In this episode of The STRONG Life podcast, The Barbell Shrugged Crew and I discuss program design and reverse engineering training AND life. We break down how we look at safely, effectively and quickly help people build themselves UP, both physically and mentally. These are the methods used at The Underground Strength Gym for youth athletes all the way up to Olympic level athletes. Give this a listen and make yourself smarter and STRONGER. WHY? Because we are ALL Coaches. You either coach … [Read more...]
STRONGCast 20: Matt Wichlinski, Wrestling Workouts, Art of Coaching, Success & Bodybuilding
In this episode of The STRONG Life podcast I interview Matt Wichlinski, the director of performance at The WWE Developmental training center in Florida. +++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++ Matt attended one of the earliest Underground Strength Coach Certifications and has always been on the cutting edge of training. He understands training unlike any other coach I've met. Of course, being super humble, he will never brag, so I'll do the bragging for him. This episode will give you insight … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Podcast 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...]
STRONGCast 16: Matt Vincent, Simple Strength & Simple Life
This episode of The STRONG Life, aka STRONGCast is with Highland Games World Champion and straight up great guy, Matt Vincent. Matt is one of those guys who "gets it". He lives the simple life. He applies this simplicity to his training and doesn't over complicate things. In turn, he's a happy go lucky guy who loves life and loves lifting. In this episode of STRONGCast we also discuss the following with Matt: … [Read more...]
10 Reasons You’re NOT Gaining Muscle or Getting Stonger
As I "get older" and time seems to be going way too fast, I have been 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 can be updated to … [Read more...]
Travis Mash On The Power of Olympic Lifting
Great interview Travis Mash did when we all met up at Sorinex Summer Strong, special thanks to Chad Smith for making this happen. In this interview, Travis Mash talks about: - His world record in Powerlifting and how it compares to Ed Coan - The power behind Olympic Lifting and how incredibly strong Olympic Lifters are - How he modified and learned from Louie Simmons & Westside Barbell while prepping for his powerlifting world record - How he used bands and chains when … [Read more...]
Breaking The Rules Of Traditional Strength Training & Muscle Building
I came up learning from the Golden Era Greats of Bodybuilding and the late, great John Kemper, the owner of Diamond Gym. These men were strong, jacked and ripped. They lifted heavy and often did supersets, even with the big compound movements. Even if they trained on machines, you would see guys loading up the machines and then rigging up the machine to add more 45s to the stack of weights. When I followed their routines of aggressive and heavy training using mostly free weights, my … [Read more...]
9 Lessons Learned At Sorinex Summer Strong – Pt 1
Here's a recap of just some of the lessons learned at Sorinex Summer Strong. More than just lessons, these were the main themes that simply kept coming back around, full circle. If any of the lifters and coaches disagreed, it was on maybe 10% of our thoughts, if that. The other 90% or more of our thoughts were all on the same page. In a nut shell, here is a list of common themes that were given if you wanna kick ass & take names: … [Read more...]
Why Your Training Must Mirror Life AND Sports
There are MANY ways to train. MANY training methods are highly effective and trust me, MANY are horrible on even their best days. It all depends on HOW training is being implemented and is the training being done at the appropriate time and place? When I look at training for myself or when writing programs for others, I look at their goals and what life looks like when they perform. Nothing complicated, straight, simple and to the point. I am NOT impressed with the Coaches who TALK fancy. I … [Read more...]
Learning The Olympic Lifts, Part II
One of the toughest Olympic Lifting exercises for me to learn (STILL learning, ALWAYS learning!) was the power clean. Some of my problems were common problems for other aspiring Olympic Lifters as well: - My wrists were extremely tight - My shoulders and lats lacked mobility - I wasn't using a grip that was conducive for my own physical capabilities AND faults You see, back in the day.... … [Read more...]