random Thoughts & Various Inspiration
I am always finding inspiration. For some reason, everything I see inspires me in some shape or form. I am inspired to be better than I currently am as well as to not be like the things I see that bother me. I've tried to change, to calm down, to be less intense or less serious or even less passionate but it lasts very little. I'm just not a calm guy who lets things slide. I'm intense, passionate and fired up. It's like telling Dan Gable to stop being so intense. It doesn't work. It will … [Read more...]
STRONGLife Ep 45: Louie Simmons Interview & Westside Barbell
STRONG Life Podcast Episode 45. A Throwback interview with Louie Simmons, owner of Westside Barbell (Strongest Gym In the World). In this episode Louie and I discuss the following: … [Read more...]
Marcus Luttrell Speaks to Alabama Football Team (WHAT You ARE!)
So many people complain about life and how tough of a life they have. Ironically, these complainers often have a nice job, a nice car, a roof over their head and more. Somehow, someway, they still find a way to talk as if their life is so tough. Athletes complain about how busy they are, blame the ref for losing, complain about their coaches, etc. These are the same athletes who have opportunity all around them to do things to become better. They have the time and resources but find excuses and … [Read more...]