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Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit.
The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life.
Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.
313 Episodes
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Welcome to the Strength Connection! The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias. In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebells and barbells, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism and the significance of articulating coaching messages effectively. The discus...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in personal experiences and insights gained from guests on the podcast, closing out with my tribute to a great friend. Thank you so much for an in...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case. In this engaging conversation, Kyle shares his journey from being a passionate athlete to the founder of Blueprint LA, a gym that emphasizes community, culture...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Nicole Spencer is a former strength coach, founder of Authentic Conversion, and host of the podcast Spirituality for Skeptics. In this conversation, Nicole Spencer discusses her transformative journey from a successful business in coaching to exploring spirituality. She reflects on her early experiences, including a pivotal trip to Peru, and how these moments led her to seek deeper meaning in life. Nicole shares her transition to focusing on spiritualit...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Today I am joined by Zar Horton, Master SFG within the community of Strongfirst. Zar has been teaching workshops in hardstyle strength nationally and internationally for over 12 years, and…was a battalion chief and firefighter in Albuquerque fire and rescue for 32 years. In this conversation, Zar shares his journey from a firefighter to a master instructor in strength training, emphasizing the importance of functional fitness for first respo...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Megan Henry is a mindset performance coach, SupraHuman performance coach, Former Team USA skeleton athlete, World Record holder and recent IFBB pro athlete. Meg is really interesting, we connected a couple years ago, she came on the show, it was one of the most memorable conversations I had early on about practical mindset training, specifically in the athletic realm. In this episode, Meg emphasizes the importance of self-image and visualization in ac...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this episode I am joined by Hewitt Tomlin, founder and CEO of TeamBuildr. Hewitt Tomlin shares his journey from being a college athlete to becoming an entrepreneur with Team Builder, a software platform designed to empower strength coaches. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the pivotal moment that led him to fully commit to his business, and the evolution of Team Builder's mission. The conversation also touches on the imp...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! I am joined in this episode by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind and Mark Subias, AKA The Iron Council. We first came together in a roundtable discussion in April 2024 at Queen City Kettlebell, and have reconnected to talk strength, health and all things in the culture of performance and coaching. In this episode, Brett, DJ, Mark and I talk about our personal evolutions of coaching in the information age, how things have changed over the years, and the keys t...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Chris Holder is a renowned Strength and Conditioning coach, former Master RKC instructor, Doctor of Medical QiGong, and currently a teacher and leader in Christian Mysticism. In this episode, Dr. Holder shares his journey from a successful career in strength coaching to embracing Chinese medicine and spirituality. He discusses the importance of integrating physical and spiritual practices for holistic health, emphasizing how energy healing c...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Robb Kelly is a renowned Addiction expert, creating the Robb Kelly group, a Telehealth Neuroscience Coaching company with a 98% success rate,working with patients to improve their optimal performance by using Brain Spotting and other neuroscience coaching evidence based approaches. In this episode, Dr. Robb shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the neuroscience behind addiction. He ...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Sylvia Takada is a SFG II, SFL Instructor in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Sylvia helps empower women 40+ to embrace strength and health in the next stages of life. In this 304th episode, Sylvia discusses the societal perceptions surrounding women and aging, particularly the negative stereotypes associated with turning 40. She expresses her frustration with the idea that women's value diminishes with age, emphasizing instead the ...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! In episode 303, Marco Benitez shares his journey from a Taekwondo champion to a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur. The evolution of wearable technology, the mission of his company Rook, and the importance of transforming health data into actionable insights. Marco emphasizes the challenges of data integration, the significance of mental health, and the startup journey's ups and downs. He highlights the potential of wearable technology in ch...
Welcome to the Strength Connection. In the 302nd episode, Tom LaGrave shares his transformative journey from a troubled adolescence marked by addiction to a fulfilling career dedicated to helping young people navigate their own challenges. He discusses the impact of technology on today's youth, the common struggles across generations, and the essential role of love in adolescent development. Tom also delves into the complexities of addiction, the evolving definition of masculinity, ...
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast. In this conversation, Dr. Pam Theriot discusses the importance of proactive eye health, the impact of digital devices on vision, and the role of nutrition in maintaining eye health. She emphasizes the need for regular eye exams, preventative measures, and daily habits that can enhance eye comfort and clarity. The discussion also covers the effects of blue light, the significance of long-distance gazing, and the evolution of LASIK surgery. Check ...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! A milestone episode of the Strength Connection Podcast. Number 300! I reflect on the journey of 300 episodes, sharing ten key lessons learned from guests and experiences. Thank you all for being a part of this awesome journey. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 300 Episodes 01:21 The Journey of Curiosity and Connection 03:11 Mastery Through Ordinary Days 06:56 Staying Present in Routine 10:58 Flow State: The Natural Default 13:33 Change vs. Transfor...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Troy Laing is the founder of Culture OC, a “biohacking social wellness club” helping those find their optimal health in mind, body, spirit and community. Troy shares his journey from a troubled past to becoming a leader in the biohacking and wellness community. He discusses the profound impact of physical movement on mental health, his transformative experience in the Himalayas, and the evolution of his practices in biohacking. Troy emphasizes the impor...
Welcome to The Strength Connection! Mitchell Osmond is founder of Dad Nation and a performance coach for men looking to maximize their relationships, health and vitality along with their high performing careers. Mitchell shares his personal journey of transformation from a place of burnout and disconnection to a life of purpose and fulfillment, the importance of community, accountability, and mindset in achieving personal growth. Mitchell introduces his frameworks, including...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dan John, Legendary Coach and Author, joins me again on the podcast to go into his latest book, The Art of Coaching. In this engaging conversation, Coach Dan John shares insights from his extensive coaching career and how he began and ultimately completed The Art of Coaching. Emphasizing the importance of values, the relationship between goals and assessments, and the role of storytelling in coaching, Dan reflects on the writing process, the cha...
Welcome to the Strength Connection! Mike Salemi is a men’s performance coach, creator of the Vital Man Collective, and host of The Path podcast. In this conversation, Mike Salemi shares his journey from a competitive athlete to a holistic coach focusing on men's vitality and strength. He discusses the importance of personal experiences in shaping his understanding of health, the significance of men's work, and the balance between discipline and play. The dialogue emphasizes the need for c...
Welcome to the Strength Connection. Tony Pascolla is a Physical Education teacher (Chicago,IL), strength coach, StrongFirst Kettlebell & Barbell Instructor, personal trainer, and carnivore/fasting coach. He is also the host of the Primal Foundations Podcast, where he explores topics related to strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization (which I’ve had the privilege of being a guest on.) In this episode, Tony dives into early days of endurance training, what wrestling t...
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