The TBS Talks Podcast

We are back! After taking a step back from the podcast in the second half of 2021 we are hitting the ground running in 2022! In Episode 20 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by friend and owner of Leflar Bros Apparel CB Leflar. This conversation goes into a wide variety of topics ranging from the start of LBA to life, self help, and the rest. It was truly one of our favorite conversations with one of our favorite people and we know y'all will enjoy it!

In Episode 19 Mark and Mirtha are joined by resident guest Kyle Miller (@kyle_projectstrength) where they go through a break down of the 2021 USAPL TBS Summer Open. The conversation starts off with discussing the Prime Time session and each of the lifters set to hit the platform. The majority of the discussion is backgrounds as well as Mark makes his predictions for how the meet will shape up for each lifter. The conversation then turns to meet set-up discussions where they answer questions that had been raised by some of the lifters - including equipment, mask requirements, and spectators. If you are looking for information on the meet as well as a preliminary breakdown of Prime Time then this is it! 

In this special episode of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by Kyle Miller from Project Strength where they go into a full in depth look at how the 2021 USAPL TBS Summer Open (TX-2021-13) came to be as well as how the demand and feedback from the lifters (and a little help from Kyle) quickly grew the meet from the original 40 lifter plan into having a stacked roster with a 3rd PRIME TIME session. They give a preview of the potential Prime Time roster and what to look forward to as the session develops over the next few months. They also go into the planning efforts and give some hints as to what sort of things Mark and Mirtha have in store for the meet to make it a national quality meet at the local level. 

In Episode 17 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by owner and coach of Grind House Fitness Alyssa Cantu. Alyssa has an extensive resume within the fitness world coaching at Grind House Fitness, recently receiving her brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and is most notably the strength and conditioning coach for #2 Ranked UFC Heavy Weight and knockout king - Derrick "The Black Beast" Lewis. In this conversation - Mark and Alyssa discuss how she develops strength and condition for MMA and BJJ athletes as well as her thoughts on how lifting weights and resistance training is and should be for everyone. 

In Episode 16 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined remotely from Atlanta, GA by USA Powerlifting Executive Committee member, Senior International Coach, Coaching Committee member, and head of Team Rohr Powerlifting Josh Rohr. Josh has been involved in powerlifting for over 20 years in the form of competitor, coach, and referee. In this episode, Mark and Josh discuss the current climate of COVID and the ramifications it has had on the powerlifting competition scene for USA Powerlifting in 2020 and now going into 2021. They dive into the new Nationals schedule and the reasoning behind USA Powerlifting's decision to alter it for the 2021 season as well as the more recent debate on how the registration platform has been handled given the cap on the nationals event this year. From refereeing to powerlifting coaching, and even some powerlifting situational discussion, this turned out to be a truly great conversation that we're sure you will enjoy. 

Welcome Back! After a brief time off at the end of 2020 the TBS Talks Podcast returns! In this episode Mark is joined by long time friend, fellow BJJ Black Belt, and academy owner Mike Torres. Mike is brazlian jiu-jitsu black belt under Professor Travis Tooke, the owner and head coach of Torres Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Spring, Texas, and commentator for Submission Hunters Pro. In this episode, Mark and Mike discuss a wide variety of topics including both being new dads and their "war" stories, to Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the ins-and-outs of owning and operating a service-based business. This is one conversation that we  think you will not want to miss! Just the right way to kick off 2021! Plenty more guests and episodes are on the way! 

In Episode 14 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by "Inactive" Pro MMA fighter, current competitive jiu-jitsu athlete, and long time friend Cody Owens AKA the Texas Zombie. Mark and Cody go into discussing some anecdotal stories of how jiu-jitsu has shaped both of their lives for the better.  This conversation flew by and it is one that you will not want to miss as Cody has a wealth of wisdom well beyond his years. From discussing competing, training, and even more so life and business, this discussion focuses on the central theme that in order to thrive in life - struggle is necessary.

In Episode 13 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by Waleed Hourani and Kyle Miller. Waleed and Kyle are the owners and coaches of The Project Strength - a powerlifting gym and coaching service located on the South Side of Houston, Texas in close proximity to U of H (University of Houston). From social media, to current cultural and political discussions, to some current projects they are working on, this conversation between friends and fellow gym owners & coaches is nothing short of a wild ride of fun. So much so that a guest appeared about 55 minutes in! Yet another fun conversation that we are sure you will not be disappointed in nor want to miss! 

In Episode 12 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined by long time members and friends Jonny, Ivan, & Tony. The conversation starts out very lighthearted but then takes a turn into an unexpected deep dive into Jonny's crazy life story which we have dubbed "Jonny: Origins" (patent pending). Add in other things like a new and former business endeavor from Tony & Ivan, to Mark discussing living in Thailand, and quick comments on current events -  this episode quickly turned into one of the best yet. You will not want to turn this one off until its done! 

In Episode 11 of The TBS Talks Podcast we decided to get the band back together! We (Mark, Mirtha, Chris, and Marisol) sat down for a lighthearted conversation very similar to the same kinds of conversations we have at home and anytime we all sit and hang out. From cell phone games, to going to Mexico, to reviewing the all new "WAP" video, this is just another example of a real world conversation you may find yourself having with family and/or friends - always fun and always a good time! 

In Episode 10 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark and Chris are joined by Wendell Champion - the Republican candidate for Texas's 18th Congressional District which covers parts of central and northern Houston as well as parts of Spring, the Heights, and the area surrounding George Bush Airport. From welfare to West Point, from his military experience to being a lawyer for 20+ years in Texas, from working in cooperate America to now currently working in the local sheriffs office - Wendell opens up about his experiences and his views on topics from COVID-19 to education and healthcare. Nothing was off the table for this discussion. Our longest podcast to date coming in at just over 3:40:00 we were able to really get in depth and truly get to know Wendell and how he believes he is uniquely qualified to represent the diverse communities of our district. For more information on Wendell and his campaign you can head over to Champion2020.com.  

In Episode 9 of the TBS Talks Podcast we hand the reins over to Mirtha who is joined by Marisol, Brenda, and Valerie for an ALL LADIES podcast episode. The ladies brought their own party supplies including bottles of wine, hot Cheetos, and of course Salsa Valentina for this nearly 3 hour sit down conversation. Every woman will be able to relate to having these types of conversations with her friends over a glass of wine and men will be able to relate by overhearing such conversations happening in the other room. This episode was super fun and any and everyone will enjoy. These ladies will definitely be back for future episodes! 

In Episode 8 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark & Mirtha are joined by Samantha Ledezma - a friend and long time member at TBS, and Kyle Miller - friend and co-owner of The Project Strength. In the episode, the four have a deep and long form conversation covering the current cultural climate in the U.S. stemming from the most recent George Floyd case. They go into detail covering their thoughts and feelings about the specific case and then broaden out to the cultural implications involving things such as police brutality and race in the U.S. The conversation is meant  to be an example of the types of conversations that people need to be having in their own social circles such as with friends, family, and coworkers. These issues need to be talked about and thought out with out anger, frustration, or judgement. It is only when we can all learn to understand each others' point of views that we can all start to push to move forward - together. We hope you take as much from this conversation as we did.  

In Episode 7 of the TBS Talks Podcast Mark and Mirtha are joined on Memorial Day by Tony Richardson - a long time friend and family member at TBS who currently serves as an E-5 Sergeant in the US Army Reserves. Tony has been in the military for over a decade serving our country. The crew goes into Tony's current role and history in the military, how he got started, what has been happening during the Pandemic, and all things in between. The conversation then transitions into a full on "nerd fest" going into Star Wars, Disney, Dragon Ball Z, and more. This podcast episode means a lot to us and was so fun to have with a true friend and serviceman. Thank you to all of those who serve, have served, and to those that laid down the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live free! 

In Episode 6 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark is joined via Zoom by long time friend Martin "Speedos" Young. Martin is from Aberdeen, Scotland, a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a husband, father, and an offshore electrical technician working on oil rigs in the North Sea. Mark and Speedos discuss the current climate in Scotland with the COVID-19 lock down, how they are training, BJJ stories, and even baby gear for the active family. Don't let his accent fool you! This is a very fun conversation between two long distance friends with very active lifestyles and grants a bit of insight into how other parts of the world are currently living given the current climate. 

In Episode 5 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark and Marcus are joined via FaceTime call by Joe Chau - more notably known by his Instagram handle - "The Notorious Emperor". Joe is the founder of Notorious Lift, a brand based out of the LA area in California that has taken the lifting world by storm with his unique deadlift slippers. From his start in powerlifting, to discussing other entrepreneurs, life, and the power of adversity, this is one conversation you will not want to miss. 

In Episode 4 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark and Mirtha are joined by Angela Rojas from Mat Therapy Sports Massage. The conversation goes from the reality and difficulties of being a mom to Mark going on a rant into jiu-jitsu. The discussion takes a lot of turns and ends on a very deep discussion of what it is to be mentally strong. Also - a future episode with Angela and her husband Jorge to take a deep dive into CBD becomes a very promising reality. 

In Episode 3 Mark and Cris are joined by long time friend and fellow entrepreneur Adrian "Vato" Rodriguez from Hustle Texas. In their discussion they discuss owning and starting your own brand, Adrian's background and ventures, and what it means to "win". 

In Episode 2 of The TBS Talks Podcast Mark & Mirtha are joined by Gabriel Embree from Iron Training Systems. They discuss the current and updated climate with COVID-19 as well as how the business shut downs have affected Gabe with his new role. The conversation then jumps from the issues associated with coaching your significant other, to a brief story of how Mark & Mirtha met, to the development of Gabe's coaching, and much much more. 

The pilot episode of The TBS Talks Podcast. A project that has been in the making for some time and is finally here! Mark & Mirtha are joined by Cris (Marisol and Marcus in the background) and they dive into the current climate going on with COVID-19. The conversation quickly takes many interesting turns and deviations making for a quite diverse discussion ranging from COVID-19, politics, to normal everyday life situations. Nothing was off the table and this conversation delivers on The TBS Talks Podcast's main mantra of being Raw & Unfiltered!