BarBend Podcast

How to Build Muscle with Kettlebells (w/Joe Daniels) Jan 10, 2024

Today I'm speaking with Joe Daniels, better known as Swing This Kettlebell on social media. Joe has a varied athletic background, but in recent years he's focused on kettlebell training across a variety of methods. We dive into his experience and bust some myths are kettlebells, hypertrophy, and functional training.

Balancing Life As an Athlete and Coach (w/Zachary Huse) Nov 01, 2023

Today I'm talking to weightlifter and coach Zachary Huse. Zack is in an interesting position: he's an active weightlifter in the superheavyweight category, and he's also a coach with an increasingly accomplished roster of athletes. Is it possible to excel at both points in your weightlifting career? How does he balance coaching at competitions while often competing on the same platform (albeit after most of his athletes)? And what are the most exciting developments in USA Weightlifting competition? There are lessons here for all strength athletes, and I hope you enjoy!

BarBend Classic: Should CrossFitters Switch to Strongman? (w/Hanna Coldiron) Oct 24, 2023

Here's one from the archives (we're back with new episodes next week!). Today we're wrapping up our mini-series with elite strongwoman athletes. Hanna Coldiron is the 2021 world's 7th strongest woman under 64kg, and she's looking to better that result later in 2022. Hanna wears a lot of hats: athlete and contest promoter, in addition to working a full time job outside of strength athletics. She also got her start in CrossFit (a bit like multi-time World's Strongest Man competitor Rob Kearney), and hearing her take on transitioning sports was eye-opening. If you've ever wanted to hear from a top strongman competitor in the lighter bodyweight categories — or are considering getting involved in the sport yourself — this is a great episode to listen to all the way through!

From Gymnastics to Kettlebells to Weightlifting (with Rebecca Rouse) Oct 13, 2023

Today we have a first of its kind episode in BarBend Podcast history, because it's the first time we've ever had both members of a married couple on the show! We're talking to weightlifter, kettlebell specialist, and trainer Rebecca Rouse. Her husband — Joel Del Rosario — appeared on the podcast about two years ago! I sat down with Rebecca to talk about training in kettlebells and building a following there, making the transition to weightlifting, and tips for finding new coaches and training centers when you travel around or move frequently.
Listen to our episode with Joel here.

Secrets of Giants (with Alyssa Ages) Oct 02, 2023

Today I'm talking to author Alyssa Ages, who recently released a book called Secrets of Giants: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength. She's also a strength athlete herself, and in this book, she spoke with dozens of people around the strength community: lifters, writers, journalists, even organizers, etc. It's a look into how strength impacts our lives and how it can push us past our barriers in all aspects of society. And here's the fun part: I'm actually quoted a couple times in the book! This is the exact sort of book and journey listeners of this podcast will love.

BarBend Classic: How Mini-Cuts Unlock Muscle-Building Sep 18, 2023

Here's one from our archives; we'll be back with new episodes next week! Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and podcast Tom MacCormick. A writer for sites like Breaking Muscle and BarBend — but hey, I’m biased — Tom is a veteran of the strength and conditioning industry. But one thing he’s best known for online is helping people harness the power of mini cuts — targeted, specific periods of concentrated fat loss — that Tom says can actually help long-term muscle-building and strength goals. Tom joins us to explain how mini-cuts can be adapted to almost any training environment, along with tips on how to balance nutritional parameters with in-gym progress.

From Walking with a Cane to Powerlifting Competitions (with Angelo Poli) Sep 12, 2023

Today we have one that really spans the spectrum from fitness to nutrition. I'm talking to Angelo Poli, who is the founder of a company called MetPro. The first part of the podcast talks about Angelo's personal story. He overcame a significant injury that had him walking with a can for the better part of a decade. And through that recovery, he ended up competing in powerlifting and doesn't need to walk with a cane anymore. Everyone's recovery path is different, but Angelo's especially was interesting to me.
Angelo is also the founder of MetPro, which by the way sponsored this podcast. You can find more at MetPro, and we of course talk about that: Why metabolic nutrition needs to be tailored for individuals.

From Rookie to 5th Fittest Woman on Earth (with Alex Gazan) Aug 28, 2023

Today I'm talking to CrossFit Games athlete Alex Gazan. She's the fifth Fittest Woman on Earth, and still in her early 20s, she made her rookie debut at the CrossFit Games. She improved massively in 2023, and we talk about what it took to get to that next level. I do want to point out that we recorded this episodes while she was still in final prep, so before this year's CrossFit Games, so it's a good look at her mindset and training approach leading up to the season's biggest competition. We also talk about her lacrosse career and how Alex went viral for a 270 pound bench press.

How to Understand the Weightlifter's Mindset (with Dr. A'Naja Newsome) Aug 22, 2023

Dr. A'Naja Newsome, PhD is an educator, weightlifter, and weightlifting coach, and she has studied athlete psychology both inside and outside the gym. In this episode, we talk about weightlifting in particular: What are the factors that influence performance from within the athlete, and which external factors impact what and how they lift? Which questions are most coaches NOT asking that they should be? And when do normal strategies for contest preparation and peaking simply fall short? We do a deep dive that's useful for all strength athletes hoping to reach that next level of performance and strength.

The True Fitness OG (with Bobby Maximus) Aug 14, 2023

Today I'm talking to Bobby Maximus, and it's a fitness dream of mine. If you've never heard of Bobby, you should know he was one of the original fitness influencers online. He's a former professional fighter and appeared on The Ultimate Fighter twice with more than a decade in between those stints, and we talk about those appearances in this episode. He's a consultant to militaries and pro athletes. You name it, this guy has done it. We talk about his insane career, why he works out three times a day, and we also bust some pros and cons of that approach and fitness in general.

BarBend Classic: Ice-T on His Lifetime of Fitness Jul 31, 2023

This is probably our FAVORITE episode from the archives!
Today I’m talking to legendary rapper, songwriter, and actor Ice-T. Since his origins in the underground rap scene of the 1980s to his long-term stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T has been a cultural force in America for as long as many of us have been alive. But one thing a lot of people might not know is his passion for fitness. In his youth, Ice-T was a competitive gymnast and fan of physical culture, and now in his 60s, he’s exercising often twice per day.

Why Most Gyms Fail (w/ Zachary Bartell) Jul 24, 2023

Today I'm talking to Zachary Bartell, who's not only a competitive powerlifter and coach, but also a gym owner. We don't often talk business on this podcast, but today, we're diving into the ins, outs, ups, and downs of gym ownership. Zachary founded and grew SoCal Powerlifting, but where were the speed bumps along the way? How does one maintain and foster community as a gym grows? And why do most gyms fail? It's valuable insight into a side of the fitness world most of us never really glimpse.

Weightlifter, CrossFit Games Athlete, Karate World Champ (w/Mona Pretorius de Lacey) Jul 17, 2023

Today I'm talking with Mona Pretorius de Lacey, who has one of the most impressive athletic resumes I've ever come across. She's perhaps best known as a Commonwealth Games medalist in weightlifting. But she's also a CrossFit Games athlete and six-time Karate World Champion. Mona has perspective on international athletics above and beyond what most of us can fathom. We talk about her experiences on the world stage, along with lessons learned and applied across sports at the highest levels.

Fueling Strength and Marathons (with Dan Churchill) Jul 10, 2023

Today I'm talking to my friend Dan Churchill. Dan is a performance chef and athlete who's been on the podcast before — and life has changed a lot in a couple years. Dan gets vulnerable and talks about the tough decision to shutter his physical restaurant, then we dive into where his nutrition company is going now. (Spoiler: They're growing like wildfire by doubling down on what really works for them.) Then we move into his training regimen for an upcoming ultra-marathon — what does training to run 100 miles look like while working to maintain strength and capacity in other areas?

Tough Science of Tracking Strength (with Chris Chapman) Jun 26, 2023

Today I’m talking to Chris Chapman, Senior Sport Scientist at Whoop. He is also the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Big Air & Slopestyle Ski Team for Freestyle Canada. Chris is certified as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Exercise Physiologist, Sport Scientist, Olympic Weightlifting Coach, Track & Field Coach, and holds a Master's Degree in Biomechanics. And if those qualifications aren’t enough, Chris has coached athletes for 7 Olympic games. Our conversation focuses on the future of strength tracking and performance research, and I truly hope you enjoy!
In case it wasn’t clear, today’s episode is brought to you by our friends at WHOOP. The WHOOP 4.0 has more capabilities than ever for the strength athlete — find out more at WHOOP.com today.

Training with Arnold Schwarzenegger (w/Eb Samuel) Jun 19, 2023

Today I'm talking to Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness Director at Men's Health. It's Eb's second time on the podcast, and today we're breaking down his recent training session with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's always fun talking with Eb, and while our companies are technically competitors, we've built a friendship over a shared love for fitness and the culture surrounding it. There's a deep dive in this episode on the difference between training and working out. How are you approaching your time in the gym?

Pro Basketball to Fitness Philosopher (w/Luka Hocevar) Jun 12, 2023

Today I'm talking to my (new) friend Luka Hocevar. He's got one of the more fascinating stories I've ever heard in the fitness industry. He grew up and played pro basketball in his native Slovenia, then he eventually transitioned to a career in fitness. After permanently relocating to the United States, he gradually — and all good things take time — became one of the fitness world's most in-demand coaches for pro athletes and general population folks alike. Now, he runs a fitness empire from the Seattle area and mentors dozens (if not hundreds) of coaches making their way in this industry. He has some of the hottest takes in fitness, and I'm curious what our listener feedback is like after this episode with one of the industry's true straight shooters.

The Most Honest Man in Strongman (w/Evan Singleton) Jun 06, 2023

Today I'm talking to pro strongman Evan Singleton, who is coming off a 5th place finish at the 2023 World's Strongest Man, along with his first-ever WSM Finals appearance. Evan made a quick recovery from injury and surgery last year to make it back among strongman's elite. He's a straight-shooter, and we actually share a lot of interests outside strength sports. So be ready for more than a few pop culture, movie, and dinosaur references along with a lot at what it takes to be one of the strongest humans in the world. They don't call him T-Rex for nothing!

You Can't Screw This Up (with Adam Bornstein) May 23, 2023

Today I'm talking to one of my oldest and dearest friends in the fitness industry, Adam Bornstein. He's a New York Times Bestselling Author, personal advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger, journalist, and all around Swiss Army Knife of all things content. His latest book is call You Can't Screw This Up, and it's a new paradigm for dieting and the journey to wellness. I learn something every time I talk to Adam, and this podcast recording was no exception. I hope you enjoy!

Coaching the 2-Time Fittest Man on Earth® (w/Adam Neiffer) May 15, 2023

Today I'm talking to CrossFit coach, athlete, and affiliate owner Adam Neiffer, who joins The BarBend Podcast for the second time. Adam is perhaps best known today as the coach of two-time reigning Fittest Man on Earth Justin Medeiros. I've known Adam for approaching a decade, and he's one of the most thoughtful coaches I've ever had the pleasure of chatting with. Adam shares his approaches to training both elite and general population clients, and he also dives deep on the challenges of training top athletes in a sport where anything — and we do mean anything — can be contested.

The Secret History of Irish Stone Lifting (w/Dr. Conor Heffernan) May 08, 2023

Today we're joined (for the second time!) by Dr. Conor Heffernan, an historian and educator regarding the history of strength and physical culture. He's also a frequent BarBend contributor! Dr. Heffernan joins us to talk about the history of stone lifting in cultures around the globe, with a particular emphasis on Irish stone lifting. Dozens of historic Irish lifting stones have been uncovered in the past few years, and one intrepid explorer/lifter has even been called "Indiana Stones" because of his rare finds. How exactly are researchers finding these historic stones? And is anyone lifting them today?

The NEW World's Strongest Man (w/Mitchell Hooper) May 01, 2023

Today, we're talking to the NEW World's Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper. Mitchell is actually joining the podcast for a second time! He's the first Canadian athlete to ever hold the title of World's Strongest Man, and he did it in a Finals packed with former champions. Did we mention it's only his SECOND year as a pro strongman?
Mitchell updates us on 24 hours in the life of a new World's Strongest Man, along with how his goals and outlook on the sport have shifted since we last chatted. He also talks about getting back to his day job — yes, he has a full time job outside of strongman! — and the media circus that started right after he hoisted the famous trophy.

BarBend Classic: Treat Your Lifting Like a Stock Portfolio Apr 24, 2023

Here's a VERY popular one from our archives: Today I’m talking to weightlifter, CrossFitter, pro strongman, financial advisor, and coach Graciano Rubio, best known online as the Wall Street Weightlifter. He’s also the owner of CrossFit Valley View. In today’s episode, we discuss his strength background and why you should treat training like an investment portfolio — especially when it comes to something called stop loss. Along the way, I also get on a high horse about competing. You’ll just have to listen to find out more.

The Hidden Secrets of Strongman Competition (w/Maxime Boudreault) Apr 17, 2023

Today I’m talking to Canadian strongman Maxime Boudreault, who finished third place at the 2021 World’s Strongest Man and fifth at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man. Maxime is sitting out this year’s World’s Strongest Man due to injury — by the way, the competition kicks off this week! That recovery time has given him new perspective on the sport, and he’s looking to come back stronger than ever. We talk about breaking through strongman’s professional ranks, competing against historically amazing athletes, and the toll of staying on top in one of strength’s most demanding disciplines.
We also discuss how Maxime has used the AIRWAAV mouthpiece — which generously sponsored this podcast — to improve his performance and recovery in both training and long competition days. AIRWAAV is now The Official Mouthpiece of World's Strongest Man, and BarBend Podcast listeners can use the code BARBEND to receive 15% off. Now let’s get on with the show.

Heaviest Deadlifter in History (with Victoria Long) Apr 10, 2023

Today I’m talking to strongwoman Victoria Long. She’s a pro strongwoman, the current America’s Strongest Woman, and a 2-time Arnold Pro Champion. She’s also a world record holder in the deadlift, having pulled 651 pounds earlier this year at the Arnold in strongman style. We talk about her background in strength — she really only started competing seriously in 2019 — and mental tips for turning back days into small (or in her case, sometimes big) wins. It could be argued Victoria is the strongest overall woman in the world right now — some more wins could cement that — so it’s rare to get training, nutrition, and mindset insight from someone at this level.

Built to Move (w/Dr. Kelly Starrett) Apr 04, 2023

Today I'm talking to Dr. Kelly Starrett, someone I've known for approaching a decade. He's a New York Times Bestselling author and the mastermind behind The Ready State. Kelly works with pro athletes, world record holders, and championship sports teams, but what he's REALLY focused on these days is getting the general population moving better and living richer lives. Our conversation covers a range of topics, all relating back to how we as humans can move better for longer.
Kelly's new book, Built to Move, releases April 4th, and it's a reflection of his lifelong obsession with learning — and teaching others — movement. You won't think about training quite the same way after this!

It Took Seven Years to Become Rookie of the Year (w/Nick Mathew) Mar 21, 2023

Today I’m talking to CrossFit Games athlete Nick Mathew, who finished 14th at the 2022 CrossFit Games. Along the way, he also earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year award and won two events in the fittest field of athletes on earth. But Nick was no overnight success in the sport of fitness. He talks about his seven-year journey to the top rungs of CrossFit, including his roots in bodybuilding, overcoming injury, and several near-misses that provided both frustration and motivation. Nick is humble, candid, and honest about his goals in the sport, as well as the — to put it lightly — drudgery that can go along with being a top athlete. I hope you enjoy.

The Massive Weightlifting Story You Never Heard (w/ Seb Ostrowicz) Mar 13, 2023

Today I’m talking to Seb Ostrowicz, founder and mastermind behind Weightlifting House. They’re a media company and equipment supplier dedicated to the sport of Olympic weightlifting. What started as a passion project became a full-time career for Seb, and he’s traveled to all corners of the globe to bring weightlifting to more people than ever. We talk about how the sport has changed in the past five years, from all-time world records to blockbuster-level organizational corruption, and where weightlifting might be headed next. Along the way, we find some common ground in our love for strength sports and talk about the people who have inspired us most on our journeys.

Hip Hop Wellness Explorer (w/stic from Dead Prez) Mar 06, 2023

Today I’m talking to stic, perhaps better known as stic.man, one half of the celebrated hip hop duo Dead Prez. Stic has been a defining voice in hip hop over the last few decades, and he’s also an accomplished author, producer, and mentor to a generation of musicians. Today, he’s talking about his health and wellness journey. From an event in his early 20s that set him on a lifelong exploration of wellness, to journeys into various martial arts disciplines, to his current passion for distance running, stic simply refuses to stop searching for practices that build the body and calm the mind. I hope you enjoy.

Deadlifting in the Wilderness (w/Clay Cooper) Feb 27, 2023

Today I'm talking to Clay Cooper, better known online as @discoverydeadlift. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Clay took his weight plates and barbell outside and began doing his deadlift workouts in the great outdoors. Since then, he's rucked barbells and plates to mountains, riverbeds, beaches, and deep into the woods. He's deadlifted across the United States, had interesting encounters with wildlife (and people), and is planning to take his project international in the near future.

Crazy True Story of Obstacle Course Racing (w/Matt B. Davis) Feb 21, 2023

Today I’m talking to Matt B. Davis, the founder and driving force behind Obstacle Racing Media, the web’s number one source for all things OCR, Hyrox, and more. Matt and I have a lot in common: We’re both passionate about fitness, we both started sport-specific media companies, and we both started those media journeys at a time when a lot of folks said it was a bad idea. Like BarBend, Obstacle Racing Media has stood the test of time and grown from a one-man blog into a true source and home for its community online. If you want to know about the real history behind the rise and fall and rise again of OCR, Matt has a story for you.

The Biomechanics Crash Course (w/Eoin Everard) Feb 14, 2023

Today I’m talking to Eoin Everard, an Irish physiotherapist and elite runner who has represented his country on the international athletics stage — he’s run the mile in under 4 minutes and is the 2-time Irish National Champion at 1500 meters. And if that’s not enough, he’s got a PhD in biomechanics. Eoin and I talk about his athletic background and how overcoming injury led him down a path to better understand sports performance for all athletes. Where does athletic movement start breaking down, and how do mobility restrictions factor in? And what can athletes to do start addressing those issues? While the information on this podcast isn’t meant as medical advice, I hope you get a lot out of how our guest breaks down biomechanics in a really digestible way.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Protecht Wraps. Wrist protection is important for me — and as someone with wrist injuries in the past, I try and go the extra mile to protect them.
Do you wear a fitness tracker when lifting? Then you've probably experienced taking it off for bench press, kettlebells, or other exercises.
Introducing Protecht Wraps, the first and only wrist wrap for lifting, cross-training, and kettlebell workouts that are designed to work around your watch while keeping your wrists and watch protected.
They just launched, and you can check them out at Protechtwraps.com

What It Takes to Be a Bodybuilding Pro (w/Clare Morrow) Feb 06, 2023

Today I'm talking to IFBB Bikini competitor Clare Morrow. What does it mean to be a bodybuilding pro? And what happens when you find that sport a little later in life like Clare? Clare and I talk a lot about her journey in that sport as well as practice with clients hoping to life healthier lifestyles. And we also discuss why Clare DOESN'T coach bodybuilding competitors to get stage ready.
I will say a lot of topics in this conversation border on medical. The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource.
Everybody is different, so seek out that professional guidance if you're thinking of making big changes. With that said, let's get on with the show.

BarBend Classic: Mat Fraser Jan 30, 2023

Here's one from the archives with a man who needs little introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way through today. These days, he runs HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), a training and coaching empire.

Grammy-Nominated Fitness Fanatic (w/Kitt Wakeley) Jan 24, 2023

Today I’m talking to Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and songwriter Kitt Wakeley. Kitt has a decades-long career in music, and he’s also a lifelong fitness fanatic. He joins us to talk about finding a path to wellness in the demanding and temptation-filled music industry, including tips for how he stays on track while on the road. Kitt also talks about his bucket-list collaborators, rock & roll stereotypes, and much, much more.

Infiltrating a Fitness Cult (w/Alix Best) Jan 16, 2023

Today I'm talking Swolverine co-founder Alix Best. She has a varied and deep background in fitness, and we cover a lot of topics in this podcast, including what it's like to infiltrate what basically amounts to a "fitness cult" — you know, the EARLY days of CrossFit. (I'm joking, just sort of.) We also talk about what it's like to be a woman founder in the male-dominated supplement industry and broader fitness industry. Alix is a straight shooter, and she doesn't hold much back. Some of her stories from the trenches about not being taken seriously just because she's a woman were eye-opening for me. They changed my perspective on how much work still needs to be done in this industry so that people are given credit based on merit. I hope you get as much from this podcast as I did!

Pro Strongman to Rock Bottom & Back Again (w/Travis Ortmayer) Jan 09, 2023

Today I’m talking to pro strongman and multi-time World’s Strongest Man competitor Travis Ortmayer. Travis rocketed to early stardom after turning pro and was on top circuits for years. But then a series of personal setbacks — including addiction — sent him tumbling toward rock bottom. I’m going to give an important warning here: This episode is raw in places and deals with issues surrounding addiction, recovery, drug use, and suicidal thoughts. If you or anyone you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide or self harm, please dial the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.
With that said, I want to personally thank Travis for sharing his difficult and emotional journey, including battling multiple personal demons. He’s been at the top, at the bottom, and worked his way back up. Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it.

BarBend Classic: Busting Strength Myths with Dr. Jim Stoppani Jan 02, 2023

Here's my absolute favorite episode from 2022 (and one of our most downloaded ever!):
Today I’m talking to legendary fitness researcher and bodybuilding Dr. Jim Stoppani. When it comes to influencers in the space, Dr. Stoppani’s resume is almost unparalleled. He’s an active research scientist who has also spent decades in fitness publishing. And he’s a straight shooter, not afraid to separate fact from fiction and to admit when the research is still coming up short on topics in strength. Stoppani joins us to talk about everything from training myths to protein requirements as we age. Don’t miss out on this conversation with one of the most knowledgeable people in strength.

Social Power of Adaptive Athletics (w/Jedidiah Snelson) Dec 19, 2022

Today I'm talking to Jedidiah Snelson, a former Pro Motocross racer and trainer to action sports athletes. When it comes to sports like motocross and CrossFit, Jedidiah says the training can be very similar between the two; enduring a 35 race is a bit like a long Hero WOD. After an accident left him paralyzed, Jedidiah turned to CrossFit for an athletic and competitive outlet. Quickly, he became a top Adaptive Athlete in the Seated division and is still elite as he nears his mid-40s. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, and I hope you enjoy!

The World's Most Unconventional Lifter? (w/Nathan Morris) Dec 12, 2022

What's a "sumo clean"? Today I'm talking to South African weightlifter Nathan Morris, an international level lifter who has competed at the African Championships and Commonwealth Championships. Originally a rugby player, Nathan switched his focus to weightlifting. After several years in the sport, he stumbled upon an innovative and unconventional clean technique that's brought him success: a sumo or frog style clean. We learn how Nathan arrived at this unique (but competition legal!) technique, and why what works for one lifter may not work for another.

Is Bodybuilding Sport or Show? (w/Roger Lockridge) Dec 05, 2022

Today I'm talking to one of the fitness world's prolific writers, Roger Lockridge. Roger is a longtime contributor to all sorts of outlets, including BarBend and Breaking Muscle. He's also one of the world's best-known writers on bodybuilding, and he'll be covering the Olympia Weekend live and in person this year (as he did last year as well). Roger joins the podcast to talk about building an unlikely career — even from his home in rural West Virginia — as well as how to talk about bodybuilding. Is it a sport? Is it a pageant? Or is it something else entirely?
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Thirdzy. Thirdzy’s PM Recovery Collagen is formulated to help you sleep deeper and recover faster. It’s got collagen peptides to support muscle, bone, and ligament health, plus sleep-promoters like magnesium, L-theanine, and tryptophan to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for better recovery. I’m personally a huge fan of magnesium before bed to help with relaxation. Wake up feeling energized and ready for the day and training ahead. Use code BarBendZzz — that’s BarBend with three Zs after it — for 25% off today.

BarBend Classic: Coss Marte on Prison Fitness Nov 28, 2022

Here's one of my favorite recordings from our archives: Today we're talking to Coss Marte, the founder and CEO of CONBODY, a prison fitness-style boot camp offering in-person and virtual classes based out of NYC. Coss developed the idea of CONBODY based on his own experiences in prison, where he turned to fitness after becoming overweight and at a high risk for cardiac problems. Since founding CONBODY, Coss has hired over 40 formerly incarcerated individuals as trainers, and he’s also become an advocate for prison reform and former inmates looking to build new lives. We talk about Coss’ inspiration for CONBODY while in solitary confinement, what to expect from their high-intensity workouts, and much, much more.

BarBend Classic: How Kris Gethin Thrives As a Multi-Sport Bodybuilder Nov 21, 2022

Here's a popular one from the archives perfect for a time of year when people are getting active in the cold. Kris Gethin is a bodybuilder, fitness model, and supplement entrepreneur who has been the face of some of fitness' biggest physique campaigns. He's also a passionate endurance athlete who has a ton of knowledge on balancing muscle growth and strength gain with long-duration training for triathlons and distance events. We talk to Kris, the founder of Kaged Muscle, about these strategies and more.

Fitness As "Info-tainment" (with Tony Horton) Nov 14, 2022

Today I’m talking to — and I don’t use this term lightly — fitness LEGEND Tony Horton. Tony is the creator of P90X, which became popular among millions of users. (Yes, I remember those infomercials too). Tony leveraged an acting background to become the fitness industry’s most visible personality for years. He’s also a straight shooter and isn’t afraid to look back on his career to say what he could have improved — and how he continues to learn. Which movement would he have removed from P90X? Who bailed on him for a celebrity workout? And what’s he up to today? All that and more in today’s episode.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Thirdzy. Thirdzy’s PM Recovery Collagen is formulated to help you sleep deeper and recover faster. It’s got collagen peptides to support muscle, bone, and ligament health, plus sleep-promoters like magnesium, L-theanine, and tryptophan to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for better recovery. I’m personally a huge fan of magnesium before bed to help with relaxation. Wake up feeling energized and ready for the day and training ahead. Use code BarbendZzz — that’s BarBend with three Zs after it — for 25% off today.

Should Strength Athletes Try Bobsled? (w/Paul Rabic) Nov 07, 2022

Today I'm talking a buddy of mine — and occasional training partner — Paul Rabic. Like a lot of folks in the strength space, Paul has a multi-sport background. He discovered CrossFit some time after, and now, literally in the past year, he's qualified to become a member of the USA Bobsled Team. He's now prepping to compete in his first-ever international meet. We chat switching sports, what it means to build yourself into a powerful athlete, and why bobsled is looking for those athletes specifically. How has adapting to a new winter sport changed Paul's approach to training himself and his clients?

Why Superheavy Lifters Must Train Differently (w/Alejandro Medina) Oct 31, 2022

Today I’m talking to 2022 Pan Am Medalist, 2022 National Champion, and 2020 American Open Champion in weightlifting Alejandro Medina. Alejandro is a former college football player who found weightlifting and has a wide experience across weight classes, and he currently competes as a superheavyweight. We talk about Alejandro’s unconventional first few years of training, along with what it’s really like to train in weightlifting’s heaviest bodyweight category. Spoiler alert: supers have to train much, much differently from most other weightlifters, and that’s a misunderstood topic even in some weightlifting circles. As one of America’s strongest weightlifters, Alejandro certainly has firsthand experience.

How to Build a Fitness Following (w/Andrew Coates) Oct 24, 2022

Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and speaker Andrew Coates. I met Andrew in person about a month ago at Strong New York, but he’s been on my radar for years. Andrew has built a following online and also contributes to some of the biggest publications in fitness, including — you guessed it — BarBend. In this episode, Andrew gives his playbook for building an online fitness following and talks about how to separate influencer hype from real, valuable fitness knowledge. I hope you enjoy.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Thirdzy. Thirdzy’s PM Recovery Collagen is formulated to help you sleep deeper and recover faster. It’s got collagen peptides to support muscle, bone, and ligament health, plus sleep-promoters like magnesium, L-theanine, and tryptophan to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for better recovery. I’m personally a huge fan of magnesium before bed to help with relaxation. Wake up feeling energized and ready for the day and training ahead. Use code BarBendZzz — that’s BarBend with three Zs after it — for 25% off today.

BarBend Classic: Powerlifting Legend Jen Thompson's Training Routine Oct 17, 2022

Here's a super-popular (and super-relevant) one from our archives. Today we’re talking to 11-time IPF World Champion and Hall of Fame powerlifter Jen Thompson. Summarizing ALL of Jen’s accomplishments in strength in a quick intro is frankly impossible. She’s one of powerlifting’s all-time greats and still very much a dominant force in the sport, both when competing on the platform and through her contributions as an organizer and advocate. We talk about Jen’s current training and programming split, her favorite accessory movements for a legendary bench press, and how powerlifting has changed over her 20 plus years in the sport. We also talk about where there’s still room for improvement, especially on the international level.

Is America Getting Less Fit? (w/Kenny Santucci) Oct 10, 2022

Today I'm talking to one of my longtime friends in the fitness space, Kenny Santucci. Kenny is actually joining the podcast for the second time. He's a trainer, multi-time gym owner, and founder of the Strong New York fitness festival. Today, we're talking about health & fitness trends, the pitfalls (and triumphs) of owning and opening gyms, and how fitness communities evolve over time. Where is strength training becoming "cool" again, and why are so many Americans still sedentary?

Should CrossFitters Switch to Strongman? (w/Hanna Coldiron) Oct 03, 2022

Today we're wrapping up our mini-series with elite strongwoman athletes. Hanna Coldiron is the 2021 world's 7th strongest woman under 64kg, and she's looking to better that result later in 2022. Hanna wears a lot of hats: athlete and contest promoter, in addition to working a full time job outside of strength athletics. She also got her start in CrossFit (a bit like multi-time World's Strongest Man competitor Rob Kearney), and hearing her take on transitioning sports was eye-opening. If you've ever wanted to hear from a top strongman competitor in the lighter bodyweight categories — or are considering getting involved in the sport yourself — this is a great episode to listen to all the way through!

Pro Strongwoman in Under 3 Years (w/ Inez Carrasquillo) Sep 26, 2022

Today I'm talking to Pro Strongwoman Inez Carrasquillo. After a short, record-setting powerlifting career, Carrasquillo turned her focus to strongwoman and almost immediately began turning heads. In under three years, she rose through the ranks and earned her pro card with a hallmark victory at the Arnold Sports Festival. Now, she has her sights set on taking on — and beating — the sport's absolute best.

BarBend Classic: Jordan Syatt on World Record Deadlifts and the Calorie Debate Sep 19, 2022

Here's a super-popular episode from the archives, and definitely one of our most listenable of all time. Jordan Syatt is a record-setting powerlifter and content producer who’s best known to many as Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. We sit down to talk about sacrificing everything to reach lifting goals, the psychological components of fitness, and the number one thing everyone in fitness can do to improve their communication skills. Jordan also shares a personal story of how Westside Barbell kept him from dropping out of college.

Strength As An Artform (w/Steven Koontz) Sep 12, 2022

Today I'm talking to Steven Koontz, best known online as RhinoStrength. Steven has made a name for himself with some pretty epic displays of old-timey and unconventional strength (80+kg bent presses, anyone?). And a big reason Steven pushes his limits is to challenge the notion of strength being static, boring, or easily defined. Steven is a musician and artist by training, and our conversation focuses on how strength sports and lifting can act as self expression. Could it even be an art form?

The Best Fitness City in America? (w/Angela Gargano) Aug 29, 2022

Today I’m talking to my friend Angela Gargano, who is a bit of an “OG” in the fitness space. She’s competed on American Ninja Warrior multiple times, earned the title of Miss Fitness USA, and she’s also a serial fitness entrepreneur. She joins me from Austin, Texas, which just might be the best city in America for fitness pros and enthusiasts alike. Let’s find out why.

Are Lifters Funny? (With Tommy DeFea of Massenomics) Aug 22, 2022

Today, I’m joined for the second time by Tommy DeFea, one half of Massenomics. They make memes, they sell apparel, they record a podcast, and mostly, they don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s definitely the best multimedia strength sports company from Western North East South Dakota. We talk smelling salts, lifting jorts, and a lot of other stuff that would never touch a normal strength sports podcast. Hope you enjoy.

The World's Strongest People Aren't Role Models (w/Joe Sullivan) Aug 15, 2022

Today we’re bringing back one of the most popular guests in BarBend history — record-breaking powerlifter Joe Sullivan. Joe joins us for the second time to talk about training, overcoming injury, and why elite strength athletes are probably not the best health role models. He also gives his thoughts on how to bring more unity to the powerlifting world, and whether or not the sport can shift to an abundance mindset instead of focusing on scarcity.

BarBend Classic: How Your Metabolism Really Works (with Josh Clemente) Aug 08, 2022

Here's a popular one from our archives: Today we’re talking to Josh Clemente, Founder and President of Levels, a company producing wearable tech so users can track blood glucose in real time to maximize diet and exercise results. Josh is a veteran of both SpaceX and Hyperloop One, and his background is in designing life support systems for the next generation of space exploration. In today’s episode, we discuss how that work inspired Josh to found Levels, why metabolic responses can vary so differently from one person to the next even with the same food, and what this means for actionable insights into strength and performance.

The Actual Secrets of Powerlifting Programs (w/Daniel DeBrocke) Aug 01, 2022

Today I’m talking to powerlifter and coach Daniel DeBrocke, Director Of Education at Kabuki Strength. He’s also a writer for Breaking Muscle, a website in the BarBend network, so I’m obviously a huge fan of his writing! Daniel is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever encountered when it comes to athlete prep and programming for competition. In today’s episode, we dive deep on programming for powerlifting, including the sometimes-unexpected changes that occur when progressing from beginner to intermediate to advanced. Daniel drops some real knowledge bombs in this episode, great for athletes and coaches alike!
First, a quick word from today’s sponsor. Organifi is a line of organic superfood blends that offers plant-based nutrition made with high-quality ingredients. Each Organifi blend is science-backed to craft the most effective doses with ingredients that are organic and free of fillers and contain less than 3g of sugar per serving. Take Organifi Red Juice as an example: It’s formulated to recharge your mind and body with a delicious superfood berry blend of premium, organic superfoods that contain potent adaptogens, antioxidants and a clinical dose of cordyceps. It’s designed to promote energy with zero caffeine and only 2 grams of sugar.

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What's the Future of Strength Content? (w/Andrew Gutman) Jul 25, 2022

Today I’m talking to Andrew Gutman, BarBend’s Editor-In-Chief. Andrew has joined the BarBend Podcast before, but this time, we’re talking about something a bit different: The future of strength content. What will the industry look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years? And what was it like (for both of us) to witness the downfall of print in fitness journalism? We look into the past to try and see the future — and that means predictions about everything from BarBend itself to fitness influencers. Let’s see what comes true!
First, a quick word from today's sponsor. Organifi is a line of organic superfood blends that offers plant-based nutrition made with high-quality ingredients. Each Organifi blend is science-backed to craft the most effective doses with ingredients that are organic and free of fillers and contain less than 3g of sugar per serving. Take Organifi Red Juice as an example: It’s formulated to recharge your mind and body with a delicious superfood berry blend of premium, organic superfoods that contain potent adaptogens, antioxidants and a clinical dose of cordyceps. It’s designed to promote energy with zero caffeine and only 2 grams of sugar.

The World's Most Underrated Strength Sport (w/Juan Pellot) Jul 18, 2022

Today I’m talking to kettlebell sport world champion and Master of Sport Juan Pellot. Spoiler alert: Juan is actually my coach, and I interact with him pretty darn regularly. But we’re flipping the script this time, and I’m asking Juan to dive deep on the differences between kettlebells as a training tool versus contested sport, and why the latter — a sport popular in Eastern Europe — has taken so long to catch on in the Western world. And does a kettlebell sport set really feel like doing the CrossFit workout Fran for 10 minutes straight?

BarBend Classic: Scott Stallings on Combining Pro Golf and CrossFit Jul 11, 2022

Today we have one from our archives, one of the most popular episodes in BarBend Podcast history: PGA Tour Pro Scott Stallings. Scott joins us to talk about how discovering CrossFit and functional fitness impacted his golf game. Scott has trained with some of the fitness world’s biggest stars, and he’s got stories you simply don’t want to miss.
First, a quick word from today’s sponsor. Organifi is a line of organic superfood blends that offers plant-based nutrition made with high-quality ingredients. Each Organifi blend is science-backed to craft the most effective doses with ingredients that are organic and free of fillers and contain less than 3g of sugar per serving. Take Organifi Red Juice as an example: It’s formulated to recharge your mind and body with a delicious superfood berry blend of premium, organic superfoods that contain potent adaptogens, antioxidants and a clinical dose of cordyceps. It’s designed to promote energy with zero caffeine and only 2 grams of sugar.

Go to www.organifi.com/barbend and use code BarBend for 20% off your order.

How Mini-Cuts Unlock Muscle-Building Potential (w/ Tom MacCormick) Jul 05, 2022

Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and podcast Tom MacCormick. A writer for sites like Breaking Muscle and BarBend — but hey, I’m biased — Tom is a veteran of the strength and conditioning industry. But one thing he’s best known for online is helping people harness the power of mini cuts — targeted, specific periods of concentrated fat loss — that Tom says can actually help long-term muscle-building and strength goals. Tom joins us to explain how mini-cuts can be adapted to almost any training environment, along with tips on how to balance nutritional parameters with in-gym progress.
Organifi is a line of organic superfood blends that offers plant-based nutrition made with high-quality ingredients. Each Organifi blend is science-backed to craft the most effective doses with ingredients that are organic and free of fillers and contain less than 3g of sugar per serving. Take Organifi Red Juice as an example: It’s formulated to recharge your mind and body with a delicious superfood berry blend of premium, organic superfoods that contain potent adaptogens, antioxidants and a clinical dose of cordyceps. It’s designed to promote energy with zero caffeine and only 2 grams of sugar.
Go to www.organifi.com/barbend and use code BarBend for 20% off your order.

Put These Strength Myths to Rest (w/ Dr. Jim Stoppani) Jun 27, 2022

Today I’m talking to legendary fitness researcher and bodybuilding Dr. Jim Stoppani. When it comes to influencers in the space, Dr. Stoppani’s resume is almost unparalleled. He’s an active research scientist who has also spent decades in fitness publishing. And he’s a straight shooter, not afraid to separate fact from fiction and to admit when the research is still coming up short on topics in strength. Stoppani joins us to talk about everything from training myths to protein requirements as we age. Don’t miss out on this conversation with one of the most knowledgeable people in strength.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Colter Dillon. Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn’t so baggy for you? Then you’ve got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon today.

From Quad Racing to the CrossFit Games (w/Emma McQuaid) Jun 20, 2022

Today I’m talking to multi-time CrossFit Games athlete Emma McQuaid, who just qualified for the 2022 Games. The Irish athlete has a length background in sports but didn’t find CrossFit until she was 24 years old. Now in her 30s, McQuaid talks about her background in quad bike racing — ATV racing in American slang — how it both helped and hurt her career in elite fitness competition.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Colter Dillon. Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn’t so baggy for you? Then you’ve got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon today.

From Running Marathons to World's Strongest Man (w/Mitchell Hooper) Jun 13, 2022

Today I’m talking to Canadian strongman phenom Mitchell Hooper. After just a few short years of elite strongman competition, Hooper burst into the conversation by qualifying for the World’s Strongest Man final in his first year at that competition — a meteoric rise in the sport. Now, he has his sights set on more, including world record deadlifts. Mitchell joints the podcast to talk about his broader professional and wellness goes, and he also explains how we made the progression from marathon runner to world’s strongest man contender in under 5 years.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Athletic Greens. I first tried Athletic Greens back in 2012. It was already a massively popular daily supplement, and since then, they’ve undergone dozens of formulation tweaks, each an improvement on the last. It’s the rare all-in-one greens supplement that’s NSF-certified — a must for competitive athletes — and also tastes delicious (I’m probably a bit biased because I love the subtle notes of pineapple and vanilla). Interested in trying it? Visit athleticgreens.com/barbend to get a free gift with your purchase.

What's the Best Background for CrossFit? (w/Lucy Campbell) Jun 06, 2022

Today I’m talking to Lucy Campbell, a CrossFit athlete who just became the second British Woman in history to qualify as an Elite Individual for the CrossFit Games. A former gymnast and swimmer, Lucy rose to the highest level of CrossFit competition after barely five years in the sport. What about that athletic background helped her progress so quickly? And as a former gymnast, why were things like handstand push-ups still so challenging? I hope you enjoy my conversation with a rising star in the sport of fitness.
Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn’t so baggy for you? Then you’ve got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon.

Live from World's Strongest Man (with Phil Blechman) May 30, 2022

Today I’m talking to BarBend News Editor Phil Blechman. Phil is covering the 2022 World’s Strongest Man contest live on the ground in Sacramento, California. We’re recording this podcast on the Friday before the World’s Strongest Man final, so while we know the 10 finalists, we don’t know how the podium will shake out. Phil gives insights into the top stories and surprises from this year, including a firsthand look at how weather and event conditions impact the competitors.
Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn’t so baggy for you? Then you’ve got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon.

Can Statistics Make CrossFit More Fair? (w/Tyler Watkins) May 23, 2022

Today I'm talking to accountant, stats guru, and CrossFitter Tyler Watkins. He's on a mission to help identify where competitive CrossFit — which is still a very, very young sport — can level the playing field to be a more holistic, consistent, and fair test of fitness. Beyond Tia-Clair Toomey winning every year, how can organizers and programmers really set out to find the fittest athletes? Tyler takes a numbers-based approach, and his learnings are relevant to any fan of strength sports — CrossFit, weightlifting, powerlifting, you name it!
Today's podcast is brought to you by Colter Dillon, makers of custom cut-and-sewn t-shirts to give you that perfect fit each and every time. Get 25% off with code BARBEND.

BarBend Classic: Weightlifting vs. CrossFit with Zack Telander May 16, 2022

Here's a great one from the archives: Weightlifter, coach, and YouTuber Zack Telander joins us to talk about transitioning back and forth between CrossFit and weightlifting. Zack also talks about setting realistic goals for weightlifting athletes, along with changing the paradigm of which sports are “worth it” in American culture. Zack also gives his thoughts on dealing with weightlifting data and the most underrated coach in American weightlifting.

CrossFit's Next Super Team (w/Khan Porter) May 09, 2022

Today I'm talking to CrossFit athlete Khan Porter, an Australian native who's competed in the CrossFit Games as both an individual and on a team. One of the sport's most durable stars, Khan had a choice for the 2022 season: Find a new training environment to make yet another run at Individual competition, or form a team in Australia. But on Christmas 2021, a third path opened up: legendary athlete Annie Thorisdottir invited Khan to live and train with her team in Iceland. Now part of CrossFit's newest super team, Khan joins us to talk about optimizing your training environment and how to continue improving after nearly a decade in the sport of functional fitness.

How to Give Weightlifting Mass Appeal (w/ JP Nicoletta) May 03, 2022

Today I’m talking to a friend I’ve had the pleasure of working with for years. JP Nicoletta is USA Weightlifting’s Coaching Education Manager, and he’s perhaps even better known internationally as being one of the sport’s most accomplished color commentators. JP has pushed the boundaries of what weightlifting broadcasts can do to inform and make the sport more accessible for viewers. He’s also called some of history’s most impactful lifts and world records. We chat about what good commentary can do for strength sports and what’s next in the world of weightlifting broadcasts.

How to Break Into Fitness Journalism (w/Andrew Gutman) Apr 25, 2022

Today I'm talking to Andrew Gutman, BarBend's Editor-in-Chief, a veteran of numerous fitness publications. We're giving you tips and tricks on how to network your way into this industry, whether you want to contribute as a writer, editor, videographer, designer, you name it. We cover some of our best insights into how to get involved with outlets like BarBend (and maybe even some of our esteemed competitors in the fitness journalism space).

Strongman's Inside Man (w/Matt Rhodes) Apr 18, 2022

If you’ve heard breaking news out of the strongman world in the past couple of years, chances are it came from one of two sources: BarBend.com, or someone named Matt Rhodes. Matt has the inside track to the highest levels of strongman competition and often gets news about athletes and events before, well, almost anyone else. We talk about how a love of strongman turned into a growing media footprint that includes interviews with champions, breaking news, and frank discussions a lot of interviewers are scared to dive into. If you’re a fan of grassroots sports coverage — especially when it comes to strength — Matt’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

Fitness Memes As Full Time Work (w/Chalk Llamas) Apr 11, 2022

Today we're talking to Griffin and Jarika Shaffer, the husband/wife duo behind fitness meme (mostly CrossFit meme) producer Chalk Llamas. We chat about not taking fitness or lifting too seriously, sourcing ideas for memes in the dustiest corners of the most mysterious gyms, and how Griffin turned a love of digital humor into a full-time gig making memes for CrossFit Inc.
It's the strength meme story just crazy enough to be true.

BarBend Classic: Thoughts Before An 860 lb Squat (w/Kevin Oak) Apr 04, 2022

One from our archives: Kevin Oak has held multiple all-time powerlifting world records throughout his career. Currently, he holds the 242 lb raw all-time world record for the squat with his recent 860 lb lift. Outside of powerlifting, Kevin also owns his own apparel business, Barbell Commission.

In today’s episode we chat with Kevin about a variety of topics including his pre world record mindset, what his next epics feats of strength will be, and much more.

Hard Work Pays Off (w/ Mat Fraser) Mar 28, 2022

Our guest today needs almost no introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way through today. These days, he runs HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), a training and coaching empire.

From World's Strongest Alternate to Podium Contender (w/Gabe Peña) Mar 21, 2022

Today we're joined (for the second time) by pro strongman Gabe Peña. Gabe has come a long way since we last chatted. In his World's Strongest Man debut as an alternate, Gabe had to withdraw due to an irregular heartbeat. Now, after an unexpected but very manageable medical diagnosis, Gabe is heading back to WSM, but as a full-fledged competitor. He's also an accomplished event organizer and recently put on South Texas' first-ever Pro-Am Strongman Contest.

BarBend Classic: Busting Injury Myths with Dr. Bo Babenko Mar 14, 2022

Today we're talking to Doctor of Physical Therapy and trainer Dr. Bo Babenko. Bo has worn many hats in fitness over the past decade: physical therapist, triathlete, CrossFit Regionals competitor, and more. Our conversation focuses heavily on what’s changed about physical therapy and recovery during Bo’s career so far, along with the most common myths and misconceptions when it comes to injury recovery. We’ll get right to it, because this is one episode that can be useful to just about anyone who strength trains.

How to ACTUALLY Fuel Performance w/Dan Churchill Mar 07, 2022

Today I’m talking to chef, entrepreneur, and athlete Dan Churchill. Dan has been featured on MasterChef Australia, Good Morning America, the Food Network, and more. He’s also the mastermind behind the restaurant Charley Street in NYC. He also has a masters in exercise science. Dan exists at an interesting nexus between fitness and nutrition, and today, he joins us to talk about fueling for performance based on your lifestyle and goals.

A Lifetime of Fitness with Special Guest Ice-T Feb 28, 2022

Today I’m talking to legendary rapper, songwriter, and actor Ice-T. Since his origins in the underground rap scene of the 1980s to his long-term stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T has been a cultural force in America for as long as many of us have been alive. But one thing a lot of people might not know is his passion for fitness. In his youth, Ice-T was a competitive gymnast and fan of physical culture, and now in his 60s, he’s exercising often twice per day.

Building UFC GYM (with Adam Sedlack) Feb 21, 2022

Today I’m talking to Adam Sedlack, CEO of UFC Gym. Adam has had an amazing rise through the ranks of gyms. He started as an entry-level employee at a brick and mortar gym, then became a trainer, and from there he spent years working his way to management as he learned every in and out of the gym business. Now, he’s CEO of a gym conglomerate with over 150 locations worldwide — and they’re still growing! Adam joins us to talk about how the fitness industry has changed, separating fad from lasting trend, and how people will train in the near future.

Tackling 600Sixty with Fergus Crawley Feb 14, 2022

Today I’m talking to a repeat guest on the BarBend Podcast, Fergus Crawley. Fergus is a multi-discipline endurance and strength athlete known for combining the two into unique physical challenges. His latest was “600Sixty” — a 600-kilogram raw powerlifting total followed by a sub-six-hour 60-kilometer ultramarathon.
We catch up with Fergus to talk about what it takes to train for both elite strength and endurance, including how his protocols have shifted in the past two years to balance the various demands of these unique challenges.

How a Mouthpiece Can Change Your Recovery (w/Dr. Dena Garner) Feb 07, 2022

Today I’m talking to Dr. Dena Garner, professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance, the Director of Undergraduate Research and the Assistant Provost for Research and Policy at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Garner is best known in some fitness circles for her work with performance mouthpieces, including helping to develop the technology behind the AIRWAAV mouthpiece. In today’s episode, Dr. Garner joins us to talk about the complex — and in my opinion, truly fascinating — mechanisms through which something as seemingly simple as a mouthpiece can improve athletic recovery and performance. And it’s far from what I expected.
I should take a second to mention this podcast is sponsored by, you guessed it, AIRWAAV, performance mouthpiece engineered for serious athletes who demand serious results. Backed by 15 years of research conducted with athletes at cadets at The Citadel - the AIRWAAV Performance Mouthpiece offers a more efficient way for high-intensity and endurance athletes — including lifters — to open their airways and optimize their performance. Learn more at airwaav.com.

Feeding the Frasers with Sammy Moniz Jan 31, 2022

Today I’m talking to Sammy Moniz, an athlete, chef, and now cookbook author perhaps best known as the mastermind behind Feeding the Frasers. Sammy joins us to talk about her path in nutrition, developing recipes, and cooking to fuel performance with her long-term partner and 5-time Fittest Man on Earth Mat Fraser.

Bodybuilding Over 50 (with Kevin Malone) Jan 24, 2022

Bodybuilder Kevin Malone joins us to talk about finding competition later in life and how his bodybuilding career took off around his mid-40s. We talk about Kevin's focus on compound movements and heavy weights for hypertrophy, and how consistency is ultimately key to success in aesthetic sports. Kevin is proof that a long-term outlook paired with a competition-centric mindset may promote the best results!

America's Strongest Veteran (w/ Nicolai Myers) Jan 18, 2022

Today I'm talking to strongman (and 90kg World's Strongest Man) Nicolai Myers. Nicolai is also the winner of America's Strongest Veteran. We discuss being a strongman in a sport more often associated with giants, and how he capitalizes on his strengths to win competitions that might include some of his weaker individual events. We also talk about Nicolai's training, sport-specific movements for strongman, and a lot more.

4 Years from Weightlifting Newb to American Record Contender (w/Mary Theisen-Lappen) Jan 10, 2022

Today I'm catching up with American weightlifter Mary Theisen-Lappen. A former collegiate thrower (track & field), Mary found weightlifting about four years ago through a USA Weightlifting recruitment program. Since then, she's made astounding progress in the sport and is now one of the top lifters in the country. She's also a Pan American Champion breathing down the neck of the American women's record clean & jerk. We talk about her rapid progress in the sport, "thrower cleans," and why Mary thinks it pays to be frank about your goals in the sport — even if they're lofty.

How I Switched from Powerlifting to Bodybuilding (w/ Amanda Kohatsu) Jan 03, 2022

Today I'm chatting with a repeat guest on the BarBend Podcast: Powerlifter turned (now professional) bodybuilding competitor Amanda Kohatsu. Amanda originally made a name for herself in strength through her powerlifting accomplishments. But about a year and a half ago, she decided to take a break from competitive squat, bench, and deadlift to enter a new athletic arena: Figure and physique competition. Barely 18 months into her bodybuilding journey, Amanda earned victories and pro cards in BOTH bodybuilding categories, making her one of that discipline's most promising new competitors. We talk about her recent journey and compare powerlifting and bodybuilding stereotypes (sometimes to hilarious ends).

BarBend Classic: CrossFit, Wine, & Long Drive Competitions w/ Margaux Alvarez Dec 27, 2021

Margaux Alvarez is a 7-time CrossFit Games athlete, long drive competitor, coach, and wine entrepreneur. She's one of the most multi-talented personalities in fitness, and her future in CrossFit — and beyond — is something we had to learn more about. We sit down with Margaux to talk about training across multiple sports, strength training for golf long drive competitions, her future in athletics, balancing wine with recovery, and more.

Bouncing Back from Tricep Rupture and Testicular Cancer (w/Rob Kearney) Dec 20, 2021

Today I'm chatting with strongman Rob Kearney, who joins the BarBend Podcast for a second time. Rob has been through a lot in the past two years, including a tricep rupture on an American Log Press record attempt, as well as a testicular cancer diagnosis. Rob joins the podcast to talk about his injury, illness, and road to recovery, including returning to the competition floor at the 2021 Rogue Invitational.

2021's Biggest Strength Stories Dec 13, 2021

Today on the BarBend Podcast, we welcome two of the BarBend Team's finest: Managing Editor Andrew Gutman and Senior Writer Phil Blechman. We dive into our favorite strength stories, feats, records, and competitions of 2021, then look ahead at the big stories to come in 2022. Did we include any of your favorite moments?

17 Year-Old Weightlifting World Champion (with Hampton Morris) Dec 06, 2021

Hey folks, we have a short and sweet one for you. Today I’m talking to American weightlifter Hampton Morris. Just 17 years old, Hampton has an athletic resume that is nothing short of jaw-dropping. He was 2 World, 10 Pan American, and 16 American weightlifting records, and he’s the 2021 Pan American Senior Champion and 2021 Youth World Champion. We chat about Hampton’s meteoric rise in the sport, the unorthodox accessory movements in his training, and more.

BarBend Classic: Heather Connor and What We're Getting Wrong About Injuries Nov 29, 2021

Heather Connor is a 2-time IPF World Champion and the first female IPF powerlifter to deadlift 4 times her bodyweight raw. Heather joins us to talk about the injury that sidelined her for nearly a year, along with why it’s so easy for lifters to ignore the signs of significant underlying injuries and issues. We also chat about Heather’s goals in the sport, what big money competitions could mean for powerlifting’s future, and an unorthodox weight gaining strategy.

Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded before it was announced the SBD Sheffield 2020 Powerlifting Championships would be canceled due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Treat Your Training Like a Stock Portfolio (w/Graciano Rubio) Nov 22, 2021

Today I’m talking to weightlifter, CrossFitter, pro strongman, financial advisor, and coach Graciano Rubio, best known online as the Wall Street Weightlifter. He’s also the owner of CrossFit Valley View. In today’s episode, we discuss his strength background and why you should treat training like an investment portfolio — especially when it comes to something called stop loss. Along the way, I also get on a high horse about competing. You’ll just have to listen to find out more.

The First Time He Deadlifted, He Pulled 500 Pounds (w/Andy Huang) Nov 15, 2021

Today I’m talking to powerlifter Andy Huang, perhaps better known online as That Huge Asian Guy. Andy has put up some of the world’s all-time great totals at 275 lbs bodyweight, and after battling several injuries, he recently came back to top competition form. Andy talks about finding powerlifting a bit later in life, and how his training approach has grown over the years. Andy also discusses the benefits of training with and around other world-class powerlifters, and how their mentality helps shape his own.

How Long It Takes to Become World's Strongest Woman (w/Donna Moore) Nov 08, 2021

Today I’m talking to Donna Moore, a British legend in the sport of strongman and a three-time World’s Strongest Woman. Donna has been competing in strongman since 2012, and in today’s episode, she shares her unlikely origins in the sport — including a seemingly random competition through Facebook — as well as her future aspirations, which include competing in a completely different bodyweight category. Along the way, Donna shares some of her favorite and funniest competition stories and provides some insight into what it takes to start from the beginning and work your way to the tippy top of a strength sport.

Why We Lie to Ourselves About Fitness (w/ James FitzGerald) Nov 01, 2021

Today we have a rare repeat podcast guest, James Fitzgerald. James was the first-ever men’s champion at the CrossFit Games – back in 2007 — and since then he’s built a reputation as one of the fitness industry’s most thoughtful and prolific coaches. His company OPEX offers a variety of online coaching and education resources, which gives James nearly-unparalleled insight into macro trends in fitness. But our conversation here goes deeper than the latest and greatest in working out. James gets candid about discussing how the question “why do we work out?” has more flawed answers than honesty. If you’ve ever wanted to dive into the philosophy of exercise, training, and the human condition, this is certainly an episode we hope you’ll enjoy.

BarBend Classic: Jen Widerstrom on "American Gladiators" to Becoming a Go-To Trainer Oct 25, 2021

From the BarBend Podcast archives: Jen Widerstrom rose to the national spotlight as a star on "American Gladiators," but after the show was canceled, a career in the fitness industry didn't happen overnight. We talk with Jen about behind-the-scenes stories from "Gladiators," finding footing as a coach and trainer, and eventually becoming one of Hollywood's got-to trainers for TV and shows like "The Biggest Loser." What's it like to coach Kevin Hart and Conan O'Brien? Jen gives us the details, along with the incredibly fit celebrities you might not expect.

The Secret to Strength Commentary (w/Big Loz) Oct 18, 2021

Today I’m talking to legendary strongman competitor Laurence Shahlaei, better known in the strength community as Big Loz. Loz has a storied strongman career, having competed in more than 10 World’s Strongest Man competitions, winning Britain’s Strongest Man twice, winning Europe’s strongest man, and racking up more podium finishes in the sport than we can list in this intro. He’s since made a successful transition over to sports commentary and is building one of the strength sports world’s fastest-growing communities on YouTube and through his work bringing competitor insight to live events.

Can Britain's Strongest Man Repeat? (w/ Adam Bishop) Oct 11, 2021

Today I’m talking to strongman Adam Bishop, the reigning Britain’s Strongest Man (as of this podcast’s publication). After playing rugby at a high level, Adam became a strength and conditioning coach for professional rugby players. It was only in the past couple of years that he was able to focus full-time on training for strongman, and his results have skyrocketed. Now a three-time World’s Strongest Man finalist, Adam talks about his evolution in the sport, along with the athletes he sees as his closest rivals.

CrossFit's Statistics Mastermind (w/ Chad Schroeder) Oct 04, 2021

Today I’m talking to my friend Chad Schroeder, the CrossFit Games Lead of Sport Statistics. Chad has been working on the stats side of fitness for nearly a decade, from unlikely beginnings as a volunteer to a driving force behind how top athletes in CrossFit are measured and compared from one year to the next (and even from one event to the next). Chad has helped CrossFit as a sport develop year in and year out, and his story is a fascinating look behind the sport’s growth from grassroots phenomenon to a staple of strength sports programming.

He's Strongman's T-Rex (with Evan Singleton) Sep 27, 2021

Today I’m talking to strongman athlete Evan Singleton. Also known by his nickname T-Rex, Evan is relatively new to strongman, having discovered the sport around three years ago. But in the short time since, he’s rocketed to the top of the sport’s rankings and is now among the best men’s open competitors in the world. We chat about his background in pro wrestling, bodybuilding, and more. But the most fun part of the conversation for me was an in-depth discussion on his Jurassic Park fandom. Strength sports and dinosaur nerds unite, because this is the episode for you.

At 71, He's Deadlifting Over 500 Pounds (w/Rudy Kadlub) Sep 20, 2021

Today I’m talking to powerlifter, record holder, and Kabuki Strength CEO Rudy Kadlub. Rudy has, admittedly, been stronger than average his whole life, but it wasn’t until his 50s that he really began training in strength sports. Now in his early 70s, Rudy is a massive figure in strength sports for his accomplishments both on and off the powerlifting platform. We discuss his background, strength training for more mature athletes, co-founding Kabuki Strength, and much, much more.

Bringing Back Old Timey Strength (w/Mike Aidala) Sep 13, 2021

Today I’m talking to performance coach and athlete Mike Aidala, who is perhaps best known online for helping resurrect some strongman lifts from a bygone era. Mike’s done immensely impressive things like a one-arm overhead squat at 315 pounds, a two-hands anyhow lift with 430 pounds, and the list goes on. In addition, he’s an accomplished endurance athlete. We talk about following your heart in strength and balancing so many different training methodologies and goals to keep things exciting.

Sick Angles for the World’s Best Weightlifters (w/ Steve Galvan) Sep 07, 2021

Today I’m talking to weightlifter, coach, and photographer Steve Galvan. Steve is a multi-talented force in weightlifting, and for both the Rio and Tokyo Olympic Games, he was the official International Weightlifting Federation photographer. He’s also known in the community as the photographer behind Sick Angles, which makes sense; he gets the sickest angles for some of the world’s biggest lifts. We catch up about Steve’s unlikely path from photography volunteer to an exclusive seat on the world’s biggest stage.

BarBend Classic: How to Optimize Your Sleep (with Kristen Holmes) Aug 30, 2021

This will shock many athletes: What you do in training likely has little to no impact on your next-day recovery. The common wisdom about recovery, especially sleep, needs a major update. So we sat down wit Kristen Holmes, WHOOP's VP of Performance, to separate fact from fiction on deep sleep, caffeine consumption, foods that help and hurt sleep, muscle repair, and what tracking HRV can tell us about how rested you really are.

What You Probably Don't Know About Adaptive Fitness (w/ Alec Zirkenbach) Aug 23, 2021

Today I’m talking to Alec Zirkenbach, Executive Director of Adaptive Training Academy. Alec is a military veteran, trainer, athlete, and entrepreneur who has played a key role in growing the adaptive athletic community in and around CrossFit. Through his work at Adaptive Training Academy, he’s also helped develop numerous training courses and modules to help coaches improve their understanding of and ability to train both able bodied and disabled athletes. This conversation with Alec is a great look into how far the community has come, along with what work can still be done to improve access in fitness.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, AIRWAAV. The AIRWAAV™ Performance Mouthpiece represents 15 years of research and development conducted with elite athletes perfect the most efficient way of opening the airway and optimizing performance. The AIRWAAV mouthpiece may improve the width of your airway by up to 9%, which may reduce respiratory rate and increase endurance. Learn more at airwaav.com.

Metabolism and Muscle with Dr. Ben Bikman Aug 16, 2021

Today I’m talking to Dr. Ben Bikman, PhD, a professor, researcher, entrepreneur, and author in bioenergetics. In his own words, Ben’s research drives at exploring the “contrasting roles of insulin and ketones as key drivers of metabolic function.” Ben is also passionate about fitness, and he’s become a go-to resource and expert for many athletes and institutions hoping to better understand how what we eat drives our body’s responses and adaptations to training. In our conversation, we dive into Ben’s research, along with what data suggests regarding some key functions of these hormones for our bodies as far as hypertrophy, muscle retention, and more.
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend, including the BarBend Podcast, is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site and podcast are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. If you feel like you're suffering from an injury or illness, please seek out a medical professional.

BarBend Classic: Dan John on 10,000 Kettlebell Swings and Strength Origins Aug 09, 2021

Dan John is one of the most respected coaches in strength & conditioning. Over the course of his 40+ year career, he's become well known for straightforward, effective protocols and programs that strip away the fluff to proven principles. He joins the podcast to talk about the popularity of his 10,000 kettlebell swing program, the simplest path to recovery and performance, and what to focus on when you have limited time to train.

Heaviest Bench of All Time (w/Jimmy Kolb) Aug 02, 2021

Today I’m talking to powerlifter Jimmy Kolb, the all-time record holder in the equipped bench press. In June 2021, he benched an astonishing 508 kilograms (or 1,120 pounds) in a single-ply bench shirt. It’s the heaviest bench press ever performed by a human. Jimmy joins us to talk about training as a bench specialist, his transition from raw to equipped lifting, misconceptions about equipped lifting, and pushing human performance past boundaries of what was once thought possible. It’s an interesting look at one of the most focused strength approaches we’ve ever seen.

He's the Visegrip Viking (w/Odd Haugen) Jul 26, 2021

Today I’m talking to strength icon Odd Haugen, who’s decades-long career in strength is the stuff of legend. Originally from Norway, he’s an accomplished champion powerlifter and fitness entrepreneur who’s owned and operated some of the most storied gyms in America. He also has a long history in strongman, winning the 1999 Strongest Man in America contest and competing at several World’s Strongest Man contests well into his 50s. Haugen has also been instrumental in bringing Mas Wrestling to western audiences, and he’s now on a mission to popularize the sport of arm lifting — a sport where his world-class grip strength makes him one of the world’s most dominant athletes, even into his 70s. Haugen also coached 2019 World’s Strongest Man Martins Licis from a relative strength beginner to one of the best strength athletes on the planet.

It’s the Biggest Week in Strength History (w/Andrew Gutman) Jul 19, 2021

We’re bringing the podcast in house today, and for good reason. We're talking to BarBend’s Managing Editor, Andrew Gutman, who’s covered some of the biggest events in strength sports history. But it’s an especially interesting time for the strength community. Late July 2021 includes both the Tokyo Olympic Games AND the CrossFit Games, making it one of the busiest periods ever for BarBend’s newsroom. We discuss the upcoming challenges and thrills with covering multiple international sporting events at the same time, along with some fun stories from the trenches of strength sports coverage over the years.

From a Broken Neck to CrossFit Journalism (w/ Spenser Mestel) Jul 12, 2021

Today we're talking to Spenser Mestel, a journalist who has written for publications like the New York Times, Buzzfeed, and of course, BarBend.com. Spenser has an insanely interesting athletic background, from competitive diving to parkour, a journey that includes ups like competing on American Ninja Warrior and downs that include breaking his neck in Egypt. Spenser has also established himself as one of the CrossFit community’s most impactful writers on a number of important issues in and around fitness. In addition, he co-authored Mat Fraser’s upcoming book, which will be released in January 2022.

Are You Fit Enough for the Marines? (w/Joel Del Rosario) Jul 06, 2021

Today we're talking to Joel Del Rosario, an active duty Marine and fitness coach who has 17 years of experience with fitness in the military. We discuss fitness standards in today’s military, along with how Joel’s approach to training and combat readiness has evolved over the past decade and a half. If you’ve ever been interested in learning how service members prepare their bodies and minds for the rigors of military duty, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

How to Train for Elite Explosiveness (w/Kelsey Kiel) Jun 28, 2021

Today I’m talking to Kelsey Kiel, a longtime elite CrossFitter who recently made the switch to bobsledding. As she trains toward qualification for Team USA, Kelsey joins us to talk about how her training has shifted, decisions that changed the course of her athletic career, and how bobsledders train most of the year off the ice. It’s a good look at managing performance and explosiveness, and why we can never underestimate technique in any sport. We hope you enjoy.

The Keys to Elite Overhead Strength (w/Nicolas Cambi) Jun 21, 2021

Today we're talking to Nicolas Cambi, one of the world’s top strongman athletes in the 105kg weight category. We talk about his strongman origins — including training at a famous gym I used to frequent — and how the sport has grown over the past decade. What’s the future of strongman look like? And what are those weird looking, floppy bars Nicolas is famous for training with? All that and more in this episode of The BarBend Podcast.

BarBend Classic: Layne Norton on the Real Science of Building Muscle Jun 14, 2021

In this special (and rare) repost, The BarBend Podcast is going in-depth with a topic and guest that launched to a huge audience reaction. Layne Norton, PhD is one of the strength world's most respected minds when it comes to the science behind building muscle and strength. He's also competed in both bodybuilding and powerlifting at elite levels. Layne joins us to talk about what the bodybuilding and powerlifting worlds can learn from each other, along with sifting through the "bro science" to determine what's actually optimal for building muscle.

The Massenomics Mafia (with Tommy DeFea) Jun 06, 2021

Today we're talking to Tommy from Massenomics, a lifting, apparel, and social media brand — and also a functioning strength sports gym — based out of Western North East South Dakota. If that sounds strange, then you haven’t gone headfirst into the Massenomics world. They’re curators of some of strength’s funniest memes and content, and they’ve built a dedicated following among lifting nerds that needs to be experienced firsthand. Tommy joins us to talk about Massenomics origins, inside jokes that made it big online, and why their LIFT shorts truly are clothing for billionaires.

Putting the Powerlifting World on Notice (w/Hunter Henderson) Jun 01, 2021

Today we're talking to Hunter Henderson, a record setting powerlifter. A heads up that we recorded this podcast before the Kern US Open, where Hunter won her weight class with a commanding performance — and took home a few records as well. Hunter has an interesting focus on cardio for recovery, which is something we think a lot of strength athletes can learn from. We hope you enjoy!

To the Paris Olympics and Beyond (w/Meredith Alwine) May 24, 2021

Today we're talking to American weightlifter Meredith Alwine, the current Pan American champion in the women’s 71kg category. I first met Meredith back in 2016 - in the early days of BarBend - while doing color commentary for the RVA Open in Richmond, Virginia. Back then, she was an up-and-coming collegiate lifter, and let’s just say her progress since has been nothing short of astounding. She’s risen through the ranks from the local, collegiate, and national levels to now be a contending force at any international competition where she’s representing the United States. She joins the podcast to talk about training, her progress in the sport, and the coach/athlete dynamics that are so vital to success in the sport.

This City Could Be America's New Fitness Capital (w/Justin Cotler) May 17, 2021

Today we're talking to Justin Cotler, a longtime CrossFit coach and affiliate owner who works with top athletes like Fittest American Woman and CrossFit Games podium finisher Kari Pearce. Justin joins me to talk about building a new destination for functional fitness athletes in Las Vegas, the ins and outs of coaching CrossFit Games athletes, how COVID impacted gym ownership in America, and much more. Even if you don’t follow competitive CrossFit closely, Justin gives some great insight into the coach’s mindset and how to get the most out of your training, so stick around.

Are You Strong Enough for a Racing Pit Crew? (w/ Christmas Abbott) May 10, 2021

Today we're talking to Christmas Abbott, a woman with a fitness resume about a mile long. She’s been a team CrossFit Games competitor, weightlifter, influencer, reality TV star, and also NASCAR’s first-ever female pit crew member. I’ve known Christmas for over seven years, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a proper catchup. In this episode of the BarBend podcast, we talk about her evolution from hyper-competitive athlete to producing fitness content for the masses, the physical rigors of working with a pit crew, and badass moms from movies Christmas wants to emulate.

Get This Strong to Build a Log Cabin (w/Brian Alsruhe) May 03, 2021

Today we're talking to strongman athlete Brian Alsruhe, who actually joins the BarBend Podcast for a second time. Recently, Brian has been focusing most of his time on building a homestead in the woods, completely by hand and without the use of power tools. We discuss what it means to use strength in a real-world environment, along with how building a log cabin mirrors strongman-style training. This podcast also touches on the human connection with nature, feats of endurance long before electricity, and we even touch on Bigfoot and other topics in cryptozoology. Don’t miss it.

These Are the World's Best Gyms (w/ Kris Gethin) Apr 26, 2021

Today we're talking to Kris Gethin, a renowned bodybuilder, biohacker, and owner of KAGED Muscle Supplements. Kris, who joins us on the podcast for a second time, is also an extreme sports junkie, and earlier in 2021 he suffered a significant triceps injury while snowboarding. We talk about Kris’ approach to recovery, and how his years of working to optimize recovery from in the gym training have impacted that approach. We also discuss his favorite gyms around the world, and why bodybuilding training can be so much more difficult than many people realize.

What New Events Should Strongman Try? (w/Martins Licis) Apr 19, 2021

Today we're talking to an athlete who probably needs little introduction: Martins Licis, the 2019 World’s Strongest Man and one of the strength world’s most charismatic athletes. We don’t want to say too much more, but a quick preview: we discuss coming back from injury, when Martins plans to compete again, how long he thinks his strongman career will last, what it was like filming a GEICO commercial, setting Steinborn squat world records, and much, much more. We even came up with a new strongman event during this recording, so you don’t want to miss out.

The Worst Part of Strength on the Internet (w/ Jessica Fithen) Apr 12, 2021

Today we're talking to pro strongwoman Jessica Fithen. Among her many accomplishments, Jessica is the first strongwoman to block press 100 kilograms or more. She’s also very active on social media and is the brains behind the Instagram page “You Look Like a Man,” which highlights and parodies some of the more ridiculous — and usually unsolicited — things women lifters and strength athletes hear online. This recording is equal parts deep dive into the sport of strongman and an examination of strength communities on social media. We hope you enjoy!

Who's Stronger: Weightlifters or Powerlifters? (with Travis Mash) Apr 05, 2021

Today we're talking to coach Travis Mash. In some circles, Travis is best known as a champion, world record-breaking powerlifter, and his career in that sport is legendary. But fewer people know that Travis’ first strength love was weightlifting, a sport he spends most of his time coaching these days. Travis joins us to talk about training athletes based on scientific principles, starting a collegiate weightlifting program, and his passion for strength research. We also discuss the super total — which involves testing athletes across both weightlifting and powerlifting events — and much, much more.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Athletic Greens. I first tried Athletic Greens back in 2012. It was already a massively popular daily supplement, and since then, they’ve undergone dozens of formulation tweaks, each an improvement on the last. It’s the rare all-in-one greens supplement that’s NSF-certified — a must for competitive athletes — and also tastes delicious (I’m probably a bit biased because I love the subtle notes of pineapple and vanilla). Interested in trying it? Visit athleticgreens.com/barbend to get a free gift with your purchase.

The Toughest Strength Test? (w/ Kim Fox) Mar 29, 2021

Today we're talking to kettlebell sport champion Kim Fox, who holds multiple all-time world records in the sport. She’s also one of the most accomplished Americans to ever compete in the sport. If you’re not familiar with kettlebell sport, this conversation is a solid introduction to what it entails, the intense mental and physical challenge involved, how a world champion trains, and the small but growing community of athletes and coaches around the globe. Kim shares insights from early on in her career though to today. Whether you’re a die-hard kettlebell fan or just looking to learn more about the world of strength, this is an episode we hope you’ll enjoy.

This Fitness Community Will Not Be Ignored (with Will Lanier) Mar 22, 2021

Today we're talking to OUT Foundation founder Will Lanier. Formerly known as OUTWOD, the OUT Foundation’s mission is to remove the barriers that block LGBTQ+ individuals' access and participation in fitness, health, and wellness to ensure their success. Will takes us back to the group’s origins as an informal workout community in New York City, and he details how — over nearly ten years — it’s grown into a foundation that serves communities across the United States. We also discuss their goals moving forward, issues they’re mobilizing around, and why they felt the need to create their own leaderboard for the CrossFit Open.

The Fight to Save Weightlifting w/ Sarah Davies Mar 15, 2021

Today we're talking to British weightlifter Sarah Davies, who represents England at the highest levels of international competition. The 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medalist is also the IWF Athlete Commission’s Chair, a role that sees her advocating for athlete representation within the sport’s international governing body. Over the past year, massive shakeups, corruption allegations, and doping scandals have rocked the International Weightlifting Federation. Sarah has been very outspoken about where she feels the IWF must undergo reform, a stance that has created tension between her and members of the organization’s Executive Board. In this episode, Sarah joins us to talk about how weightlifting needs to change, her experiences as the Athlete Commission chair, and how she balances her dual role as athlete and advocate.
Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Athletic Greens. I first tried Athletic Greens back in 2012. It was already a massively popular daily supplement, and since then, they’ve undergone dozens of formulation tweaks, each an improvement on the last. It’s the rare all-in-one greens supplement that’s NSF-certified — a must for competitive athletes — and also tastes delicious (I’m probably a bit biased because I love the subtle notes of pineapple and vanilla). Interested in trying it? Visit athleticgreens.com/barbend to get a free gift with your purchase.

The Fitness Professor with Michael Easter Mar 08, 2021

Today we're talking to health & fitness journalist Michael Easter, a contributing editor at Men's Health magazine and journalism professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Michael is one of the fitness space’s most prolific writers of in-depth profiles, covering the people, trends, and breakthroughs that keep this industry moving forward. He joins the show to talk about his unlikely road to teaching in a respected university while also balancing the challenges of his own research and writing. He’s got some of the coolest “in the trenches” stories in fitness journalism, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on what he has to say.

When Fitness and Social Justice Clashed (with Alyssa Royse) Mar 01, 2021

Today we're talking to Alyssa Royse, owner and coach at Rocket Community Fitness — formerly Rocket CrossFit — in Seattle. Today’s episode is a bit different from the norm, and Alyssa joins us to talk about a variety of issues regarding representation, diversity, and inclusivity in fitness.
Some listeners may be familiar with Alyssa’s name after an exchange she had with CrossFit founder and former owner Greg Glassman went viral in June 2020. Alyssa had written to Glassman expressing concern over CrossFit’s silence regarding the death of George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter movement. Glassman responded with a now-infamous letter calling Royse “delusional” and saying he was ashamed of her comments. Glassman’s letter — and later tweets and Zoom recordings — stirred immense controversy, eventually leading to his resignation and the ultimate sale of CrossFit.
Alyssa’s perspective extends well beyond her experience from last summer. She’s a long time coach and business owner in fitness, working across multiple sports. In this recording, she gives her perspective on the responsibilities of multiple stakeholders in strength — from business owners and brands to athletes, coaches, and fans following along at home. We should say it’s a deep conversation that focuses on subjects that could be sensitive to some listeners.

He's the Texas Titan (w/Gabriel Peña) Feb 22, 2021

Today we're talking to professional strongman Gabriel Pena, also known online as Texas Titan Gabe. He joins the show to talk about his experiences in the sport, including his 2020 World’s Strongest Man debut. At that competition, Gabe had to make a tough, health-based call, and we dive into his thought process. We also discuss why Gabe, a native Texan, decided to represent Mexico at the 2020 World’s Strongest Man contest.

Fix Exercise, Improve Society (w/ Dr. Daniel Lieberman) Feb 15, 2021

Today we're talking to Dr. Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Chair of Harvard’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Lieberman is also the author of numerous books, most recently one titled “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding.” Dr. Lieberman took time out of his busy teaching and research schedule to join us on the BarBend Podcast. We discuss why humans evolved for a very different lifestyle than we live today, and why exercise has become something many people dread while others embrace it in various forms. We also discuss which exercise modalities come most naturally to humans, and how we as a society can promote healthier living through better incentive and support structures.

Fitness World's Racing Mastermind (with Mo Fürste) Feb 08, 2021

Today we're talking to Mo Fürste, the founder of HYROX and one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. This interview focuses on HYROX’s growth as a fitness challenge and competition, but it’s worth calling out Mo’s impressive athletic resume beyond HYROX: he’s a three-time Olympic medalist in field hockey for Germany, including two golds, and was the International Hockey Federation World Player of the Year in 2012. Mo has leveraged his legendary sporting career into a new venture with HYROX, and today we talk about how he and his team developed that competition, why they see it as a compliment to and not competitor of CrossFit, and what the future holds for the young sport.

Adult Fitness Summer Camp w/ Dave Durante Feb 01, 2021

Today we're talking to Dave Durante, a former member of the U.S. National Gymnastics Team and one of the masterminds behind Power Monkey Fitness. Dave talks about discovering CrossFit after a storied gymnastics career, and how he and his partners came to build the annual Power Monkey weekend into what can only be described as fitness summer camp for adults. We also discuss gymnastics elements he’d most like to see in CrossFit competition, and why elite gymnasts might not be as great at freestanding handstands as many people think.

Asking Congress for Gym Relief (w/CrossFit's Brett Ewer) Jan 25, 2021

Today we're talking to Brett Ewer, Head of Government Relations at CrossFit. Brett is also a driving force behind the Community Gyms Coalition, a group of fitness industry companies and gym organizations — including CrossFit, Zumba, Orange Theory, Anytime Fitness, Jazzercise, and more — lobbying congress to provide direct relief to gyms hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. In today’s special episode, Brett joins us to discuss the Coalition’s origins and what it takes to get so many different organizations united. He also explains why the Coalition is pushing for direct relief to gyms, along with the specific needs of gym owners, trainers, and fitness professionals that he believes are being missed by existing relief legislation.

How Your Metabolism Really Works (with Josh Clemente) Jan 18, 2021

Today we're talking to Josh Clemente, Founder and President of Levels, a company producing wearable tech so users can track blood glucose in real time to maximize diet and exercise results. It’s a new company, and after a $12 million fundraise, they’re already in use by top pro athletes and are even making waves in the strength sports community. Josh is a veteran of both SpaceX and Hyperloop One, and his background is in designing life support systems for the next generation of space exploration. In today’s episode, we discuss how that work inspired Josh to found Levels, why metabolic responses can vary so differently from one person to the next even with the same food, and what this means for actionable insights into strength and performance.

Inside the CrossFit Games Bubble (w/ Adam Neiffer) Jan 11, 2021

Today we're talking to CrossFit athlete and coach Adam Neiffer. Adam has been in the competitive CrossFit space since well before it exploded in popularity, and with a competition history dating back to 2009, he’s one of the most experience team athletes in the sport’s history. More recently, Adam was a visible figure at the 2020 CrossFit Games finals, where he served as coach to Rookie of the Year Justin Medeiros. Adam joins the podcast to talk about the unlikely call that got him back into coaching elite athletes, coaching in the Finals bubble, and much, much more.

From Bodybuilding to 'Ramy' and 'Ms. Marvel' (with Laith Nakli) Jan 04, 2021

Welcome to a very special episode of the BarBend Podcast, one that covers a bit more ground than normal. Today we're talking to Laith Nakli, a star of stage and screen probably best known for his roles in The Long Road Home, The Wall, and as Uncle Naseem in the hit TV series Ramy. He’s also a cast member on the upcoming Ms. Marvel series on Disney Plus. Before his acting days, Laith was a competitive bodybuilder, winning the title of Mr. Syria before retiring from the sport. In our conversation, we talk about Laith’s bodybuilding career, the discipline and focus it helped teach him in pursuing acting, diversity and representation on screen, and much, much more.

What You Don't Know About the CrossFit Games Grind (with Amanda Barnhart) Dec 28, 2020

Today we're talking to CrossFit Games athlete and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Amanda Barnhart. Amanda is one of the CrossFit world’s highest-performing athletes in the space since making her Games debut in 2018. That includes back to back Top 10 finishes at the Games in 2019 and 2020. In our conversation, we talk about how athletes recover after the brutal CrossFit Games competition season, along with Amanda’s first reactions to a new qualification format for 2021. We also discuss an athlete’s competitive mindset, what it’s like going toe-to-toe in workouts against a spouse, and much, much more.

Throwing Down the Hammer (with Steph Hammerman) Dec 21, 2020

Today we're talking to athlete and coach Steph Hammerman, better known online as Steph the Hammer. Steph was born with cerebral palsy, and since discovering CrossFit years ago, she’s been a prominent force in the space as both a coach to all and an advocate for adaptive athletes. In many cases, that meant leading from the front by being the first person with cerebral palsy to compete at numerous prominent events in the fitness and CrossFit spaces. In 2014, she became the first person with cerebral palsy to earn a Level 2 CrossFit Certificate.
Our conversation focuses on Steph’s career in fitness, including some frank discussion of lower points and lessons learned, including when Steph had to close her gym during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Changed About Women and Strength (with Liz Plosser) Dec 17, 2020

Today we're talking to Liz Plosser, the Editor in Chief of Women’s Health. Liz is one of the fitness industry’s head honchos when it comes to content, but journalism definitely wasn’t the first place her career started out. And ending up at the top of Women’s Health’s content was far from an overnight success story. Today, Liz and David Thomas Tao discuss careers in health and fitness journalism, along with how content is marketed to women — and how that has changed dramatically over the last few decades.

How to Breathe Fire (with Bill Grundler) Dec 14, 2020

Today we're talking to Bill Grundler, a coach, athlete, and media personality who’s been one of CrossFit’s most visible personalities for nearly a decade. Bill also owns CrossFit Inferno and co-hosts the Get with the Programming Podcast, which analyzes programming in the CrossFit landscape including Worldwide Qualifiers, Age Group Online Qualifiers, Sanctioned Events, The Open and CrossFit Games. In our episode, Bill — once a career firefighter — explains how CrossFit methodology caught on so quickly in the first responder community. We also discuss what it’s like being a veteran of the competitive CrossFit sphere — a true fire-breather, as some in the community call it — along with Bill’s second career in the broadcasting booth.
I do want to give a second to mention today’s sponsor, 1600 WODs. Available now, this book by coach Chris Gale is a collection of over 1600 WODS from the head coach/programmer at CrossFit Kenko. Seven years of the exact programming used from day one at the affiliate, and a nearly endless source of inspiration for fitness enthusiasts around the globe. Google BarBend + 1600 WODs to learn more and find your copy today.

From A Stopped Heart to Weightlifting Rebirth (Jon North) Dec 10, 2020

Today I’m talking to weightlifter, coach, and former bodybuilder Jon North, who has been a prominent figure in American Strength Sports for nearly a decade. Jon’s story is one with a number of twists and turns: From overcoming addiction to earn his way among the top ranks of American weightlifters, Jon was one of the first virtual weightlifting coaches to build a large following online, and he also competed in bodybuilding. He’s also caused a stir in weightlifting, and at one point created his own competition federation separate from USA Weightlifting. Jon is reflective and thoughtful when it comes to his career in strength. In our conversation, Jon talks about some fundamental changes in his life after he suffered a heart attack and was diagnosed with a hereditary heart condition. He also details his evolution as a coach and why he’s happier coaching far fewer athletes than he did years ago.

History's Strongest Women (with Haley Shapley) Dec 07, 2020

Today we're talking to writer and journalist Haley Shapley, the author of Strong Like Her. Published earlier in 2020, Strong Like Her is an examination and celebration of women’s athleticism and strength throughout history. Haley is passionate about strength and fitness, and her own athletic journey served as an inspiration to write about history’s strongest women, something that’s been all too frequently glossed over or ignored for hundreds — and really thousands — of years. We discuss the fascinating history behind women’s strengths sports from ancient times through to today, along with how women are continuing to push boundaries and change what is seen as societally mainstream when it comes to physical culture.

Doughnuts to Power Your Deadlifts (with Amanda Kohatsu) Dec 03, 2020

Today we're talking to Amanda Kohatsu, an elite powerlifter who’s also the owner and CEO of Doughnuts & Deadlifts, an apparel brand focused on the strength community. We chat about how Amanda took over Doughnuts & Deadlifts, the ups and downs of running an apparel brand focused around strength, and what balance really can and should mean to people who strength train. We also chat about SoCal versus NYC and share some funny stories about the origins of strength stereotypes.

Can You Graduate from Squat University? (with Dr. Aaron Horschig) Nov 30, 2020

Today we're talking to Dr. Aaron Horschig, a physical therapist, strength & conditioning coach, speaker and writer. Aaron is the author of one book on mobility and movement, with another on the way, but he’s probably best known as the creator and mind behind Squat University. In our chat, we discuss what so many elite strength athletes are missing when it comes to movement, and how Aaron’s own experience as a weightlifter impacts his approach to helping people prevent and recovery from injuries. If you’ve ever wanted to improve your squat, this is a great place to start from the ground up.

Bear Crawled a Marathon (with Devon Lévesque) Nov 23, 2020

Today we're talking to Devon Lévesque, a trainer and fitness influencer based out of Jersey City, New Jersey. Devon is probably best known for — and I promise I’m no exaggerating here — bear crawling a full marathon. In about 22 hours this past October, Devon — who already held the world record for distance in the bear crawl — bear crawled 26.2 miles and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for FitOps, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans to pursue health and fitness careers. Devon — whose father was a professional bodybuilder and whose mother was a pro arm wrestler — joins us to talk about his unconventional upbringing in wellness, motivation and preparation for his record breaking bear crawl, and much, much more.
I want to take a quick second to shout out Today's episode sponsor, MANIMAL, America’s Longest-Lasting Wrist Wrap Since 2010. Manimal has over +1,000 5-star reviews and trusted by athletes and coaches who want to get stronger in the gym, minus the wrist pain. Want to put MANIMAL wraps to the test? Visit Manimal.com and use code BARBEND for 15% off, backed by a Lifetime Guarantee.

You're Warming Up Wrong (with Dr. Jordan Shallow) Nov 19, 2020

As we approach the holiday season, BarBend wants to celebrate by revisiting some of our most popular podcasts from the past 12 months. This episode with Jordan Shallow prompted a ton of discussion, and we're excited to share this remastered version!
According to Dr. Jordan Shallow, the way we warm up — and the way most people think about movement — is fundamentally broken. The chiropractor, internationally competitive powerlifter, and presenter joins us to talk about the root cause of injuries, how we can prep our bodies to move better, and why the human body wants to operate "like lightning."

Fittest One Arm Man on Earth (with Logan Aldridge) Nov 16, 2020

Today we're talking to Logan Aldridge, training director of Adaptive Training Academy and the fittest one arm man on earth. After a wakeboarding accident that resulted in the loss of his arm at a young age, Logan dedicated his life to making fitness and sports more accessible for people around the globe. His work with Adaptive Training Academy is one of the most impressive projects we’ve ever encountered in the fitness world. In this podcast, we discuss how Logan and his colleagues teach coaches to work with athletes of all ability levels, along with WHY their methodology proves so adaptable. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg here.

A Gym That Fits In Your Suitcase Nov 12, 2020

Today we're talking to Albert Matheny, co-founder of Soho Strength Lab in New York City and the COO of Arena, a fitness technology startup that’s launching in late 2020. Albert joins us to talk about the harsh realities of the gym business during COVID, including the factors that go into whether owners and operators are able to keep their facilities open. We also talk about why he’s steered his gym away from being a, quote, “Instagram gym,” and then the conversation focuses in on Arena, which is attempting to bring full-body strength training to a device that could fit in your suitcase. How do you perform 200 pound front squats with something that weighs under 40 pounds? All that and more coming up.

The 2nd Fittest Man On Earth (Samuel Kwant) Nov 09, 2020

Today we're talking to Samuel Kwant, a multi-time CrossFit Games competitor who finished second at the 2020 CrossFit Games. Originally a high school cross country runner, Sam found CrossFit as a teenager and qualified for his first games at just 20 years old, making him the youngest male competitor in that year’s field. Since then, Sam has risen up the leaderboard on repeat visits, which culminated in his being crowned 2020’s Second Fittest Man on Earth — his first podium appearance. Sam joins us to talk about this year’s games, training his weaknesses, making CrossFit a family affair, and balancing training with the realities of being a new father.

Doing the Impossible in Powerlifting (With Taylor Atwood) Nov 05, 2020

Today we're talking to Taylor Atwood, a 6-time United States Champion and 2-time IPF World Champion in powerlifting. Most recently, Taylor totaled an astonishing 812kg at 74 kilograms bodyweight, becoming the first lifter in his category to hit that mark in drug-tested competition. In the process, Taylor set new American Records on all three lifts. Taylor joins us today to talk about making powerlifting history, how to avoid burnout in strength sports, and the mental approach to training that gives him an edge in the sport and life.

Why It's Harder to Fight Doping in Paralympic Sport (with Ali Jawad) Nov 02, 2020

Today we're talking to Ali Jawad, a British Paralympic powerlifter and silver medalist from the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Ali was born a double above the knee amputee, and he competed in judo at a high level before finding powerlifting. Ali is one of Britain’s most accomplished strength athletes, and he’s also an outspoken advocate for clean sport and doping controls in Paralympic sport. In our conversation, we talk about how Ali is blending academia and strength sports, why doping controls are more difficult in Paralympic sports, as well as the the challenges Ali faces training with Crohn's disease.

First Woman to Clean & Jerk 300 Pounds (with Karyn Marshall) Oct 29, 2020

Today we're talking to Dr. Karyn Marshall, a legend in the sport of weightlifting. Karyn began her lifting career in the 70s, and in 1985 she became the first woman in history to clean and jerk over 300 pounds. She competed in — and won gold at — the first women’s weightlifting world championship in 1987, becoming the first-ever American champion, and the only American champion from that competition. As a Masters athlete, she also competed in the 2011 CrossFit Games. Karyn joins us to discuss her career in weightlifting, as well as how women’s weightlifting has evolved and grown over the past few decades.

61 Year Old Squats 700 Pounds for Three (with David Ricks) Oct 26, 2020

Today we're talking to powerlifting legend David Ricks. David has been in the sport for nearly 40 years, with a competition history dating all the way back to 1981. Throughout that time, he’s won numerous national, world, and invitational championships, earning him the nickname “Superman.” After a brief hiatus in the sport in his mid-50s, David came roaring back to compete at a high level in his late 50s. And in 2017, at 58 years old, he broke an OPEN world record in the squat, sinking 325kg at the Arnold Sports Festival. Now 61 years old, Ricks is still competing — and often winning — against lifters of all ages. We discuss his training mindset and some serious wisdom after an unparalleled career in the sport.

The Army's Strongest Man (with Anthony Fuhrman) Oct 22, 2020

Today we're talking to strongman competitor Anthony Fuhrman. He’s the two-time World’s Strongest Man at 105 kilograms and was a competitor on NBC’s Titan Games. Anthony is also an active duty service member, and our discussion today focuses in part on how he balances his training with a full time job in the US Army. Anthony is also a BarBend contributor and one of the most personable people in strength. If you’ve ever been interested in strongman, the military, or anything in between, this is one episode you won’t want to miss.
We want to take a second to give a special shoutout to our episode sponsor, Transparent Labs. If you want clean, clearly labeled supplements with ingredients backed by science, Transparent Labs has you covered. (Seriously, no hidden ingredients, no proprietary blends, and nothing artificial.) That includes their uber-popular BULK pre-workout, with ingredients we love to see for focus and energy PLUS vitamin D3, boron, and zinc. All the good stuff, absolutely no fillers. Use code "BARBEND" at checkout for an extra 10% off your order.

He's Called CrossFit Thor Oct 19, 2020

Today we're talking to CrossFit athlete Griffin Roelle, who competed as a rookie at the 2020 CrossFit Games. Griffin found the sport after a lengthy football career. He brought an immense base of strength to his CrossFit training, which is reflected in his results: He’s one of the all-out strongest athletes in the sport, and he won the max front squat event at this year’s CrossFit Games with a 490 pound lift. We discuss the limits of programming for strength and endurance, along with what Griffin thinks athletes should prioritize to excel at heavy workouts.

CrossFit's Next Superstar In Waiting Oct 15, 2020

In this episode of the BarBend Podcast, we're talking to CrossFit Games athlete, Kristine Best. While fans may know her as an elite athlete, most of the people she works with every day know her as something else: a teacher.
Unlike other Games-level athletes — who build lives around training full time — Kristine is a full time special education teacher. This means balancing training with a highly-demanding day job, and because of that the sacrifices she makes are bit unlike what most other high level athletes shoulder at the top of their game.
We talk about how the demands of both teaching and training help motivate her to keep pushing and much more.

He's the "Original" Korean Hulk Oct 08, 2020

Today we're talking to powerlifter Rich Yun. Rich is best known online as The Korean Hulk, and it’s a nickname that stuck after one of his first powerlifting competitions. This conversation has a lot of parts: We talk beefing with other “Korean Hulks” online, the eating habits of powerlifters, and the biggest movers and shakers in strength sports today. It’s a fun conversation you won’t want to miss out on.

Dr. Bo Babenko: Injury Myths and Misconceptions Oct 05, 2020

Today we're talking to Doctor of Physical Therapy and trainer Dr. Bo Babenko. Bo has worn many hats in fitness over the past decade: physical therapist, triathlete, CrossFit regionals competitor, and more. Our conversation focuses heavily on what’s changed about physical therapy and recovery during Bo’s career so far, along with the most common myths and misconceptions when it comes to injury recovery. We’ll get right to it, because this is one episode that can be useful to just about anyone who strength trains.

Coss Marte: From Solitary Confinement to CONBODY Empire Oct 01, 2020

Today we're talking to Coss Marte, the founder and CEO of CONBODY, a prison fitness-style boot camp offering in-person and virtual classes based out of NYC. Coss developed the idea of CONBODY based on his own experiences in prison, where he turned to fitness after becoming overweight and at a high risk for cardiac problems. Since founding CONBODY, Coss has hired over 40 formerly incarcerated individuals as trainers, and he’s also become an advocate for prison reform and former inmates looking to build new lives. We talk about Coss’ inspiration for CONBODY while in solitary confinement, what to expect from their high-intensity workouts, and much, much more.
We want to take a second to give a special shoutout to our episode sponsor, Transparent Labs. If you want clean, clearly labeled supplements with ingredients backed by science, Transparent Labs has you covered. (Seriously, no hidden ingredients, no proprietary blends, and nothing artificial.) That includes their uber-popular BULK pre-workout, with ingredients we love to see for focus and energy PLUS vitamin D3, boron, and zinc. All the good stuff, absolutely no fillers. Use code "BARBEND" at checkout for an extra 10% off your order.

Sebastian Oreb: Inside the Mind of Australian Strength Coach Sep 28, 2020

Today we're talking to Sebastian Oreb, better known online as Australian Strength Coach. Sebastian has trained athletes from professional rugby players to elite powerlifters, and he’s also the strength coach of 2018 World’s Strongest Man Hafthor Bjornsson. Sebastian joins us to talk about his unconventional path in strength, the ways in which personal strength goals impact how you coach, and why building personal relationships with athletes is so important in establishing trust. We also talk about how a single day and a bench press cue was what convinced Hafthor to hire Sebastian as his coach.

Fergus Crawley: Lifting and Mental Health Sep 24, 2020

Today we're talking to hybrid athlete Fergus Crawley, one of the UK’s most inspirational fitness figures. After a series of concussions ended his hopes at a professional rugby career, Fergus pursued powerlifting and today is also an ultra endurance athlete. Earlier in 2020, he became just the second person in history to run a verified sub-5 minute mile and back squat 500 pounds on the same day. But Fergus is lifting and running for a cause much bigger than personal glory, and the work he’s doing to raise awareness for mental health issues is the true highlight of our conversation.
This episode can get pretty heavy in places, and we're thankful Fergus opened up to us about his own journey. If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255.

James Newbury: CrossFit Elite on Virtual Competition Sep 17, 2020

Today we're talking to CrossFit athlete, James Newbury, who finished 5th in the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games. Due to a shortened qualifying season, James isn't competing in the 2020 Games this year, along with many other top athletes in the sport. But that hasn't stopped James from honing his craft as an elite athlete, training more for power and strength, while also exploring other sports like surfing and weightlifting.
As one of the world's fittest men, James offers his thoughts on competing virtually vs in-person, the mind games that happen behind the scenes at these events, and of course, a few of his top picks to win the Games this year.
We want to take a second to give a special shoutout to our episode sponsor, Transparent Labs. If you want clean, clearly labeled supplements with ingredients backed by science, Transparent Labs has you covered. (Seriously, no hidden ingredients, no proprietary blends, and nothing artificial.) That includes their uber-popular BULK pre-workout, with ingredients we love to see for focus and energy PLUS vitamin D3, boron, and zinc. All the good stuff, absolutely no fillers. Use code "BARBEND" at checkout for an extra 10% off your order.

Andrea Thompson: Strongman Evolution and the World's Strongest Woman Sep 14, 2020

Today we're talking to British strongwoman Andrea Thompson. After beginning her strength career in CrossFit, Andrea found she had a gift for many of the disciplines in the sport of strongman. Early competition success led to what is now one of the sport’s most stacked resumes. She’s a 4-time Britain’s Strongest Woman, the 2018 World’s Strongest Woman, and a multi-time record holder in lifts like the log press and deadlift. Andrea joins us to talk about training for the log press and deadlift world records earlier this year, one of which she did on a virtual live stream, as well as the growth of the sport and what’s next for her.

Cheryl Haworth: Olympic Bronze At Age 17 Sep 10, 2020

Today we're talking to three-time Olympian in weightlifting Cheryl Haworth. Cheryl is one of America’s most accomplished lifters, and she competed in her first Olympic Games — Sydney, where she earned bronze — when she was just 17 years old. That Olympic Games also marked the first time women could compete in weightlifting at the Olympic level. In this special episode of the BarBend Podcast, Cheryl joins us to look back on her experiences in Sydney 20 years ago, and what it was like to be among the first group of women Olympians to represent the USA in weightlifting.

Jourdan Delacruz: Weightlifting's Next Wave Sep 03, 2020

On this episode, we sit down with a rising star in the international weightlifting community, 22-year old Jourdan Delacruz. While the roster for the Tokyo Olympic Games hasn't been finalized, Jourdan is in a great position to qualify. She's the 2019 Pan-American Champion in the 55kg category and the 2020 IWF World Cup Champion in the 49kg category. In our discussion, we talk about training, changing bodyweight categories and how weightlifters can encourage newer athletes in the sport to get more involved.

Conor Heffernan: Strength History's Biggest Moments Aug 31, 2020

In today's episode, we sit down with Conor Heffernan, BarBend contributor and Assistant Professor of Physical Culture and Sports Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Our discussion spans thousands of years of strength, strength training and strength competition. From ancient weightlifting to the 1960s, where strength sports like Weightlifting and Powerlifting begin to split off into their own disciplines. It's an exciting ride through the history of strong people.

Pedro Meloni: Weightlifting Events During a Pandemic Aug 27, 2020

Today we're talking to Pedro Meloni, Events & Sponsorships Director at USA Weightlifting. Prior to his role with USA Weightlifting, Pedro was the Weightlifting and Powerlifting Sport Manager for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. In our conversation, we cover Pedro’s most memorable moments from the 2016 Games, including barely-in-time equipment deliveries and a weightlifting session that triggered international uproar. We also talk about the challenges facing organizations like USA Weightlifting to organize virtual and in-person events during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Note: BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting. Unless otherwise specified on certain content, the two organizations maintain editorial independence.

Steph Chung: Community, CrossFit, and Competition Goals Aug 24, 2020

Today we're talking to Steph Chung, an elite CrossFit athlete who’s also on the executive committee of the professional fitness athlete’s association. After a lengthy gymnastics career in the US, Steph discovered CrossFit, which quickly became her primary social outlet while living abroad in the Middle East. It’s where she found friends, developed her athleticism, and even where she first met with her now-husband. Now back in the United States, Steph lives and trains in Massachusetts. She joined us virtually to talk about training, what many elite CrossFitters want to see next for the sport, and much, much more.

Danny Lehr: The Story Behind Caffeine and Kilos Aug 20, 2020

Today we're talking to Caffeine & Kilos Co-Founder and CEO Danny Lehr. Danny is also an accomplished weightlifter and won gold at the 2019 Masters World Cup for Weightlifting. Danny joins the podcast to talk about the unlikely origins of Caffeine and Kilos — including the accidental revelations that led them on the path to selling both athletic lifestyle apparel and high-end coffee blends. We talk about training in weightlifting while balancing a full time job and family, how to grow a business that gives back to the lifting community, and, of course, what makes a great coffee blend.

Marcus Martinez: What Kettlebells Can and Can't Do For You Aug 17, 2020

Today we're talking to Marcus Martinez, better known online as Kettlebell Exercises on Instagram. Marcus is a master kettlebell instructor on a mission to help people build better bodies with kettlebells, and that means tackling a lot of misconceptions people have about kettlebell training. In our conversation, we discuss what kettlebell training can and can't do for you, big (and sometimes controversial) differences in training methodology, and the most impressive strength feats Marcus has ever witnessed.

Jen Thompson: A Powerlifting Legend's Training Routine Aug 13, 2020

Today we’re talking to 11-time IPF World Champion and Hall of Fame powerlifter Jen Thompson. Summarizing ALL of Jen’s accomplishments in strength in a quick intro is frankly impossible. She’s one of powerlifting’s all-time greats and still very much a dominant force in the sport, both when competing on the platform and through her contributions as an organizer and advocate. We talk about Jen’s current training and programming split, her favorite accessory movements for a legendary bench press, and how powerlifting has changed over her 20 plus years in the sport. We also talk about where there’s still room for improvement, especially on the international level.

Goodbye, Jake Boly: BarBend's Fitness Editor Takes A Bow Aug 10, 2020

Today we're talking to Jake Boly, BarBend’s outgoing fitness editor. In nearly four years with BarBend, Jake has covered hundreds of strength sports events and written or edited thousands of articles on training and strength research. We look back on Jake’s time in and contributions toward strength journalism, including the athletes and feats that impressed him the most!

Ryan Dorris: The Issue of Inclusivity In Strength Sports Aug 06, 2020

Today we're talking to Ryan Dorris, accomplished bodybuilder, powerlifter, strength coach and owner of Fortis EQ. Strength sports — particularly CrossFit, but it's not alone — have witnessed lots of changes in the last few months. In this episode, Ryan reflects on how and why strength sports have lacked inclusivity in the past. He's optimistic though, offering a positive and insightful outlook on the culture of strength sports and how we can create more inclusivity together in a time of uncertainty.

Zack George: The UK's Fittest Man Aug 03, 2020

Today we're talking to Zack George, who finished the 2020 CrossFit Open in first among males in the United Kingdom. Zack’s journey is an inspirational one: From overweight kid to the UK’s fittest man, we talk about the challenges and humbling moments along his path. Zack also joins us to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the CrossFit season, as well as his response to CrossFit HQ’s organizational shakeup and outgoing CEO Greg Glassman’s controversial comments.

Joe Vennare: These Companies Are the Future of Fitness Jul 30, 2020

Today we're talking to Joe Vennare, co-founder of Fitt (F-I-T-T) and the mind behind Fitt Insider, one of the fitness industries leading platforms for the business of fitness. Joe’s also a former gym owner and passionate writer in the space.

Joe lives at a unique intersection of fitness business and practice. That means everything from breaking news on digital health & fitness, connecting investors with startups in the space, and highlighting what his team things are the next big things to impact how wellness-conscious consumers live our lives. In today’s episode, we talk about the future of working out at home, how COVID-19 will have lasting impacts on the fitness landscape, and the next billion — or even trillion — dollar opportunities in health.

Blaine McConnell: World's Strongest Bobsledder Jul 27, 2020

Today we're talking to Blaine McConnell, currently a member of Team USA’s Bobsled National Team. He’s also arguably the world’s strongest bobsledder Blaine is a former collegiate and Arena football player who found success in CrossFit, competing on a team at the 2016 CrossFit Games. After finding out about Team USA’s bobsled combine through a friend — a story we discuss in this recording — Blaine found his current sport. We talk about the unique strength and explosiveness requirements in bobsledding, along with training at the elite level and how those interested in the sport can learn more and get involved.

JamaRR Royster: Find Your "Why" for Endless Motivation Jul 23, 2020

JamaRR Royster is an elite powerlifter, strength coach, and per his Instagram page, the Pancake Gawd. Outside of squatting north of 700 lbs and coaching handfuls of athletes, JamaRR spends his time educating and inspiring others to be their best selves and building some of the most intricate desserts you'll ever see.

Meg Squats: Getting a Barbell Into Every Woman’s Hands Jul 19, 2020

Meg Gallagher, also known as Meg Squats, is a weathered strength coach, powerlifter, and YouTube personality. Currently, Meg has her hands in multiple projects that are all designed to help lifters everywhere improve their strength and knowledge in the world of fitness. Her popular program “Stronger By the Day” helps countless lifters improve on a weekly basis, and her apparel brand, Strong Strong Supply has some of the best lifting-focused apparel and gear in the game.

Meg and Jake Boly chat on multiple topics in the world of strength & conditioning. A few in particular that we chat on are the vast differences of how beginners view fitness and how veterans do, and why she’s embarked on the mission of getting a barbell into every woman’s hands.

Kristin Hedstrom: How Olympic Rowers Train for Strength Jul 16, 2020

Today we're talking to Kristin Hedstrom, a personal trainer who is also an Olympian in the sport of rowing. Kristin isn’t the first Olympian we’ve had on the BarBend podcast, but she is the first elite rower to give us insight into what it’s like to train in that sport at the highest level. We discuss the importance of strength training to rowing performance, how Kristin and other top rowers train throughout the year. We also discuss Kristin’s career after rowing, where she specializes in helping clients, particularly women, achieve their fat loss goals.

Jonathan Goodman: Uniting Trainers Online Jul 13, 2020

Today we're talking to Jonathan Goodman, a trainer and author who founded the Personal Trainer Development Center (PTDC) in 2011. The goal of the site was to bring fitness professionals the information, support, and business guidance they needed but couldn’t find anywhere else. I’ve known Jonathan since right around that time, and he’s quietly — and sometimes not so quietly — built what I think is an immensely valuable resource for the fitness industry as a whole. We discuss the past, present, and future of personal training and where the industry will and won’t succeed in moving toward more remote and virtual training models.

Garrison Redd: Para Powerlifting's Next Big Thing? Jul 09, 2020

Today we're talking to para powerlifter and motivational speaker Garrison Redd. As a high school football player, Garrison had aspirations of going pro. But when he lost the use of his legs after being shot by a stray bullet in his neighborhood at the age of 17, his life took a different course.

The 31-year-old Brooklyn native is one of the country’s strongest para powerlifters in the -56kg weight class.

We got the chance to talk with Garrison to talk about his origins in the sport, his weekly training routine, his diet and how he manages it, his competitive aspirations, and future goals in and outside of the sport.

Ashley Svendbye: Can Powerlifters and Weightlifters Get Along? Jul 06, 2020

Today we're talking to weightlifter, powerlifter, and gamer Ashley Svendbye. After discovering strength training, Ashley trained as a powerlifter for a number of years before making the switch to weightlifting. What she learned about the two strength communities - especially as a cross sport athlete — provides some interesting context on the similarities and differences between the two. Are strength athletes more or less accepting of iron athletes across different sports? We chat on the group dynamics there, along with much, much more.

Teddy Willsey: Move Better for Life Jul 02, 2020

Today we're talking to Dr. Teddy Willsey, a sports rehab and performance specialist who works with athletes of all levels in building strong, resilient movement patterns. Dr. Willsey is one of the go-to specialists for helping people exercise smarter, and we touch on many of the misconceptions around optimal training and rehab today (including the types of thinking that can actually do the most harm to athletes in the longer term.)

We want to give a big shout out to this episode’s sponsor, BSN. BSN has been around for nearly 20 years, and they’re a global leader in sports nutrition. From their protein powder — including their partnership line with Cold Stone Creamery — to preworkout, protein bars, and more, BSN has won more than 35 sports nutrition awards over the last few years.

Scott Stallings: Combining Pro Golf and CrossFit Jun 29, 2020

Today we're talking to professional golfer Scott Stallings, who has three PGA Tour wins. Stallings may be one of the golf world’s elite, but he’s also been making waves in the fitness community for his physical transformation. About two years ago, Stallings made a commitment to lean out in order to boost his longevity in professional golf. Since then, he’s trained with some of the fitness and CrossFit world’s best, including 4-time CrossFit Games champion Rich Froning. (They’re both Tennessee residents, which has become a sort of new epicenter of functional fitness and strength sports.)

We chat about how strength training impacts golf performance, the movements Scott actively AVOIDS as a professional golfer, and the complex training schedule Stallings and other golfers have when active on tour. Ever wondered if professional golfers lift before or after rounds on the course? How does their travel schedule impact training? We chat about all of that and much, much more.

Bethany Shadburne: Training for the CrossFit Games At Home Jun 25, 2020

Today we're talking to Bethany Shadburne, a multi-time CrossFit Games athlete who finished in the Games Top 10 in 2019. While many top Games athletes seem to only highlight their biggest lifts and fastest times, Bethany is better known on social media for the minutia; hundreds of thousands of people tune into her posts for creative prehab and warm-up exercises, a routine Bethany prioritizes because of a history of injuries and back pain. Bethany joins the podcast to talk about Games training during quarantine, body parts CrossFitters tend to neglect, and why she almost stopped training completely in the months leading up to her outstanding 2019 Games performance.
Note: We recorded this podcast a couple weeks before recent leadership changes at CrossFit HQ and before a series of delays were announced for the 2020 CrossFit Games.

Scott Herman: The OG Fitness Influencer? Jun 22, 2020

Today I’m talking to Scott Herman, a trainer, BSN athlete, influencer, and founder of MuscularStrength.com. Scott was one of the first mainstream fitness influencers on YouTube and built out one of the internet’s first real video instructional libraries. Scott and I catch up on his background as a reality TV star, how fitness on the internet has evolved, and what he thinks is most misleading in the fitness industry.

I want to give a big shout out to this episode’s sponsor, BSN. BSN has been around for nearly 20 years, and they’re a global leader in sports nutrition. For their protein powder — including their partnership line with Cold Stone Creamery — to preworkout, protein bars, and more, BSN has won more than 35 sports nutrition awards over the last few years. (My personal favorite of their flavors? The Birthday Cake Remix Syntha-6. I literally hid some in my desk to keep the rest of the BarBend team from using it all.)

Armen Hammer: What Comes Next for CrossFit? Jun 18, 2020

Armen Hammer has worn a lot of hats around the CrossFit community: Athlete, affiliate owner, writer, vlogger, you name it. And his relationship with CrossFit HQ has been colorful, to say the least. Years ago, Armen, who was attending as a blogger and spectator, was removed from the CrossFit Games by event staff.

More recently, he’s built close friendships with people inside CrossFit’s leadership, and his videos and social media posts about goings-on inside the CrossFit community are some of the most popular content in the space. He’s also broken and confirmed some massive news stories, including the announcement that Greg Glassman would be retiring as CrossFit’s CEO. We recorded this podcast just one day after that become public knowledge, and our discussion revolves around the CrossFit Games, CrossFit as a company, and how the community is reacting to sudden changes.

Syn Martinez: Race, CrossFit, and Inclusivity in Fitness Jun 15, 2020

Today I’m talking to Syn Martinez, who owns and operates the fitness and lifestyle clothing brand Afro Brutality. Syn also owned and coached at CrossFit Harlem from 2009 to 2014. I’ve known Syn for around seven years, and he’s always been very transparent and outspoken in his views. In this conversation — recorded just a day before it was announced Glassman would be stepping down as CrossFit CEO — we cover some topics and perspectives that may be controversial in the fitness space. It’s also worth noting the podcast does include language that could make some uncomfortable.

Our conversation revolves around the controversy surrounding Greg Glassman and CrossFit HQs stance — or in some cases, silence — on race relations and inclusivity. Syn was an early adopter of CrossFit methodology on the East Coast, and he also built relationships with Glassman and his team over the years, including some possible initiatives to expand CrossFit’s reach within the Black community. Syn gives his perspective on the opportunities that could have been and what he thinks fell through along the way.

Eb Samuel: Superheroes & Men's Health Fitness Director Jun 11, 2020

Ebenezer Samuel is a trainer and the Fitness Director for Men's Health Magazine. He joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about how his fascination with superheroes guided his career, the fittest professional athletes, giving pole dancing a try, and much more.

Phil Andrews: International Weightlifting and the McLaren Report Jun 08, 2020

On June 4th, Professor Richard McLaren released his team's report investigating allegations of financial corruption, election fraud, and doping cover ups at the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) highest levels. According to McLaren's report, former IWF President Dr. Tamas Aján was involved in deep financial corruption (with over $10 million unaccounted for) as well as coordinated election fraud. However, allegations made against the Hungarian National Anti-Doping Agency (HUNADO) regarding false drug testing did NOT prove to be accurate.

(Read BarBend's summary of McLaren's report as well as the original report.)

In this episode, USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews — who began serving in a temporary transition role with the IWF after McLaren's investigation was underway — joins us to talk about McLaren's findings and potential impact of the report. It's worth clarifying two things: Though he's acting in a temporary position with the IWF, Phil was not directly involved in the investigation and only had access to the report at the same time as media and the public. In this recording, Phil also requested we clarify he is speaking here as the CEO of USA Weightlifting, and his words don't necessarily represent positions held by the IWF.

Bill Esch: America's Kettlebell Warrior Jun 04, 2020

Bill Esch is best known online as the Kettlebell Warrior. Starting with a background in Olympic weightlifting, Bill discovered kettlebell sport in his late 20s. After five years of training, he became the first American male to achieve the rank of master of sport international class in kettlebell sport.

In today’s episode, we talk about the origins and history of kettlebell sport, what exactly it is that Bill competes in, and give some context on the extreme marks of endurance, strength, and mental fortitude his and other kettlebell athlete’s accomplishments really signify.

Jay Maryniak: What Trainers Don't Tell You Jun 01, 2020

Jay Maryniak is a trainer and athlete who's been innovating in the functional wellness space for over a decade. Jay joins us to talk about the impact of COVID-19 on boutique fitness and fitness classes. He also talks about minimalist home gyms and his personal experiences training as a Type 1 diabetic.

Charlie Dickson: The Next Wave for Powerlifting May 28, 2020

Charlie Dickson is the 2018 International Powerlifting Federations' 83kg Junior World Champion. He's also a Doctor of Physical Therapy with an educational and professional background that gives him unique insight into training at an elite level. Charlie joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about training frequency and intensity misconceptions, his surprising approach to warm-ups, and the active powerlifters he most admires in the sport.

Justin LoFranco: The Mind Behind Morning Chalk Up May 21, 2020

Justin LoFranco is the founder and CEO of Morning Chalk Up, a daily newsletter and media company dedicated to all things CrossFit. He joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about his roots on Capitol Hill and schisms within the CrossFit community. He also shares reactions from his friends and family when he decided to leave behind a promising career in politics to focus on such a niche sport.

Jen Widerstrom: From "American Gladiators" to Go-To Trainer May 18, 2020

Jen Widerstrom rose to the national spotlight as a star on "American Gladiators," but after the show was canceled, a career in the fitness industry didn't happen overnight. We talk with Jen about behind-the-scenes stories from "Gladiators," finding footing as a coach and trainer, and eventually becoming one of Hollywood's got-to trainers for TV and shows like "The Biggest Loser." What's it like to coach Kevin Hart and Conan O'Brien? Jen gives us the details, along with the incredibly fit celebrities you might not expect.

Dan John: 10,000 Kettlebell Swings and Strength Origins May 14, 2020

Dan John is one of the most respected coaches in strength & conditioning. Over the course of his 40+ year career, he's become well known for straightforward, effective protocols and programs that strip away the fluff to proven principles. He joins the podcast to talk about the popularity of his 10,000 kettlebell swing program, the simplest path to recovery and performance, and what to focus on when you have limited time to train.

Layne Norton: Real Science of Building Muscle May 11, 2020

Jason Khalipa: Fitness Beyond COVID-19 May 07, 2020

Jason Khalipa is one of the fitness world's most recognizable faces: 2008 CrossFit Games Champion, multi-time Games podium finisher, and fitness entrepreneur with a truly international business. Jason talks about which gyms have the best shot of surviving the pandemic, the future of strength sports, and his own experiences as the father of an immunocompromised child.

Angela Gargano: Real Life Ninjas and the Pull-up Revolution May 04, 2020

Angela Gargano has a lengthy career in fitness, going from college gymnast to Miss Fitness USA and most recently a standout athlete on "American Ninja Warrior." Angela joins us in the BarBend studio to talk about her approach to training explosiveness, overcoming injury on national TV, and why she's on a quest to get everyone better at pull-ups.

Kyle Traynor: Find Your Zen to Build a Fitness Empire Apr 30, 2020

Kyle Traynor is head of Business Strategy & Mind Performance at Elite Vitality. At Elite Vitality, handfuls of top coaches help new business owners in the fitness industry tackle and prepare for the tough road ahead of them. Kyle is also the host of the Pivotal Conversations podcast, a podcast that explores the keys and tools needed for success.

In today’s episode, Jake Boly chats with Kyle about a variety of topics including the development of mental fortitude to build a dynamic business, how Kyle has found personal zen, and much more.

David Meltzer: Pro Sports Recovery & Fitness on the Road Apr 27, 2020

David Meltzer is the co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing, and he was formerly CEO of the sports agency that was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire. Today, he's an international best-selling author and motivational speaker who consults with some of the world's biggest pro sports leagues, teams, and athletes. David joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about which high-tech recovery techniques will become mainstream, what teams like the Los Angeles Lakers are doing on the cutting edge of strength performance, and how pro athletes handle aging and performance decline.

Meg Reardon: Training for the CrossFit Games (While Injured!) Apr 23, 2020

Meg Reardon is a multi-time CrossFit Games athlete living and training out of New York City. One of America's fittest women, Meg gives insight into the life of an elite CrossFitter training at the top levels and working to make a living in the sport. She also discusses a recent Open-related injury and her current training game plan. What's it like to train for the CrossFit Games when you can only do upper body movements?

Adee Cazayoux: What Athletes Get Wrong About Nutrition Apr 20, 2020

Adee Cazayoux is a former elite weightlifter and founder of Working Against Gravity, which is one of the strength industry's most visible nutrition coaching companies. Adee joins us to talk about myths and misconceptions in nutrition for strength, including why bulking is often times much more difficult than cutting and how to stay smart about training within a certain bodyweight range.

Kalle Beck: Strongman Training from Home Apr 16, 2020

Starting Strongman founder and coach Kalle Beck joins us to talk about training for strongman (and for strength and fitness in general) when you have minimal formal equipment. Kalle has a ton of experience helping clients stay strong under a lot of circumstances, and he also shares his insights into making your own weighted implements and the do-it-yourself lessons from years in the strongman community.

Justin Bergh: The Future of The CrossFit Games Apr 13, 2020

Justin Bergh is the General Manager of the CrossFit Games and has been a driving force behind the event for over a decade. Justin joins the podcast to talk about what the CrossFit Games will look like in future years. That includes how the event interacts with sponsors (and the types of brands they won't work with), the organization's on-again/off-again relationship with social media, an increasingly international athlete and fan base, and how the Games broadcast may continue to evolve over time.

Kevin Oak: Thoughts You Have Before An 860 lb Squat Apr 09, 2020

Kevin Oak has held multiple all-time powerlifting world records throughout his career. Currently, he holds the raw 242 lb raw all-time world record for the squat with his recent 860 lb lift. Outside of powerlifting, Kevin also owns his own apparel business, Barbell Commission.

In today’s episode we chat with Kevin about a variety of topics including his pre world record mindset, what his next epics feats of strength will be, and much more.

Matt O'Keefe: A CrossFit Community Playmaker Apr 06, 2020

Matt O'Keefe is President of Loud & Live Sports, the event organizers behind major CrossFit Sanctionals including Wodapalooza and The Granite Games. He's also agent to CrossFit superstars including Mat Fraser, Tia-Clair Toomey, Brent Fikowski, Patrick Vellner, Katrin Davidsdottir, and more. We sit down to talk about his unlikely origins in the space, the challenges of moving the fitness events space forward, and why so much of what he does is built on close personal friendships.
Learn more about the work Matt is doing to help the CrossFit community during COVID-19 at United in Movement.

Dr. Andy Galpin: The Art of Training Muscle Fibers Apr 03, 2020

Dr. Andy Galpin is a tenured Professor in the Center for Sport Performance at CSU Fullerton. In 2011, he earned his PhD in Human Bioenergetics and has done incredible work in regard to muscle fibers and how we understand them. On top of being a tenured professor, Dr. Galpin co-authored the book Unplugged and works hand in hand with a variety of elite athletes.

In today’s episode, guest host Jake Boly sits down with Dr. Galpin to chat about muscle fibers. They talk about what we know, what we don’t know, and everything in-between.

Joe Yoon: Better Stretching and Mobility Apr 01, 2020

Joe Yoon, probably better known as "Joe Therapy" through his massive social media following, is a trainer and massage therapist who's one of the fitness industry's most visible personalities when it comes to mobility. Joe joins us to talk about limitations and misconceptions in mobility, how much time we should really be dedicating to flexibility and prehab work, and lessons from his new bestselling book, Better Stretching.

Chad Vaughn: At-Home Training for Weightlifters Mar 30, 2020

Chad Vaughn is a multi-time Olympian and one of the most accomplished weightlifters in American history. He joins the BarBend Podcast to discuss how weightlifters can stay strong, mobile, and fast when training from home with limited or even no equipment.

Chad Wesley Smith: How Powerlifters Can Stay Strong At Home Mar 27, 2020

Chad Wesley Smith is a record-breaking powerlifter, coach, and the founder of Juggernaut Training Systems. He joins the BarBend podcast to talk about the four main areas powerlifters and strength athletes of all types can focus on when working from home with limited or no equipment. Chad also highlights specific movements to focus on to keep neural force production high while away from heavy weights.

Jake Boly: Building Muscle and Strength At Home Mar 25, 2020

If you're training in powerlifting or weightlifting, nothing can perfectly replicate the stimulus of a barbell. But smart at-home training with minimal or no equipment CAN make an impact. And in an extended period away from the gym, many athletes can actually add muscle mass and improve their mobility.

BarBend Fitness Editor Jake Boly joins the show to talk about strategies to preserve gains and even improve your lifting patterns while at home, using common household items and or just a few pieces of exercise equipment.

Phil Andrews: USA Weightlifting's Response to COVID-19 Mar 23, 2020

Athletes and sports governing bodies across the world have been racing to adapt to postponements, cancellations, and the challenges of training while maintaining social distance. In this special episode, USA Weightlifting CEO Phil Andrews joins us to talk about his organization's first responses to the pandemic, including rapid changes and the lack of spectators at this year's Arnold Sports Festival.

We also talk about potential ramifications for Olympic qualification, Phil's thoughts on Tokyo 2020, and what USA Weightlifting is doing to help athletes find places to train when gyms across the country are closed for an extended period.
Editor's Note: This podcast was recorded on Tuesday, March 17th, 2020.

Eugen Loki: Blending Art and Fitness to Educate Mar 19, 2020

Eugen Loki is personal trainer based in Rome, Italy. More than likely you’ve seen his Instagram page Pheasyque on multiple occasions that has more than 600 thousand followers. On his page, he creates in-depth drawings to explain a variety of training topics that are otherwise difficult to explain through only text.

In today’s episode we chat with Eugen about differences in the fitness industry between the US And Italy, how he creates his drawings and if they’re all original, and so much more.

Heather Connor: What We're Getting Wrong About Injuries Mar 16, 2020

Heather Connor is a 2-time IPF World Champion and the first female IPF powerlifter to deadlift 4 times her bodyweight raw. Heather joins us to talk about the injury that sidelined her for nearly a year, along with why it's so easy for lifters to ignore the signs of significant underlying injuries and issues. We also chat about Heather's goals in the sport, what big money competitions could mean for powerlifting's future, and an unorthodox weight gaining strategy.

Editor's Note: This podcast was recorded before it was announced the SBD Sheffield 2020 Powerlifting Championships would be canceled due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.

Brian Alsruhe: Lifting Through Rock Bottom Mar 12, 2020

Brian Alsruhe is a champion strongman athlete who has overcome an astounding list of setbacks: two back breaks, a brain tumor, parasites, and a bone marrow infection, to name just a few. After finding help through the strength community, Brian is building a brand and gym around putting intensity and focus back into training to help more people lift through adversity. Brian's story is unlike any we've heard before; this is one you won't want to miss.

Our conversation gets heavy in some sections. Brian discusses his experiences with illness and injury, including thoughts regarding self-harm. If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255 as well as online.

Kristen Holmes: How to Optimize Your Sleep Mar 09, 2020

This will shock many athletes: What you do in training likely has little to no impact on your next-day recovery. The common wisdom about recovery, especially sleep, needs a major update. So we sat down wit Kristen Holmes, WHOOP's VP of Performance, to separate fact from fiction on deep sleep, caffeine consumption, foods that help and hurt sleep, muscle repair, and what tracking HRV can tell us about how rested you really are.

A special thanks to WHOOP for sponsoring this episode!

Margaux Alvarez: The CrossFit Games, Wine, and Long Drive Competitions Mar 05, 2020

Margaux Alvarez is a 7-time CrossFit Games athlete, long drive competitor, coach, and wine entrepreneur. She's one of the most multi-talented personalities in fitness, and her future in CrossFit — and beyond — is something we had to learn more about. We sit down with Margaux to talk about training across multiple sports, strength training for golf long drive competitions, her future in athletics, balancing wine with recovery, and more.

Alex Uslar: Overcoming Addiction and Creating Opportunity Mar 02, 2020

Alex Uslar wears a lot of different hats with Hybrid Performance Method. At Hybrid, Alex serves as the General Manager, Director of Operations, run Hybrid Apparel, and per Instagram is also Stefi Cohen’s official 24/7 hype-man. Over the course of his career, Alex has coached thousands of athletes and competes and judges in the sport of powerlifting.
In today’s episode, Jake Boly sits down with Alex to discuss his road from addiction to now playing so many critical roles at Hybrid. We also talk about hyping, and what it really takes to do it right.

Joey Szatmary Podcast: Building a Home for Strongmen and Powerlifters Feb 27, 2020

Building ANY community is tough. So building a space and community for people obsessed with strength brings its own special challenges. And no one knows more about that than Joey Szatmary.

Joey is a multi-sport strength athlete (powerlifting and strongman) and coach who owns The Lions Den Elite Training gym. Throughout his career, Szatmary has worked with a huge variety of athletes and constantly shares his knowledge and experiences on his quickly-growing YouTube channel. In today’s episode, we talk to Szatmary about opening his own gym, training requirements across different strength sports, and much, much more.

Chris Duffin: Squatting 1,000 Pounds and More Impossible Feats Feb 24, 2020

Chris Duffin is an inventor, record-setting powerlifter, author, and founder of Kabuki Strength Labs. He's also one of the strongest humans on the planet, becoming the first person to deadlift 1,000 pounds for reps back in 2016. We caught up with Chris while he was training for his next feat, which he'll attempt in March 2020: Back squatting 1,000 pounds for a triple.

In this episode, Chris explains the unique training approach for these records, recovery techniques, lifting for charity, and the one strength feat he regrets not completing.

Rowan Minnion: Dealing with Influencers PLUS How to Recover Better for Strength Feb 20, 2020

Rowan Minnion is an athlete and researcher best known as the founder and force behind Blonyx. He's especially passionate about improving athletic recovery and explains actionable — and some honestly surprising — tips about the science behind performance. (How do you optimize sleep? What's the "right" way to take a rest day, and why aren't more athletes doing it?) Rowan also shares his own ups and downs working with fitness influencers online, from successful promo to "pay to play" negotiations and getting ghosted by digital ambassadors.

Ian Kaplan: The Complexity of Pain Feb 17, 2020

Ian Kaplan is the current Chief Officer of Operations at Hybrid Performance Method. With a background in training and research, when it comes to synthesizing research and understanding how to apply advanced topics into the context of our day-to-day lives, Ian is one of the best personalities we've ever spoken to.

In today’s episode, we talk to Ian about a variety of topics including what it means to be “evidence based,” how to interpret the latest research on pain, and much more.

Eric Leija: How the Primal Swoledier Makes His Workouts Feb 13, 2020

Eric Leija is a master Onnit trainer who's better known online as the Primal Swoledier. Every day, Eric posts innovative kettlebell and bodyweight flows that have helped him build a massive following; his workouts are a bit unlike anything else you'll find in the space. We catch up with Eric to talk about how he creates and programs workouts, the most overrated kettlebell movement, and lessons learned from an intense bulk-and-cut transformation he underwent just a couple years ago.

Hayden Bowe: Youth Athletes in Powerlifting and Weightlifting Feb 10, 2020

Hayden Bowe is one of the founders and owners of Hybrid Performance Method. Throughout his career, Hayden has worked with thousands of individuals and is accomplished in both the sports of weightlifting and powerlifting. In today’s episode, we chat with Hayden about a variety of training topics, but one in particular that we really enjoyed was training youth athletes and how to do it correctly.

Don Saladino: How to Get Hollywood Ready Feb 06, 2020

Don Saladino is one of the fitness world's most in-demand trainers. A specialist in strength and physique for over 20 years, Don is perhaps best known for getting some of Hollywood's biggest stars ready for massive on-screen roles: Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Ryan Gosling, and more. Don is also the founder and owner of Drive 495 gym in Manhattan.

In today's episode, Don joins host David Thomas Tao to discuss building a list of Hollywood clientele, setting realistic expectations for physique and performance, and why some of the most celebrated trends in wellness can be downright harmful.

Alan Thrall: Where Can Powerlifting & Strongman Grow? Feb 03, 2020

Alan Thrall is an accomplished strength coach and the owner of Untamed Strength. Alan has coached thousands of athletes over the course of his career, and his YouTube channels has amassed more than 85 million views, helping countless athletes get stronger in and out of the gym.

In today’s episode, guest host Jake Boly talks to Alan about his growth in strength coaching, how he accidentally built a massive YouTube channel, and much much more.

Kari Pearce: America's Fittest Woman Jan 30, 2020

Kari Pearce is a 5-time CrossFit Games athlete and earned the title of "America's Fittest Woman" in 2016, 2018, and 2019. She's a former Division 1 gymnast who's well known for her incredible capacity on bodyweight movements. We talk to Kari about training around injury, attacking weaknesses, and what most CrossFitters get wrong about core strength.

Rich Froning: CrossFit Games Changes and How Long He'll Compete Jan 27, 2020

In the world of fitness, Rich Froning needs almost no introduction. He is a 4-time Individual and 4-time Team CrossFit Games Champion, as well as the owner of CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee. Rich joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about hosting a Sanctional qualifier (the CrossFit Mayhem Classic), his honest reactions to CrossFit Games changes, and his future as a competitive athlete.

Jordan Shallow and Pat Davidson: How Are These STILL Questions? Jan 23, 2020

Dr. Pat Davidson and Jordan Shallow are both at the front of the pack leading the fitness industry and building better standards. Dr. Davidson has a PhD in exercise physiology and is an accomplished strength & conditioning coach and author, while Dr. Shallow is a chiropractor, strength coach, and traveling presenter. Both of these individuals have brilliant minds when looking at and assessing basic and advanced training concepts and programs.
In today’s episode, Jake Boly takes commonly asked questions that we receive on BarBend Instagram posts, articles, and YouTube videos, and then has Dr. Davidson and Shallow answer them with free control.

Stefi Cohen: What It Takes to Build a Fitness Empire Jan 20, 2020

Stefi Cohen is one of the owners of Hybrid Performance Method. She holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, a CSCS, and has broken a total of 11 all-time powerlifting world records throughout her career. Additionally, Stefi is currently ranked #2 in the world for holding the all-time highest Wilks score with a remarkable 698.11, and continues to push the boundaries of what's physically possible for the human body.

In today’s episode, Jake Boly sits down with Stefi to chat on her upbringing in the sport of powerlifting and her mindset — but more importantly, how she has helped Hybrid Performance Method scale, along with tips for other business owners to do so. It can be scary to scale a business at times, however, Stefi explains if you equip yourself with the right tools and mindset, then it's manageable if it's a goal you possess.

If you’re trying to grow your business — whether it be in the fitness industry or not — then we hope you love this chat!

Zack Telander: Weightlifting Vs. CrossFit (and Lifting in America) Jan 16, 2020

Weightlifter, coach, and YouTuber Zack Telander joins us to talk about transitioning back and forth between CrossFit and weightlifting. Zack also talks about setting realistic goals for weightlifting athletes, along with changing the paradigm of which sports are "worth it" in American culture. Zack also gives his thoughts on dealing with weightlifting data and the most underrated coach in American weightlifting.

Joe Sullivan: Bending Bars & What Powerlifters Won't Tell You Jan 13, 2020

Joe Sullivan is a champion raw powerlifter who speaks his mind on everything from online trolls to bad gym etiquette. Joe joins us to talk training, his favorite powerlifters to watch this year, and an incredibly close (and internet famous) brush with disaster due to equipment failure.

Kris Gethin: How to Thrive As a Multi-Sport Bodybuilder Jan 09, 2020

Kris Gethin is a bodybuilder, fitness model, and supplement entrepreneur who has been the face of some of fitness' biggest physique campaigns. He's also a passionate endurance athlete who has a ton of knowledge on balancing muscle growth and strength gain with long-duration training for triathlons and distance events. We talk to Kris, the founder of Kaged Muscle, about these strategies and more.

JC Deen: Why It's Easy to Get Fed Up With Fitness Jan 06, 2020

JC Deen was one of the first online fitness writers and trainers to build his name for a no-BS approach. He joins us to talk about beating fitness frustration, turning to "Doggcrapp Training," and how machine learning & AI might change the industry moving forward.

Zack Bartell: What No One Tells You About Opening A Gym Jan 02, 2020

Zack Bartell is a powerlifter and gym owner based in Southern California. Bartell opened SoCal Powerlifting to the public at a very young age, and with strategy, a dream, and a business mindset, he has expanded the gym twice and has created a hub for multiple powerlifters and coaches in a few short years. In this episode, we discuss the logistics of opening your own gym and what it truly takes to build a successful coaching business.

Dr. Mike T. Nelson: The Truth About Changing Your Metabolism Dec 30, 2019

Dr. Mike T. Nelson is one of the most knowledgeable people in human performance, and he's got the resume to prove it. Dr. Nelson joins us to talk about metabolic flexibility and how to determine whether your body is more tuned to utilize fat or carbohydrates for fuel. He also discusses the most ignored metabolic pathway for top athletes and tells us what many aspiring CrossFit Games competitors are still getting wrong.

Josh Bridges: Mental Toughness, Dave Castro, and His Competition Future Dec 23, 2019

Josh Bridges is a multi-time CrossFit Games athlete and podium finisher who's also had a remarkable career as a Navy SEAL. (And before Josh's CrossFit Games days, Dave Castro was actually one of his military instructors.) Josh joins us to talk about his time in the SEALs, comparing mental toughness in the military to CrossFit, his favorite athletes to train with, and the massive changes in the CrossFit Games structure and season. We also discuss Josh's recovery from injuries and his competition future in 2020 and beyond.

Rob Kearney: Competing Against Giants and Being An Openly Gay Strongman Dec 19, 2019

Rob Kearney is a multi-time World's Strongest Man competitor and the 2019 Arnold Australia Strongman champion. He's one of the rising stars in the sport, even while weighing up to 150 pounds less than other top competitors in his division. In addition, Rob is one of the most visible openly gay strength athletes in America. Rob joins us to discuss his training, career goals, and the impact he hopes his success can have on breaking stereotypes and increasing acceptance across sports.

Our conversation gets pretty heavy in some sections. Rob discusses his experiences facing hate for his sexual orientation. He also shares some stories of others in the LGBTQ+ community struggling with issues of identity and discrimination. For some, that includes thoughts regarding self-harm. If you or anyone you know are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255 as well as online.

Eric Helms: Understanding RPE and Hypertrophy Dec 16, 2019

Eric Helms, PhD, double masters holder, CSCS, and the current Chief Science Officer of 3DMJ is an incredible source of knowledge in the world of fitness and training. He’s published multiple peer reviewed studies on exercise and nutrition and plays a role in MASS, a monthly research review for strength and physique athletes. In addition to his impressive research background, Eric has coached hundreds of athletes and has dabbled in nearly every strength sport himself.

In today’s episode, we talk to Eric about a variety of topics including best hypertrophy practices, how to use RPE in a variety of ways, and much, much more.

Mike Matthews: What You Don't Know About Supplements Dec 12, 2019

Mike Matthews is the CEO of Legion Athletics and bestselling writer of numerous fitness books. He's also a no-BS kind of guy who isn't afraid to call out what he thinks are shortcomings in the supplement industry. Mike joins us for a candid conversation that touches on beginner gains, marketing falsehoods, and the limits of natural performance.

Kenny Santucci: How to Learn Forever and Strong New York Dec 09, 2019

Kenny Santucci is a coach, actor, and athlete who first gained fame in the world of reality TV. Now, through the Strong New York event series, he's bringing together top minds from around the strength world to present and share knowledge under one roof. The Strong New York founder joins us to talk about building fitness experiences, the athletes who inspire us the most, and how we can turn learning into a lifelong pursuit.

James FitzGerald: 1st Men's CrossFit Games Champ Talks Optimal Performance Dec 05, 2019

James FitzGerald was the first-ever men's CrossFit Games Champion, winning the inaugural competition in 2007. He's also the founder of OPEX and one of the world's most in-demand experts on coaching mindset and training. We talk about the early days of CrossFit competition, "waking up" the coaching industry, and the origins of James' famous "OPT" moniker.

Jordan Syatt: World Record Deadlifts and the Great Calorie Debate Dec 02, 2019

Jordan Syatt is a record-setting powerlifter and content producer who's best known to many as Gary Vaynerchuk's personal trainer. We sit down to talk about sacrificing everything to reach lifting goals, the psychological components of fitness, and the number one thing everyone in fitness can do to improve their communication skills. Jordan also shares a personal story of how Westside Barbell kept him from dropping out of college.

Dr. Jordan Shallow: Your Warmup Is Broken Nov 25, 2019

According to Dr. Jordan Shallow, the way we warm up — and the way most people think about movement — is fundamentally broken. The chiropractor, internationally competitive powerlifter, and presenter joins us to talk about the root cause of injuries, how we can prep our bodies to move better, and why the human body wants to operate "like lightning."

Chad Wesley Smith: 900 Pound Squats and the Ultimate Strength Debate Nov 21, 2019

Chad Wesley Smith has squatted over 900 pounds, started one of the world's most respected strength centers, and built an AI-powered system for training programs. Now, the Juggernaut Training Systems founder reflects on a decade of growth and talks about how artificial intelligence is helping his team train more athletes with greater precision.

Dr. Jordan Feigenbaum: What We Get Wrong About Pain Nov 18, 2019

Jordan Feigenbaum is an accomplished powerlifter and strength coach and the founder of Barbell Medicine. In 2016, Feigenbaum received his doctorate of medicine from the Eastern Virginia Medical School and has grown Barbell Medicine to accommodate multiple athletes from all walks of life across the globe.

In today's episode, we cover how Barbell Medicine is bridging the gap between resistance training and medicine, what the public often gets wrong about pain, where Jordan's favorite "coffice" is, and much more.

Sarah Furman: Finding Unconventional Strength Nov 14, 2019

Sarah Furman is a figure competitor turned strongman athlete who has witnessed firsthand the sport's massive growth in the United States. We talk training for looks versus performance, the factors attracting more women to strongman competition, and what event organizers need to do to keep competitions fresh and spectator-friendly.

Russel Orhii: Powerlifting's Next Big Thing Nov 11, 2019

Powerlifter Russel Orhii is rewriting the record books and making us rethink what's possible in his sport. And it's all happened in a few short years. Find out what makes Russel tick, where he thinks the sport is headed next, and his goals — including specific numbers, like an 800 pound deadlift — for the next few years of competition.

Adam Bornstein: The Mastermind Behind Lebron & Arnold's Supplements Nov 07, 2019

Adam Bornstein is a New York Times bestselling author, former Fitness Editor for Men's Health, and advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, he spends much of his time as the Chief of Nutrition for Ladder, a supplement company founded by Arnold and Lebron James. We dive deep on issues in the supplement industry, how Adam approaches formulation, and the toughest part about making products tested by Lebron James.

Nick Shaw: Building a Nutrition Empire Nov 04, 2019

What fuels athletes like Rich Froning, Annie Thorisdottir, and Mattie Rogers? Hint: It's nutrition, backed by science. In under five years, Nick Shaw built Renaissance Periodization from an upstart seller of diet templates into a nutrition empire. He joins us to talk nutrition myths, information fatigue, and the truth about carbs.

Heber Cannon: Fitness Life with a Buttery Bro Oct 31, 2019

For nearly a decade, Heber Cannon directed films for CrossFit HQ and brought the CrossFit Games and culture to a worldwide audience. Today, he's one half of The Buttery Bros, a dynamic duo that travels the world making videos with their favorite athletes. Heber joins us to talk filmmaking, CrossFit HQ layoffs (of which Heber was a part), and the future of CrossFit Games documentaries.

Craig Lindell: Can We Fix Physical Therapy? Oct 28, 2019

Craig Lindell set out to help people move better; building a global following of more than 500,000 followers almost happened by accident. As one third of "The Prehab Guys," Craig has become one of the world's most followed physical therapists, but it's not always easy creating content that can actually scale to help so many people. Can Craig leverage that visibility to change his industry for the better?

In this episode, we talk about the limits of physical therapy, managing expectations, and where the industry NEEDS to evolve in order to help more people achieve their wellness goals.

Jake Boly: The Ultimate Guide to Powerbuilding Oct 24, 2019

As BarBend's Fitness Editor, Jake Boly has written literally thousands of articles helping people train smarter. But there's a buzzy term in strength he thinks deserves a closer look: powerbuilding. (Yep, that's "powerlifting" and "bodybuilding" mashed up into one term.) We discuss the methodology and logic behind powerbuilding, specific training elements to keep in mind for maximum impact, and why some folks can have the best of both worlds.

This episode is brought to you by Gravitus, an interactive mobile app that lets you track and record workouts written by the top minds in the strength industry.

Phil Andrews: What's Next for USA Weightlifting Oct 21, 2019

Phil Andrews has been CEO of USA Weightlifting since early 2016. Under his leadership, America has broken long Olympic and World Championship medal droughts, established itself as an international weightlifting contender, and grown its staff with names like Pyrros Dimas. Of course, it takes a village, and Phil joins us to talk about the different leaders, athletes, and programs behind USAW's journey to the Tokyo Olympics. We also chat anti-doping measures, hosting international competitions, and what America still lacks on the weightlifting front.

The Life and Times of Silent Mike Oct 17, 2019

Silent Mike broke new ground in the world of fitness content. From the early days putting his life and training online with Mark Bell and Super Training Gym to a successful podcasting career, Mike — real name Mike Farr — wrote the playbook we see so many fitness influencers emulate today. Silent Mike joins us to talk about his personal evolution, what social media did to strength, and some shoutouts he almost never discusses online.

Sean Waxman: Where Does Weightlifting Go From Here? Oct 14, 2019

Sean Waxman is one of America's most accomplished — and outspoken — weightlifting coaches. The USA Weightlifting Board Member and Waxman's Gym founder talks about his career and approach to coaching. He also explains the most pressing issue in American weightlifting and shares the story of how he discovered CrossFit, which is one of the most incredible tales we've ever heard on the podcast.

Cole Sager: Can He Change Your Life? Oct 10, 2019

Cole Sager is a CrossFit Games veteran and Spirit of the Games Award Winner. He's a full-time athlete who spends an incredible amount of energy trying to reach people outside the sport. Find out why Cole is so focused on showcasing his life outside the gym, and learn where this former D1 football player (and one-time CrossFit critic) thinks the sport will take him. We also discuss Cole's weightlifting hero and thoughts on the cuts at the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.

Steve Cotter: Kettlebell Culture and Upping Your Mental Game Oct 07, 2019

Steve Cotter didn't invent kettlebells, but it's impossible to talk about their popularity in the Western world without mentioning his name. Since the early 2000s, he's given over 600 seminars and presentations on kettlebell training, in addition to authoring books and producing countless videos for everyone from beginners to competitive athletes. We talk with the coach and IKFF founder about the rise of kettlebells and what so many of us miss about the mental aspect of training.

Tom Boyden: Tricking, Jujimufu, and the New Age of Fitness Media Oct 03, 2019

Tom Boyden is one half of the dynamic duo Juji & Tom. Find out how he partnered with Jujimufu and cracked the code on the way to building one of YouTube's craziest and most successful video channels.

Greg Nuckols: A Better Way to Approach Strength Research Sep 30, 2019

Greg Nuckols, world record setting powerlifter and founder of Stronger By Science, walks us through his unorthodox career, the coolest strength sports, and bridging the gap between studies and what's actually useful in the gym.

Emily Abbate: What We Need in Fitness Journalism Sep 26, 2019

Emily Abbate is a veteran fitness journalist who walks the walk (okay, more like runs). She's best known as the creator and host of Hurdle, one of the most popular fitness podcasts in the world. Emily has interviewed fitness icons like Tia-Clair Toomey, spent a day in the life of Rich Froning, and asked tough questions of sports celebrities like Alex Morgan. And she's only getting started.

But her fitness cred goes beyond the podcast space. A contributor to Women's Health, Men's Health, GQ, SELF, and many more, Emily has covered almost everything hot, new, and relevant in wellness. That makes her INCREDIBLY good at seeing through the smoke and mirrors to determine what's legit — and what's fluff — in fitness and nutrition.

Emily joins the BarBend podcast to discuss the past, present, and future of fitness journalism. She also gives us tips on how to separate the real from the hype online, including which types of fitness influencers to avoid. Emily also opens up about her personal struggles, and how leaning into wellness inspired the creation of Hurdle and fueled its growth.

From NASA to Fitness with Brandon Heavey Sep 23, 2019

Brandon Heavey's story is epic: He's a former NASA engineer who, after a personal fitness revelation, decided to change careers and become a fitness trainer. Heavey swapped Mars rovers for squat cycles and never looked back. Now nearly a decade into his second career, he's one half of the husband/wife duo behind Evidence Based Athlete, using his scientific mind to help optimize results for elite athletes and reformed couch potatoes alike.

We talk about his transition from the world of space exploration to fitness closer to home (though the conversation also touches on the future of fitness in zero-gravity). We also talk about his successful podcast — publishing weekly for five straight years! — and the problem with most strength training studies. Brandon is one of the most prolific evidence-based trainers and podcasters around, and he shares some serious knowledge here!

James Newbury: What It Takes to Succeed in CrossFit Sep 19, 2019

James Newbury is the 5th Fittest Man on Earth, a 4-time Australia's Fittest Man, and one of the most cerebral athletes we've ever spoken with. Learn about the changes to training, nutrition, and recovery that catapulted him to his best-ever CrossFit Games result in 2019 — and where James thinks he has even more room to improve. He also gives his thoughts on format changes for the CrossFit Games, including the cut structure that quickly narrowed the field in 2019.

Since starting CrossFit in 2011, James Newbury has made a name for himself as one of Australia's best in the sport. He has four Games appearances under his belt, and through consistent improvement and some important changes heading into 2019, James came away with a coveted 5th place finish in Madison. James and David Thomas Tao talk in-depth on the strategies James uses to keep improving, from elevation training to coaching and the mental strategies that keep him going in tough workouts.

They also dive into James' life post-Games and his preparation for the 2020 CrossFit Games season.

Tony Gentilcore: What's Really Important in Strength Sep 16, 2019

If you've ever read about fitness and strength training online, chances are you have Tony Gentilcore to thank, at least in part. Tony is a trainer and author who was one of the first to take his thoughts online, creating an early bridge between in-gym experience and the web's fitness community. Back around 2010, there weren’t a ton of places to turn to when it came to learning about the ins and outs of strength training online. But Tony’s name was one that popped up everywhere, a testament to his ability to take real-world experience and translate that into the written word.

Tony’s known for a lot of things: He co-founded Cressey Sports Performance in 2007, has trained countless elite athletes in pro sports, and remains one of the most prolific writers in the entire world of strength training.

In the days before Instagram, Tony helped mold the blueprint of the trainer-author, paving the way for some of today’s biggest online fitness influencers. He’s someone who excels at combining his real-world coaching experience with the latest evidence and research.

Today, Tony still dedicates a huge chunk of his time to training clients in-person at his Massachusetts studio. He’s still a prolific writer, with an active web presence at TonyGentilcore.com, and is also an in-demand speaker for fitness events around the globe.

In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, I chat with Tony about what’s changed as strength training becomes increasingly mainstream, along with what too many athletes and coaches are STILL getting wrong when it comes to getting stronger. Here’s a hint: We’re probably overcomplicating things.

Fitness, Change, and Sacrifice with FITAID's Aaron Hinde Sep 12, 2019

There are few people in fitness — much less fitness entrepreneurs — who keep it honest and real like Aaron Hinde. He's an open book, someone who's just as eager to explain the bad as he is to celebrate the good. The Co-Founder and President of LIFEAID Beverage Company — makers of FITAID — Aaron is a constant presence at the CrossFit Games, where his company is one of the sport's most visible sponsors. He counts top athletes and coaches among his friends. But that success didn't come without major sacrifice and some serious "lean times" that left Aaron questioning whether his path was really correct.

In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, we talk about LIFEAID's rise from scrappy startup to major fitness player. That includes guerilla marketing campaigns, bootstrapped operations, and trying to build a brand while living from one week to the next.

We also dive into how Aaron's background as a clinical chiropractor impacts his perspective even today, allowing him to spot trends in fitness before they take off. Aaron also shares some of his craziest CrossFit Games stories, along with what you might not realize about the world's top CrossFitters.

If you want to know what's coming next in fitness, or simply need a dose of perspective when it comes to fitness entrepreneurship, tune in!

Alexandra LaChance: From the CrossFit Games to Weightlifting National Champion Sep 09, 2019

Alexandra LaChance has been an elite collegiate gymnast, CrossFit Games athlete, and — most recently — a National Champion weightlifter, winning that title in May 2019. Her progression through sports has fantastic lessons for athletes of all types, particularly when it comes to the demands of strength training.
"I love CrossFit. I still love CrossFit. I still love doing CrossFit for fun," says LaChance. "Training at the level where you're trying to make the games, your training with other games athletes, training together as a group, I think is the most fun thing I've ever done."

In this podcast, Alexandra opens up about the highs and lows of success, especially in CrossFit during a time when that sport was absolutely exploding in popularity. How did her gymnastics background help and hurt her? Why did she make the switch to weightlifting full time, and what are her ultimate goals in that sport?

We also talk about overtraining, working through and around injury, and what Alex wishes she'd known about nutrition all along.

Athlete Driven Success with Danny Camargo Sep 05, 2019

Danny Camargo leads one of the largest and most successful weightlifting programs in the United States. Himself a former international-level lifter, Danny's Team Oly Concepts is a major force for the sport here and abroad. He's also gained an increased level of recognition for coaching Mattie Rogers, a World Championships medalist and one of America's most successful elite weightlifters this millennium.

But after nearly three decades in the sport of weightlifting, Danny Camargo isn't done leaving his mark. And his position today resulted from a major life decision that, had it gone a different way, could have put Danny's livelihood in jeopardy.

In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, Danny and host David Thomas Tao dive deep on the sport's growth, the myth of instant gratification, and what Danny thinks most are getting wrong about athlete-driven training. (Hint: The phrase itself can trigger debate in many weightlifting circles.)

We also touch on the pros and cons of remote/satellite coaching and Danny's hopes and trepidations for the future of the sport.

Mental Strength with Liz Adams Sep 02, 2019

How do you self-identify? What happens when life takes a U-turn and you undergo a fundamental shift in how you operate as a person, athlete, or coach? And how the people around you perceive that shift? Changing your mindset is often the hardest part, but Liz Adams has tackled that issue head on — twice. CrossFit competitor and coach Liz Adams joins us to discuss how mindfulness and mental strength impact our development as people and athletes.

Liz shares her story of evolving from one type of athlete to another. She leans on mental strength and mindfulness practice to better understand her own growth as a person. Shifting perspectives and roles in your community is never easy, but Liz provides some great tips on how you can turn a personal shift into a net positive for the people around you.

Our conversation focused on self-assessment and being honest with yourself in more ways than one. Whether you're an athlete, a coach, or simply experiencing a shift in life, Liz's experience and insights are helpful in working through major change.

Strength Trolls and Social Media with Jake Boly Aug 29, 2019

Jake Boly is a writer, powerlifter, and online personality who has written (literally) thousands of articles covering the world of strength sports. He's also BarBend's Fitness Editor and a huge part of our social media team. Over the past three years, Jake has had a ringside seat to one of the biggest issues plaguing the strength community: social media trolls.

In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, Jake gives his honest take on the impact trolling has on the strength community, and why so much of that hate is directed at a couple of sports and strength disciplines in particular. We examine the origins of online criticism and how it's shaping today's discourse on strength training, especially the development of new techniques and strategies when it comes to getting stronger.
"Every time you post a CrossFit video or a post or an article, whether it be positive, negative, and so forth, there's always at least one troll comment, no matter what," says Jake. "Without fail, there's always one comment."

Jake and David also talk about some of the strength athletes they admire most, along with why it's more common to see athletes jump between strength sports in a particular pattern.

CrossFit's Past, Present, and Future with Pat Barber Aug 26, 2019

Back when CrossFit® was a still budding grassroots community — and when the CrossFit Games took place on a dusty country ranch — Pat Barber made a name for himself as one of its early stars. He taught courses, created some of CrossFit HQ's earliest videos, and competed at the sport's highest levels in a time well before giant endorsement deals. (And live streaming? Forget about it.) Originally from California, Pat was one of the first big name CrossFit personalities to go international, where he played a massive role in growing the methodology and sport in New Zealand and Australia.

These days, the 6-time CrossFit Games athlete and Level 4 CrossFit Trainer is still heavily active in the CrossFit community. (By his own estimate, Pat has put roughly 15,000 people through their CrossFit L1 certifications.) In addition to coaching seminars, Pat and his wife Taz run Warmup & Workout, a programming and coaching development platform for gyms around the globe.

Pat's in a unique position to give thoughts on the past, present, and future of CrossFit both as a training methodology and sport. Though our conversation covered Pat's optimism for fitness moving forward, we also touch upon some important snags CrossFit — and other fitness methodologies — will continue to face as communities become enmeshed with their online counterparts.

The Pinnacle of Cal Strength with Dave Spitz Aug 23, 2019

With a nickname like "The Godfather," Dave Spitz is clearly doing something right. The founder and mastermind behind much of California Strength's growth, he's a massive figure in American weightlifting. His team (not to mention his direct coaching) has produced some of the top U.S. lifters in the last decade and helped popularize the sport with an early and huge online following. If you've ever searched the web for lifting motivation and stumbled across videos of Donny Shankle, Jon North, Spencer Moorman, or other Cal Strength athletes, chances are you have Dave to thank.
But Dave Spitz is just getting started. In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, we dive deep on a number of topics, including:

Cal Strength's growth
Being early YouTube strength pioneers
Dave's experience coaching NFL stars and prepping college players for the combine
Does the U.S. "lose" top weightlifters to other sports?
The Bulgarian System
Why Wes Kitts is a once-in-a-decade (or rarer) athlete for Cal Strength

Powerlifting Fact and Fiction with Bryce Krawczyk Aug 21, 2019

Powerlifter. Coach. Vlogger. Movie star? Bryce Krawczyk's journey in strength started with his desire to bulk up, and it's led him down a pretty incredible path. In this episode, Bryce Krawczyk shares his evolution from complete beginner to world record holding powerlifter and documentary subject in a groundbreaking film. Now a renowned coach and the face behind Calgary Barbell, Bryce is one of Canada's top lifters and ambassadors in strength. It's a journey he hopes will eventually take him to the World Games, a competition Bryce calls the "pinnacle" of powerlifting for athletes around the globe.

Bryce and host David Tao also dive deep on misconceptions around the sport of powerlifting — especially when it comes to raw vs. equipped lifting — and why Canadian powerlifters have some of the best nicknames in the sport.

Lasting Strength and Mas Wrestling with Tom Sroka Aug 14, 2019

Tom Sroka has done it all — literally. A former standout thrower in track & field, Tom has competed in weightlifting, powerlifting, GRID, and Highland Games competition. He's excelled in each to an impressive degree, making him one of the world's most well-rounded strength athletes, period.

Tom's also built a reputation for coaching all levels of strength athletics, particularly when it comes to weightlifting. You can find him at countless national competitions as he trains and develops athletes, often from the ground up.

Recently, Tom has developed a passion for — and elite-level skills in — the rising sport of Mas Wrestling, where athletes face opponents one-on-one in something that resembles a cross between deadlifting and tug-of-war. Tom's rise in the sport took him to the World Championships, where he got firsthand experience with the sport's Siberian roots and old school training techniques.

What You're Missing About Recovery with WHOOP CEO Will Ahmed Aug 13, 2019

Athletes dedicate their lives to achieving their full potential, or as close to it as possible. So why do so many of us — strength athletes especially — take shortcuts when it comes to recovery? That's the question Will Ahmed, CEO and Founder of WHOOP, set out to address when he was still an undergraduate. WHOOP makes hardware and software to track recovery, performance, and sleep for athletes from the everyday to elite.

WHOOP built its brand working with pro athletes in leagues like the NBA and NFL (Kevin Durant is an investor), and now Will and his team have set out to help strength athletes quantify and better manage their recovery, working with athletes like multi-time CrossFit Games Champion Katrin Davidsdottir.

The Evolution of Strongman with Kalle Beck Aug 05, 2019

Strongman is one of the most physically demanding — and visually impressive — strength sports on the planet. And perhaps no one has done more to grow the sport's presence online than Kalle Beck.

Kalle is the founder of StartingStrongman.com, a fantastic resource covering training in the sport, as well as event results and coverage. And what started as a personal blog — born out of a frustration over the lack of strongman resources online — has evolved into one of strength's more dedicated communities.

No one — and I mean no one — has followed the sport more closely over the past decade.

But Kalle's goal isn't just to provide online resources for aspiring strongman athletes. He wants to prove that everyone has the potential to participate, not just the 400 pound behemoths we see once a year on television.

Find out what drives one of strongman's most visible personalities, along with his motivations and hopes for the sport's continued expansion into the mainstream.
StartingStrongman.com
BarBend.com

From Olympian to Coach with Chad Vaughn Jul 30, 2019

Chad Vaughn is many things: weightlifter, Olympian, father, husband, coach, broadcaster, and mentor. He’s one of the most decorated athletes in American weightlifting history, with more national titles and international team appearances than we can count (seriously). And while Chad is best known for his two Olympic Games appearances — 2004 and 2008 — his career continues to this day in both Senior and Masters competition.

In fact, Chad just narrowly missed out on yet another national title in May 2019 — and he did it at age 39. That’s incredible longevity, and while it’s increasingly common to see older lifters competing for Masters titles, it’s rare to see them doing so against competitors 20 years younger.

World Records and Game Show TV with Emily Hu Jul 13, 2019

World record holding powerlifter Emily Hu joins the podcast to talk about training, recovery, and her stint on NBC's "The Titan Games." David and Emily examine the factors that helped her excel so quickly in the sport, along with what's it means for strength sports to go more mainstream.

Building a Fitness Brand with Sean Pastuch Jul 13, 2019

Active Life Rx Founder Sean Pastuch joins David to discuss what it takes to build a brand in the fitness space. Is working with Instagram influencers good or bad for growing companies? And what's going on behind the scenes of athletes on social media?

Weightlifting's Future with Olympic Medalist Cheryl Haworth Jul 13, 2019

Olympic medalist and snatch world record holder Cheryl Haworth talks about finding weightlifting and making the Olympics at age 17. Find out how she's leveraged her time as an athlete to build a career in coaching.

How the CrossFit Games Are Changing with Tim Paulson Jul 12, 2019

Multi-time CrossFit Games competitor Tim Paulson sits down with David to talk about the huge changes for qualification in 2019. Based out of Ithaca, New York, Tim has been in the CrossFit world since 2012 and at the sport's highest levels since 2017, when he first qualified for the Games. Now a three-time CrossFit Games athlete, Tim is in some very rare and elite company. Tim joins The BarBend Podcast to chat on everything from training volume to the changing landscape of CrossFit Games qualifiers.

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