BarBend Podcast

Today I'm talking to Clay Cooper, better known online as @discoverydeadlift. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Clay took his weight plates and barbell outside and began doing his deadlift workouts in the great outdoors. Since then, he's rucked barbells and plates to mountains, riverbeds, beaches, and deep into the woods. He's deadlifted across the United States, had interesting encounters with wildlife (and people), and is planning to take his project international in the near future.

Today I’m talking to Matt B. Davis, the founder and driving force behind Obstacle Racing Media, the web’s number one source for all things OCR, Hyrox, and more. Matt and I have a lot in common: We’re both passionate about fitness, we both started sport-specific media companies, and we both started those media journeys at a time when a lot of folks said it was a bad idea. Like BarBend, Obstacle Racing Media has stood the test of time and grown from a one-man blog into a true source and home for its community online. If you want to know about the real history behind the rise and fall and rise again of OCR, Matt has a story for you.

Today I’m talking to Eoin Everard, an Irish physiotherapist and elite runner who has represented his country on the international athletics stage — he’s run the mile in under 4 minutes and is the 2-time Irish National Champion at 1500 meters. And if that’s not enough, he’s got a PhD in biomechanics. Eoin and I talk about his athletic background and how overcoming injury led him down a path to better understand sports performance for all athletes. Where does athletic movement start breaking down, and how do mobility restrictions factor in? And what can athletes to do start addressing those issues? While the information on this podcast isn’t meant as medical advice, I hope you get a lot out of how our guest breaks down biomechanics in a really digestible way.

Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today’s episode sponsor, Protecht Wraps. Wrist protection is important for me — and as someone with wrist injuries in the past, I try and go the extra mile to protect them.

Do you wear a fitness tracker when lifting? Then you've probably experienced taking it off for bench press, kettlebells, or other exercises.

Introducing Protecht Wraps, the first and only wrist wrap for lifting, cross-training, and kettlebell workouts that are designed to work around your watch while keeping your wrists and watch protected.

They just launched, and you can check them out at Protechtwraps.com

Today I'm talking to IFBB Bikini competitor Clare Morrow. What does it mean to be a bodybuilding pro? And what happens when you find that sport a little later in life like Clare? Clare and I talk a lot about her journey in that sport as well as practice with clients hoping to life healthier lifestyles. And we also discuss why Clare DOESN'T coach bodybuilding competitors to get stage ready.

I will say a lot of topics in this conversation border on medical. The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource.

Everybody is different, so seek out that professional guidance if you're thinking of making big changes. With that said, let's get on with the show.

Here's one from the archives with a man who needs little introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way through today. These days, he runs HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), a training and coaching empire. 

Today I’m talking to Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and songwriter Kitt Wakeley. Kitt has a decades-long career in music, and he’s also a lifelong fitness fanatic. He joins us to talk about finding a path to wellness in the demanding and temptation-filled music industry, including tips for how he stays on track while on the road. Kitt also talks about his bucket-list collaborators, rock & roll stereotypes, and much, much more.

Today I'm talking Swolverine co-founder Alix Best. She has a varied and deep background in fitness, and we cover a lot of topics in this podcast, including what it's like to infiltrate what basically amounts to a "fitness cult" — you know, the EARLY days of CrossFit. (I'm joking, just sort of.) We also talk about what it's like to be a woman founder in the male-dominated supplement industry and broader fitness industry. Alix is a straight shooter, and she doesn't hold much back. Some of her stories from the trenches about not being taken seriously just because she's a woman were eye-opening for me. They changed my perspective on how much work still needs to be done in this industry so that people are given credit based on merit. I hope you get as much from this podcast as I did!

Today I’m talking to pro strongman and multi-time World’s Strongest Man competitor Travis Ortmayer. Travis rocketed to early stardom after turning pro and was on top circuits for years. But then a series of personal setbacks — including addiction — sent him tumbling toward rock bottom. I’m going to give an important warning here: This episode is raw in places and deals with issues surrounding addiction, recovery, drug use, and suicidal thoughts. If you or anyone you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide or self harm, please dial the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

With that said, I want to personally thank Travis for sharing his difficult and emotional journey, including battling multiple personal demons. He’s been at the top, at the bottom, and worked his way back up. Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Here's my absolute favorite episode from 2022 (and one of our most downloaded ever!):

Today I’m talking to legendary fitness researcher and bodybuilding Dr. Jim Stoppani. When it comes to influencers in the space, Dr. Stoppani’s resume is almost unparalleled. He’s an active research scientist who has also spent decades in fitness publishing. And he’s a straight shooter, not afraid to separate fact from fiction and to admit when the research is still coming up short on topics in strength. Stoppani joins us to talk about everything from training myths to protein requirements as we age. Don’t miss out on this conversation with one of the most knowledgeable people in strength.

Today I'm talking to Jedidiah Snelson, a former Pro Motocross racer and trainer to action sports athletes. When it comes to sports like motocross and CrossFit, Jedidiah says the training can be very similar between the two; enduring a 35 race is a bit like a long Hero WOD. After an accident left him paralyzed, Jedidiah turned to CrossFit for an athletic and competitive outlet. Quickly, he became a top Adaptive Athlete in the Seated division and is still elite as he nears his mid-40s. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, and I hope you enjoy!