I am amazed at times when an athlete feels he needs "another program" when he can't even squat 225, let alone bench 225. Or when a Sport Coach insists his athletes can Squat, Bench and Deadlift yet they struggle with push ups and a full range of motion bodyweight squat. What "special program" do you need if you can't perform light weights with the barbell basics and calisthenics? The answer is, you do NOT need a special program. You need to MASTER the bodyweight basics. Still arguing … [Read more...]
RAW with Marty Gallagher: Strength Endurance, Minimalist Training & Fighting the Fads & Gimmicks of Strength & Conditioning
In this BONUS episode of The STRONG Life Podcast I join my friends of Iron Company on their podcast. We've got JP Brice, Marty Gallagher and Jim Steel. Marty's podcast is called RAW, and once you hear his unfiltered ways of conversing with me you'll understand exactly why! We discuss the following topics: - How my background in training began, from hardcore gyms to current days of The Underground Strength Gym - How some of the Powerlifters of the 60s, 70s and 80s trained for world … [Read more...]
Why Calisthenics Are So Effective Yet Underused
Those old strength and health magazines had it right. They encouraged barbell lifting; Bodybuilding, Powerlifting and Olympic Weightlifting. They encouraged body control through the use of calisthenics, hand balancing and basic gymnastic drills. The physiques not only looked strong, they WERE strong AND athletic. You don't see the bodybuilders of today performing hand balancing or acrobatics. Heck, you don't see bodybuilders jumping. I often say I was born at the wrong time. I … [Read more...]
Fitness Is So Simple It’s Complicated
The photo above is from 1938. That's a pretty impressive physique for about 80 years ago. I am sure his training was ultra basic, what else was there in 1938? I am sure this man's nutrition was basic as well. If I could guess, he did calisthenics, basic gymnastics, basic barbell and dumbbell work and maybe some running? He probably worked full time, did manual labor and worked hard. Of course, the food back then was likely much more different than today. Whole eggs and whole milk were … [Read more...]
Marty Gallagher | Simplifying Strength Training for MAXIMUM Results
Episode 117 of The STRONG Life Podcast with my friend and mentor, Marty Gallagher. Marty is the author of multiple books and 1 of them is my ALL time favorite, The Purposeful Primitive. You can also listen to our first STRONG Life Podcast on Episode 19 HERE. Listening to Marty talk training and the overall Purposeful Primitive Lifestyle is always awe inspiring! I've spent time with Marty when he took some of the world's best Tier 1 Military Operators to a Powerlifting Meet with a … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep 107: Dr. Phil Wagner | SpartaTrac | Strength & Conditioning Science + Excellence
WOW! My mind is blown after chatting with Dr. Phil Wagner, the Creator of The SpartaTrac system. This conversation is beyond inspiring! From Phil's experiences as an athlete, to a Coach, to WHY he created The SpartaTrac system (this is something many college coaches must hear) to his current take on nutrition and training for himself and his family. Phil's amazing journey will educate, inspire and open up your mind BIG time. As you listen to Phil you realize the Relentless Pursuit of … [Read more...]
A Letter to My YOUNGER (Athlete) Self With 17 Strength Training & Life Tips
This letter isn't about holding on to the past or living in the past. Knowing and learning from mistakes is crucial. The opportunity to share with others to help them achieve more Success, to avoid my mistakes & to be inspired to improve themselves is the goal. It's a simple hope that a middle or high school athletes comes across this post, sees my mistakes, my tips on life and lifting and ultimately, puts these tips to use. Heck, I hope a college athlete sees this. Maybe a college … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 101: Work Ethic & The Mystery Of Coaching Athletes
STRONG Life Podcast Ep. 101 with Mike Guadango, Owner of Freak Strength. In this episode, I connect with a long time friend, Mike Guadango. Mike and I met back in the early days of The Underground Strength Gym when we would compete against DeFranco's Gym at his annual Strongman Challenge. Back then, Mike was a hard charging athlete with goals of become a Major League Baseball Player. Injuries have a funny way of changing our life path and that's exactly what happened with … [Read more...]
STRONG Life Ep. 100 w/ Jim Steel: Be A Simple Man
Pretty crazy, here we are with The STRONG Life Podcast Episode 100! Jim Steel and I crush part 2 of our conversation and although we talk training others and self, lifting "back in the day" and strength & conditioning today..... The essence of our conversation today revolved around being a "Simple Man". To say it's refreshing and inspiring to chat with Jim is an understatement. This episode is a breath of fresh air! Here are some of the topics we cover: … [Read more...]
12 Lessons From A Never Ending Podcast with John Welbourn & Jim Steel
What a day..... What a night..... I left the house at 2:30 PM to drive to Philly to meet up with John Welbourn & Tex from Power Athlete HQ. The original plan was for the guys to finish their seminar at 4 PM but like any passionate coach, you can't stop the freight train of passion when you're on a roll. I believe things came to a close around 5:15 PM. From there, we headed to U Penn to meet up with Jim Steel, the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. I had spoken with Jim many times … [Read more...]