Becoming Ronin

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview Everywhere you look, people disagree on the best training methods for muscle building. Even at the top, many bodybuilders train with vastly different methods but still acheive success. So who is right?  Today we will combine the latest research and the experience of the world's best bodybuidlers to compile a list of useful and actionable takeaways.  In...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview When most people hear "max effort training," they think it simply means lifting heavier weights. The reality is that true max effort work is an entirely different biological event. In Episode 165, OB and Smitty dive into the history, science, and practical application of max effort training. Drawing from Soviet sports science, powerlifting principles, an...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode of Becoming Ronin , Brian Oberther and Smitty break down one of the biggest challenges in training: finding the line between not doing enough to drive adaptation and doing so much that you stall progress or burn out. The conversation is split into three key segments. First, they unpack common programming mistakes, including the often-misu...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode of Becoming Ronin , Smitty and Ob break down the intersection of injury, mindset, and performance:: unpacking how setbacks can either stall progress or become the catalyst for long-term growth. They explore the concept of learned helplessness and how it shows up in training, while offering practical strategies for coaching through injury...

Episode #162  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview What happens when your identity becomes your physique? In Episode 162, IFBB Pro Chris McGowan sits down with OB and Smitty to unpack the psychological weight of discipline, competition, and coaching. They discuss identity, burnout, rebound phases, and what it really costs to live at the edge of physical performance. Chris opens up about how...

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this episode of Becoming Ronin , we sit down with Adrian, a former paramedic whose life was forever altered during a hiking trip when he was struck by lightning. Against staggering odds, a series of extraordinary and near-impossible circumstances: aligned timing, location, rescue, and medical intervention, allowing him to survive an event that is a...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this episode, we zoom out on what real transformation in training actually looks like and why it's never just about the program on paper. We kick things off by talking about what separates "doing workouts" from committing to a process that actually changes you. From there, we dig into why variability matters, how to earn client buy-in, and what it...

  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this episode, we kick things off with the new brutal pyramid sets that have been absolutely wrecking everyone brave enough to try them. We break down how they work, why they hit so hard, and more importantly, how to actually apply them without just redlining yourself into the ground. Whether you're training for performance, grit, or just want a n...

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview Most people don't fail at training because they lack motivation. They fail because they're waiting for perfect conditions . In this episode, we break down why "perfect" is often the enemy of good , especially when it comes to fitness. Missed workouts don't happen because people don't care; they happen because time, energy, and life get in the way. And tha...

  🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In Episode 157, Smitty and OB kick back for a laid back AMA special filled with your funniest and most random questions. This one feels like hanging out in the gym after hours… no agenda, no script, just unfiltered stories, laughs, and a surprising amount of fitness wisdom sprinkled in between. We dive into everything from: Our favorite pieces of gym e...

  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In Episode 156 of Becoming Ronin , Smitty and OB dive deep into the real engine behind discipline, not motivation, not willpower, but your priorities. Through a series of powerful clips and candid conversation, they break down why discipline isn't something you "have"… it's something you reveal . Every choice you make shines a light on what truly matter...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this week's episode, we dive deep into the art and science of smarter training:   from refining your squat pattern to rethinking how often you should actually hit the gym. We kick things off with a Q&A that covers everything from movement blocks to the value of sprinting (yes, even if you're "too old for that" spoiler: you're not). You'll hear our tak...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode, OB and Smitty dive into Anatomy Trains and talk about how fascia connects the body in ways most people don't think about. Instead of just looking at muscles in isolation, they break down how the body's fascial lines influence movement, posture, and even nagging injuries. They share real-world examples from training and rehab to show how...

  🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode of Becoming Ronin , we sit down with Tim Reynolds, better known to over 1 million TikTok followers as The AnP Professor . Tim has carved out a unique space as both a highly respected college professor and practicing physical therapist , while simultaneously growing a massive online platform where he makes anatomy and physiology both ent...

The last bags you'll ever need: 🎒 Eberlestock https://eberlestock.com/RONIN     🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode, OB and Smitty dive into a mix of storytelling, training wisdom, and real-life lessons. Smitty recounts a vivid story from his childhood on the farm, reflecting on the emotional conflict of taking a woodchuck's life. Then they recount the unfortunate woodchuck...

  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode, OB and Smitty unpack the deeper meaning behind the question: "What does it profit a man to gain the world but lose his soul?" They explore how chasing success for the wrong reasons can lead to personal emptiness, and how to ensure your talents are employed with integrity. The discussion weaves in personal stories, reflections on grief a...

    🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview Join us in this heartfelt conversation as we explore the depths of grief and its role in our lives. Our guest, Michael Desanti, shares insights on how grief can be a powerful teacher, helping us to connect more deeply with ourselves and others. Discover how embracing the full spectrum of emotions can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.   Gri...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview As we gear up for the milestone of Episode 150, OB and Smitty take a reflective turn, diving into the often-overlooked role grief plays in personal growth. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how emotional depth can shape physical resilience and how embracing life's heavier moments can actually fuel the journey forward.   From there, the energy s...

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode, OB and Smitty share stories from their time training in commercial gyms—the good, the bad, and the frustrating. From mismatched weights to people sitting on machines scrolling their phones, they vent about common gym pet peeves and how social media has changed the gym environment. The conversation shifts to practical nutrition advice, inc...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube   Episode Overview In this episode of Becoming Ronin , OB and Smitty dive deep into the worlds of Jiu-Jitsu and strength training, sharing hard-earned lessons and practical insights for coaches and athletes alike. They discuss the significance of earning milestones in martial arts, how training methods have evolved, and why coaching with integrity and intention is more imp...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this introspective and thought-provoking episode, OB and Smitty take listeners on a guided descent through the symbolic layers of Dante's Inferno —not as passive tourists, but as directors of a modern reimagining that reflects the traps we face in everyday life. Drawing from the powerful allegory of Dante's journey through hell, they illuminate ho...

  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this episode of Becoming Ronin , OB and Smitty kick things off by tackling the viral gorilla vs. 100 men challenge — a hypothetical debate lighting up social media. They break down their thoughts on how the fight might play out.   From there, the conversation takes a serious turn as OB shares the low back pain circuit he uses with real-life clien...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this deeply introspective episode, OB and Smitty dive into the raw and transformative journey of personal awakening. Through candid stories and philosophical reflections, they unpack the subtle yet powerful differences between perception and perspective—and how both shape the way we experience the world.   This conversation explores the lies we te...

🔗  Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview   In this episode of Becoming Ronin , OB and Smitty reflect on their experiences with the Ronin Challenge and how structured challenges can reignite motivation and foster community. The conversation transitions into a Q&A format covering diverse training strategies such as ramp-up sets, pre-exhaust techniques, and effective core training. They explore...

  🔗 Subscribe on YouTube     Episode Overview In this episode, OB and Smitty dive deep into the power of isometric training, breaking down its role in strength development, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. They explore the science behind isometrics, highlighting its benefits for joint stability, muscle activation, and injury recovery. The conversation sheds light on common mistakes pe...