BarBend Podcast
299 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 months ago - ★★★★★ - 186 ratingsLearn from the top athletes, coaches, and influencers in strength! Each week, the BarBend Podcast brings together some of the world's biggest strength names across weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, strongman, and more. BarBend Editor and Co-Founder David Thomas Tao sits down with the strength community's smartest and strongest minds to with a focus on their learnings through training, competition, and coaching. We dive deep on their journeys and where strength training has taken them. World record holders share their competition secrets. Coaches give their most underrated tips. And top thinkers and researchers from the realm of strength science go deep on their most promising findings. This podcast is the perfect companion for experts and beginners alike, covering a wide range of topics to keep listeners up to date on the world of strength.
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Episodes
How to Build Muscle with Kettlebells (w/Joe Daniels)
January 10, 2024 19:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBToday 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)
November 01, 2023 17:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBToday 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 compe...
BarBend Classic: Should CrossFitters Switch to Strongman? (w/Hanna Coldiron)
October 24, 2023 14:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBHere'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...
From Gymnastics to Kettlebells to Weightlifting (with Rebecca Rouse)
October 13, 2023 16:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBToday 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 trainin...
Secrets of Giants (with Alyssa Ages)
October 03, 2023 01:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBToday 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 ...
BarBend Classic: How Mini-Cuts Unlock Muscle-Building
September 19, 2023 02:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBHere'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 goal...
From Walking with a Cane to Powerlifting Competitions (with Angelo Poli)
September 13, 2023 03:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MBToday 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 in...
From Rookie to 5th Fittest Woman on Earth (with Alex Gazan)
August 29, 2023 03:00 - 22 minutes - 15.7 MBToday 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. W...
How to Understand the Weightlifter's Mindset (with Dr. A'Naja Newsome)
August 23, 2023 02:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBDr. 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 d...
The True Fitness OG (with Bobby Maximus)
August 15, 2023 02:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBToday 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 ti...
BarBend Classic: Ice-T on His Lifetime of Fitness
July 31, 2023 17:00 - 13 minutes - 9.64 MBThis 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 ...
Why Most Gyms Fail (w/ Zachary Bartell)
July 25, 2023 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBToday 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 glimp...
Weightlifter, CrossFit Games Athlete, Karate World Champ (w/Mona Pretorius de Lacey)
July 18, 2023 03:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBToday 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)
July 11, 2023 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBToday 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 ...
Tough Science of Tracking Strength (with Chris Chapman)
June 27, 2023 03:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBToday 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 ...
Training with Arnold Schwarzenegger (w/Eb Samuel)
June 20, 2023 03:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBToday 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 t...
Pro Basketball to Fitness Philosopher (w/Luka Hocevar)
June 13, 2023 03:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBToday 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 Most Honest Man in Strongman (w/Evan Singleton)
June 06, 2023 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBToday 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 stro...
You Can't Screw This Up (with Adam Bornstein)
May 23, 2023 04:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MBToday 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 16, 2023 01:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBToday 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 tra...
The Secret History of Irish Stone Lifting (w/Dr. Conor Heffernan)
May 09, 2023 03:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBToday 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" becau...
The NEW World's Strongest Man (w/Mitchell Hooper)
May 02, 2023 03:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBToday, 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 ...
BarBend Classic: Treat Your Lifting Like a Stock Portfolio
April 24, 2023 15:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBHere'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 ...
The Hidden Secrets of Strongman Competition (w/Maxime Boudreault)
April 17, 2023 21:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBToday 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 amazi...
Heaviest Deadlifter in History (with Victoria Long)
April 11, 2023 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBToday 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 stro...
Built to Move (w/Dr. Kelly Starrett)
April 04, 2023 14:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MBToday 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 boo...
It Took Seven Years to Become Rookie of the Year (w/Nick Mathew)
March 21, 2023 16:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBToday 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 i...
The Massive Weightlifting Story You Never Heard (w/ Seb Ostrowicz)
March 14, 2023 03:00 - 28 minutes - 20 MBToday 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...
Hip Hop Wellness Explorer (w/stic from Dead Prez)
March 07, 2023 02:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBToday 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 distanc...
Deadlifting in the Wilderness (w/Clay Cooper)
February 28, 2023 04:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBToday 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)
February 21, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBToday 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 f...
Crazy True Story of Obstacle Course Racing (w/Matt Davis)
February 21, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBToday I’m talking to Matt 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 ...
The Biomechanics Crash Course (w/Eoin Everard)
February 14, 2023 05:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBToday 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 d...
What It Takes to Be a Bodybuilding Pro (w/Clare Morrow)
February 07, 2023 03:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBToday 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 ...
BarBend Classic: Mat Fraser
January 30, 2023 22:00 - 28 minutes - 19.9 MBHere'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, trai...
Grammy-Nominated Fitness Fanatic (w/Kitt Wakeley)
January 24, 2023 05:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBToday 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)
January 17, 2023 04:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBToday 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 ...
Pro Strongman to Rock Bottom & Back Again (w/Travis Ortmayer)
January 10, 2023 02:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MBToday 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 thou...
BarBend Classic: Busting Strength Myths with Dr. Jim Stoppani
January 02, 2023 23:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBHere'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. St...
Social Power of Adaptive Athletics (w/Jedidiah Snelson)
December 20, 2022 03:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBToday 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 cove...
The World's Most Unconventional Lifter? (w/Nathan Morris)
December 13, 2022 04:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBWhat'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!) techniq...
Is Bodybuilding Sport or Show? (w/Roger Lockridge)
December 05, 2022 18:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBToday 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 bodybuild...
BarBend Classic: Coss Marte on Prison Fitness
November 28, 2022 19:00 - 27 minutes - 19.2 MBHere'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...
BarBend Classic: How Kris Gethin Thrives As a Multi-Sport Bodybuilder
November 22, 2022 03:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBHere'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 strategi...
Fitness As "Info-tainment" (with Tony Horton)
November 15, 2022 04:00 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MBToday 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...
Should Strength Athletes Try Bobsled? (w/Paul Rabic)
November 08, 2022 02:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBToday 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 spec...
Why Superheavy Lifters Must Train Differently (w/Alejandro Medina)
November 01, 2022 01:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBToday 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 tra...
How to Build a Fitness Following (w/Andrew Coates)
October 25, 2022 02:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBToday 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. ...
BarBend Classic: Powerlifting Legend Jen Thompson's Training Routine
October 17, 2022 15:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBHere'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...
Is America Getting Less Fit? (w/Kenny Santucci)
October 11, 2022 01:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBToday 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?