Fortitude Training Podcast

My guest in this epsiode is Brett Jones. Brett is the Director of Education for Stronfirst, the school of strength. Brett has degrees in both Athletic Training and Sports Medicine as well as a masters in Rehabilitative Sciences. Brett attended the second ever kettlebell certification is the US back in 2003. Our discussion centers on his experience training himself and his students with kettlebells...

My guest in this epsiode is Hendrik Reinold. Hendrik has been working at the Rehab Gym in Barre Vermont since 2013. He is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and graduated from Southern Illnois University Edwardsville with a BS in Exercise and Wellness. We discuss the state of the health and fitness industry, and a host of false narratives that plague the industry and keep people from getting the e...

Sarah Quinttus is a Certified Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapy. Just a year ago she opened her own private yoga studio in Burlington, VT. She mainly works with people one on one or as couples. Sarah also has a degree in Athletic Training from the University of Vermont and has completed courses in psychology and traumatic sensitive yoga. Sarah and I discuss how s...

The Press (AKA Overhead press) is a fundamental movement pattern we need for daily function. Most everyone can perform some kind of overhead press whether it be with the barbell, dumbbell or kettlebell. This will help build and maintain vital muscle mass in the upperbody as we age, give individuals more toned upper back and shoulders, and boost confidence in anyone who performs it. In this episode...

Dr. Sullivan (AKA Sully) was an emergency room physician for 25 years. During his time in the ER he noticed a trend of conditions people presented with. Blood pressure, bad cholesterol, type two diabetes, and obesity were among the most common symptoms he would see on a day to day basis. He refers to this syndrome of syndromes as the sick aging phenotype. This syndrome runs rampant in our society...

In this episode we dive into something a bit different from the usual content. My guest is Hannah Taylor. Hannah has a degree in psychology from Saint Michael's college in Vermont. She also has experience working with mentally and behaviorally challenged youths, adults, and in correctional facilities. She now works as a love coach specializing in self-love and devotional (I mistenkely said "develo...

Many of us have a hard time making progress in the weight room. Whether it be gaining strength, losing fat or putting on muscle, some individuals struggle right from the beginning. Miriam Lawrence joins me for the second time to discuss some of her struggles as a middle aged powerlifter. Having just discovered her passion for lifting just five years ago, she has worked hard to make the progress sh...

Rahn Fleming has worked at CVU high school in Vermont for over 20 years as the Coordinator of the learning center. He has also coached JV and varsity football for 16 years and coached wrestling for 10 years. He has a masters degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England, and is the strength and conditioning coach of the high school. Rahn spent time as a stay at home Dad with his two son...

The Deadlift gets a bad reputation for hurting people's backs. However, just like any other lift it provides the user many benefits if done properly. Deadlifts don't hurt your back, poorly executed deadlifts do. Learn proper setup and execution of the deadlift, variations you can do if you do experience back pain, and why deadlifting is so important for a healthier life. Important deadlift visuals...

We all get excited with a new year approaching and the opportunities it can bring. Many set new goals such as losing weight, quitting smoking, or saving more money. However, once the first quarter of the year has passed, most would have given up on their goals. In this episode I discuss some ways to keep yourself from becoming overwhelmed and stick to accomplishing your goals. Inevitably obstacles...

Back pain is experienced by almost everyone over 40 and for some can really hinder day to day life. In this epsiode I talk with Brian about how he goes about helping someone restore function to a patient's back as well as what you can do to get ahead of back pain before it starts in the first place. Check out On Track ontrackhealth.net Reach out to Brian for physical therapy Brian@ontrackhealth.ne...

There come points in life where we must make a decision to either stay where we are or take a risk in order to try and improve our situation. Often this requires a period of time in which you may go backwards with relationships, career path or the comfort of your usual routine. However, long term they can workout if you are able to stick with it. Taking risks can be frightening and short term sacr...

Push-ups, chin-ups, and sit-ups have all been used for generations to build stronger, healthier bodies. Everyone around the world knows these humble but effective movements. They are used as a tool to test the physical capabilities of children, law enforcement, and military personel everywhere. How can it fit into your training? Find out this and more in this episode! Knee Grab tutorial https://yo...

Mikaela competed in Alpine Ski racing as a teenager and had a lot of success while studying at a ski race academy in Vermont. Mikaela placed in the top 10 at the Whistler Cup in two events (Giant Slalom & Super G) and at one point swept the podiums in Slalom. We go in depth on what it was like to compete at a high level and the burnout she experienced after several years of a vigorous training sch...

All about how to set up and execute the bench press! The bench press gets a bad rap from a lot of people these days. While there are certainly some limitations to this classic lift, I believe the benefits outweigh them! Learn about some of the mistakes I see people make and how to correct them, variations you can use if you have shoulder pain, and variations to continue making progress for years t...

In this epsiode I give several examples of current and past trainees who have had success with getting their lives back after incorporating strength training into their lives. All of these people are over 70 years of age and have experienced just how fast improving their strength can have a major impact on their lives. I also go into what methods I use to help them do it. Whether you're of this ag...

Coach Polakowski (AKA Coach Pol) recently retired after over 40 years as a PE teacher, Track & Field coach and olympic weightlifting coach In Essex Vermont. Coach Pol has had track and field athletes win over a dozen state championships, an athlete compete in weightlifting in the Olympics and coached a crossfit champion you may have heard of. We talk about how physical education has changed over t...

Megan and I were colleagues at a local gym a few years ago and she has since become a Registered Nurse. Megan has worked as a COVID-19 ICU nurse, in burn trauma, and currently works as a COVID Outreach RN for the Monroe County Department of Health In New York state. Megan shares her experiences as a personal trainer, how nursing has changed her outlook on health and wellness, and her own struggles...

In this epsiode my guest is Kim Leofller. Kim is a multi-time national triathlon champion, has place in the top ten at the world championships in Hawaii, and holds a master's degree in exercise physiology. We discuss what it's like competing at the highest level of endurance sports, how much strategy plays a role in racing, Kim's coaching career at NVU-Johnson, and how the right coach can push you...

My guest today is Trudee. Trudee is an Advanced Practice Nurse and a Clinical Specialist in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. She has worked with children, in corrections and with people struggling with substance abuse for decades. We talk about the different stages of creating changes in one's life, different strategies to encourage yourself, blanacing self acceptance with improving your life, a...

Lauren Has been a Trainee and friend of mine for the past three years. Having had no background in athletics, it was a scarey change for her to start working with a strength coach. We talk about her feats of strength both inside and outside of the gym, what it's like having a son with autism, and how strength training has helped her be even more badass as a Mom and person in her 50's. Check out On...

Episode 15 features my very special guest and my former karate instructor Freddie Lapan. Master Lapan has been involved in martial arts for nearly 40 years. During that time he has not only mastered his art, but also taught people of all ages and backgrounds, he has run a successful business, and compete at the highest level of sport karate. We discuss what makes a great coach, some of his most in...

My guest in this episode is Erin Altemus. Erin is a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. She has been working with people on their nutrition and digestive issues for about five years. Before that she worked as an Occupational Therapist and Personal Trainer. We discuss how stress is inhibiting your body's ability to digest properly and how this could be affecting your health. We also discus...

In this episode I have a special guest, Emily Cook. Emily has been a personal trainer for the past five years and like me, has struggled with anxiety and depression. We discuss some of our struggles with mental health, how our physical training has helped us cope, as well as other resources we have used. Check Emily out at daretomovefitness.com, Instagram @daretomovefit Check out On Track Physical...

In this episode I have Jen Weiss and Justine Zolotas of Swole Sisters Worldwide! Jen and Justine are personal trainers who specialize in working with women online to create positive lifestyle habits. They also use a different approach to nutrition called intuitive eating, our main topic on the episode, that rejects diet culture and helps you reclaim your power over food. Find them on swolesistersw...