The Strength Connection

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Jan Raeder, known to many as the SelfCare Sensei, brings a rare depth to the conversation around strength, wellbeing, and what it really means to live with purpose. Jan is an internationally recognized wellbeing educator, keynote speaker, and author of Strive for M.O.R.E. , where MORE stands for Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, and Engagement — a framework she’...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. John Rusin is a physical therapist, performance coach, and the author of Pain-Free Performance — a framework that bridges elite strength training, intelligent movement, and long-term health. His work sits at the intersection of rehab and performance, helping people build resilient bodies without breaking themselves down in the process. In this episode, we di...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Nick Jonsson is a global keynote speaker, bestselling author, and mental health advocate redefining what it means to lead in the modern world. Ranked the world’s #1 thought leader on Executive Loneliness, Nick has spent the past decade breaking the silence around isolation, burnout, and addiction at the top levels of business. Today, he takes that work further b...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Katie Hardie is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and performance practitioner who helps people reconnect with their bodies through a personalized, data-driven approach to health, energy, and recovery. Her work bridges science and intuition, helping people move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and into sustainable performance. In this conversation, Katie...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias. In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebells and barbells, emphasizing the need for construc...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in personal experiences and insights gained from...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case.  In this engaging conversation, Kyle shares his journey from being a pas...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Nicole Spencer is a former strength coach, founder of Authentic Conversion, and host of the podcast Spirituality for Skeptics. In this conversation, Nicole Spencer discusses her transformative journey from a successful business in coaching to exploring spirituality. She reflects on her early experiences, including a pivotal trip to Peru, and how these moments le...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Today I am joined by Zar Horton, Master SFG within the community of Strongfirst.  Zar has been teaching workshops in hardstyle strength nationally and internationally for over 12 years, and…was a battalion chief and firefighter in Albuquerque fire and rescue for 32 years.  In this conversation, Zar shares his journey from a firefighter to a master instructor in...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Megan Henry is a mindset performance coach, SupraHuman performance coach, Former Team USA skeleton athlete, World Record holder and recent IFBB pro athlete. Meg is really interesting, we connected a couple years ago, she came on the show, it was one of the most memorable conversations I had early on about practical mindset training, specifically in the athletic...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In this episode I am joined by Hewitt Tomlin, founder and CEO of TeamBuildr.  Hewitt Tomlin shares his journey from being a college athlete to becoming an entrepreneur with Team Builder, a software platform designed to empower strength coaches. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the pivotal moment that led him to fully commit to his busines...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! I am joined in this episode by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind and Mark Subias, AKA The Iron Council. We first came together in a roundtable discussion in April 2024 at Queen City Kettlebell, and have reconnected to talk strength, health and all things in the culture of performance and coaching. In this episode, Brett, DJ, Mark and I talk about our personal evolutions...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Chris Holder is a renowned Strength and Conditioning coach, former Master RKC instructor, Doctor of Medical QiGong, and currently a teacher and leader in Christian Mysticism. In this episode, Dr. Holder shares his journey from a successful career in strength coaching to embracing Chinese medicine and spirituality.  He discusses the importance of integrating...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Robb Kelly is a renowned Addiction expert, creating the Robb Kelly group, a Telehealth Neuroscience Coaching company with a 98% success rate,working with patients to improve their optimal performance by using Brain Spotting and other neuroscience coaching evidence based approaches. In this episode, Dr. Robb shares his transformative journey from addiction to...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Sylvia Takada is a SFG II, SFL Instructor in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Sylvia helps empower women 40+ to embrace strength and health in the next stages of life. In this 304th episode, Sylvia discusses the societal perceptions surrounding women and aging, particularly the negative stereotypes associated with turning 40. She expresses h...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! In episode 303, Marco Benitez shares his journey from a Taekwondo champion to a biomedical engineer and entrepreneur.  The evolution of wearable technology, the mission of his company Rook, and the importance of transforming health data into actionable insights. Marco emphasizes the challenges of data integration, the significance of mental health, and the start...

Welcome to the Strength Connection. In the 302nd episode, Tom LaGrave shares his transformative journey from a troubled adolescence marked by addiction to a fulfilling career dedicated to helping young people navigate their own challenges.  He discusses the impact of technology on today's youth, the common struggles across generations, and the essential role of love in adolescent development....

Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast. In this conversation, Dr. Pam Theriot discusses the importance of proactive eye health, the impact of digital devices on vision, and the role of nutrition in maintaining eye health. She emphasizes the need for regular eye exams, preventative measures, and daily habits that can enhance eye comfort and clarity. The discussion also covers the effects of blu...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! A milestone episode of the Strength Connection Podcast. Number 300! I reflect on the journey of 300 episodes, sharing ten key lessons learned from guests and experiences.  Thank you all for being a part of this awesome journey. Chapters 00:00 Celebrating 300 Episodes 01:21 The Journey of Curiosity and Connection 03:11 Mastery Through Ordinary Days 06:56 Staying...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Troy Laing is the founder of Culture OC, a “biohacking social wellness club” helping those find their optimal health in mind, body, spirit and community. Troy shares his journey from a troubled past to becoming a leader in the biohacking and wellness community. He discusses the profound impact of physical movement on mental health, his transformative experience...

Welcome to The Strength Connection! Mitchell Osmond is founder of Dad Nation and a performance coach for men looking to maximize their relationships, health and vitality along with their high performing careers.  Mitchell shares his personal journey of transformation from a place of burnout and disconnection to a life of purpose and fulfillment, the importance of community, accountability, and min...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dan John, Legendary Coach and Author, joins me again on the podcast to go into his latest book, The Art of Coaching. In this engaging conversation, Coach Dan John shares insights from his extensive coaching career and how he began and ultimately completed The Art of Coaching.  Emphasizing the importance of values, the relationship between goals and assessments,...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! Mike Salemi is a men’s performance coach, creator of the Vital Man Collective, and host of The Path podcast. In this conversation, Mike Salemi shares his journey from a competitive athlete to a holistic coach focusing on men's vitality and strength. He discusses the importance of personal experiences in shaping his understanding of health, the significance...

Welcome to the Strength Connection. Tony Pascolla is a Physical Education teacher (Chicago,IL), strength coach, StrongFirst Kettlebell & Barbell Instructor, personal trainer, and carnivore/fasting coach. He is also the host of the Primal Foundations Podcast, where he explores topics related to strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization (which I’ve had the privilege of being a gue...

Welcome to the Strength Connection! One of the most popular guests ever to come on the show, Geoff Neupert of Chasing Strength is back for the 3rd time on the podcast. Geoff’s ability to refine, and articulate the principles of strengths is top shelf, and has been a huge help to me and many others in strength, health and fitness. In this episode, I wanted to take some of the lessons he’s given on...