Becoming Ronin

Overview:   In today's discussion, OB and Smitty talk through "The Big Leap," a book about Conquering Your Hidden Fear and Taking Life to the Next Level.   In this discussion, we talk about ways that we are subconsciously sabotaging our progress, ways to identify your "upper limit," and how to move past them. We also work through the problems that are posed from having integrity breaches, not purs...

  Overview: In today's episode, it's back to training. Smitty and OB go through some forgotten secrets from the like of Dave Tate, Louie Simmons, Eric Dalton, Thomas Meyers, and many more. These lessons we cover today are specifically geared towards "reconnecting" your training to muliplanar, intramuscular movements. Far too often, training is compartmentalized, lacking in intention, and poorly ro...

Overview:     Today we are joined by a Becoming Ronin alumn, Chris McGowan.   This episode kicks off with OB performing a social experiment between Chris and Smitty that tests (strains?) their friendship. We then transition to talking about the purpose of education, the ethics of paying to be verified on Instagram, Mike Mentzers tricks for hypertrophy, and signs of overtraining. The episode wraps...

Overview:   In this episode, we are joined by a retired Police Officer and Critical Incident Trauma Specialist, Tony Scaglione. Through sharing his story directly with departments, Tony has been critical in helping bring attention to overcoming mental health barriers within the first responder community.   Tony is also affiliated with the onsite academy; an organization focusing on "critical incid...

Overview:   In today's episode we begin by talking about an article making its rounds in the news lately, about the Atkins diet. We dive one step deeper than the journalism by looking at the research methods used and discuss some nutrition misconceptions and myths. Then we dive directly into Mind Hacking by Jason Hargave. This leads to some profound advice on ways to alter your thoughts, debug you...

Overview:   Todays episode kicks off with a rapid fire thought experiment of kettlebell training vs dumbbell training. Then Smitty and OB work through one of OB's real assessments and discuss what some of his issues are and how they would correct them. This segues into Smitty's recent online discussion on a better way to do push ups to minimize injury risk and maximize the benefits. We wrap the tr...

Overview:   In today's episode, Smitty and OB give a shout outs to a couple deserving members of the Ronin community. In true Becoming Ronin fashion, Smitty and OB have a Ronin lesson of the week: setting your aim. Far too often people are operating under the guidance of "what not to do." However, in this episode, a guide to a better approach is laid out in an easily implemented way. Over the year...

Overview:   Today we record from the studio, directly after Smitty's first real Jiu Jitsu class. We talk about Smitty's experience and what he took away from it. Before we dive into the Ronin lesson of the week, Smitty brings up a new study from Dr. Rhonda Patrick on a protocol on contrasting heat and cold to improve your body composition. We then transition to the weekly Q&A where we cover, when...

Overview:   We kick off this episode with a recap of our most recent CPPS one day workshop. Coaches from all over the world came in to hone their knowledge of the CPPS curriculum in order to become better coaches. We cover some of the things that stood out to us and some messages to all trainers. We then transition to a beautiful Ronin lesson, on accepting your Role as a Beginner in life, irrespec...

Overview: Today we're joined by a previous Becoming Ronin guest, Chris McGowan. Chris is an IFBB Pro and and Transformation Coach. Chris helps people of all walks of life with not just nutrition plans, but adherence to their transformation goals. We kick off something that's been irking Smitty in the news. Chris then talks about the state of social media and how to navigate the platforms with bett...

Overview: "Mental health IS health." Lewis.   In today's episode, we are honored to be joined by Dr. Lisa Lewis. Dr. Lewis is a licensed psychologist and a certified addictions counselor. Lisa focuses on helping her clients see their true potential, by setting aside self-contempt in pursuit of a healthy goal. Lisa talks about using curiosity to sort through problems in a non-judgmental way. She al...

Overview: In today's episode we kick off with OB reviewing the newest adjustable dumbbells on the market (NUOBELLS). Smitty talks about how love for training comes and goes and how to deal with the lows by measuring progress. OB and Smitty dive into the new food pyramid which ranks lucky charms higher than a ribeye steak. Smitty brings up a recent story in the news where kids were hospitalized fro...

Overview:   In today's episode we begin by catching up on some listener submitted questions.   We cover things like where animal movement fits into your programming, the correct mindset towards pain free training, how to improve your verbal communication skills, and much more.   Next we transition to a bigger question that comes up frequently - where to start with your first digital product. With...

Overview: In spirit of the New Year, Smitty and OB dive right into Fat Loss. One of the most talked about topics in regards to health and fitness. However, today we attempt to pull back the curtain on some of the myths, misconceptions, and poor recommendations made around fat loss.   We discuss why some people overeat but don't gain fat, and why some people barely over eat and seem to gain rapidly...

Overview: As we close out 2022 Smitty and OB are nothing but grateful for the amazing year of podcast growth and community. To give back, they have developed a January challenge for all of the listeners to participate in. However, the problem with most New Year's Resolutions is that they are self-centered and don't stick. This list of personal task items is designed to improve your character so th...

Overview: In today's episode, Smitty and OB discuss a recent diagram OB posted on Instagram (seen here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmO-a5LOxOP/?igshid=NTdlMDg3MTY= ) that clears up the real cause of pain and how to avoid this trap. Then they turn to the truth behind procrastination and discuss a few points from Tim Urban's Ted Talk as well as some of their own advice. In this discussion, they giv...

Episode 50   #50 - Building Your Business, Overthinking, How to Address Chronically Tight Traps, High Intensity Exercise   Overview:   In today's episode of Quick Fix, Smitty and OB begin by addressing a question about how building value in your business with non-related fitness lessons. Smitty talks about the role of graphic design in his online business, and OB discusses how the power of storyte...

Overview: Do you ever feel like every time you start to make progress in life and start to "figure things out" life hits the reset button and sweeps you right back to the starting point? Well in this episode, we dive into why this isn't exactly true, and how to escape this unhealthy mindse t. This episode starts with one of Smitty's favorite Jim Rohn audio clips about surviving the proverbial wint...

Overview: We are honored to be joined by Vinny Scollo of Scollo Strength. For anyone who knows him, there is much more to than Vinny just a highly skilled strength coach who specializes in training professional athletes. Vinny is a deep thinker, a philosopher, relentlessly energetic, and fiercely positive.   We feel the Ronin listeners would greatly benefit from this episode as Vinny goes into his...

Overview: With the Holiday Season upon us, Smitty an OB wanted to revisit the Ronin Game and talk about giving to others. Throughout the year it's easy to fall back into our selfish habits that lead to stress and anxiety. This episode is a reminder to come up for air and reconnect with others. Smitty talks about a recent interaction that tears to his eyes and even a couple bystanders. Smitty and O...

Overview: It's time OB and Smitty duke it out, air their grievances, and settle their differences.   This episode is one giant debate. Hot topics in the industry are drawn out of a hat and Smitty and OB are forced to choose a conflicting side; defend or attack.   We'll leave it to the listener to decide who wins this one.       Timestamps: [0:00] Intro [1:10] Online Training Vs. In Person [5:10] W...

Overview: Something the listeners of Ronin may or may not know by now, is Smitty is a huge equipment snob (in the best way possible). Smitty's love for quality equipment combines with OB's seven years of experience running training studios will leave you with a good idea of what equipment to buy, and any equipment to pass on. If you've ever considered buying equipment for your home gym or your stu...

Overview: OB and Smitty and back from Columbus, Ohio where they attended the SWIS Symposium and taught the most recent CPPS. The SWIS symposium is one of the biggest gatherings in the fitness industry where all the world's best coaches, trainers, therapists, and researchers come together and present cutting edge knowledge and findings. In this episode Smitty and OB recap and share all of their top...

Overview: In today's episode, we bring you to our very first female guest; Mandy Grierson. Mandy is a women's health expert as well as pre and post natal certified. Mandy brings a unique perspective to the podcast as we chat about some major issues plaguing women's health as well as psychology behind a females training success.     Mandy also discusses auto regulation, hormone tracking, and some o...

Overview: In today's third installment of "Quick Fix," we are joined by Mandy Grierson, a women's health expert with a unique training experience. With Mandy's help, Smitty and OB quickly answer the most questions we've ever covered in one episode. These questions range from training tips, guilty pleasures, the upcoming Ronin Retreat, and much more. Connect with Mandy: @manders1289 @manders.fit89...