The Strength Connection

<p>Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit. </p><p><br /></p><p>The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life. </p><p><br /></p><p>Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.</p>

The Iron Council w/ Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind & Mark Subias

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...

11-17
48:50

Strength, QiGong, and Spirituality for the Optimal Life w/ Dr. Chris Holder

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...

11-10
54:57

The Key to UNLOCKING the Addictive Brain: w/ Dr. Robb Kelly

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 ...

11-03
54:29

Redefining "STRENGTH" after 40 w/ Sylvia Takada

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 ...

10-27
01:02:14

Revolutioning Health Data w/ Marco Benitez

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...

10-20
38:53

Empowering the NEXT Generation w/ Thomas LaGrave Jr.

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, ...

10-06
48:40

The Hidden Importance of EYE Health w/ Dr. Pam Theriot

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 ...

09-29
47:41

Ep 300: A milestone episode, 10 Lessons that Reshaped my Foundation of Strength

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...

09-22
31:33

Where to start in BIOHACKING w/ Troy Laing

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...

09-15
51:59

How to FLIP your mental script w/ Mitchell Osmond

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...

09-08
55:11

The Art of Coaching w/ Dan John

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...

09-01
53:27

The Path to Optimal Health and Vitality w/ Mike Salemi

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...

07-26
48:30

Primal Foundations w/ Tony Pascolla

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...

07-19
55:26

The Science of Strength after 40 w/ Geoff Neupert

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of the most popular guests ever to come on the show, Geoff Neupert of Chasing Strength is back for the 3rd time on the podcast. Geoff’s ability to refine, and articulate the principles of strengths is top shelf, and has been a huge help to me and many others in strength, health and fitness. In this episode, I wanted to take some of the lessons he’s given on his Youtube channel, and dive deeper into them, specifically with staying healthy and stron...

07-07
54:58

The 5 Fundamentals of Optimal Health w/ Jim Laird

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Jim Laird is a dedicated strength and conditioning coach with a career spanning back to 1997. He has helped everyone from casual fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes in the NFL, CFL, LPGA, and MLB achieve their goals. Jim's unique approach focuses on getting results efficiently. His motto, "Training Smarter, Not Harder," has resonated with both clients and industry experts. In recent years, he has teamed up with Dr. Leland Stillman to combine fi...

06-28
50:17

Strength, Body Image, and Empathy w/ James Cappola

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I’ve been a fan of the message and insights that James Cappola has created for a while, so it was truly special to have him come on the podcast. James is the owner of Zero Shortcuts Training, and a coach dedicated to the truth and principles of the client/coach relationship and the power of kindness and empathy. Check out James at: zeroshortcutstraining.com IG: @james_cappola

06-21
46:24

Win Your Next Hour w/ Danny Lehr

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Danny Lehr is a speaker, entrepreneur, author, and former competitive athlete who’s obsessed with helping people accomplish their biggest dreams… one hour at a time. He’s the author of Win Your Next Hour, a high-impact guide for getting unstuck and taking bold action when life feels overwhelming. As the co-founder of the lifestyle brand Caffeine & Kilos, Danny has built a multimillion-dollar business, coached elite athletes and high performers, and ...

06-17
59:58

How to Live in Total Abundance w/ Frank Parisi

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of the most anticipated episodes of the show, Frank Parisi joins me to talk faith, abundance, and coming back from the dead to live on purpose. A motivational keynote speaker and networking mogul, Frank brings his expertise to life by giving the blueprint from recovery to fulfillment. Alongside his storytelling of personal hardship as a recovered addict and growing up in the streets of New York City, he continues to offer private, nationwide...

05-30
49:21

Ep 288: Built to Last w/ David Amerland

Welcome to the Strength Connection! David Amerland is a writer focused on how human behavior is shaped by modern forces, especially technology, and how that shift impacts our health, culture, and stories. After building a career in marketing and publishing several successful business books, he expanded into the wellness space with Built to Last, a practical guide to health, longevity, and intentional living. Check out more of David’s work at: https://davidamerland.com/

05-23
53:30

Ep 287: Hula Hoops, Boating and Mindset w/ Amy Guerrier

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I true renaissance woman is the best way to describe Amy Guerrier. Professional Hula-Hooper, clown, top tier high performance coach, and lives full-time on a boat documenting her experiences on her Youtube Channel AbsoBOATely fabulous, Amy is a wealth of knowledge and insight into the power of play, breath, and mindset. Check out more of Amy at: IG: absoboatelyfabulous YT: https://www.youtube.com/@absoboatlyfabulous

05-17
52:35

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