In this STRONG Life Bonus Podcast, prepare to go DEEP into a 3 hour podcast with my bro, Mark "Smelly" Bell and his team members, Nsima Inyang & producer, Andrew Zaragoza. We go deep down many rabbit holes and many have reached out to me telling me they did NOT know about a lot of these stories and experiences. Here's just some of the topics we get into...... … [Read more...]
261: Zach & Dr. Pat Ivey Talk Life, Strength Coach Career & More
STRONG Life Podcast ep. 261 with Dr. (Coach) Pat Ivey. We dig deep on this podcast from mindset, to life, to career and everything in between sets, reps and strength. Here are just some of the topics we cover in this BEAST of a podcast :) What is my morning routine and what runs through my mind when I wake up and start the day Finding the elegant balance between hard work and family time Taking care of the athletes we train like they are our own kids How growing up in tough … [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...]
STRONGER In Mind, Body & Spirit with Mark “Smelly” Bell
I am fired up to bring you episode 125 of The STRONG Life Podcast with a long time friend, Mark "Smelly" Bell. In this episode, Smelly and I dig into what I like to call the intangibles of training, the things that you can not truly measure yet they are the things that inspire us and change our lives the most. Also, make sure you listen fully to this episode as Mark gives a discount code for you to use at http://HowMuchYaBench.net I've been regularly using the knee sleeves and the belt … [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...]
1 BIG Life Lesson I Learned From 2 STRONG Men
I was recently asked on The Super Strength Show for a favorite quote (shared above by Ohio State Wrestling Coach, Tom Ryan) and it brought me back to a memory of 2 guys who showed up to NJ after flying across the country, 1 of them who had JUST lost his brother. Talk about fighting the way you NEED to vs the way you want to. If you're reading this, you're into lifting weights and being strong, not just under the bar but also in life. Perhaps you're a Coach, an athlete, a parent or someone … [Read more...]
The Best Squat Shoes? Pt 2
In this installment of "The Best Squat Shoes?" I discuss training environment, training intensity, getting strong, the attitude behind my training and how you need to train and my program design method (the actual science stuff). As always, I am inspired to tell it like it is. Why? Because that's what REAL friends do. They tell you the truth. Even if it hurts. … [Read more...]
The Best Squat Shoes?
~ THE SQUAT POEM ~ My e mails and social media messages are being taken over by questions that have LESS to do with what it takes to be strong and more to do with the shoes one should be wearing, the best belt, etc. I've had people walk into my gym who looked like they NEVER lifted a day in their life and asked me what "training system are you using? Conjugate or linear periodization?" The WRONG questions are being asked. The short cuts, fads and gimmicks are being chased. Yet there is 1 … [Read more...]
NEW Underground Strength T Shirt – Be A SAVAGE!
You asked for it & now we're gonna rock this shyt. This is our first design in our Limited Edition Underground Strength Nation T Shirts. Every 4 - 8 week we'll add a new Underground Strength Nation design. Each design will be available for one week, maybe less. Those who take action will be rewarded. This first one is inspired by my boy, Mark "Smelly" Bell. You can see the Video below. I don't know too many guys as real as Smelly. He speaks the truth, walks the talk and tells it like it … [Read more...]
STRONG Life 39: I Ain’t Got Time To Be WEAK!
Who's got the time to be weak? Only those who don't care for LIFE. Waiting for tomorrow? Waiting for your gym membership to start? Waiting to get your next pay check? It's MUCH simpler than the "Gurus" want to admit. It CAN be done in a garage or basement using some old, beat up free weights. The journey to becoming STRONGER starts NOW. Pay attention and I will explain: … [Read more...]