In the 133rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder of Underground Strength Gym, Creator of SSPC Program, and Host of The Strong Life Podcast, Zach Even-Esh will talk about cons of advanced technology, Zach’s writing plan for his future book, the lack of discomfort, benefits of mini workouts, and more.

Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! 

In this chapter, you will discover:

(0:45) Introducing our special guest Zach Even-Esh @zevenesh

(1:00) Playing 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon

(1:25) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso

(1:55) The Strong Life Podcast

(2:55) Shout out to Eric Cressey

(3:20) Shout out to Chris Abbott

(4:00) Cons of advanced technology

(6:15) Shout out to Tim Ferriss

(6:35) Shout out to Kamal Ravikant

(6:45) Shout out to Naval Ravikant

(7:55) Zach’s writing plan for his future book

(8:55) “The best people at anything are really focused.” - Zach Even-Esh

(9:05) Unfocused students

(9:45) Zach’s kids’ behavior at school

(10:40) The “Hardcore Gym” in Zach’s neighborhood

(11:00) The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger

(11:35) Power of mind

(12:30) The real hardcore gym

(13:25) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

(13:50) Zach’s co-writer’s routine

(14:55) Having 2nd thoughts about his book

(15:55) Change in Zach’s writing routine

(17:40) The lack of discomfort

(18:30) “Comfort is the enemy.” - Zach Even-Esh

(20:05) Shout out to Joe De Sena

(20:05) Cons of lockdown routine

(22:00) Effects of your the location you grow up in

(24:15) “I want to go somewhere where the internet doesn’t work.” - Zach Even-Esh

(25:40) Zach’s website landing page

(26:45) Not knowing how to quit

(27:10) Evolution in Zach’s coaching style

(30:15) “Real strength must transcend the gym walls.” - Zach Even-Esh

(30:30) Some lesson that Zach learnt

(31:45) A+ across the board

(32:00) “Excellence is easier if you apply it to everything in your life.” - Zach Even-Esh

(32:35) From Greek philosophers

(33:10) Us vs. people in the old ages

(34:15) Benefits of mini workouts

(34:35) “Moderation is for cowards.” - Navy Seal

(36:20) Mike’s issue with blanket meditation

(37:30) “Physical strength and the mental strength where oftentimes we think of those as like separate practices. No, those should be both together.” - Michael Kurkowski

(37:50) Mind body experience

(38:20) Zach’s experience with depression

(39:10) Traveling to Israel

(40:10) Book by Tony Robbins

(41:20) Unfocused strength training

(42:25) The power of mind

(43:25) Why did Mike get into hardstyle training?

(43:45) “Knowledge is not valued anymore.” - Michael Kurkowski

(45:00) “It's not what we do, it's how we do it.” - Zach Even-Esh

(46:00) Cons of unqualified coaches

(47:15) “How we do things is the ultimate game changer.” - Zach Even-Esh

(48:45) Stigma around fitness

(49:25) The importance of a good coach

(51:20) Planet Fitness’s business model

(53:05) Meeting one of the Planet Fitness’ founder

(54:40) What does the future hold?

(56:50) Mike’s encouraging highschool story

(58:30) Lack of thirst for knowledge 

(1:00:15) Working at GNC

(1:01:50) Gyms back in the days

(1:02:10) About Zach’s gym

(1:03:00) Message to other coaches

(1:04:10) Zach and his brother weightlifting

(1:06:35) “Begin with the work.” - Zach Even-Esh

(1:07:20) Importance of fitness at an older age

(1:08:20) Shout out to Sifu Singh

(1:09:10) Anthony’s success story

Where to find Zach Even-Esh? @zevenesh

The Strong Life Podcast