Here and there I catch myself getting away from training that is more Physical Culture based and end up chasing numbers. Now, there is NOTHING wrong with being Strong. But something was missing for me. I wanted to feel the toughness and challenge of working with circuits / complexes of Kettlebells, Fat Bell, Center Mass Bells. With my shoulder injury some years ago, I limit the overhead work but testing Donnie Thompson's Bow Tie made everything feel fine! … [Read more...]
Iron Roots Ep. 9 | George Hackenschmidt aka The Russian Lion
MANY years ago I got my hands on a book titled The Way to Live. I loved the book. It was so simple yet so powerful. I was training athletes from my garage back then and I was already tired of the poser, fake BS in the "fitness industry". I read this book about George Hackenschmidt aka The Russian Lion and damn, he was an animal. He was using basic dumbbell and barbell lifts, his nutrition and sleep / lifestyle habits were also basic. But his results were world class. … [Read more...]
Physical Culture & Better Health with Max Shank
Episode 123 of The STRONG Life Podcast is with my friend Max Shank who I connected with 10+ years ago after seeing him on early days YouTube lifting BIG stones & competing in ShootFighting. I've been inspired and educated with seeing Max training and bringing back physical culture in a way that blends all aspects of Health & Strength together. It is refreshing and inspiring to say the least. Playing with some #ultimateathleticism movements in the wind/rain. There are two … [Read more...]
How To Improve The Current State Of Youth Sports / Youth Strength & Conditioning
More and more I begin to question if we can make a change to our youth sports programs and most of all, our youth Physical Education programs. My own answer to this dilemma? YES, change CAN be made. It is being made inside many Strength & Conditioning Facilities BUT there are flaws to this because parents must pay for their kids to train at these independent gyms such as my own gym. When parents have to pay for a service you quickly lose 85+ percent of kids you can potentially impact. This … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 41: Andy “IronMac” McKenzie On Unbreakable Discipline, Mental Toughness & Military Life Lessons
This episode of The STRONG Life Podcast is close to my heart. Andy "IronMac" McKenzie is a former paratrooper in the British Army. Just like myself, a severe injury is what changed Andy's life and his journey on earth: An accident that fractured his spine in three places. When the doctors told him he would never run or parachute again, Andy defied their prognosis, and began working relentlessly on his own rehabilitation program. Within 18 months, he was back to parachuting and full … [Read more...]
George Hackenschmidt, The Russian Lion – Wisdom From 1908
In 1908, the book 'The Way to Live' was released. Here is one of my favorite quotes from the book: "It is a well known fact that the majority of men today are relatively weak, whereas the struggle for existence demands now more than at any previous epoch that we should all be strong!" I assume back then, MANY thought George Hackenschmidt, aka The Russian Lion, was crazy, strange and weird.... you know, all the good words people tend to use when describing anyone who isn't fitting in with … [Read more...]
The Power Behind Push Ups
I always tell my athletes, "Eat your push ups & pull ups for breakfast!" You MUST be GREAT at these 2 exercises, they are the foundation for upper body strength and power and work wonders for muscle building. I recently got a copy of The Convict Conditioning Push Up Series Course and the FIRST thing that struck me was all the coaching techniques, regressions and progressions. I am ALWAYS shocked when I have athletes at my gym who trained elsewhere and they are NOT performing the … [Read more...]
3 Lessons From Human – Gorilla Hybrids, aka Freaks of Strength
I am inspired to write this Blog greatly because of two men, both of whom I speak of often: Jonny Hinds, Owner of The Monkey Bar Gym, who will also be presenting at The Underground Strength Gym in Edison in October (stay tuned for this announcement). Rick Gonzales, my infamous college Gymnastics Coach. These men have the seamless strength of Gorillas. They move their bodies through space and perform bodyweight strength exercises that are extremely challenging, yet they show such tight … [Read more...]
The Pussification of America
No photos or art work today, just a straight up rant..... Something has been irking me lately and it's exactly what I coin “The Pussification of America.” On the flip side, I’m sure this article will get me in a lot of heat, mainly by those who are contributing to the weakness. Complaining about the title of this article does nothing, by the way. There is a rare breed of people out there (Both men & women) who are also fired up about this and will understand where I am … [Read more...]
NJ Wrestling Training, Eye of The Tiger & Physical Culture
I took a 1 hr drive up north yesterday to train The Blair Academy Wrestling Team, NEVER in my life have I seen an entire room of athletes who: - Focused 110% - Listened AND made eye contact - NEVER slacked Notice I did not say 99% of the athletes, I said ALL of them. … [Read more...]