Health Oddity Podcast: Recent Episodes
Health Oddity
The show that strips away the jargon and hype surrounding all things health and fitness to help you live a long, strong and energetic life.
We are joined for the first time by 2025 UK Strongest Man - Andrew 'Flying Flynn' Flynn, a husband & father who's 'hobby' has taken him twice to the Worlds Strongest Man comp in USA & who trains & competes alongside a full time career & family commitments.
Andrew also trains predominantly in a shed in his garden so he can fit training around school runs, work & household chores. Andrew is down to earth, humble, unassuming & impossible not to like. Be inspired.
In this host catch up episode Pete & James discuss the upcoming Strongman Classic at the Royal Albert Hall, James' recent Strongman Competition in Colchester, Pete reaching new levels of strength with the Kettlebell Press & also some of the lessons he's learned from Walking 750km in just 7.5 weeks (much of it in a heatwave).
We are joined from Long Island, New York by Jason Nelson, originally from Trinidad (our first Caribbean guest) to discuss fat loss after 40 & helping people build strong energetic lives.
Jay is the owner of Body Image Fitness, a personal training gym & clinical consultancy practice which has licensed medical staff in-house who can prescribe & oversee GLP-1 treatment for weight loss alongside a structured & monitored fitness & strength programme to maximise long term results, adherence & safety.
We talk about the before, during & after programme considerations for people using GLP-1 treatments & how to best manage coming off of the shots once weight loss has been achieved. A timely & relevant conversation with an expert in the field.
We are joined for the second time from Buckinghamshire, England by Hannah Camden. Hannah is the owner of Fitworks Training, KBX & the founder of Find Your Fit - a 24hr charity fitness event that she is on a mission to grow globally with a huge 2027 event already planned. We discuss some of Hannah's recent Kettlebell Sport World Records, her passion for getting young girls interested in fitness & strength, recovering from serious injuries & the importance of mobility & recovery as we age.
We are joined for the second time by Dr Paul Bedford AKA The Retention Guru - a man who travels the globe helping gym & health club chains sign up new members (and more importantly keep them).
Paul is an expert in behaviour, habits, customer experience, culture & the reality of the fitness industry behind the mirrors, polished chrome & 'Love Island / Gym Shark' physiques used in marketing.
What does fitness REALLY look like for 90% of the population & how does a normal person manage expectations & results to actually enhance their quality of life?
We are joined from Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada by Thomas Attig, an applied Philosopher, Professor & revolutionary voice in grief studies.
We discuss something never before explored on the podcast but something that every single listener will have undoubtedly experienced before & will do again - the death of a friend or loved one & the feelings, thoughts & emotions that follow it. What is grief? Why do we experience it & how can it be managed or understood?
This is a universal discussion with a man who has spent almost his entire life studying a subject many of us try to ignore.
We are joined by Carl Easton, recently turned 60 & a lifelong runner. Carl has moved into the world of Hybrid Racing over the last few years & has massively increased his strength & diversified his already strong cardiovascular base. Carl now regularly competes in HYROX, Nuclear Races & Deadly Dozen (as well as travelling all over the world to do it).
At 60 Carl has developed his physique & strength to meet the demands of this new challenge & demonstrates that it's never too late to redefine your fitness goals (or muscles!).
In this host catch up episode Peter & James discuss what they've taken from recent episodes including the idea of building self belief through action & finding clarity through action as well.
James shares what he learned recently at a Fitness Business Summit around standards, culture & structure when developing a business & a team & how we can apply the same thinking to us as individuals.
We are joined for the first time by Strongfirst Elite instructor Ben Bradbury from Surrey UK. Christian, Coach, Student of Strength & recent lifter of the iconic & historic Dinnie Stones in Potarch, Scotland.
Ben is also a BJJ Black Belt & the owner of Complete Fitness.
This is a wide ranging & fascinating conversion with a humble, polite & thoughtful strength professional which may increase your own belief in what is possible for you!
Peter & James catch up about recent events & conversations surrounding Health Oddity including breaking news about Britain's Disabled Strongman 2026, the importance of purpose, structure & routine & common objections to sensible health advice.
We are joined for the 12th time by 'friend of the show', global strength training icon & bestselling author Dan John all the way from Utah USA.
We discuss Beowulf, The Odyssey, the return of Ted Lasso & training the youth athlete. We learn how Dan is seemingly de-ageing himself as he approaches 70 & how his training focus has evolved over the years.
This is a warm & insightful catch up with a man who has been with us since the genesis of Health Oddity & continues to be an inspiration & friend.
We are joined by Dr. Kyle Hulsebus, a Health & Human Potential Specialist, author & third-generation chiropractor based in Northern Illinois.
Kyle's work redefines health as an internal state & integrates purpose, performance & well-being for longevity & impact. We discuss travel, philosophy, ball room dancing & why purpose may be the missing health metric.
An interesting & inspiring conversation with a fascinating man on a mission to spread true health far & wide.
We are joined by James Crozier from J.C Performance Coaching, a competitive Strongman & Powerlifter with 25 years of coaching experience in the world of strength sports.
This is an honest & wide reaching discussion around training strength for the long haul, the importance of structure, consistency & sustainability, mental health & James' coaching philosophy informed through his vast personal experience & history of working with athletes & general population clients.
In this episode we discuss the subject of motivation & how much of a part it actually plays in success.
Is motivation actually a myth? & if not, what is it & how does it factor?
We discuss the importance of discipline, habit, routine, environment & community. Where does willpower fit in? & how you can "make healthy the default"
We are joined for the third time by friend of the show & force of nature Stevie Shanks from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
In this episode Stevie talks about his recent heart attack & subsequent triple heart bypass (including a specially reinforced rib cage for stone lifting!) his return to drumming & using that as an unconventional rehabilitation method.
We also discuss the upcoming 10th Anniversary of The Donald Dinnie Day - The Gathering & Stevie's plans for returning to strength training himself - perhaps with a slightly different focus.
In this episode we discuss the various ways you can progress your training by manipulating a number of training variables, namely - frequency, volume, intensity & density.
Firstly we define each term as it relates to training, give some real world examples of how they fit within a training programme then finally, we discuss the order & manner which they should be progressed from a beginners into intermediate standpoint.
A practical discussion that should be of use to many - and could spark a few disagreements or debates!
In this host catch up episode following 4 weeks of guests we discuss the recent Strongfirst Resilient course held at Unique Results, Peter's recent development of Walking Solves - Daily Meditations & the routine James adopted on a recent family holiday & how we can take elements of it even when busier life resumes.
We are joined from just outside NYC, USA by Chris Ryan from the Chris Ryan Fitness app to discuss all things Strength, Longevity & health & fitness for busy people with families & careers. Chris is a bundle of controlled energy & positivity. We learn about his athletic career as a Division 1 track athlete (800m), his time on NBCs STRONG as one of America's Top 10 trainers, his life now as a 45 year old husband & dad to 3 children & how he developed, launched & continues to build his fitness app which serves users all around the world. This is an inspiring, energetic & very actionable conversation with a guest that I'm sure we'll be speaking with again.
In this episode we are joined by all the way from Los Angeles, California by Axay Shah. An avid marathon runner, a passionate poet, and a lover of music. Axay enjoys life to the fullest, & is a very happy person (as you will hear).
His secret? He has followed a raw food vegetarian diet for over 16 years & it has transformed his life. At 66 years of age, Axay believes that eating uncooked, plant-based foods has been the cornerstone of his health & vitality.
janHe believes that the raw food lifestyle has unlocked the true potential of his body & mind. We encourage you to listen (or watch) with an open mind & heart & enjoy getting to know Axay, he's a warm & interesting man who has found his own path to health & wellness.
We are joined for the third time by one of our most referenced guests - Steve Bush. Steve has just passed his 6th year since having gastric surgery to change his life & has also just turned 60 years old.
Steve updates us on the physical challenges he has set himself for 2026, his experience running the Disney Marathon (and riding a rollercoaster on the way round).
Steve also explains how he has developed his own method of training for running events by limiting his running (and saving his knees) & how his life has changed so he now has the confidence to say YES to just about anything after a lifetime of saying NO. Be inspired & enjoy.
We are joined for the first time (hopefully not the last) by Professor Jonathan Sackier - Surgeon, Innovator, Aviator, Health Commentator, Author & cohost of the highly entertaining 'Join the Docs' podcast.
This fascinating conversation is as much about life as it is health. We get to know Jonathan's background, medical career, longevity outlook & how, after an incredibly challenging life experience he was encouraged to create his own, very personal 'Rules for Life'.
We're sure you'll enjoy listening to this hour with him as much as we enjoyed meeting him ourselves.
Following a listener suggestion Peter & James walk you through how to build a low cost strength training programme at home including which equipment to buy (for £200-£300 total) - what you can buy second hand & what not to.
How to structure your programme, which movements & exercises to choose & some ideas of progressions as well.
There will be a follow up episode to this where we will outline more principles for strength progression that can be applied universally.
We are joined from Newcastle UK by proud 'Geordie' & Natural Bodybuilding Champion Phil Earley.
Phil turns 60 this year & has set himself the modest goal of competing at the Natural Olympia contest this November in Las Vegas USA.
We discuss Phil's introduction to strength training back when he was a teenager. His love of Kettlebells. His journey on Paul Mcllroy's Amazing 12 transformation programme & how after nearly 40 years of training he took the plunge & entered his first Bodybuilding show!
The rest - as they say, is history.
In this host catch up episode Peter & James discuss 3 main topics: The recent Britains Strongest Man in Sheffield that Pete attended live (& James watched from France).
Lessons from the mountains on the recent Unique Results skiing & snowboarding holiday.
How to calculate your daily protein requirements based on bodyweight & activity levels AND how to hit them consistently.
We are joined for the fourth time by James Breese from Strength Matters & Cricket Matters & discuss his upcoming Cricket injury & performance clinic in Cardiff, Wales.
We also hear about James' recent time spent with Gray Cook in the USA & the development of 'The Performance Flywheel' model which covers the 6 components of athlete performance in any skill based sport or training programme.
We are joined by Duncan Moore, founder of 'Let's Get Out' Community Interest Company.
His mission is to get more young people outside experiencing the many benefits of spending time in nature.
We discuss forestry schools, bushcraft, survival skills & the Duke of Edinburgh Awards as well as some of the established & recognised benefits of being in nature & also some of the interpersonal skills & leadership traits young people can develop when taken outside away from technology & connecting with nature, & each other.
In this host catch up episode Peter & James discuss a simple habit stacking nutrition challenge, James begins to run AGAIN & shares his experience & they discuss a recent short video that went viral & the ways that human beings react to online content & people as they age.
We are joined from Los Angeles USA for a very unique & important episode with a man who has overcome life altering adversity & is now on a mission to help others do the same.
William Person was a 10 year veteran of the Team USA Bobsled team & has subsequently developed CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy) a brain injury condition experienced by collision sports athletes, military veterans & civilians who experience head trauma.
This is a fascinating conversation that is wide reaching & impactful & William's mission could have wider implications for many of societies current ills.
Midway through January & following a run of 8 weeks of fantastic guests Pete & James cut through the distraction & clutter of new year, new you media hyperbole & discuss the 5 big rocks that will ACTUALLY help you move the needle & make progress throughout 2026.
We are rejoined by Mark Tonner (previously a guest on episodes 272 & 174) to Review the recent 'Lift for Life' Charity Deadlift Challenge & discuss some big plans for 2026.
2025 was the most successful event to date breaking records in terms of kg lifted, number of participants AND money raised for Suicide Prevention through Andy's Man Club & if you've listened to previous episodes with Mark you'll know he has some more dastardly ideas up his sleeve!
We last spoke to Paddy Haynes back in February 2025 (Episode 237) when he was very much 'The Dark Horse' of UK & International Strongman having narrowly missed out on a podium place at Britain's Strongest Man.
Since then, it's fair to say he's had a pretty special year.
In this catch up episode with Paddy we go through his biggest achievements of the year in terms of contest finishes & records broken & look ahead to 2026 - could the 'Dark Horse' be renamed - 'The Stallion'!?
In our first podcast of 2026 we are joined all the way from Southern Maryland, USA by the very aptly named Levi Strong.
Levi is a 6ft 8, 375lb giant of a man who recently WON the Magnus Classic out in Iceland in November beating a world class line-up.
We discuss Levi's hard working blue collar background, working in ice storms & extreme conditions, his experience in Iceland, his training & aspirations for the future.
This is a relaxed & informative conversation with an intelligent, humble & polite athlete who hopefully we will all be seeing much more of over the coming months & years.
In the second of our two Christmas Specials we are joined from Scotland by Chris Beetham - 2024 Scotlands Strongest Man & 2025 UK Strongest Man runner up (by 1.5 points!)
Chris is a full time Structural Engineer, father of two, owner of Dodge City Strength Gym, youth Rugby coach, coach to 35 strength athletes AND a Pro Strongman himself! We learn about Chris' rugby background, how he fell in love with Strength Training & his life as a competitive Powerlifter then Strongman & how he 'engaged feast mode' to transform himself from a naturally slim guy into the man he is today - top tip - double dinners!
In the first of two Christmas Specials we are joined from Belfast, Northern Ireland by Emma Brennan.
Owner of Iron Wolf Gym, Iron Wolf Gymwear, Qualified Personal Trainer, Strength & Conditioning Coach, Sports Therapist, competitive Powerlifter & mother of two.
This is a wide ranging conversation covering Emma's unconventional route into the fitness industry, her experience in the education & training sector, the current state of the industry, juggling life as a wife & mother with running a business AND competing in Strength Sports.
Emma also talks openly about dealing with her own health & fitness challenges over the years & how her personal experiences inform her approach when working with clients.
We are joined for the 3rd time by our good friend from Prague - Pavel Macek.
Pavel is a Strongfirst Master Certified Instructor who lists his areas of interest & expertise as; Strength, Combatives, Stoicism, Tea, Cats (and the TV series LOST).
He is a calm, wise & fascinating man & in this conversation we focus on RESILIENCE, both mental & physical, meditation, his upcoming visit to the UK (next March) & the online release of his 'Enter the Dumbbell' course.
I'm sure this will not be the last time we are joined by Pavel as every time we sit down & talk we learn, laugh & come away with an expanded reading list.
We are joined by Caroline Southgate, founder of Doris Jones Ltd for a timely & incredibly important conversation about ageing, longevity, the gap between health-span & life-span & staying well in later life.
Ageing affects us all both directly (as ourselves) & indirectly (when caring for older friends & family) & as a society as well.
Caroline's business Doris Jones provides physio-led home care, helping older people stay independent where they are happiest - at home. This is a relaxed & broad conversation discussing ageing from a perspective we haven't explored before.
We are joined by Shane Nugent MSc to discuss all things nutrition & lifestyle management.
Shane shares his nutrition principles which broadly apply to everyone & then discusses how these principles can be added to when specific variation is required due to athletic goals or personal preference.
Shane is pragmatic, sensible & clear in his approach & believes getting nutrition 'right' for the individual requires a combination of education, accountability, support, community & empathy.
This is not your standard conversation around nutrition, calories & macros - it is a call for us all to take our food choices more seriously but delivered with care & realistic, practical advice.
Following 4 weeks of guests on the podcast Pete & James take the time to catch up & discuss what they've taken from recent episodes & what's going on in their own training & businesses.
Topics up for discussion include the upcoming Lift for Life Charity competition, the recent Dawn of the Deadlift challenge at Unique Results & how to manage overwhelm when embarking on a new fitness/lifestyle programme or trying to make positive changes in your life.
We are joined by Mark Tonner for the 2nd time. Mark's last episode with us was 174 (Boxing Day 2023) & we were talking about his upcoming 24hr Deadlift Challenge for Suicide prevention.
This year will be the 4th time Mark has organised the 'Lift for Life' Challenge & this year it's bigger & better than ever & raising money for Andy's Man Club in the UK & Suicide Prevention charities in the other countries taking part.
There are 3 options to get involved in this event on 27th December - as an individual lifter, as part of a team of 5 or as a larger gym community. Mark explains all in this inspiring & emotionally raw conversation.
We are joined by Mel Anderson from @my.bodyfits a Personal Trainer, Kettlebell Coach, Meno Strength Coach & Nutrition Coach.
Mel talks openly & honestly about the challenges she experienced herself both with post natal depression & menopause & how big hormonal shifts can impact both mental & physical wellbeing.
It was these experiences that led Mel to want to empower & support women going through similar phases of life & where she gains most fulfilment as a coach.
This is very practical conversation around starting your health, fitness & strength journey from the ground up & is just as applicable to men as it is to women.
We are joined by Theo Newton from 'Ultra Wellness' to discuss all things optimal health & advanced recovery from his state of the art wellness clinic based in Chelmsford, Essex, England.
Theo is a Personal Trainer turned Wellness business owner who shares the benefits of Cryotherapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Red Light & Near Infra-Red Therapy, Compression Therapy & the LED Cryo-Mask.
We talk performance, health & injury (and post op) rehabilitation in a relaxed, down to earth way & learn that many of these therapies are using scientific breakthroughs to supercharge many of the benefits that we get from nature.
We are joined from Cambridgeshire by Hannah Fitzgerald, Personal Trainer, Coach & competitive Strength Athlete.
Hannah is the 2024 Under 57kg Strongwoman World Champion AND the 2024 Under 59kg Masters British Weightlifting Champion.
She teaches Pilates, Yoga, Barre, Bootcamps as well as other community based classes. She has 2 young children, 1 husband, 1 dog, 2 cats & 3 chickens AND she still somehow managed to find time to talk to us! A great conversation with a lovely & inspiring lady who has her sights set on even bigger things.
After 3 weeks of back to back guests Peter & James catch up, discuss recent thoughts & conversations & what they're working on at the moment.
The conversation shifts to Longevity & a quiz James has been working on. They discuss areas of life that can have a big impact but are often overlooked or undervalued & how looking to the future can inform your current decisions.
As Peter often says "What does it look like in years?"
We are joined for a record breaking 12th visit by the fountain of knowledge AND seemingly discoverer of the fountain of youth, Dan John, all the way from Murray, Utah, USA.
We discuss Dan’s recent travels to Australia, his latest book - The Art of Coaching & the concept of ‘Game-changers’ in coaching & life. What is a coach? What are some simple ‘coaching truths’ that Dan has uncovered after over 40 years of experience.
How, as a coach (and athlete/client) do you stay focussed & avoid all the noise & distraction that threatens to derail progress.
As usual, Dan makes the complex simple (and enjoyable) & we have a lot of fun in this insightful conversation - enjoy.
We are joined by a big friendly giant - Icelander turned Londoner, Jón Valgeir Williams.
Jon is the founder of ‘Valgeir Strength Trips’, a Personal Trainer & Strongman Coach based in London & the father to a very strong 18 year old son - Erik.
Jon was a competitor at the Worlds Strongest Man competition in 2002 & 2003 & was also the mentee & training partner of 4 x WSM & former Health Oddity guest Magnus Ver Magnusson.
We discuss training, competing, travelling, stone lifting & what a lifetime of being incredibly strong (& the injuries that come with that) has taught Jon about training the general population & being ‘strong for life’.
We are joined by pound for pound probably the strongest stone lifter on the planet.
Andy Crawford lives in far North East Scotland & is making waves around the globe from his home garage gym. We learn about Andy’s athletic background, including running a near 5 min mile, 18 min 5km & throwing before getting into barbell training, going ‘all in’ on stone & sandbag lifting & niching down even further into the art of lifting VERY heavy stones to shoulder & even having a ‘Limbo’ off with Luke Stoltman!
For fans of 80s/90s movies, we also discuss the Jean-Claude Van Damme classic A.W.O.L - and yes, there is context behind that as well.
After 5 weeks of fantastic guests & the summer break Pete & James reconvene to discuss what they’ve taken from recent guest conversations & events such as The Donald Dinnie Day & Chloe Brennan workshop at Unique Results.
They also discuss the upcoming Walking Solves retreat, Britains Disabled Strongman & Strongwoman Competition & how to mentally deal with niggling injuries that get in the way of training & your usual routine.
We are joined from Barton Under Needwood, Staffordshire by Steve Gardner to discuss his 50 years in the Iron Game & Strength Sports.
We met Steve when he was M.C at the recent Donald Dinnie Day in Scotland & spent a couple of evenings with him where we started to hear about his experiences over the last 50 years.
In this podcast we discuss Weightlifting, Strongman, Highland Games, Tug of War, Arm Wrestling, training with Geoff Capes, coaching & how Steve’s life has been shaped & directed by physical culture & a love of lifting. (& YES, that is a picture of Steve with the great Jón Páll Sigmarsson in 1985 - before beating him in the World Lorry Pull Championships!)
We are joined from Aberdeenshire, Scotland by Jeanette (61) & Roger (65) Dunridge.
A couple who are defying the stereotypes of ageing by leading an incredible active lifestyle & still challenging themselves through high level competition.
Janette is a competitive Natural Bodybuilder & Roger is an extreme endurance runner (& they both walk their dogs twice every day in the rugged Scottish landscape as well)
Hear about their back story & their simple tips for staying fit & healthy as you age - & maybe be inspired to try something new or set yourself a challenging goal!
We are rejoined by David Amerland (last with us on Episode 243) for a wide reaching conversation including what is required to live to 100 (according to the most recent science), Building our mental resilience, coping with everyday stress & a simple way to gain control of our day from the moment we wake.
We are delighted to be re-joined on our 5th Birthday episode by recent popular guest, UK NHS GP of 25 years - Dr Nancy Allen.
Dr Nancy answers listener (& host) questions on all things health related including; cholesterol, statins, training with Kidney Failure, the importance of tracking & personal responsibility & what to look for when getting a blood test done privately.
We also learn how the NHS quantifies patient risk & how you can track & reduce your own risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease. An interesting, informative & relaxed conversation with Health Oddity’s resident medical expert.
We are joined from Woodbridge, Suffolk by Andrea Thompson; 2018 Worlds Strongest Woman, 2023 Worlds Strongest Masters & 4 x Britains Strongest Woman (2016-2019).
Andrea is also one of the stars of the documentary ‘A Strong Woman - The truth behind the world’s strongest women’ alongside former Health Oddity guests Lucy Underdown & Chloe Brennan.
We discuss Andrea’s life, training, being one of the pioneers of UK Strongwoman & finding one’s true identity through personal struggle both mentally & physically.
In this breather episode Pete & James reflect on the last 6 weeks of guests & debrief after the Unique Results Walking Weekend in Bath, Somerset joined forces with Walk Bath & Walking Solves.
We discuss walking & the simple but profound difference it can make in people’s lives (& how it ‘fixed’ James’ plantar fasciitis!)
UK’s Strongest Man finals are also discussed & the wisdom & lessons we have taken & applied from our recent run of guests.
We are joined all the way from The Sunny Coast, Australia by Sam Stow a movement specialist focused on technique, efficiency & injury-free running.
We discuss Sam’s approach to helping everyday people find joy & ease in running including ‘The Functional Step’ & ‘POP! Running’. We talk about the importance of training (& using) the GO muscles rather than the SHOW muscles, drills to help you find your glutes & the benefits & potential drawbacks of barefoot running.
We also hear about Sam’s experience of running 100 miles while wearing a 10kg weighted vest - NOTE: Don’t try this at home!
We are joined for the first (but not the last) time by Jack Kirby from Essex Podiatry Clinics to talk all things feet, ankles & lower limbs.
We discuss the complex natural engineering of the foot, what a healthy foot looks like, how to strengthen your feet, how to care for your feet, how to prevent common foot injuries & problems & why an expensive pair of running shoes or arch supports may NOT be the answer.
This was a fun, lively & interesting conversation about something most of us give very little thought to - our points of contact to the ground beneath us.
We welcome back the endlessly energetic Stevie Shanks to the podcast as he finalises the preparation for the 9th running of ‘The Gathering’ Donald Dinnie Day in Potarch, Scotland on Sunday 3rd August.
We discuss what is in store & look forward to both Pete & James being there this year as well as some ‘behind the scenes’ news & insider secrets.
We also discuss the recent meeting of ‘friend of the show’ Sven Rieger with Stevie & his Father Jack. A powerful example of a love of strength forging connection & friendships around the world.
We welcome back Dave Adkins from Principle Physiotherapy to the podcast for a fun & informative episode where we discuss 4 common training related injuries; Lower back pain, plantar fasciitis, knee pain & tennis/golfers elbow.
Dave talks about causes, symptoms, management & rehab of each condition in an episode that probably has something applicable for everyone (unfortunately).
We are joined by Jonny Skinner AKA @rockstardaduk - 11 x Kettlebell Sport World Champion, 1 x Team Relay World Champion & 1 x European Champion as well as father & musician.
We discuss grassroots Kettlebell Sport. The wide variety of disciplines & avenues open to athletes now. The importance of focus, discipline & going ‘all in’ if you want to truly excel at an event or pursuit & Jonny’s upcoming Guinness World Record attempt at 24hrs lifting with a 24kg Kettlebell.
Also, how it was actually his mum who got him involved in Kettlebell lifting! You will be inspired - & also possibly think he’s slightly mad! 🙂
We are joined from Hampshire, England by Ben Glasscock AKA - The Notorious BLG (to some of his friends at least).
Ben is an online & in-person Strength Coach at ‘Athlete Movement’ & a rising star in the world of Strongman. He recently came 5th at Britains Strongest Man & over the next few weeks will be competing at Giants Live shows in the iconic & historic Royal Albert Hall in London & at Englands Strongest Man in York.
We discuss Ben’s background in Rugby & Powerlifting & how he made the transition over to Strongman. We also discuss the power of consistency, adherence, community & enjoyment in training & how self belief & psychology plays such a huge part in performing at the highest level.
In this breather episode Peter & James discuss what they’ve taken away from recent episodes & what they’ve been working on themselves & with their clients.
The Rogue Stoneland documentary, the upcoming Stones 2 film, lifting Sandbags with Terry Hollands & Pete’s new biometric tracking ring (as recommended by Dr Nancy Allen in Episode 249) are all covered, as well as the upcoming Health Oddity/Unique Results/Walking Solves walking weekend in Bath & Pete & James’ trip up to Scotland for The Gathering.
We are joined for the 11th time on our 250th Episode by long time ‘friend of the show’ Dan John from Utah, USA.
Dan is one of the most experienced & widely respected Strength Coaches & Strength Authors in the world & in this very personal episode he shares his own journey from Discus Thrower, Olympic Weightlifter & Highland Games athlete to grandfather approaching 70.
He talks about his change of focus, his body re-composition lessons, mobility practises & practical tips to ageing around sleep & nutrition - all delivered with his trademark warmth & wit.
A must listen for anyone wanting to live a long, strong & energetic life!
We are joined Dr Nancy Allen, the medical director of Renaissance Reset for Menopause.
Nancy has been a practising NHS GP for the last 25 years & is a proud member of the Royal College of General Practitioners & the British Menopause Society.
Nancy’s career has been dedicated to supporting women through every stage of their health journey, particularly during the transformative phase of menopause. In this episode we discuss many health & lifestyle challenges people are having in our modern society & take a deep dive into dementia along with the most recent research.
This is our first conversation with Dr Nancy Allen & it definitely won’t be our last
If you want to ask Dr Nancy any questions please fill out the form and she will answer them on her next visit
Ask Dr Nancy
We are joined from London, England by Sally Moss, owner & founder of Strength Ambassadors. A gym which focusses on teaching, coaching & building strength through Powerlifting, Olympic Weightlifting & Strongman training.
We discuss the importance of Strength for all, especially women, the changing landscape of strength training over the last 20 years & the wisdom & benefit in getting stronger as an end goal without it being tied to aesthetics, weight loss, fitness or dieting.
A fascinating conversation with a pioneer & ambassador of female strength training in the UK.
We are joined from Kendal in The Lake District, England by Vicki Farrington a former member of the MET Police turned Sports Therapist, Strength Coach & Ultra Endurance Cyclist.
We talk about open water swimming, fell running, mountain biking & Vicki’s recent conquering of the Mega Mallorca 312 challenge!
We also discuss the stark change of lifestyle moving from London in a highly pressurised & stressful career to a life in the countryside, spending much time outdoors & a totally different pace of life.
This is a wide reaching conversation that I guarantee will make you want to spend more time in nature (& possibly visit The Lakes).
Pete & James recap 7 weeks of fantastic guests & pick up some of the themes & conversations that have sparked thoughts & discussions within our businesses.
Staying grounded & anchored through times of stress & turmoil & what it REALLY means to find a deep connection to movement, exercise & our physical being are among the topics discussed.
We are joined by a legendary figure of UK (& World) Strongman from Kent in England - Mr Terry Hollands AKA Big Tel.
Terry is one of Britain’s best known & most successful strongmen. He competed at the Worlds Strongest Man 15 times, reached the final on 9 consecutive occasions & podiumed twice.
We discuss the current Strongman scene, the upcoming 2025 Worlds Strongest Man in USA. Terry’s sporting background, training history & current focus.
A fascinating conversation with a man who has pushed his body to the brink in the name of performance & is now focused on being strong, fit & healthy for the decades ahead.
We are joined by Elise Laura Ball from Bristol in Somerset, England for an open & raw conversation about Ballet, professional dancing, body image, eating disorders, alcohol & recovery.
Elise is a Strongfirst Elite trainer, Kettlebell & Strength Coach & a Ballet teacher who now focuses on teaching Ballet to adults & passing on her love of dancing without the pressure & pain from her past.
We are joined for the first time live from Greece. David Amerland’s new book ‘Built to Last - How to get stronger, healthier & happier at every stage of life.’ Is NOT your standard health & fitness manual & David is certainly NOT your standard health & fitness expert.
At 60 years of age his understanding of ‘why we do what we do’ is vast & is informed by a diverse professional & educational background. Authenticity & finding a deeper connection to what ‘fitness’ means to us individually is foundational to maintaining healthy practises for life.
This is a thought provoking & deep conversation which may help you see fitness through a different lens.
We are joined from California USA by 78 year old State Record Holding Powerlifter (& Pickleball enthusiast) Mike Tiktinsky.
Mike took up strength training after he fought Prostate Cancer at 58. In his words he “wanted to get strong for whatever life was going to throw at him.” Since then, he has undergone (& recovered from) two total knee replacements AND a heart attack.
This is an uplifting & inspiring conversation with a man who at nearly 80 is still competing, testing himself, being consistent & paying it forward by helping others who want to follow in his journey of strength.
We are joined all the way from Texas USA by Andrew Burton. Winner of the Arnold Pro/Am Strongman 2025, 3rd Place at the Magnus Classic 2024 in Iceland & Winner of the Worlds Strongest Firefighter 2023!
We learn about Andrew’s Powerlifting background, his varied jobs on leaving education (including working in a butter factory) training to become a paramedic & firefighter & how he manages to juggle training as an elite strength athlete with one of the most physically & emotionally demanding jobs on the planet.
“I’m sorry Mr & Mrs Linnett. Your son has spina bifida. He’ll never be able to walk, or father children or live a normal life.”
This is what Pete Linnett’s parents were told by the doctor shortly after his birth. On this episode we talk about taking the ‘dis’ out of disability & living life to its fullest, defying expectations & breaking records along the way.
Pete is a 4 x World Bench Champion, 4 x Worlds Strongest Disabled Man, has travelled the world competing & is a hard working family man.
This is his inspiring & fascinating story (so far).
We are joined by returning guest Jemma Wesson from Stronger Women Academy (formerly The Unit) in Teeside.
We last talked to Jemma back on episode 92, nearly 3 years ago about Bodybuilding, CrossFit & Functional Strength. On this episode we discuss empowering women over 40 through strength training, community & education.
We talk about the different dynamics of training women vs men & how many outdated views & fears around strength training still exist within the general population.
We learn what Jemma is doing to address this & make strength training something that women of all ages, sizes & backgrounds can engage in & benefit from.
Pete & James have a reflective episode discussing Oli Mell’s recent Kettlebell Sport Workshop at Unique Results (& being featured in Men’s Health magazine) & the concepts of setting STANDARDS rather than goals, having BUMPERS rather than rigid requirements & how you can consciously use FRICTION to make behaviours you want to promote easier & those you want to avoid more awkward.
We are joined by first time guest, The Dark Horse; Paddy Haynes part of the new wave of Strongman athletes breaking through onto the world stage from the UK.
Paddy is an Athlete & Performance Coach & the owner of Haynes Strength. He grew up (& still lives) on a farm in Oxfordshire & discusses how the work ethic & required manual work forged strength & resilience from a young age.
We talk about athleticism, grip strength, a love of odd objects, his recent star turn at Britains Strongest Man, his upcoming debut at Europes Strongest Man & his aspirations to reach Worlds Strongest Man on the most prestigious stage of all.
Pete & James catch up for the first time in 2025 after a 9 week run of guests. They cover James’ revelation that getting heavier & stronger doesn’t necessarily transfer to an optimal snowboarding experience. Pete’s recent group talk on why ‘Walking Solves’, upcoming UK workshops with Pavel Macek & Chloe Brennan & what they’ve both learned so far from guests in 2025.
We are joined from Prague by first time guest Pavel Macek for this special double episode. Pavel is a Strongfirst Master Certified Instructor, a lifelong Martial Artist, Coach, Author, Strength Historian & cat lover.
We cover much ground (hence the double episode). Strength, resilience, psychology, meditation, stoicism, philosophy, morning routines & productivity.
We also discuss Pavel’s upcoming ‘Enter the Dumbbell’ workshop in the UK.
A fascinating conversation with a calm, clear & inquisitive man on a journey to improve himself & others.
This is Part 2 of 2.
We are joined from Prague by first time guest Pavel Macek for this special double episode. Pavel is a Strongfirst Master Certified Instructor, a lifelong Martial Artist, Coach, Author, Strength Historian & cat lover.
We cover much ground (hence the double episode). Strength, resilience, psychology, meditation, stoicism, philosophy, morning routines & productivity. We also discuss Pavel’s upcoming ‘Enter the Dumbbell’ workshop in the UK.
A fascinating conversation with a calm, clear & inquisitive man on a journey to improve himself & others.
This is Part 1 of 2.
We are joined this week by first time guest & possibly the STRONGEST person pound for pound we’ve ever had on the show, Chloe Brennan.
Chloe is the Founder & Coach @holisticstrengthcoaching she is World & European Strongwoman Champion in the Under 73kg class, she is a Strongman commentator & one of only a handful of women worldwide to lift the famous Dinnie Stones in Scotland.
We discuss Chloe’s athletic life growing up, her transition to strength sports, her love of personal development & the ‘mindset of strength’ & spreading the benefit of being strong (mentally & physically) to EVERYONE.
We are joined by Sean Cole; former Physical Trainer in the Royal Navy, owner of SC Vital Fitness & Co-Director of Balance Wellness Club (both in Portsmouth, UK) & mentor to Gym Owners & Personal Trainers.
We discuss Sean’s time in the Navy & his transition back into civilian life. His journey as a business owner & his own health & fitness path. We also talk about alcohol, the physical & emotional impact of it & how through a combination of sobriety, contrast therapy & breath-work Sean is truly living an authentic life in his 50s.
An honest & thought provoking conversation.
We are joined by Laura Shanks, career woman, mother of 2 & a rapidly improving & rising HYROX athlete.
Laura talks about her early experiences of exercise & training & the overriding focus on weight loss, weight control & staying slim. In her mid 40s Laura is now a HYROX athlete who podiums at events & is chasing her first race win.
We discus discipline, scheduling training, a performance mindset, eating to fuel an athletes lifestyle & the balance of sacrifice & reward when chasing performance goals - as a regular person vs a full time athlete.
An interesting, insightful & inspiring conversation that we can all take something from.
We are joined by Nick Rainbird, who we last spoke to on Episode 195 entitled - The Healing Power of Nature.
Nick has recently taken his love of the great outdoors, nature & wellness to the next level & completed his Wim Hof Instructor training in Poland & joins us to discuss the 3 Pillars of the Wim Hof system, embracing the cold & things that take us out of our modern state of constant comfort.
An inspiring & relevant conversation with a man who preaches what he practises & is bucking the trend of modern society & the path many are unconsciously drifting down
We take a deep dive with returning guest Paul Mcllroy into his new book - Perpetual Strength: How to keep getting stronger year in, year out - using the art & science of comfort zone expansion.
We discuss the theory & philosophy behind Paul’s approach as well as the application, programmes & exercises selected. This is Part 2 of 2.
We take a deep dive with returning guest Paul Mcllroy into his new book - Perpetual Strength: How to keep getting stronger year in, year out - using the art & science of comfort zone expansion.
We discuss the theory & philosophy behind Paul’s approach as well as the application, programmes & exercises selected. This is Part 1 of 2.
We are joined from Michigan USA by Ryan Wohlfert - Health & Wellness Dr & Dr of Chiropratic.
This is a great discussion to kick off 2025 as it is about a topic that the majority of adults will need to address at some stage in their life - back pain & spinal health. Dr Ryan offers an empowering approach to personal responsibility & lifestyle modification & far from talking about ‘back cracking’ & ‘manipulations’ shares his teachings on posture, strength training, nutrition, hydration & daily spinal hygiene (think daily oral health - but for your back).
This was a fun & informative conversation & Dr Ryan will definitely be returning to the show in the future. https://www.drwohlfert.com/posture-minicourse
https://www.youtube.com/RyanWohlfert
https://www.drwohlfert.com/
Pete & James don their Christmas attire once again (& zoom backdrops) for the second of a two part festive special to close out 2024 - this time they’re turning the Christmas Cheer up to 11!
They preview upcoming guests, discuss James’ recent trip to Iceland along with such varied topics as strength training, monkey bars, Marcus Aurelius (inspired by Gladiator 2), Perpetual Strength, Walking & how to solve a Rubik’s Cube with one hand WHILST doing pistol squats - a podcast first anywhere in the World!
Pete & James don their Christmas attire (& zoom backdrops) for the first of a two part festive special to close out 2024.
They discuss their own training as they head into Christmas. Pete’s new Walk Bath / Walking Solves App the recent release of Paul Mcllroy’s new book ‘Perpetual Strength’ & James’ upcoming trip to Iceland to watch the Magnus Classic Strongman Competition. T
hey also talk about what they’ve learned from recent guests & their individual focus for 2025.
We talk to the highly inspirational & incredibly strong David Walsh AKA Sitting Bull UK.
The Worlds Strongest Adaptive Athlete 2022/2023, & Britains Strongest Disabled Man 2021, 2023 & 2024.
David started competing in Strongman in 2012 & was diagnosed with MS (Multiple sclerosis) in 2014. We discuss pulling trucks, deadlifting 600+kg & the mental journey he has been on since his diagnosis - this is a candid, honest & powerful account of coming to terms with disability & rebuilding a very different life.
David also shares how his relationship with his coach ‘Big Loz’ has helped him both physically & mentally in this incredibly tough sport & life as well.
We are joined by returning guest Helen Hall, who was last with us on Episode 66 (a full 3 years ago).
Helen (now 53) updates us on her latest thinking, training, eating & lifestyle modifications around dealing with the menopause.
She offers simple, relatable & easily applicable advice based on her own experience & through coaching many women in their 40s & 50s.
Helen also talks about her own journey with HRT & highlights the responsibility of the individual to do all they can via lifestyle to complement any medical prescription leading to a truly holistic approach to healthy ageing (which is just as applicable to men as it is for women).
For the first time in 6 weeks Peter & James catch up with each other following another run of great guests.
They discuss Paul Mcllroy’s new book; Perpetual Strength, the upcoming STONES 2 documentary from Maximum Iron, the development of Walk Bath & the qualities we all tend to lose as we age (if we don’t make a concerted effort to retain them) - monkey bars/hanging, sprinting, jumping & hill walking.
We are joined by our first ever Romanian guest, Daniel Vintila.
Daniel spent 10 years working as a croupier in Casinos onboard luxury cruise ships & in his time has pursued strength & fitness in many forms; Spartan racing, calisthenics, bodybuilding, kettlebells & most recently competing in both Powerlifting & Strongman.
Daniel is a Strongfirst Elite Instructor & trains exclusively at home in his well equipped garage gym. We discuss finding your way in fitness, training around long shifts & onboard big ships & the importance of competition to focus the mind & training programme.
We are joined LIVE from Aberdeen, Scotland by the Highland Wolf - John Gibb. John is a Scottish Stonelifter & Strongman & the day before recording this episode he was crowned Britain’s Strongest Stonelifter 2024! J
ohn was the 157th lifter (& walker) of the historic Dinnie Stones & was also featured in the recent documentary ‘STONES’ from Maximum Iron. We discuss training, eating, grip strength, sandbags, atlas stones & even get a tour round his awesome ‘shed of strength’.
This is a great conversation with a man who is forging world class strength using rugged & historic methods & has the bruises & trophies to prove it!
We are joined by returning guest Steve Bush, who was last with us on Episode 127 (Why Weight Loss Surgery Fails for the Majority of People).
That was nearly 2 years ago so we thought it was about time to check in with Steve again.
The release of this episode coincides with the 5th Anniversary of Steve’s gastric sleeve surgery & Steve updates us on his latest thinking, recent physical achievements & plans for the future.
This is an honest, open & inspiring conversation with a man who was given a second chance at life & how he is choosing to live it.
We are joined by Sue Collins (formerly Mapstone) as she reflects on a lifetime of sport & how an ever evolving love of sport, activity & movement have developed through the decades as commitments, circumstances & challenges arose.
Sue represented England at the 1974 & 1978 Commonwealth Games (as a 17 & 21 year old respectively) in the Pentathlon. She won the Silver medal in Edmonton, Canada in 1978. Subsequently, Sue had a family, a long career in teaching & continued sport & training throughout.
Now, at 67, we discuss Sue’s training post a fairly recent knee replacement. This is a down to earth, engaging & relatable conversation with a funny, self deprecating lady whose attitude towards life we could all learn from.
We are joined by returning guest Claire Booth; Strongfirst Senior & Elite Instructor & head of Strongfirst GB.
We last spoke to Claire WAY back on episode 33 (about 3.5 years ago) so it was great to catch up.
In this episode we discuss mixing & balancing the three training modalities of Barbell, Kettlebell & Bodyweight, the impact of menopause & the importance of getting the right HRT balance & why ALL women should be engaging in regular structured strength training - especially in their 40s, 50s & beyond.
For the first time in 7 episodes Pete & James get an opportunity to discuss recent events & the guests we’ve met over the last few weeks.
Britains Disabled Strongman/Strongwoman, the recent documentary ‘Stones’ from Maximum iron, the development of Walk Bath & the planning of the 2025 Unique Results Ski trip are all up for discussion & well as what we’ve learned & implemented over recent weeks.
We are joined by London based Scot, Clare Rafferty, a HYROX coach & athlete, Member of the Official Global HYROX Master Team, Race Director, Strength & Conditioning Coach & Running Coach with over 10 years experience.
We learn about Clare’s journey from the Bodybuilding stage to Running start line to Hybrid Fitness Athlete & the lessons she’s learnt along the way.
This is a great conversation about embracing change, seizing opportunities & finding your calling. There’s also some great advice for those training for HYROX & Hybrid Fitness Events & how to avoid making some common mistakes & maximising your performance on race day.
We are joined from Belfast, Northern Ireland by Stevie Shanks; Drummer with Flash Harry & Clann an Drumma, Multiple World Record Weight Lifter (about 40 on last counting), Stone lifter & organiser of the annual Donald Dinnie Day Gathering in Scotland.
We discuss the history of the Dinnie Stones & Stevie’s father - Jack Shanks - an old time Strongman & the first to lift the Dinnie Stones since Donald Dinnie himself, the evolution of stone lifting & how Stevie has shifted the focus of his own training now that he is in his 60s.
We also learn a cool way to trick the step-counter on your Fitbit! This is a fascinating & inspiring conversation with a man whose passion for physical culture & the history of strength is palpable.
We are joined today by Del Wilson. A Personal Trainer, Kettlebell Athlete & Coach - someone who has been at the forefront of kettlebell sport in England for many years.
Del talks about his background in Formula 1 engineering, competitive Bodybuilding, Endurance Running & his transition into Kettlebell Sport where he found his true calling.
Del competes in Kettlebell Pentathlon, Marathon & Long Cycle (all explained in this episode) & holds Master of Sports World Class ranking across 7 events.
He also continues to travel & compete internationally in his late 50s & has no plans to slow down.
We are joined from Putney in London by Aidan O’ Flaherty AKA @theirishphysio ahead of his ‘Running Injuries & Performance Master Class’ in Essex on Saturday 5th October.
Aidan is a former pro football player, competitive rower & runner who now works with high level endurance athletes (up to Olympic level) & recreational runners of all shapes, sizes & abilities.
In this fascinating conversation we discuss all things running, Training mileage, building running specific strength, foot striking, common injuries, biomechanics & more.
An essential episode if you run yourself or are an Physio, Osteo, Therapist or Coach who works with runners.
We are joined all the way from New South Wales, Australia by Allen Willis for a hard hitting, honest & challenging conversation with a man who has faced many demons & trials in his life & is certainly on an upwards trajectory of strength, resilience, empowerment & redemption.
We hear how Tim Anderson’s Original Strength & the work of Dan John formed a pathway for Allen to rebuild his life (physically & emotionally) & how he has managed to go from being in constant pain & barely able to walk to competing in Strongman & now coaching & helping others.
Parts of this conversation are uncomfortable, but Allen holds nothing back & what we are left with is a sense of hope, promise & hopefully a brighter future ahead.
We are joined for the third time by Disabled Strongman pioneer & organiser of Britains Disabled Strongman & Strongwoman Competition Gary Clarke.
This year the prestigious competition is being held at the Indoor Athletics Centre at Brunel University in London on the weekend of 14th/15th September & is going to be bigger than ever!
Health Oddity are sponsoring the event, Magnús Ver Magnússon is the head referee & it is FREE for spectators to watch the incredible & inspiring strongmen & strongwomen in action (plus Pete & James will be there all weekend signing autographs lol).
Peter & James return from their summer vacation (not together) & debrief their experiences of exploring the English countryside & mountainous terrain & discuss how they stayed on track with training while away from home.
The importance of deciding on your outcome & strategy BEFORE you go away & how to hit the ground running on your return. James also visits the birthplace of King Arthur & has a chance meeting on a cliff.
We are joined by our first ever German guest, the strong & mighty Sven Rieger from Stuttgart (dialling in from a family vacation in the idyllic Tuscan countryside).
Sven is the 204th lifter of the Dinnie Stones in Scotland (as referenced in Episode 203 with Andrew Russell) a Strongfirst Team Leader & Elite level instructor.
He has also passed the incredibly tough ‘Sinister’ challenge & is a Functional Movement FMS1 Certified Coach. We discuss strength, how to develop it, train it & adapt it for many varied challenges requiring different implements, skill sets & nuances.
Sven is a jovial giant of a man & it was great fun getting to know him better. Enjoy.
We are joined from Poland (between races at the European Canoeing Championships) by 20 year veteran International Canoeist turned ultra-runner & motivational speaker Keith Moule.
Keith describes the chance passing of a local canoe club at around 10 years of age that led to an international competitive career that saw him travel the world.
We hear about Keith’s record breaking race in 2023 that saw him & his partner break the 44 year standing record for the 125 mile DW (Devizes to Westminster) canoe race - paddling for over 15hrs non stop! Keith also shares what it takes to become world class (in anything) & what his competitive career taught him about life in general & how it educates his corporate career now.
A fascinating meeting with a focused & driven athlete with plenty of relatable advice for us all.
We are joined by returning guest Ben Morris (last seen on Episode 80: Less is More) Coffee Junkie, Sports Dabbler & a man strangely attracted to trying to lift heavy things.
In this engaging conversation we talk about overcoming setbacks in training & life - an inevitability if you adopt training as a lifelong pursuit.
Dealing with injuries both mentally & physically as we age & reframing setbacks as just another challenge to be overcome & an opportunity to learn about oneself & to plan our next steps.
A relaxed & thought provoking catch up with one of the original ‘friends of the show’.
We are joined today by Lucy Underdown - Europe's Strongest Woman 2023, Britain's Strongest Woman 2024, the first woman to deadlift 700lb (318kg) AND full time serving Police Officer.
We discus Lucy’s early athletics career in Shot Put & Discus. Her talent for (& love of) deadlifting, dealing with pressure & anxiety, discovering that training LESS actually produced better results for her, juggling a demanding career with elite performance & how her hobby somehow got out of control.
A lively chat with a down to earth & relatable lady - who just happens to be historically strong!
In this breather episode Peter & James take a focused ramble through some recent events & discussions.
James returns from his walking weekend surprisingly sore & fatigued.
We discus what Wimbledon tennis can teach us about training & lifestyle management & we review a recent episode of the Modern Wisdom podcast where Dr Mike Israetel gives his Masterclass on losing fat.
Andrew Russell is a Fitness Trainer, Strongfirst SFG1 Kettlebell Instructor, Shift worker AND the 274th person to lift the legendary Dinnie Stones in the Scottish Highlands.
Andrew (from Northern Ireland) discusses his training history, setting up his garage gym to allow him to train around his challenging work pattern, programming his training to take into account tiredness & lack of sleep & training to lift the Dinnie Stones.
This is a fascinating, down to earth conversation with a strong but humble family man which will be relatable to many of our listeners.
We are joined live from Lviv, Ukraine by the man mountain (6ft 5inch, 135kg) Pavlo Kordiyaka.
Pavlo is the 2023 Europe’s Strongest Man & has also won The Official Strongman Games World Title.
He will be competing this weekend in London at the historic & iconic Royal Albert Hall in the Giants Live Strongman Classic.
Prior to getting involved in strongman, Pavlo had taken part in many different sports, including football, acrobatics, dancing, boxing, wrestling & even mixed martial arts.
At only 29 years of age Pavlo has achieved so much in Strongman already (& he will achieve much more in the future).
This is a fascinating conversation with advice & pearls of wisdom that can be applied to your own training & approach to life. Just don’t try to replicate Pavlo’s breakfast!
Recently James was reflecting on his 25 years in the fitness industry & how the world (& our daily lives) have changed over that time.
He & Pete discuss the changes in habits, food, technology, lifestyle & the convenience culture & how despite having so much more knowledge, opportunity (& supposedly) time, we, as a collective, are unhealthier & less active than we were a quarter century ago.
Is there a way to go back to a healthier time? Possibly - Back to the Future?
We are joined for this very special 200th episode by ‘record holding’ return guest - Dan John - for his 10th appearance with us!
We talk about Dan’s latest book ‘The Armour Building Formula’. The genesis of this programme & how it exploded in popularity (along with many of Dan’s other ‘apparently’ simple programmes).
We discuss the nature of training itself, our inherit desire to find complexity in all things & how to use Dan’s programmes in a logical & systemised manner.
As always, this is an insightful & thought provoking conversation with one of the most respected strength coaches in the world.
We are joined by returning guest & 2 x Tactical Strength Challenge WINNER Alison Young.
Alison is an SFG1 (Kettlebell) & SFL (Barbell) instructor through Strongfirst & is also a Level 3 Personal Trainer embarking on a new career within the fitness industry - transferring from the world of I.T.
In this fascinating conversation Alison shares how she’s finding her way in the fitness industry in one of the most populated & competitive cities in the world - London.
How she’s learning & adapting her training to cater for the ‘general population’ & how she’s transferring her skills & insights from her former tech career into helping her clients get stronger & move better.
We are joined (following a 3 year gap) by returning guest Mark Reifkind, from San Jose, California.
At 67 Mark has his training ‘dialled in’ & knows from experience what works for him, his body - & what his current goals are.
We discuss what it takes to remain consistent for nearly 60 years, rehabbing after joint replacement surgery, rucking, overhead pressing, weight maintenance (or permanence) & how your pillow lies to you!
This is an insightful & inspiring catch up with an athlete & coach who has just about seen (and heard) it all.
We are joined today by competitive Strongwoman & SFG1, SFG2 Kettlebell Instructor Alex Nicoll Bennett.
Alex shares her personal fitness journey with us & her progression into the world of kettlebells, lifting & learning to embrace & nurture her own unique ‘strengths’.
We discuss breaking free from the prevalent ‘calorie burning’ mindset that categorises many people’s relationship with exercise & finding a way to train that you love & excites you.
This is an open, honest & frank conversation with a lady, who through training has found a way to grow in confidence, belief, ability & is now more comfortable than ever to stand out.
We are joined for the second time by Oli Mell, International Kettlebell Sport athlete from Team England & owner of Wolfpack Fitness.
We kick off the conversation by discussing Oli’s recent performances at the World Championships in Denmark then move on to discuss training in general as we age.
The toll that high level performance has on the body & mind, the importance of focus when training & competing & we even talk about weight management & diet strategies in a ‘weight class’ sport & life in general.
A fascinating chat with a driven, disciplined & dedicated man.
We meet Nick Rainbird, a highly experienced Personal Trainer, endurance coach & nature lover.
We learn all about ‘Forest Bathing’, the healing power of nature & the benefits we can all experience by detaching from our high tech dependant lifestyles & reconnecting with the natural world - & our own natural history.
Gardening, walking, exploring, adventuring, engaging all of our senses & just remembering how GOOD it feels to spend time out in nature are all discussed.
This is a feel good episode & Nick invites us all to find ways in our own lives where we can take time to benefit our mental & physical health by tapping into the natural magic all around us.
In this episode Peter & James debrief & discuss the ‘Survive to Thrive’ weekend workshop with Dan John & Tim Anderson that was recently hosted at Unique Results.
A combination of practical & theory including much of Dan’s latest thinking around ‘Easy Strength’, assessment & his movement matrix blended with Tim’s ‘Original Strength’ resets created a unique learning experience.
What did we learn, what have we taken away to apply, what was clarified for us & what were our overall impressions of the weekend?
A concise review of two packed days of learning.
We are joined once again by David Keohan AKA Indiana Stones (last with us WAY back on episode 59!) to discuss all things stone lifting, Irish cultural history & literally unearthing strength secrets from the past.
This is a fascinating conversation with a unique man who passionately & poetically describes his quest to rediscover a forgotten stone lifting culture on the island of Ireland & the stories, characters & folklore he encounters on his journey.
This week Peter & James sit down to ‘unpack’ a very full-on weekend in Belfast with Paul Mcllroy on his Strength Training masterclass.
Over the two days they covered ‘Mastering the Kettlebell Press’ & ‘Pillars of Power’ - lower body strength, hypertrophy & programming.
The hosts discuss the biggest lessons & takeaways from the weekend regarding technique specifics, programming theory & also big picture attitudes to life & training.
In this episode Peter & James kick off the conversation with a quote recently shared by a dietician online:
“Complication is the enemy of implementation.”
This leads to a discussion around diet, training, healthy lifestyle practises & habit forming.
When over complication occurs so does confusion, often leading to inaction. How can we ‘keep things simple’ & start on the path to a healthier life despite the conflicting opinions & advice available?
We are joined by a truly unique character, discussing a truly unique topic (which I don’t think we’ve even mentioned in 190 episodes) - Kettlebell Juggling! Elisha AKA ‘Electric Farmer’ (for reasons that are explained when you listen) is a music producer & teacher, a sound designer for theatre & art installations AND just happens to be a Kettlebell Juggling Silver & Bronze Medallist. Whether you like Kettlebells or not, whether you’ve ever thought about juggling them or not - you will find this conversation interesting, inspiring & you’ll get to meet a man following his passions & leading the way in a very new sport in Britain.
We are joined for the third time by world renowned strength & movement coach, author & the creator of Original Strength - Tim Anderson.
We discuss Tim’s new book ‘A Simple Book of Strength’ & how Tim believes we are all born to be strong & have near infinite strength within us almost from birth - it’s just how we learn to tap into that strength, cultivate & control it.
We discuss what strength actually is - what it is not & how knowing you are strong ‘feels good’ & can actually change the way you show up in the world every day.
An interesting & inspiring talk with someone who not only walks the walk but also crawls the crawl.
We are joined for the second time by documentary filmmaker Oliver Loom & he’s joined by Emma Rushen, one of the stars & a producer of his latest project.
“False 9: The Reality of Women’s Football” takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, exploring the triumphs & tribulations of a spirited team striving for promotion in the unforgiving world of the tier 7 county leagues.
The core of the film is the inspiring camaraderie among teammates, the indomitable spirit that fuels their pursuit, & the unspoken bond that makes Chelmsford Women’s Football Team a family.
You can watch the film for free on YouTube Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTbCGTS5Guk
Following 6 back to back episodes with guests, Pete & James take the opportunity to catch up, reflect & discuss topics that have either been featured on recent episodes or through conversations with clients.
Today they start out talking about the practicalities of deciding upon & setting non-negotiable daily actions to help us stay on track & the conversation develops into the nature of identity, character & living a life aligned to our values.
We are joined by Paul Mcllroy for his 5th visit to the podcast for this special two part bumper edition! We discuss Paul’s upcoming weekend workshops in both Northern Ireland & USA.
This second episode focusses more on two BIG exercises - squats & deadlifts BUT as is usual with Paul the conversation takes us on many detours & tangents encompassing many areas of strength, training & life.
We are joined by Paul Mcllroy for his 4th (& 5th) visit to the podcast for this special two part bumper edition! We discuss Paul’s upcoming weekend workshops in both Northern Ireland & USA.
This first episode focusses more on the kettlebell press BUT as is usual with Paul the conversation takes us on many detours & tangents encompassing many areas of strength, training & life.
We are joined from Wales by Ultra Endurance Adventurer Sean Conway & hear about his feats of almost ‘Super Human’ endurance, resilience & perseverance.
Sean, by his own admission is a very ‘normal’ guy. Not physically gifted or a childhood athlete but with an extraordinary determination to succeed once he has focussed on a goal - & the bigger & more daunting the better.
Prepare to be amazed & also to have your perception of what is humanly possible challenged.
We are joined from Buckinghamshire by Hannah Camden from Fitworks Training & discuss the importance of authenticity, forging your own path & the healing power of movement.
Hannah discusses some dark times in her life where she was not expressing & using her true strengths & the dramatic turn of events that led to a big business & lifestyle change. We learn about her fairly recently found loves of Kettlebell Sport & Mace swinging & how after 20+ years in the fitness industry Hannah has now well & truly found her business, fitness & life groove.
An open, frank & important conversation with an inspiring woman who is now using her unique ‘vibe’ to attract her ‘tribe’.
We are joining from Glasgow, Scotland by Rob Clarkson, owner of Reactive Training. We discuss Rob’s early career in the military (starting at 16) & his progression from full time sports lecturer to fully fledged business owner & creating a community led by its members.
Transformations, skiing, kettlebells, multi-day endurance walks, habit building & Hryrox are all up for conversation along with what REALLY separates bespoke fitness clubs (like Reactive) from the mainstream; support & accountability.
An informal & informative chat with a man doing great things to inspire his community & make a difference.
We are joined by 3 x Worlds Strongest Disabled Man, British Army Veteran, Wheelchair Rugby player & unique style icon Mac McLaren!
Mac talks about his life, his life altering injury, his competitive sporting achievements & customised designs for prosthetic legs!
Mac has competed all round the world & now sets his sights on Wheelchair Rugby (or Murderball as it affectionately referred to) prepare yourself for a very special conversation with one of the biggest characters we’ve had the pleasure of featuring on the podcast.
Peter & James discuss the concept of ‘The Centenarian Decathlon’ as written about by Dr Peter Attia in his phenomenal book ‘Outlive’.
It’s a list of 10 things people could look to build (or more likely maintain) in their marginal decades, namely 70s, 80s, 90s & potentially beyond. This list should be individualised to account for circumstances, specific lifestyle demands & areas of interest.
These are everyday lifestyle tasks that when compounded will lead to independence, resilience, strength & autonomy as we age.
We are joined by Ellie Crawley; Founder of Feel Fit shop & studio in Bristol, Feel Fit sustainable activewear clothing brand & Feel You retreats.
Ellie is an online lifestyle & prep coach & an in-person trainer & leader of the Feel Fit community & wellness movement.
We find out about Ellie’s career path, her business success, her philosophy around everything she does within the Feel Fit brand & we talk about Ellie’s own personal fitness goals for 2024.
An uplifting & inspiring conversation with a force of nature within the UK health & fitness scene.
We are joined all the way from Vermillion, Ohio USA by Mark Valenti; former pro heavy events athlete, Strongfirst Certified Elite Instructor, owner of ‘Blind Dog Strong’ gym, reader of books & swinger of Kettlebells!
We discuss competing for 18 years in Highland Games, learning directly from Louie Simmons at Westside Barbell, transitioning to Strongman, becoming Strongfirst Elite & lifting the Husafell Stone in Iceland!
This is a fascinating conversation with a rugged, strong & intelligent man who has a lifetime of strength achievements behind him & many challenges still ahead.
We are joined by Pav Johal for an important episode.
Pav is a British Asian female who is setting an example through her own athletic endeavours & through coaching other women in what is a massively underrepresented demographic with the fitness & strength world.
Pav talks candidly about her own childhood in sport & training & her strong academic background. How culturally she doesn’t see many ‘like her’ at the events & competitions she attends & how slowly but surely she is working to change that.
This is a fascinating episode with a strong woman who has taken a direction in her own life which will impact her own children & hopefully the wider community.
We are joined for the 3rd time by the energetic & entertaining Fabio Zonin live from Italy!
Fabio has been lifting for 40 years & in this fascinating conversation we take a deep dive into programming for strength, the relationship between patience & strength & how to adjust your expectations & goals around strength as you age.
Strength is undoubtedly an attitude & we discuss the correct attitude required for a lifetime of progressive strength training.
At 54 Fabio continues to inspire & strive for great things - this episode is not to be missed ESPECIALLY if you are north of 40.
We are back with our first show of 2024 & we are joined by the incredible Alison Young.
Alison is an I.T professional by day & a Powerlifter by night (& at weekends). She also has more recently taken on HYROX as well as WINNING the last TSC ‘Tactical Strength Challenge’.
Alison is also an SFG2 Kettlebell Instructor AND an ’Iron Maiden’!
We discuss the importance of competition, programming, preparation & Alison’s recent decision to change careers. This is a fascinating conversation with a woman who has a unique way of looking at & approaching new challenges.
We are joined for a very special Boxing Day episode with Mark Tonner - Injured Military Veteran, one armed Strongman & fitness professional.
We discuss Mark’s life, his sporting & military career, his life altering injury in Afghanistan, how he struggled to come to terms with his life afterwards & how his life & training look now.
We also discuss the incredible 24hr Deadlift Challenge that Mark will be embarking on over the 27th & 28th December for Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity.
This is a stark, honest & raw conversation with a man still facing his demons who is doing his best to make a difference for others.
Order a >> Lift For Life T-Shirt Ripple
In this Christmas episode Peter & James reflect back on recent guests, progress made throughout the year in training & plans for the festive season.
We talk about our direction & focus for 2024 & some upcoming guests we are looking forward to talking to. Both hosts also come dressed ready for the occasion with Peter squeezing into a rather fetching festive jumper!
In this fascinating joint episode featuring former guests Dan John & Tim Anderson we discuss the seamless synergy between Easy Strength & Original Strength & the original meeting of these two great minds & concepts.
How general work capacity should be developed & then applied to specific tasks or sports RATHER than using sport to develop work capacity & how to pass the RKC without touching a kettlebell!
We also go deep & meaningful with a discussion around the ‘purpose’ of training, the ‘why’ behind the doing & how developing a strong character & making a difference is ALWAYS more important than techniques, trends & apparatus.
We are rejoined (for the 3rd time) by Chris Branch, who, on this visit, joins us for a more celebratory & uplifting conversation.
In October 2023 Chris set off on an epic 100 mile foot race which was to be completed on a single 400m running track (over 400 laps!) In this fascinating discussion Chris explains the physical, mental & emotional challenges he had to overcome to complete the race & takes us through the internal dialogue he had with himself along the way.
If you want to know what it’s like to run 100 miles (but don’t fancy doing it yourself) this is an episode that mustn’t be missed!
We are joined all the way from South Africa by Master SFG Instructor, Original Beast Tamer, father of 4 & Rugby nut Shaun Cairns.
This is a broad & wide reaching conversation which covers sport & athletic training, a well rounded family life, training people into their 60s & 70s & the importance of always striving for ‘something’ with your training.
In his 50s Shaun still has some goals he’s working towards & he even issues Pete with a friendly challenge! An engaging & fun chat with a big man with an even bigger heart.
Will Polston is a best selling author, entrepreneur, award-winning business strategist & performance coach.
In 2023 Will’s first book was released ‘North Star Thinking: Master Your Mindset and Live a Life You Love’ and became a #1 Amazon best seller.
We discuss many aspects of personal development with Will in a very different episode where he shares his own story, his experiences & perspectives & helps us to frame what health & fitness means to each of us - & hopefully how we can find our own ‘North Star’ to guide us in the right direction.
We are rejoined by former Royal Marine Commando & Welshman living in California Phil McDougall.
We last met Phil way back in Episode 25 where we heard all about his life story & career development.
In this episode we take a deep dive into corporate wellness programmes; the good, the bad & the ugly as well as desk bound posture & the concept of targeted ‘movement snacks’.
This is a ‘must listen/watch episode’ for anyone who spends most of their working day sitting down - & any trainers or therapists who have clients who fit that description.
We are joined this week by Anthony Flores: Father, Husband, Athlete, Winners Mindset Expert & self proclaimed ‘Cancer Champion’!
Anthony’s life story (so far) is nothing short of incredible. From morbidly obese teenager to National level endurance athlete to Hyrox Champion & life changing coach.
You will be intrigued, saddened & ultimately inspired by his journey & having been given a second chance at life it seems that Anthony is only just getting started!
We are joined by a truly remarkable young lady for this episode & we have a conversation that helps to reframe what we believe is possible & the power to adapt & overcome.
Louise talks to us about her life & her sporting endeavours that include horse riding, kayaking, Strongwoman & mountaineering.
She is also a Personal Trainer & currently studying for her Masters Degree in Strength & Conditioning.
Prepare to be inspired & impressed in equal measure by this sweet & smiling force of nature.
Donate to Louise's fundraiser here
We are joined by Oli Mell from Wolfpack Fitness in Cheshire & take a deep dive into the world of Kettlebell sport & training for the pinnacle of strength endurance competition.
Oli is a former Royal Marine Commando, England Kettlebell Sport team member, multiple World Champion & multiple world record holder including the 2 hour - ‘Super Marathon’ long cycle with a 24kg bell (yes, you read that correctly - 2 hours!)
Oli is an engaging, tenacious & passionate trainer & competitor & someone who I’m sure will be a return guest in the future - enjoy.
We meet Mat from Evolve Fitness & Performance for what is a compelling & important conversation.
Mat talks candidly about suffering from near fatal anorexia as a teenager & young adult & the work he now does with patients referred to him with eating disorders & addictions.
This is the first time on the podcast that we have discussed these issues at length & Mat will certainly be returning to talk about other aspects of his work.
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
https://www.priorygroup.com/eating-disorders
www.evolve-pt.co.uk
In this ‘world first’ special double episode we bring together two of the great coaching minds of the last 40 years; Dan John (for his record breaking 7th visit with us) & Phil Maffetone (for his 3rd visit with us).
Both world renowned & highly respected coaches, authors, athletes & academics who from the outside operate on different ends of the spectrum - strength & endurance.
We discuss training (obviously), haircuts leading up to competition, the Blue Zones, nutrition, cheese making, the brain, music & life.
A rich conversation that will definitely be continued at a later date. Settle in for a fireside chat that could (& does) go in some unique directions.
In this ‘world first’ special double episode we bring together two of the great coaching minds of the last 40 years; Dan John (for his record breaking 7th visit with us) & Phil Maffetone (for his 3rd visit with us).
Both world renowned & highly respected coaches, authors, athletes & academics who from the outside operate on different ends of the spectrum - strength & endurance.
We discuss training (obviously), haircuts leading up to competition, the Blue Zones, nutrition, cheese making, the brain, music & life.
A rich conversation that will definitely be continued at a later date. Settle in for a fireside chat that could (& does) go in some unique directions.
The 3 hosts discuss some topics raised in Episode 160 with Matt Shore.
How important are aesthetics (what we look like) & is that a sustainable & motivating long term goal?
How does the Amazing 12 transformation programme work & is that an ‘aesthetics programme’ OR a strength programme that results in improved aesthetics?
How training for different goals shifts our mindset & the importance of finding out what ISN’T for you & staying true to yourself.
We are joined by returning guest Matt Shore (last seen on Episode 65) we discuss his upcoming November ‘Fluid Strength’ workshop at Unique Results in Chelmsford, Essex & his plans for the future including his new ‘Peak Experience UK’ brand.
We also talk at length about his training philosophy & mixed modality programming as well as when he tackled a purely aesthetic training goal & we unpack his learnings from that endeavour.
We discuss some key takeaways from recent guests & check in with Pete’s 6 million step challenge & his plans to spread organised group-walks across the UK.
James discusses reorganising his group strength programme on the back of reading The Easystrength Omnibook & interviewing Magnus last week & we muse with
Paul about how to help our clients regain focus following breaks & for the final 1/3 of 2023.
We are honoured to be joined by the man who dominated the world of strength for much of the 1990s & who is still hugely influential & heavily involved in strength sports worldwide to this day.
Magnus won the Worlds Strongest Man in 1991, 94, 95 & 96 (as well as coming second in 92 & 93) previously he was a Powerlifting Champion & was born & bred in Iceland.
Magnus discusses his Icelandic origins, developing early strength on the farm, his previous (& current) training philosophies & his passion for adaptive athletes & disabled Strongman & Strongwoman.
At 60, Magnus now has a lifetime of wisdom, experience & advice which he generously shares in this fascinating conversation.
We kick off our 4th year of podcasting with special guest Pat Flynn - Husband, Father, Content Creator, Writer, Musician, Minimalist, Generalist, Podcaster, Coach & all round fascinating guy.
Pat’s been on our ‘guest wish list’ for a long time & his visit with us doesn’t disappoint.
We discuss training, personal productivity, physical & mental compartmentalisation & the interplay between efficiency & effectiveness AND how to cover up mistakes when playing guitar on stage.
The 3 hosts are reunited for a special 3rd Birthday episode. They discuss recent events, training & the last 3 years. From a chance ‘lockdown’ project to now releasing 156 consecutive weekly episodes each Friday speaking to the best & brightest the world has to offer. They reminisce over previous guests & topics & look to the future.
While James is on holiday (again) Paul and Peter catch up on what's been happening in their own training plus some chat about gut health...
Yummy
We talk once again with Gary Clarke who is the organiser as well as being a competitor in Britain’s Disabled Strongman.
This year’s event is being held in Chard Somerset on August 26 & 27
It’s a free event where you will get to spend time with strong, inspirational people.
We hope to see you there
We are joined for the 6th time by the one & only Dan John for what is probably our most open, honest & organic conversation to date.
Dan reflects on a few very challenging years, his own training & health practises, being in a better place physically than he’s been for many years & the most recent Indiana Jones movie.
We discuss fat loss, fermented foods, Easy Strength, Instagram influencers, the Mission Impossible franchise, strongman, bodybuilding & the current fascination with ultra-leanness.
A fun & flowing hour with one of the most experienced & highly respected strength coaches in the world.
We are delighted to be joined by current UK’s Strongest Woman & 2021 Worlds Strongest Woman - Pro Strong Woman, Becca Roberts.
Becca has dealt with more setbacks, challenges & difficulties at 29 years of age than many deal with in a full lifetime - she has channelled those challenges into becoming one of the strongest women in the world & she’s not stopping there.
This conversation is inspiring, informative, broad enough to be of value to all & at times, specific enough to be of great value to those interested in getting stronger themselves & even competing in Strongman/Strongwoman.
Most of all, it’s the story of a young woman who’s breaking records, breaking down perceived boundaries & walking her own path.
We meet Kettlebell & Bodyweight trainer Aleks ‘The Hebrew Hammer’ Salkin & discuss the perfect training combination for convenience, transferability AND effectiveness - Kettlebells & Calisthenics.
We talk about Aleks’ online programmes & his latest book ‘Tamers of the Lost Arc’ - a deep dive into increasing the safety & efficiency of the Kettlebell ballistic movements.
Aleks also shares his views of ‘minimalist training’ bridging the gaps & working on weaknesses.
A fascinating conversation with an entertaining & unique thinker within the ‘train anywhere’ strength space.
Phil Maffetone returns for episode 150 and discusses his new book - B Sharp - A musical Journey for the Brain
Described as ‘Part Magical Mystery Tour, part personal empowerment guide’, B Sharp! is a book for everyone — from those who are “amusical" to professional musicians.
Unique from other music-brain books, the storytelling style of B Sharp! guides readers on a personal journey to improve the brain by expanding the mind through musical choices.
You probably listen to music when you exercise, but is that a good thing?
Get ready for a deep dive into an area you probably take for granted - we talk Red Hot Chill Peppers, Rick Rubin and Phil own musical awakening!
We are joined once again by Chris Branch from Forte Physical Health (please listen to episode 145 with Chris BEFORE this one) to unpack his recent 100 mile ultra event.
Chris is open, honest & candid as we discuss the outcome of his 100 mile attempt on what was to be the hottest day of the year in the UK.
Chris lays out his learnings & his plans for the immediate future & the next 6-12 months. If you’ve ever set a goal that you HAVEN’T reached (I’d imagine that’s ALL of us?) then this podcast is for you.
As a famous fictional character once said - “life’s not about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can GET HIT, and keep moving forward.”
The hosts discuss what’s been going on with themselves & their clients as well as sharing learnings from recent guests.
Gratitude, Step targets, calories & even the notion of ‘tracking’ are all discussed in this interesting debate. We don’t all agree on everything but that’s the whole point.
There’s more than one way to skin a cat (no animals were harmed in the making of this podcast).
Tom is a refreshing figure in health and fitness He doesn't take himself too seriously and has helped thousands of people all over the world improve their mobility
He talks about his own struggles in his younger days when he didn't know any better and how he has overcome his injuries to become truly Flong & Sexible
Tell us in the HO Facebook Group what your favourite Tom Morrison video is
Over the last nearly 3 years we’ve talked about health & wellness from a number of angles; strength training, aerobic training, nutrition, sleep, healthy habits, walking, community, sports performance but so far we’ve never talked in any length about what you put ON your body (or more specifically - your skin).
The skin absorbs. If you are in any doubt about that just think about HRT gels, nicotine patches, pain relieving rubs & even moisturiser & sun creams. Today we talk about deodorant.
A subject close to our hearts as active people who exercise regularly - and of course, perspire. This is a totally different but hugely relevant topic relating to a largely neglected area of health & wellness.
To get a 20% Discount on Natural Deoderant follow this link
https://naturaldeoco.com/healthoddity/
How far could you run if you REALLY had to?
Would your mind or body give up first? Is Ultra Running a physical or mental challenge? How would you eat? How would you stay awake?
WHY?
All questions we discuss in this fascinating episode with a man on a personal mission to discover what he’s really made of & if resilience can be trained.
There will be a Part 2 after the event.
In this episode the 3 hosts discuss recent guests & conversations they’ve been having with their clients & members including The 3,2,1 method to help with a good nights sleep.
Also we talk about gratitude, recording daily wins to put us into a positive ‘can do’ mindset, the benefits of walking & the upcoming Flexible Steel & Strongfirst courses at Unique Results.
In this episode the 3 hosts discuss recent guests & conversations they’ve been having with their clients & members including
The Goldilocks Formula - doing too little, doing too much or hitting the sweet spot in the middle.
Also we talk about staying on track & consistent over the summer months & having a degree of control when faced with numerous bank holidays, events, parties & celebrations.
In this weeks episode we are joined by Travis & Ted, two of the stars of ‘The Summit Mentality’ documentary that we discussed with its director & filmmaker Olly Loom in episode 133.
Travis & Ted are two young men on a mission to help other people find purpose & meaning through physical challenge & endurance. They discuss their experience of the ‘Snowdon 24’ & also what they have done since & their plans for the future.
A refreshing, inspiring & uplifting conversation about struggle, challenge & intentionally putting oneself in difficult situations to uncover the depth of character beneath.
We are joined all the way from Dallas, Texas by the fantastic Coach Karen Smith; Strongfirst Certified Master Instructor, Strength Coach & former gymnast.
We talk about Karen’s career in fitness, her development within Strongfirst & her philosophy of ‘Redefining Strong’ & changing the way women over 40 see the role of strength training & being strong.
We also learn about Karen’s recent work with adaptive athletes & the Adaptive Training Foundation (ATF). A fascinating conversation with a highly experienced, qualified & influential world renowned coach.
We are joined by Dave Adkins from ‘Principle Physiotherapy’.
Dave talks about the span of his Physiotherapy career, from working intensely with children at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to varied NHS work before moving into private practise.
Through this vast experience Dave has developed principles to his treatment & patient care.
He believes the human body is largely robust & needs to be given the stimulus, time & environment to heal itself & talks about how issues arise within his patients when they do either too much or too little.
A really interesting discussion which will definitely be expanded upon in future episodes.
Join us as we sit down with Denis Vasilev, a world-renowned kettlebell sport champion and coach.
Denis shares his journey in becoming a champion and how he has continued to push the limits of what is possible in the sport.
We delve into his training philosophy, his approach to competition, and the mental fortitude required to excel at the highest level.
Denis also shares his insights on mindset and recovery, as well as his thoughts on what makes a champion.
Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help you take your training to the next level.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game.
Jon Engum is a Taekwondo Grandmaster, a Strongfirst Master Instructor, author, creator & Chief Instructor of the Flexible Steel System & he joins us all the way from Fargo, North Dakota USA (the place in the movie).
In this fascinating discussion we learn about Jon’s Martial Arts ‘origin story’ his training background, his introduction & long standing collaboration with Pavel & the genesis & development of the Flexible Steel System & how you can train with Jon in the UK this May!
The 3 hosts (all in their mid 40s) discuss the principles of being ‘in control’ vs ‘out of control’ & how the importance of this balance shifts when we are in our 30s & beyond.
Diet, exercise & lifestyle factors seem to respond better to more control, routine & habit as we get older & those who seem to age better & remain youthful for longer manage to strike the right balance between spontaneity & a well planned life.
This week the hosts discuss persistence & slow progress.
Playing the long game with regards to strength, fitness & health & touch on inevitable declining testosterone levels as we age & some practical lifestyle interventions that can be addressed BEFORE seeking medical assistance
Suzanne Keatley is a women’s coach & mentor & owner/founder of Fitology Hub - a Women’s Only Training Hub in London that looks to change the way women experience ‘the gym’.
Fitology Hub offers 1 to 1 & semi private training as well as a truly holistic approach to health through building a strong, inclusive & empathic community.
Suzanne is also the host of the ‘Reclaiming Yourself’ podcast where she shares real life experiences with women who have had lifestyle, health & fitness breakthroughs which have gone on to positively impact many areas of life.
Peter & Paul Minus Mary (James) talk about how long you should train a certain way and the benefits to focusing on certain movements to become stronger in all other movements
We are joined by film maker Olly Loom to discuss his first feature documentary - The Summit Mentality.
The film follows three young men - Ted, Travis & Joe as they embark on a 24hr relay race up & down Mount Snowdon in Wales.
In the film, each of the team explain their personal reasons for taking part & how they have been impacted by mental health issues, grief & loss & how physical challenge & resilience has helped them to overcome & grow.
This is a very different conversation with a very different guest about an inspiring film - which will hopefully be more widely available in the near future.
We are joined by returning guest, Brett Jones - Director of Education for Strongfirst to discuss his latest book ‘Iron Cardio’.
The inspiration & genesis of this book was the way that Brett re-trained himself following cancer & cancer treatment over the last 2 years.
We discuss training minimalism, intuition vs structure & boredom. We zoom in & out of many topics & as always with Brett we almost finish with more questions than answers (which is not a bad thing)
Brett will return!
We meet Ben Causer, Strength Coach, Sports Injury Specialist, owner of ‘Fit 6’ & fitness industry veteran of 25+ years.
We discuss Ben’s evolution from fitness instructor to personal trainer to sports therapist & how his ideas & thinking have refined over the last quarter century.
Ben explains his system of fundamental movements & movement planes & also how things such as thoughts & emotions impact pain, injury & recovery.
A fascinating conversation that takes us down a few routes never before covered on the podcast AND the return of the Acronym Hammer!
After a trio of guests the 3 hosts; Peter, Paul & James reconvene to discuss recent learnings & takeaways from episodes & working with real clients day to day.
Gary Clarke is a disabled strongman and founder of the British Disabled Strongman which will be holding an event later this year
He’s a very humble guy and is hugely passionate about raising the profile for these amazing athletes who have the strength to overcome
Gary learned to weld during lockdown and makes stools, atlas stones and sandbags for his strong community This is an episode like no other
Britains Disabled Strongman
We are joined (for the 3rd time) by James Breese from Strength Matters.
In this episode we discuss his latest offshoot from the Strength Matters brand ‘Cricket Matters’ in which he is aiming to increase the awareness, knowledge & application of strength & conditioning in the sport of Cricket from grass roots up.
We discuss the global nature of the sport, emerging markets & how the women’s game is leading the charge in broadening the games appeal to a wider audience & greater participation.
We also discuss the upcoming Hybrid Coaching Certification & how the future of Personal Training will most likely be multi platform & a seamless blend of both online & in person experiences.
We meet Steve Bush, a man in his 50s who had been extremely overweight or obese for the majority of his life - peaking at over 30 stone (420lbs/190kgs).
3 years ago Steve had gastric surgery & in that time he has lost A LOT of weight AND maintained that loss.
He has also totally changed his lifestyle - which many patients fail to do. We discuss his life before & after the surgery, how his role at work helped him to manage the change & now how he helps others considering the same intervention.
This is open & honest conversation addressing the stigma around weight loss surgery & why unfortunately it fails in the mid to long term for most people.
Peter & James catch up & discuss recent guests & what they’ve been focusing on within their businesses, coaching & own training.
Consistency, discipline & habit forming are key areas they talk about in the way they attempt to help their clients to create change that sticks - and lasts past the end of January.
Dave Whitley is the author of Superhuman You , Motivational Speaker and Performing Strong Man and his latest project takes many of the practices he’s used to become all of these things and translates them to becoming an amazing Dad
Dave shares how he decided, before his son was born, what sort of a man he had to become to be the best example he could be
He shares many stories about his own upbringing that initially held him back and how he wants to break the ‘Generational Cycle’ so the same doesn’t happen to his son
This is a hugely insightful discussion
And wait until the end to hear what Dave thinks about the recent Pantera Tour
Find out more about Dave's Workshop on 24 January 2023 here https://www.advancingmanproject.com/
We are joined by Brooks Kubik all the way from the Pacific North West of USA.
Brooks is the author of over 30 books & courses on the subject of strength, health, nutrition, longevity, training & physical culture.
He is uniquely both a historian & pioneer & has been involved in reviving, rethinking & reintroducing many forgotten methods of training from the past.
He published ‘Dinosaur Training: Lost Secrets of Strength and Development’ in 1996 - which became an international bestseller & started a revolution in strength training that continues to this day.
This is a detailed, broad & inspiring conversation with a man who still trains daily in his mid 60s & whose methods & opinions have truly stood the test of time.
We meet Becky Fuller AKA @workoutwoman1 a @strongfirst certified Instructor & fitness writer for @sagauk
We discuss Becky’s background in life & training & her most recent challenge as a fitness writer for Saga UK - who offer unique products & services specifically for the 'over 50s market’.
We discuss the way older people have traditionally been portrayed, talked to & marketed to & how this demographic is shifting in its expectations of all aspects of life.
This is a fascinating conversation about the way our population is ageing & how it’s NEVER too late to get started.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mark onto our podcast and he’s the first YouTuber we’ve interviewed.
You may be thinking some fresh faced, Justin Bieber type figure, but no Mark is a hardened ex-coporate guy who found fitness late and decided to share his journey to become ‘Above Average’!
Mark’s channel covers all things Running, Cycling, Zwifting, Swimming, Lifting, Health, Fitness, Motivation and Jokes. But we really started to delve into what it takes to get into the mind set to be fit.
He’s discovered what he thinks is the trick to making health a lifestyle and is determined to demonstrate that being ‘above average’ can make you pretty exceptional!
Here's his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLewisfitness/videos
The 3 hosts get together for our Christmas show. We discuss the year that’s just been. Overarching themes & standout guests & look forward to 2023 & what our focuses will be going forward.
It was a pleasure to welcome Mark onto our podcast and he’s the first YouTuber we’ve interviewed.
You may be thinking some fresh faced, Justin Bieber type figure, but no Mark is a hardened ex-coporate guy who found fitness late and decided to share his journey to become ‘Above Average’!
Mark’s channel covers all things Running, Cycling, Zwifting, Swimming, Lifting, Health, Fitness, Motivation and Jokes. But we really started to delve into what it takes to get into the mind set to be fit.
He’s discovered what he thinks is the trick to making health a lifestyle and is determined to demonstrate that being ‘above average’ can make you pretty exceptional!
Here's his channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkLewisfitness/videos
This conversation is part one! Part 2 coming in a few weeks!
We meet Strongfirst Senior Instructor Mike Sousa joining us all the way from Modesto, California.
We learn about Mike’s unique life journey & varied career path that has led him to his current position - a highly respected & sought after Strength coach who travels the world educating others & operates his training business from a bespoke (& self crafted) training haven at his home.
Cats, gardening, heavy metal music & The Great British Bake-off are all discussed as well as how to get SERIOUSLY strong - & Mike certainly knows how! A fascinating conversation with a passionate & surprisingly eclectic character that is both fun & informative.
The 3 regular hosts take the opportunity in between busy runs of guest episodes to check in, review & discuss recent guests & what we are doing individually with our own training, lifestyle, habits & businesses.
We meet Vicki Causer, the owner of Real. Strong. Women - a coaching, education & fitness company aimed at helping women through the various stages of life & the different challenges & misconceptions that may arise at each stage.
The inspiration for Real.Strong.Women stemmed from Vicki’s journey of recovery along the rocky road of fitness and childbirth. She’s a mum of two wonderful kids and now heading into perimenopause territory.
Vicki found it hard to get any sort of useful or effective advice on what she should and shouldn’t be doing both pre and post-birth and realised there must be other women like her. Her mission & the mission of her company is to: “Help women reconnect with their bodies, realise their capabilities and feel confident and empowered”
Adam is a Specialist Physiotherapist, Sports Scientist, and Strength & Conditioning Coach working in the NHS and private practice in the UK.
You may know Adam from his hilarious and often spiky and ‘triggering’ instagram account. Adam doesn’t hold back when he sees fake gurus, useless modalities and potentially harmful practices in the fitness industry.
Cue Adam’s popular ‘Silly Bullshit’ posts calling out industry norms that have no evidence. In this podcast Adam doesn’t hold back on his opinion but also his language!
Adam backs up his opinions with experience and evidence and in his own practice has helped a wide range of people return to full function after an injury or episode of pain, and understands the importance of good honest robust rehab for all.
If you are easily offended by coarse language then this episode is definitely not for you
We meet Meghan Callaway from Vancouver, Canada. Author of the Ultimate Pull-Up Program, The Ultimate Push-Up Program & The Ultimate Pistol Squat Program.
At 42, Meghan continues to improve her technique, refine her approach AND enhance her strength. Through a combination of traditional strength training, Unilateral (single side) exercises & her own innovative assistance exercises Meghan is proving herself to be a pioneer within the Calisthenics training world & has been featured in the New York Times. T
his is a fascinating conversation with a master of her craft PLUS the acronym hammer makes a comeback!
We meet Donna Moore, 3 x Worlds Strongest Woman, 3 x Arnold’s Strongwoman winner & multiple world record holder.
We discuss how Donna got started in her 20s with regular fitness classes to lose weight & increase confidence before getting more involved in strength focussed training & ultimately becoming the Strongest Woman in the world!
Donna talks about her training, her nutrition & recovery, the mindset & mental rehearsal to excel in competition & the evolution of Strongman & Strongwoman competitions over the last 10 years.
The 3 hosts catch up between a big run of guests with a breather episode to review & reflect on recent podcasts & what’s going on with us ‘training wise’ & with our clients.
We discuss the concept of a ‘Physical Pension’ and the importance of investing our time and efforts wisely now to reap the benefits in the decades to come.
We meet Rebecca Rouse, founder of online training company @semperstronger competitive weightlifter, @strongfirst SFG2 & all round badass!
From a young age Rebecca was travelling & competing in gymnastics, which laid a solid foundation of strength & movement. She has excelled in various modalities of strength training & is currently committed to developing her Olympic Weightlifting as far as she can.
We discuss nutrition, recovery, ice baths & why you may want to take a kettlebell next time you go swimming.
Mark Bennett MBE is a coach of high performance coaches, he also coaches business leaders and parents
He embeds change into developing interdependents
We talked about all sorts of behavioural change through coaching and why the language we use is hugely important This is one of those episodes that everyone will benefit from listening to
For a 20% discount on any of Mark's products use the code HOP20
https://www.pdscoaching.com/online-coaching-excellence
Ryan Hurst is a pioneer in the internet age. With many people looking to Silicon Valley for the newest apps and shiny objects they fail to see the revolution in fitness that was taking place in Osaka.
Ryan, co-founder of GMB Fitness, quietly started to work out how to communicate the complex language of movement over the digital airways. GMB has become a global provider and powerhouse of movement education.
Starting from humble beginnings focusing on some key gymnastic skills to now creating a world-wide community of keen fitness enthusiasts wanting top tier coaching and high level body weight strength skills. Ryan takes us through his philosophy, his unique approach to training, how he approaches each stage in his life and how that’s informed how he communicates the teaching principles in GMB.
We’ve used GMB programs and can attest to their power and quality!
Michael Kurkowski is the host of the Strength Connection Podcast and has been a strength coach for over 15 years
After a serious injury when he was 14 years old and major hip surgery he discovered 9 years later that he had lots of asymmetries that were holding him back in his own fitness goals
Michael is a great story teller and a deep thinker, he really strives to delve deep into everything he does
Glen has a deep passion for training and a long history of integrating health in his own life and that of his clients.
Not only a formidable athlete himself, Glen has specialised in helping those who suffer from debilitating lower back pain. Whether chronic or episodic. Glen trained under former Health Oddity Guest Stu McGill. This has provided Glen with a unique insight as to how McGill's principle can be applied to the every day client. Turning the theory in to the weekly practice an individual would make by working with a P.T. We also talk about how to talk to people about their health, how to listen to people's fears and how to turn aspirations into reality.
We enjoyed talking to Glen so much we kept speaking for 30 mins after we stop recording!
Paul has been involved in the health & fitness industry for 30 years. Firstly as a Fitness Instructor, later as a tutor (training other trainers) and for the last 15+ years - after 2 Masters Degrees & a PHD - advising gyms & health clubs all over the world on how to attract and keep members.
Paul brings his vast knowledge & experience to this unique conversation where we reverse engineer the advice he gives to global fitness brands to help you (the individual) to create long lasting behaviour change in your life
The 3 hosts are back together for the first time in 5 weeks & we all share experiences, learnings & resolutions from our breaks away from ‘normal’ life.
Some beliefs & habits have been strengthened, some have been questioned & we have all come back reinvigorated & determined to finish 2022 strong.
The need for physical & emotional space is discussed & how we can find this solace in our day to day lives & not just for a few weeks a year.
This week we are joined by Kettlebell Sport athlete Lauren Emery.
Lauren talks about her ‘non-sporty’ background & yo yo relationship with training & gym memberships & her journey from almost nightly after work pub visits to falling in love with strength & fitness.
Lauren discusses the changes in her lifestyle, routine & level of commitment & her recent competitive debut in Ireland & upcoming event in England.
A highly relatable, inspiring yet uncommon story of what commitment & discipline can lead to when applied with laser like focus.
This week we are joined by Kettlebell Sport athlete Lauren Emery.
Lauren talks about her ‘non-sporty’ background & yo yo relationship with training & gym memberships & her journey from almost nightly after work pub visits to falling in love with strength & fitness.
Lauren discusses the changes in her lifestyle, routine & level of commitment & her recent competitive debut in Ireland & upcoming event in England.
A highly relatable, inspiring yet uncommon story of what commitment & discipline can lead to when applied with laser like focus.
How long have you been thinking about changing your lifestyle?
Do you need to think more about it, or just do it
Peter & Paul talk about their own commitment to training and how they bring that out of the people they train.
How long have you been thinking about changing your lifestyle?
Do you need to think more about it, or just do it
Peter & Paul talk about their own commitment to training and how they bring that out of the people they train.
Paul & Peter have a frank discussion about how they deal with the amount of information and stimulus that is thrown at them every single day
They talk through their own experiences of how to deal with the overwhelm of the ‘information age’
In this episode we discuss the 3 levels of curiosity & commitment we have found in our own health & fitness journey’s & those of our clients.
What leads to long term success & lifelong change? How do we maintain interest & consistency once the honeymoon period is over? How do we stay steadfast in our lifestyle choices when it is inconvenient & challenging to do so?
Cold showers, barefoot running, intermittent fasting, kettlebells & breathwork are all discussed - as well as having a pint with your breakfast at the airport!
Putting Simon’s story into words is extremely difficult as it has had such a powerful effect on his own life and the lives of many thousands of others
Simon has recused hostages, negotiated the release of hostages as well as being a hostage himself
Simon has been kidnapped three times with three very different experiences, the last one culminating in a daring escape
This interview may be difficult to listen to but has a very powerful message that we can all learn from
Putting Simon’s story into words is extremely difficult as it has had such a powerful effect on his own life and the lives of many thousands of others
Simon has recused hostages, negotiated the release of hostages as well as being a hostage himself
Simon has been kidnapped three times with three very different experiences, the last one culminating in a daring escape
This interview may be difficult to listen to but has a very powerful message that we can all learn from
We welcome the original ‘friend of the show’ & world renowned strength coach Dan John back to the Health Oddity podcast for his 5th visit (we worked out that’s 5% of the shows).
We discuss Dan’s current work & personal training focus. The continuing development of ‘Easy Strength’, modern day fitness ‘influencers’, a seasonal approach to training & a realistic perspective to the pursuit of lifelong strength.
We also discuss life, ageing, making a difference & competing into your mid 60s. As always with Dan, you never quite know where you’re going to end up in a podcast but the journey is always illuminating, thought provoking & above all, good humoured.
As we close in on episode 100 the 3 hosts share their feelings about the podcast so far.
From starting during the first Covid Lockdown in the UK to talking with experts, authorities & people with fascinating personal stories from all over the world.
The guests who have stood out & the themes that have tied many episodes together. We discuss commonalities & conflicts & what our biggest takeaways from nearly 2 years of weekly podcasts have been.
In this episode we are rejoined by Fabio Zonin from Italy & we discuss the important topic of maintaining AND building strength into our 40s, 50s, 60s & beyond.
Why is this so important for health & independence? What is the difference between physical age & training age? And what is the best place to get started? We also discuss the role of individual & team sports as we get older, the myriad of benefits & is there a right time to retire from competition?
A lively & interesting conversation that is appropriate for us all.
1 in 10 people over 40 in the UK now have Type 2 Diabetes. In USA 11.3% of the total population now have the disease including many children.
In this fun & engaging episode we talk to Ainsley Duncombe about his diagnosis, initially being in denial & then how with advice from his Doctor he used simple & consistent lifestyle change to reverse his diagnosis, lose 5 stone (70lbs) & totally turn his life around.
This is a frank & honest conversation that will act as inspiration for anyone who needs to hear this information. It’s also inspiring for anyone looking to make a lifestyle change as Ainsley talks with humour about what is really required & how becoming more healthy doesn’t have to be boring.
We are joined once again by Owen Hutchins from ‘My Vital Metrics’ (his previous visit was episode 68).
This time we focus on metrics & measurements that can be used to measure performance as well as health. We discuss VO2max testing as well as resting metabolic rate & also how the results from a DEXA scan itself can help target areas for action across a variety of sports.
Owen also explains the different ways we utilise fuel for energy across a range of intensities & how this itself can be trained to lead to higher levels of performance.
We are re-joined by returning guest Chris Zaremba, who’s first episode ‘Fat to Fit at Fifty’ (number 42) is one that still gets regularly discussed & referenced today.
Chris talks about the many ways his life has changed since his ‘health epiphany’ at 50 years old & the knock-on effect it had to UK sales for both Cadbury’s & Mars!
Chris reveals his plans to step back on the physique competition stage in LA next year at 66 years of age for what will be his 10th (and probably final appearance).
We delve deeper into his training & diet leading up to the competition to achieve peak condition & learn how to balance a love of real ale & artisan bread with becoming the most lean & muscular version of yourself.
Tom Barber of Eat Move Lift talks to us about his beginnings training in a prison gym as a teenager
This took him down a path to learning about the old style of training before commercial gyms, machines and body building became popular
A very interesting chat with someone who has a true thirst for knowledge and an impressive tash
In this episode James & Peter discuss some questions they’ve been getting around training & fat loss.
They also strip back & simplify strength training for people over 60 & discover that this approach has probably got benefits for younger adults as well.
They also discuss why training & exercise is probably the last lever you should pull when it comes to fat loss & how simple lifestyle interventions will give the biggest results in the long term
We meet Jemma Wesson, the owner of The Unit Functional Gym in Teeside UK & a Strongfirst Elite Instructor.
We discuss Jemma’s training and career history from soccer player & lifeguard to bodybuilder & gym instructor now to strength coach & gym owner.
Jemma shares with us her philosophy & approach to training women & empowering them through strength & self belief. Building a community & a unique, down to earth traffic light system to managing diet & nutrition.
A highly relatable conversation with much that can be taken away & applied immediately.
With all of the confusion around what to actually do to become healthy we talk about our own individual approach and why it has evolved over time
Lifestyle changes, kids, jobs, illness, injury all make it difficult to stick to one thing for long periods of time.
Change is inevitable but you don’t have to overhaul everything to accommodate
We are joined this week by sisters Leonie & Makayla Gerken Schofield who recently represented Team GB in the Beijing Winter Olympics.
Both still in their early 20s they started Mogul skiing before they were 10 years old & have travelled the world competing - culminating in the highest possible level of competition for any athlete or sportsperson, the Olympics.
We discuss training & the discipline required. The technicalities of their event along with the numerous serious injuries both have had to overcome - physically & mentally. Through hearing their story there is much to take on board & learn from even for the everyday person looking to improve & get better at managing their daily health & fitness.
Three hosts with three different lifestyles, how do we manage our nutrition to stay healthy? Kids, businesses to run, family responsibilities and all of the other things that are there to take our time and energy away from us leave little time to think about how to fit nutrition around our lifestyles.
We thought it would be helpful to share our own strategies to deal with this as well as the principles we all share which deal with the confusion that is nutrition.
We continue our habit of having totally unexpected conversations with high profile guests from around the world. This week, we meet Jeff AKA Sokol Strong a US Military Veteran & exceptional strength coach. A Strongfirst Elite level instructor who is now also introducing kettlebells to the world via Amazon Halo.
We get taken on an emotional journey & get to really know the man behind the ‘Instagram’ & find an open, complex, vulnerable & inspiring man who is doing his best to navigate the challenges of life for both himself & his clients.
Britt Ringstrom is such a fascinating person. A hugely knowledgable and experienced strength and fitness coach with a deep knowledge on wellbeing Starting as an athlete throughout high school and college, she has achieved very high level achievements. Many of which have been achieved AFTER being diagnosed with the very serious illness Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).
For most people this is a life changing diagnosis that is difficult to see past. Britt however felt that she wanted ownership over this chronic illness. She wanted to define the fight and achieve results that defy the usual path.
Her story is fascinating, informative and inspiring.
In this episode we talk about the all inclusive mindset and how it can stop us from seeing what else is available to us if we just expand our horizon
We also chat about how taking a step back can sometimes be the best thing to help you progress further
Pom is a coach, mentor, brand strategist and ex professional rugby player He tells us about how he learned the art of coaching at an amateur rugby club after his first professional season
We also talk about how being a coach and a brand strategist use similar skills and these can be applied across everything you do
We meet Personal Trainer, Educator & Physical Culture pioneer Kelly Manzone from Connecticut USA. We discuss Kelly’s 20+ years in the fitness industry through conventional, corporate fitness to unconventional strength training, circular training including maces, Indian clubs, Meels & sandbags & her upcoming return to Kettlebell Sport.
Kelly explains her lifestyle approach to fitness & skill based training peppered throughout her day to the point where movement is fully integrated into the fabric of her life. A fantastic conversation & an inspiring message will resonate with many of our listeners.
Follow Kelly on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/kellsbells88/
We discuss what we each took away from the recent workshop with David Keohan which focused on Kettleyoga, mobility & kettlebell sport.
We also answer a listener question regarding ‘Standards’ for everyday people as we get older.
What should be expected or strived for & is there really such thing as universal standards & measures of competency across the general population?
We meet Boston based Tina Morin. Owner of MSC Strength & Conditioning, Co-Founder of Revive & Thrive Strength & Mentor on the Die Mighty Method with former guest Steve ‘Coach Fury’ Holiner.
We discuss Tina’s unusual journey into gym ownership. Her love of lifting heavy, the specifics of sandbag training & the DVRT system.
We also talk about Tina’s upcoming move into the world of Kettlebell Sport. A high energy, fun & flowing conversation with a strong woman who lives her message & inspires those around her.
We answer questions from regular listeners, including:
What are your 5 non-negotiables for a long, strong & healthy lifestyle?
How do I get started when joining a gym without prior knowledge or experience?
Do I really need a training goal?
What do you admire most about each of your co-hosts?
We talk to Ben Morris who works as an HR specialist and has switched his focus to the mental health aspect after noticing common trends of overwhelm in the workplace
Ben talks about how adding more solutions to a problem ends up overloading us and uses up our bandwidth and why the less is more approach is hugely effective
If you've ever felt overwhelm this episode is for you
We meet Steve Cotter, the worlds most experienced Kettlebell instructor, life-long martial artist & founder of the IKFF (International Kettlebell & Fitness Federation).
In his 50s Steve moves in a way that the majority of teenagers would be envious of. He has dedicated his life to physical culture & education AND to teaching others all around the world how to move better, get stronger & live longer.
In this fascinating, in depth conversation we go in directions we couldn’t have planned or predicted as Steve shares his unique perspectives, experiences & predictions for the future. At all times keeping personal autonomy & individual responsibility at the forefront.
This week we meet Keith Smith, an instructor, trainer & educator who has been at the forefront of the UK health & fitness scene for 30 years. We discuss how the industry has evolved over the last 30 years from multi-gyms at the back of badminton courts to corporate health clubs, the genesis of Personal Training to the emergence of CrossFit.
Keith also shares his experience with helping people develop the exercise ‘habit’ & suggests a progression of frequency & consistency BEFORE intensity is addressed.
This week the Health Oddity hosts answer 3 questions from some of our regular listeners. Including lively discussions around what a ‘balanced’ weekly training programme may look like, juggling the many distractions & responsibilities that come with a busy life & the role of wearable tech & apps in tracking training & measuring results.
We catch up with former guest ‘Irontamer’ Dave Whitley from Nashville, Tennessee & discuss recent topics from the podcast & how to have the strength to walk your own unique path in training & life. The conversation is sadly framed around the news of Dave’s close friend & mentor Bud Jeffries recent passing & Dave uses memories & stories of his time with Bud to illustrate his unique perspective, to help us learn & to pay a fitting tribute to his friend & a true legend of the strength world. https://www.superhumanyoucoaching.com/ https://www.superhumanyoubook.com/
We are joined from Brooklyn NY by Steve Holiner AKA Coach Fury from the Speakeasy of Strength. Skateboarder, Godzilla collector, Kettlebell Master Instructor, Master Original Strength Instructor, Keanu fanboy & creator of the Coach Fury Podcast.
We talk about (among other things) the transition from a career in advertising to fitness, opening a business 6 months before the pandemic & teaching group training sessions in your living room.
Get the >> Die Mighty Method
Use the codeword BOBA FETT for a discount
Peter, Paul & James discuss things that have shifted the needle for them in their own training, business, mindset & life. They share books, courses, coaches, mentors & training modalities & approaches that have had a meaningful impact & actually stuck. Some of what is discussed may be no surprise to regular listeners, and some may be, some things discussed created inspiration, others a clear roadmap, others a change in direction. Listen to understand how the hosts ended up where they are now & where they may be headed next.
No More Mr Nice Guy
The Four Agreements
Born To Run
For more book recommendations check out the Health Oddity Facebook Group
t’s not often you meet a trainer whose ability to cut through the madness of the modern fitness industry is not only sharp and often piercing but backed up by his own high level results for clients. From Liverpool, Uk he has a realism and wit that is compelling. Today Shaun talks about confronting the shame he felt when he realized he’d lost his way. How Love Island played a role in his health awakening and how tough talk is sometimes needed.
Shaun On Instagram
We discuss the conversations we have been having with our own clients & members at the start of 2022 as well as how the three of us are looking forward to the next year in life, business & training.
At a time of the year when we are all bombarded with various health & fitness messages in the media & through advertising how do you stay true to yourself & set a course for success.
We meet Swedish force of nature Stina, a former Track & Field athlete & high level soccer player & now, highly experienced trainer & coach.
Stina discusses her training history & her catalogue of injuries including a run in with a rogue squirrel which resulted in a broken neck!
Stina’s philosophy around rehabilitation, training & longevity is both passionate & inspiring. We also discuss lifelong goals, health, training wrestlers & mulled wine. A great first episode for 2022!
Follow Stina on Instagram
We meet Eric Doyle, a vastly experienced Personal Trainer from Long Beach, California USA. He shares his journey from overweight, inactive teen to Kettlebell Sport Champion & gym owner.
Eric explains his philosophy of Unconventional Training & thoroughly describes the implements he uses, their individual merits & the way he combines them.
A fascinating conversation with a man who has shunned the conventional & lives & trains on his own terms.
In this Christmas Eve episode we discuss what we’ve learned from our recent guests & our own goals & training targets for 2022 & beyond.
We talk about the wisdom of playing the long game & our training & eating approaches to the festive holidays as well as social media perceptions of success vs the reality.
We are joined by Owen Hutchins, founder of My Vital Metrics, a London based clinic specialising in scientific assessments for people looking to improve their health markers and/or get the edge through improved performance.
We discuss commonly used assessment tools & talk about DEXA scans as they relate to bone density, lean tissue make up & both internal & external body fat.
A fascinating discussion around longevity & what you ‘should’ be measuring & focusing on as you get older - and it’s probably NOT what you would first think.
We catch up with the incomparable force of nature Tracy Reifkind. We learn about dog training, the power of belief & the distinction between luck & fortune.
Tracy shares her love of strength endurance & discusses the benefits of both Hardstyle Kettlebell training & Kettlebell Sport & the importance of competition (even if only with oneself).
A must listen episode with the lady who moved through transformation, to maintenance to permanence & in her late 50s is stronger & fitter than 90% of people half her age.
There’s not a great deal of information out there about the menopause and Helen has spent a great deal of time learning and educating about her own experiences so women don’t feel alone when the inevitable happens.
Helen was very open and honest about how the menopause affected her mentally and physically as well as hormonally, which all came together to create some huge challenges she had to overcome.
This is a MUST listen for both men and women so we can all try to understand the big impacts the menopause will have on women’s lives and offer support and guidance to get the right treatment for each individual.
Menopause Matters
The Hormone Doctor
We meet Matt Shore, a highly experienced trainer who has actively sought out physical & mental challenge through his life & career. #Powerlifting #Bodybuilding #Mountaineering & physique transformation are all discussed in depth along with the mental fortitude & resilience required to achieve at the highest level (physically & metaphorically). A very different episode, where Matt talks candidly about underestimating challenges, regrouping, training & returning to a place of former disappointment to eventually succeed. Matt's Website > https://www.coachingshore.co.uk Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/coachingshore/
Chet Morjaria is the author of the no 1 bestselling business book ‘Work Worth Doing’ & the founder of Realign Global.
He is a highly sought-after communications coach with a long history of working with people & businesses in the health & fitness sector.
In this unique episode, we discuss the real meaning of the much-used word "authenticity". In particular, how to stay true to yourself in all aspects of life including your training & goals, how to avoid getting caught up in trends, and how to understand what you really need from a coach or programme so you can set yourself up for long term aligned success.
Get Chet's Bestselling Book -- Work Worth Doing
This week on the podcast we discuss our recent episodes & guests & how what we have learned ourselves has influenced our own training, nutrition, lifestyle & personal productivity.
Also what’s going on with our own coaching & businesses as a result of our Health Oddity experiences.
We catch up with Rik Brown AKA Mr Maceman, who we first met way back in episode 7!
Rik joins us from California & talks about his training philosophy, training daily in his 60s, a recent award winning documentary that’s been made about him & how he’d adapted his training over the last very challenging year.
Rik also talks about travelling over to England this November to teach his world renowned Mace Instructor Certification. A relaxed & inspiring conversation with a master of his craft.
Take the Mr Maceman Instructor Certification at Unique Results on 20 or 21 November just click the link below for more details
CLICK HERE >>
Today's guest is Keegan Smith, who many will know as The ATG Mentor! Keegan is a pivotal influence in the highly influential Kneesovertoes approach which is taking the fitness world by storm.
He runs the Athletic Truth Group’s Coaching System. Furthermore, he's coached the World Championship Rugby Team the Sydney Roosters in 2013 which included Sonny Bill Williams (the world’s highest paid rugby player). On this weeks podcast he gives us his thoughts on why Ground up training is so effective, why the knees over toes guy has struck a cord and why we should all pay attention to it.
He’s a Coach’s coach, pulling from his years in elite sport and also his desire to extend the competitive life of any individual. Hot off the press and for anyone who wants to understand the forefront of fitness in 2021!
Host of Your Fitness Money Coach and owner of two fitness facilities (Total Body Bootcamp) in New York, Billy Hofacker brings a different flavour to this weeks podcast. In his early 30’s Blly had a rude awakening.
His car was being repossessed and he owed over six figures in debt personal Debt. He owned a fitness facility and for reasons he goes into, he didn’t realise it had got so bad. The effects of this bump into reality were far reaching and led him down a path to self betterment, education and financial freedom.
We discuss why we sweep difficult things under the carpet and avoid the uncomfortable. Plus how facing up to these difficult things can super charge our health and our success in life.
Your Fitness Money Coach Podcast:
https://open.spotify.com/show/6kPZkoPy60uO4ST9QVElDM?si=c73a7afd84584de5
David Keohan is a Kettlebell Sport European & World Champion as well as a world record holder
He has achieved all of this over the last 10 years since he made the realisation that at 32 years old he was going in the wrong direction.
He tells us how a scare from the doctor and purchasing a pair of running shoes were all he needed to get started
We talk to Strongfirst Master Trainer Fabio Zonin, a man in his 50s who has spent his life in the ‘strength space’ from competing Powerlifter to champion Bodybuilder to educator & coach (sometimes all at the same time).
Fabio tells us about his journey in the health & fitness industry, travelling globally to teach & managing his own training & lifestyle practises across time zones & continents.
The importance of choices, decisions & discipline & his attention to detail when it comes to planning. He also promises to show us his ‘Unicorn’.
Phil Maffetone is our guest this week. A man who has pioneered some of the most forward thinking and counter cultural fitness ideas in the world of triathlon, ultra endurance and many other sports.
Ideas that have been proven in the field of play at an elite level.
His role in changing lives over the years can’t be underestimated.
The world of strength rarely meets the world of endurance but they are two sides of the same coin. We knew we had to get him on the podcast.
Prepare to have your preconceptions around training, nutrition and the mind overturned.
Phil Maffetone has personally coached some of the greatest endurance athletes ever (Mark Allen 6x Hawaii Ironman winner) and been a go to source of advice for some of the worlds most popular musicians (helping Johnny cash ween himself off high levels of medications and helping the Red Hot Chili Peppers prepare for mammoth tours.)
An elusive character and we’ve nabbed him.
Sifu Harinder Singh is an accomplished martial artist. He’s dedicated his life to mastering jeet kun do, jujitsu, Kung fu, Philippine knife fighting and other combat arts. In his search for physical growth and expertise he needed to address his mental game. This is never straight forward.
This episode is a deep dive into how to become more connected to your needs and clear a path to excellence. We discuss how to harness the ‘flow’ state to enable you to stay calm when chaos is all around you. We talk about the role of strength training in fighting, how our physical development aids our relationships, work and confidence.
Harinder works with the military as a subject matter expert as well as company executives, teaching them how to quiet their mind and stay calm in highly stressful situations.
We welcome Chicago based Jim Hatcher back onto the Health Oddity podcast.
In this episode we discuss the importance of having a focus & strategy for getting older - especially from retirement onwards.
At nearly 80, Jim has been officially retired for nearly two decades & shares his wisdom about staying physically & mentally active to ‘avoid the fog setting in’ & warns us of the dangers of afternoon soap operas.
An important & engaging topic for all of us who are ‘getting older’ or anyone who may one day look to retire
We continue our epic episode with the inimitable Paul McIlroy.
Pt2 starts with a question... Why should we ever need to know what our strength peak is?
Returning guest, auteur, strength programming mastermind, strong as f*#k individual and 80s trivia expert, Paul Mcilroy blows our collective minds with an in-depth look at why most people struggle to take training to a high level.
We discus the role of the central nervous system, how you can expand your limits by never finding them, why training a 20 rep max, a 10 rep max or a 5 rep max will always increase each other and many other things.
This conversation was so jam packed with gems that we split the episode in 2.
Enjoy.
We talk about the first year of the podcast & reflect on guests we've met over the first 52 episodes
Health Oddity went from a modest 'Lockdown' project to speaking to the top coaches and experts in the world in a matter of months
What are the principles that seen to hold true for our guests? What have we learned and adopted as a result of the podcast and what are the plans for the next 12 months and beyond?
Listen to all episodes online. Search “Health Oddity“ on any Podcast App or click here:
Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/health-oddity-podcast/id1531450456
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KDg2643NKYYYeBHJFghYB?si=BnTEETbuRbCGdkztvmdNIQ&dl_branch=1
Get in touch in the YT comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthoddity/
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
We are joined by Stu McGill, a man who has spent the last 40 years studying the biomechanics of the spine & helping people all over the world overcome their ‘victimhood’ & take control with an empowered approach to managing & overcoming back pain.
This is a must listen to episode for anyone who has ever experienced back pain and/or may be living with it at the moment.
Back Fit Pro:
https://www.backfitpro.com
Listen to all episodes online. Search “Health Oddity“ on any Podcast App or click here:
Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/health-oddity-podcast/id1531450456
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KDg2643NKYYYeBHJFghYB?si=BnTEETbuRbCGdkztvmdNIQ&dl_branch=1
Get in touch in the YT comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthoddity/
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
Dan John joins us for his 4th visit & the start of a new trilogy.
Dan talks about what he’s up to with his training at the moment and how it differs to what he’s been doing previously. We delve into training, diet, making weight for lifting & the Tokyo Olympics.
He also gives us more information about his upcoming August workshop at Unique Results in Chelmsford, Essex.
Check out Dan John University here :
https://danjohnuniversity.com
Listen to all episodes online. Search “Health Oddity“ on any Podcast App or click here:
Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/health-oddity-podcast/id1531450456
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KDg2643NKYYYeBHJFghYB?si=BnTEETbuRbCGdkztvmdNIQ&dl_branch=1
Get in touch in the YT comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthoddity/
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
We catch up with former guest Val Craft & her coach Diane Youdale (formerly Jet from Gladiators in the UK).
We discuss the work Val & Diane have done together including counselling & tackling some deeply rooted past experiences that we’re holding Val back including PTSD & the coping mechanisms around dealing with that.
We also find out about the upcoming Surf retreat for women that Val & Diane have created together & their inspiring plans for the future.
Here are the links to find Val & Diane:
Retreat: https://www.beperformance.co.uk/jetloves
Core Philosophy: https://www.dianeyoudale.co.uk/core-philosophy/
Email Val: val@jetloves.com
Val’s Website: https://www.beperformance.co.uk
Val’s Insta: https://www.instagram.com/val_the_coach/
Diane’s Insta https://www.instagram.com/jetloves/
Listen to all episodes online. Search “Health Oddity“ on any Podcast App or click here:
Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/health-oddity-podcast/id1531450456
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KDg2643NKYYYeBHJFghYB?si=BnTEETbuRbCGdkztvmdNIQ&dl_branch=1
Get in touch in the YT comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthoddity/
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
We catch up with James Breese from Strength Matters & discuss his latest thinking & direction.
James tells us that most people over 30 who contact him either want ‘Fat-loss’ or ‘Muscle building’ - or both.
James discusses his latest programming around fat loss for the everyday athlete & how his approach is very much dictated by the personality attributes of his clients.
He talks about the two main pathways he recommends along with sharing some great challenges & metrics we can all track.
We meet San Diego based, highly experienced trainer & creator of ‘Primal Speed’ Franz Snideman.
We discuss the benefits of sprinting & training speed as we age. Explosiveness & Power are two qualities that we lose first as we start to age, especially if we don’t train them diligently.
Franz also discusses his focus on coaching busy dads in their 40s & takes us through sensible, sustainable yet powerful methods we can adopt to help us stay fit, healthy, strong & lean in our 40s & beyond.
James, Peter & Paul reflect on the past month’s guests and answer your questions
“How do you practice what you preach?”
This is vital to ensure you reach any goal and the guys talk about how they keep themselves accountable
Listen to all episodes online. Search “Health Oddity“ on any Podcast App or click here:
Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/health-oddity-podcast/id1531450456
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KDg2643NKYYYeBHJFghYB?si=BnTEETbuRbCGdkztvmdNIQ&dl_branch=1
Get in touch via...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healthoddity/
Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
We talk to Chris Denning, an Englishman in Ottawa
Chris has a busy lifestyle, demanding job and two kids yet he still manages to keep himself active and healthy
He tells us how he fits his training INTO his lifestyle and how he hopes this will benefit his kids in their future by being a positive example
He also mentions that if he ruled the world the first thing he would do is get rid of plastic kettlebells
We talk to StrongFirst director of education and FMS head coach Brett Jones
Brett has travelled the world teaching strength and movement for the past two decades imparting his knowledge on how to keep moving well right into your old age
He talks about having a ‘buffer’ of strength that will get you through the toughest times more easily
He also reminds us he bent the Iron Mind Red Nail
This week we speak to Dave 'Iron Tamer' Whitely.
On the outside we see a man who can produce ungodly forces. Bending metal, ripping and shredding material.
Dave has been a major force in pushing the strength education industry forward. Many excellent trainers have learnt from him.
However, Dave has spent time soaking up the knowledge of other masters.
From the old time strongmen of yester-year to modern titans of strength. This podcast quickly moved to topics around the mental focus one needs to become the person you want to be.
We meet lifelong CAMRA member & real ale aficionado Chris Zaremba; obese through most of his adult life, he made a big lifestyle change from the age of 50 after serious warnings from two separate Dr’s in a matter of weeks.
In a complete reversal of fortune, Chris has gone on to compete (& win trophies) in many ‘Masters’ Fitness Model Competitions & has also completed many feats of endurance sports with his wife, Jenny. He then took early retirement from the City & now advises others over 50 on how to achieve their own fatness-down & fitness-up goals.
A great episode, and very relatable to many everyday people - especially those with a penchant for Mars bars (or Mars bar equivalents).
We meet California based ‘Renaissance Man’ Mark Reifkind.
Mark has competed at a high level in gymnastics, ultra-endurance sports, bodybuilding & powerlifting.
Most recently, for close to 20 years he has been one of the most successful & highly respected Kettlebell coaches on the planet.
Mark (or Rif) discusses the mindset & attitude it takes to adapt & endure for 50 years of high level training across a range of sports & disciplines that on the surface appear to have little in common.
This is a ‘must listen to’ episode with an enduring pioneer who can relate to the everyday person as well as the elite performer.
We meet Chicago based Jim Hatcher who at 79 years of age has over 65 years of strength training history.
Jim wrestled through High School & College & was first introduced to strength training at 14 years of age. He competed in Powerlifting in his 40s & in his 70s he became the oldest person to pass the Strongfirst SFG1 certification.
Jim has a wealth of knowledge & experience & he shares it with us in this unique podcast which includes Jim’s tips on staying motivated towards health & strength at various stages of life including retirement.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
We answer questions we've had from listeners and explain some of the contradictions between the opinions of some guests we've had on the show
We give our thoughts on certain types of training and how you can decide what's best for you
We also briefly discuss James' Badger Roadkill Diet
And here's the link to the Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/592626941447185
Perry Nickelston is truly ‘one of a kind’.
We discuss injury, pain, movement & Bon Jovi. Perry believes in treating the human rather than the ‘condition’ & refuses to be pigeon holed into a particular methodology or format of treatment.
His vast experience involves working with thousands of individuals & teaching certifications and workshops all over the world.
He is passionate, engaging & will certainly be back on future episodes.
Tim Anderson talks about the origins of the Original Strength System and how he developed it as a result of over training and injury. He explains how, as children, we learn to develop our strength so we can stand up and move around and why it's important as adults to keep these movements fresh in our brains. He also talks about his love for Superman https://originalstrength.net
This week we welcome BJJ and strength Coach legend Steve Maxwell (some of you will have listened to his podcasts with Joe Rogan).
In this podcast Steve pushes our beliefs to the edge asks some challenging questions, and in his words commits ‘heresy’!
What if what you were doing in your training was not not getting you healthy?
What if it was setting you up for more issues down the line?
This episode will open your eyes, challenge you ideas and make you take a deeper look at what you are doing to stay healthy.
Steve’s been there and done that.
We meet San Diego based Lauren Brooks & discuss her career & training from ‘regular’ gym work back in the day to discovering the Kettlebell & whole body integrated training & how that changed her approach & life. In person training, DVD sales & the explosion of online training where geography is no barrier & creating a thriving virtual community. As a mother to 4 children & 2 dogs Lauren discusses training before, during & after pregnancy & we get to see her amazing at home outdoor training space. https://laurenbrooks.laurenbrookstraining.com
We talk to Fionnbhárr Toolan about what it takes to become a GS (Kettlebell Sport) world champion. How to train for a 2:40 marathon in just 9 weeks (and the pain afterwards) Why having a several coaches has helped him progress year after year to excel at his sport and help others do the same And the ONLY shorts strong enough to contain his peachy posterior
We meet Strongfirst Senior & Elite Instructor Claire Booth & find out all about her journey from the bodybuilding stage to heading up Strongfirst GB & being stronger (as she approaches 50) than she’s ever been.
We discuss ice-dancing, horse riding, ketogenic diets & the best way to cook liver!
A lively & diverse discussion with someone who talks to talk & walks the walk & isn’t afraid to say what she thinks.
We talk about how to build a community who will support you throughout your efforts to become fitter, stronger and healthier and why having that huge support will make it easier to achieve your goals.
There are tips for wherever you are in the world to tap into existing local communities & like minded people who will help you reach your goals (whatever they may be) or even just to start living a healthier, more active lifestyle & make friends.
Also, why it’s never too late to start & how you can continue to make progress well into your 50s, 60s & 70s.
In his first visit (episode 21) we met Dan, and discussed some of the big principles that have guided his life and 40+ year coaching career.
In ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ (episode 23) Dan talked us through his famous (and deceptively simple) 1, 2, 3, 4 assessment.
Now in ‘Return of the Jedi’ (episode 31) Dan talks about gaps in training programmes from professional sports teams, to elite military units, to school & college teams that are also applicable to ‘everyone else’.
He also discusses ‘standards’ he uses for elite athletes & concepts that can be transferred to your own individual training and answers the question - WHAT NEXT?
There’s also a fantastic offer for listeners to the Health Oddity podcast to access Dan John University for 3 months at an incredible price!
https://danjohnuniversity.com
We are joined by Josh Hillis author of ‘Fat Loss Happens on Monday’ & ‘Lean & Strong’. We discuss the principles of eating guidelines & skill practise instead of rigid imposed rules. Why many of us have become trapped in the diet cycle of failure & his quest to liberate people from the alluring proposed certainty & dogma of today’s popular dietary approaches.
After Brad's first appearance in Feb we just had to have him back to talk about his new book with Mark Sisson, ‘Two Meals a Day’.
He talks about his strategy to shed fat, reduce inflammation, reverse aging, and break free from diet frustration.
Brad discussed how Two Meals A Day is a counter point to the diet wars that leave health enthusiasts confused and often frustrated.
Instead of dogma touting plant-based over paleo, or keto over carbs, Two Meals A Day welcomes all healthy eating enthusiasts to a new way of life that helps shed excess body fat, increase energy and focus, minimize disease risk factors, and increase longevity.
https://twomealsadaybook.com
Maggie is hugely enthusiastic about everything she does (as you will soon discover)
We talk about training to burn as many calories as possible and why this isn’t the best approach to being healthy
Maggie tells us how she became a Jump Rope Aficionado and how a Jump Rope coach is actually a thing (I know right)
We also discuss the vast differences between Corrie and Eastenders and how these apply to the current global situation
https://www.instagram.com/jumpwithmaggie/
https://www.instagram.com/sparklife_uk/
We talk to Adrienne Harvey, a self confessed 'nerd' at school who builds robots for fun as well as being a senior RKC and PCC We hear about how she likes to leave tiny dinosaur footprints for people to find in local parks right before doing some handstand push ups against a tree to scare the locals So you could say we covered everything https://giryagirl.com https://www.youtube.com/user/GiryaGirlTV
We talk to Paul Gray of Firepower Gym in Durham UK Paul started training boxing at the age of 6 and has trained in various styles as a martial artist for most of his life Paul discusses how he keeps himself out of pain even though he has an auto-immune joint condition as well as how he has evolved his training over the last 30 years to help people move better and stay out of pain.
We meet San Francisco based Welshman Phil McDougall - military veteran, former Royal Marine Commando & movement Jedi.
Phil discusses his evolved methods of assessment & training. His love of ‘real world’ strength. The beauty of kettlebells, Indian clubs, maces & Bulgarian bags and perhaps most importantly how Great White Sharks rarely try to kill humans and just want to ‘feel them’ with their mouths!
https://www.kettlebellkings.com/blog/how-to-build-functional-mass-with-kettlebells/
This week we welcome a guest from the world of endurance.
Brad is an American author (Primal Endurance and more in the works), successful podcast host (Primal Endurance with Mark Sisson and the B.Rad Podcast), professional #speedgolfer Masters high jumper, and former professional #triathlete . He performed on the international #triathlon circuit from 1986 to 1995 and won 31 events worldwide.
He is currently a top-20 world-ranked professional #Speedgolfer, and 2020 top-3 world-ranked Masters age 55-59 high jumper. In 2018, Brad broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest single hole of #golf ever played (minimum length, 500 yards).
Here’s the thing, Brad is achieving all these things post career, at 56, so for our listeners Brad has exceptional insight into how you stay competitive well past your 40’s. We also take the opportunity to address the complexity of hormone balance for men, which is rarely highlighted.
Go hard go fast? Yes… but only if you’re prepared to focus on areas others aren’t prepared to.
In Dan’s second visit to the Health Oddity podcast we discuss the differences between health, fitness, performance & longevity & Dan talks us through his deceptively simple 1, 2, 3, 4 assessment for everyday people.
Also find out what Dan has in common with Conor McGregor & what strength standards it takes to look ‘Rockstar Hot’.
10 years ago pictures started to emerge on the internet of crazy 12 week body transformations. Trainers and clients alike wondered how they were achieved in such a short time span. The man behind these, and his pupils, were also performing crazy feats of strength. This week we talk to Paul McIlroy of The Amazing 12 about its history, his perspective on releasing human potential, the mental focus to succeed and why optimal health is available for anyone who really wants it. https://www.amazing12.com
We welcome Dan John to the Health Oddity podcast & get stuck into what he’s learned over a lifetime of training, competing & over 40 years of coaching & teaching.
The art of simplification, the benefit of deprivation, the loaded carry family, the importance of remaining strong as we age (and keeping your own teeth) are all subjects discussed in this fascinating & entertaining episode.
Not to be missed.
https://danjohn.net
https://www.danjohnuniversity.com
Six Decades In 50 Words:
Make a Difference. Live. Love. Laugh. Balance work, rest, play and pray (enjoy beauty and solitude) Sleep soundly. Drink Water. Eat veggies and protein. Walk. Wear your seat belt. Don’t smoke. Floss your teeth. Put weights overhead. Pick weights off the floor. Carry weights. Reread great books. Say thank you.
It's January and EVERYONE is trying to get our attention. We're being bombarded with adverts about the next 'quick fix' and how to get everything you want by the end of January We've all fallen for these fads in the past and talk about our own mistakes and how to make sure to make the right choice for what YOU want
In this episode we meet Val Craft an industry veteran with over 20 years experience, a certified Strength & Conditioning Coach & Personal Trainer. We discuss alcohol, societal attitudes towards it, habits surrounding it and when the occasional tipple may tip over into something to be aware of. A very important topic to kick off our first episode of 2021. https://www.beteetotal.com
https://www.beperformance.co.uk
val_the_coach
We talk to our very own Peter Lant about his life, previous career, moments that have impacted his direction & moving from the corporate rat-race to a more value guided & balanced way of living.
Peter shares his lessons with honesty & candour in an episode that I’m sure many of our listeners will relate to.
Instagram - pl_training_philosophy
FB - Peter Lant Training Philosophy
In our special Christmas Day episode we discuss the concept & history behind New Years resolutions. The idea of reviewing & reflecting on the year that is coming to an end and planning for the one about to begin. We discuss common mistakes & how to set yourself up for success in a more measured & sustainable way.
We discuss how to manage the ‘festive season’ while being mindful of our longer term goals (& not spoiling all the fun). What we do ourselves & lessons we’ve learned along the way working with our own clients. Hacks & tactics to ensure the wheels don’t completely fall off & you enjoy Christmas without becoming the family killjoy!
We welcome Kirsten Tulloch AKA LittleTank Training
We talk about the importance of learning to move well to be an all round awesome human being The life events that may have an impact on your training and make you reassess your goals How your childhood shapes who you are today And how she got the nickname Little Tank https://www.littletanktraining.com littletank Little Tank Training
In this episode we speak to Chris Lowe, sports nutritionist at WASPs Rugby club.
We discuss what really sets an athlete apart from the rest of us. What the average health seeker shares in common with an athlete Why marginal gains matter and what they are in terms of nutrition.
What the basics are that create real change Chris also busts some myths along the way!
@chrislowenutrition
https://chrislowenutrition.com
In this episode we talk to our very own Paul Bassett about finding his passion for learning more about becoming healthy and pain free and how that drove him to want to help others.
We welcome James Breese and discuss health and fitness as it practically applies to everyday people.
Walking, drinking water, sleeping, snowboarding and cricket are among topics discussed in this fascinating and informal chat.
Some immediate & powerful takeaways are shared as well as including WWS!
@jamesbreese
@strengthmatters
https://strengthmatters.com
As England enters a second national Lockdown we discuss what we learned first time round, previous podcast topics that will help us through this time and how our attitude & the questions we ask ourselves at the start will have a massive impact on how successfully we deal with this time.
Tracy Reifkind - World renowned kettlebell trainer, Author, Creator of the SwingLean training system AND baking enthusiast!
We discuss:
-
Tracy's amazing personal journey
-
Cultivating a mindset for success
-
Training in your 50s and beyond
-
Refusing to accept the limitations others may place on you
https://swinglean.com
In this episode we recap what we've covered over the last 8 weeks and discuss one of the major road blocks that all 3 of us encounter when training our clients. The desire to "press pause" on training and healthy habits in times of stress and uncertainty.
This week we talk to Khalil Hussein Chiro FRCMs FRAs FRR
We discuss (among other things):
1) What led to Khalil becoming a Chiropractor
2) Why someone should see a medical professional and what they should expect
3) The health professionals role and the patients role in recovery
4) Acute Pain and how to interpret it
5) Functional Range Conditioning and why it’s an elegant solution to mobility and rehabilitation

Meet Rik Brown AKA Mr Maceman from California, USA. We discuss unconventional training, the Mace, Rik's training & teaching background and training for longevity into your 60s and beyond. Plus, how Rik will be visiting the UK in 2021 to teach his world renowned Mace Certification.
Find out more about Rik and Mace training here:
Mace Training Manual
Mace Training For Strength & Conditioning
Rik on Facebook
Rik on Instagram
In this episode we discuss what we have collectively learned through training people in their 40s, 50s, 60s & 70s (as well as ourselves) and how perspectives & priorities change as we move through life.
In this episode we are joined by Mike Sweeney Registered Dietician & research based nutrition educator. We discuss the confusion & mixed messages around diet and nutrition in the modern age. We touch on Socrates, Stoicism & ask the big questions, including - why bother in the first place? We will definitely be talking with Mike again on the podcast. Have a listen and it’ll be clear why.
Following on from our discussions around getting started, lessons from lockdown and the importance of habits we now discuss goals.
The importance of setting them, what they are and why they seem to work for some people and not others.
Do you really need to set rigid goals or just be moving in the right general direction?
Are you relying on willpower alone to help you change your lifestyle? In this episode we talk about how to create new habits that will bring about sustainable change helping you finally live a healthier lifestyle.
Books:
Atomic Habits - James Clear
High Performance Habits - Brendon Burchard
7 Habits Of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
Discipline Equals Freedom - Jocko Willink
Peak Performance - Brad Stulberg, Steve Magness
As we move out of lockdown, gyms start to reopen & we navigate the ‘new normal’ what can we take from the experience of the last 5 months to help us move forward in terms of priorities, training, health and lifestyle. Will life return to how it was or have our habits and outlooks changed forever?
In this episode we talk about how to establish your starting point and make progress with your training, and how often it's more about time management and taking a step back to work out what you actually want.