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Refined Savage Podcast

Refined Savage Podcast

I first met Mark Valenti at the SWIS Conference in 2019; I believe we met in the restaurant/bar area.  And I don't think we talked about training one bit.  Mark and I finally got together in the London High School weight room and had an informal discussion about training, the psychology of why football is important for young men and even about Ron "Don't sass me, Birkus" Swanson.
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2020 Wendler Strength Fest

2020 Wendler Strength Fest

When: 1 Day Event, June 13, 2020 CANCELLED FOR COVID 19 SOCIAL DISTANCING LAWS

Where: Strength Guild, 2800 NE Center Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66616

What: The 2nd Annual 2020 Wendler Strength Fest consists of the N.O.V. Powerlifting Meet, a full Highland Games and a sanctioned Strongman Competition.

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The Safety Squat Bar - Increase your Deadlift and Squat

The Safety Squat Bar - Increase your Deadlift and Squat

Of all the different specialty bars on the market, this is the one I recommend most. The safety squat bar develops great brute strength. It's a phenomenal way to build your lower back, legs, and upper back. The key is to not get too fancy with it. The two exercises I recommend are simple, the good morning and the squat.
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The Myth of Teamwork

The Myth of Teamwork

I hear the term Teamwork thrown about in the work place; this became popular in the late 80's (at least that is what I remember). People championed this new attitude and strove to make it part of their businesses. Unfortunately, it's hard to change an adult culture.
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Iron Radio Podcast

Iron Radio Podcast

I recently did an Iron Radio podcast with Phil Stevens. It is an hour long and talks about training, coaching, fatherhood and leadership.  While you are listening please take some time to enjoy this rare photograph of me running.
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Advanced Athletes are not Advanced Lifters

Advanced Athletes are not Advanced Lifters

More than that, you have sport coaches who demand weird "character building" training for a month or more. This is code for "doing a whole bunch of stupid conditioning under the guise of making the players mentally tougher."  Basically this is what happens when sport coaches get together and watch too many Navy SEALS videos on the internet.
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Dal Gains, Wichita, Kansas, Fire Station 5

Carry Your Own Weight

Question: I'm a firefighter and would like to know when I should focus on losing body fat or concentrate on getting stronger.
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20 Helpful Tips For The Squat

20 Helpful Tips For The Squat

We've heard the refrain a thousand times before that the squat is the "King of All Exercises". This gets redundant after a while.  There are a myriad of reasons why it's stayed on top for so long, the main one...

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Realities of Training High School Athletes

Realities of Training High School Athletes

Understand that there are many different ways to train an athlete; there are many different coaches that use varying training programs to train their athletes. Not acknowledging this violates Jim Wendler's Coaching Rule #1
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Same Goal, Different Road

Same Goal, Different Road


Athletes from The Past talk brazenly about their conditioning and workouts; all done supposedly to get them in great shape and turn them into stronger players (physically and mentally). There seems to be a premium on Mental Toughness amongst people from The Past.
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The Training Taco

The Training Taco

With such simple and readily available ingredients, you'd think it would be impossible to get a bad taco. Well, won't you be surprised to learn there is a huge amount of bad tacos being made and consumed at THIS VERY MOMENT.
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