In this episode, I’m joined by Ali Madani, also known as @PowerhousePersia — a Persian Meel National Champion, Zurkhaneh competitor, and a powerful voice in the resurgence of ancient strength culture. Ali has dedicated his life to preserving and teaching the traditional art of Persian meels — an ancient strength tool once used by warriors to build real-world power, endurance, and control.

We dive into why tools like meels, maces, and steel clubs are more relevant than ever in today’s world. These aren’t trendy fitness gadgets — they’re thousands of years old, and they reconnect us to how the human body was meant to move: in three dimensions, with rotational strength, grip power, and full-body awareness.

Let’s be real — most people today are weak, sedentary, and disconnected from what made us human. We no longer hunt, climb, or throw. We don’t need to fight or forage to survive — we just shop and scroll. But our bodies haven’t changed. We evolved to move, to swing, to lift, to grip — and we’ve lost that edge.

This episode explores how functional, primal training with Persian meels and leverage tools can help you reclaim that edge. Ali breaks down his training philosophy, how he programs for strength and longevity, and what’s next for him in 2025 and beyond.

Follow Ali on Instagram:

👉 https://www.instagram.com/powerhousepersia

Subscribe for more interviews, training, and gear breakdowns:

👉 https://youtube.com/@tacticalbullion

Get the best kettlebells, steel clubs & maces:

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1. Introduction:
   • Trevor Shan, specialist in bells, clubs, maces, and fasting.
2. Segment 1: The Tools and Techniques:
   • Explore the impact of unconventional tools on strength and physique.
   • Address inquiries about performance-enhancing substances.
3. Segment 2: Personal Journey:
   • Origin of incorporating bells, clubs, and maces.
   • Insight into Trevor's background and sports involvement.
4. Segment 3: The Art of Fasting:
   • Reasons behind fasting and tips for enthusiasts.
   • Consideration of fasting's universal effectiveness.
5. Segment 4: Fasting Trends:
   • Discuss the growing popularity of fasting.
   • Identify who benefits most from incorporating fasting.
6. Segment 5: Favorite Movements and Training:
   • Trevor's preferred kettlebell movement for various benefits.
   • Information on how to get involved in his coaching program.
7. Segment 6: Coaching Insights:
   • Overview of Trevor's coaching program and its appeal.
   • Identification of individuals best suited for this style of training.
8. Conclusion:
   • Thanks to Trevor for insights on bells, clubs, maces, and fasting.
   • Tease for more episodes on strength and wellness.

Dm Drew here

If you are interested in grabbing kettlebells check our sponsor out GreatLakesGirya.com as they have the best hardstyle bells on the market.

Below were the questions I had laid out, as usual sometimes things got off topic. Super useful and fun convo about training with bells.

1. How did you become involved with kettlebells and why did you continue to use them for a sustained amount of time?

2. Did you start with sport or hardstyle first ? What is the difference between hardstyle and sport ?

3. Flows vs complex vs single movement - Could you explain what each one is good for and where you would favour one over the other ?

4. Do you like to mix kettlebells with other modalities such as barbell or bodyweight work?

5. Doubles or singles ? Do you have a favourite to work with? And if so why?

6. Grinds and ballistics. Could you explain in your words what these terms mean in the kettlebell world.

7. How do you balance out your Grinds vs Ballistics ?

8. When did you start KB academics ? What is your vision for it ?

9. How can people reach you if they have more questions or inquiries for you?

   Contact Drew Here

James Podcast -

Indian Club Instructor

This podcast was all over the place. It was a great time. Got off topic a lot.

• What is an Indian club? What is it used for?

• They came from a bottle. Wine or perrier bottle.

• Indian clubs, persian meal, jori are all variations of clubs

• Ryan Pitts mace maces look amazing. I must chat with him about getting a GLG mace and club option.

• Chatting about different coatings on clubs. Shellac is merely a resin that is secreted by the lac bug. It can be processed and then sold as dry flakes. It can then be used as a brush-on colorant and most commonly as wood finish. Varnish, on the other hand, is a protective finish or film that is very hard and is also used in wood finishing.

• Indian clubs ( https://us.greatlakesgirya.com/collections/rotational-strength-training-tools) are bat shaped or bowling pin style clubs that are typically used in a group setting that are a cross between calisthenics and juggling. Club Swinging was born. Keeps you mobile well not decreasing performance by not over fatiguing.

• Great for people who need to keep mobile and use their bodies in potentially life saving interventions.

• How James got into clubs.

• Get good communication skills then learn how to fight. If one doesn't pan out.. You have a backup.

• Fundamentals - not needed to start. Just get going.

• You're not broken. If you can still move. Figure it out.

• If you're a coach. Have the fundamentals sorted. Whatever you teach to someone you better know you're doing it properly.

• Working through injuries in my mind set. If it hurts too much don't do it. Simple.

• Chatting about being a new trainer. Taking any client you can take. Gotta do what you gotta do. ( Take whatever clients you can )

• The magic tricks are to show up, do the work and get it done.

• Nerve flossing. Good stuff with Indian clubs.

• If you take courses don't drop the program your client is on and start applying all the new tools you just learned from the course. Stay focused on your clients goals.

• Beer, Bacon and Brownies ( 97% open rate) not clickbait.

• Clubs can help people calm down peoples systems. Great for getting people started with movement.

• “Move towards better everyday, get strong , stay strong and don’t fucking quit. '' James Neidlinger Quote.

• Going through the 5 movements taught from Flexible steel.

• Request , demo then que. .. poop in the woods. Perfect cue for the squat.

• New adjustable mace /club combo! Coming out in 2022.

• Reach James at https://instagram.com/5ringssystems?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Coach Mav and I chat about kettlebells and how awesome kettlebells are.

Greatlakesgirya.com has a shipment of our high quality bells coming in February! Pre Order now to get free shipping.

We talk about his philosophy and outlook on training. We also touch upon how kettlebells, and getting active, helped me through a very challenging time in my life.

We chat about programming and how Mav comes up with his amazing programs!

Mental toughness. It's very important stuff. Bells help you develop a hard AF mindset.

Using bells and getting strong with them by default make you less weak.

Kettlebell sport or hardstyle - which style is better? Wanna go to a dark place and come back from the depths of mordor? Seek long cycle kettlebell.

Ying and Yang of Kettlebells - What I meant when I said Ying and Yang was that many kettlebell sport and hardstyle kettlebell techniques are very much opposite but they complement one another if you use both styles, or even better blend them together. It will benefit you to learn some long cycle(Dark) efficient body positions vs having your body perfectly inline (plum line) and not accounting for the change in the way you are carrying a load. Hardstyle(Light) is very strict in its positions which is detrimental to longer bouts of physical movement with load. On the flip side, not having adequate ability to generate the amounts of tension required to lift (grind not ballistic) heavy loads is detrimental to lifting heavy and being a very powerful mover of loads. So in conclusion, hardstyle (light) and sport (dark) are opposites that complement each other.

When you are putting your program together make sure you look at your goals and make a plan that will get you there. If you want to run a marathon don't just focus on your strength training. If you want to be able to press a 48kg kettlebell then you need to know certain things to include in your program to get to that goal. Ok you can press 32kg once on both left and right arms. Now design a program to build on that skill:

Example programming design for 3 days per week

This is for a single arm military press based off a 32KG max press

Week 1

3x5/5 @20kg

3x3/3@24kg

3x2/2@28kg

Week 2

3x5/5 @20kg

3x3/3@24kg

3x3/3@28kg

Week 3

3x5/5 @20kg

3x3/3@24kg

5x3/3@28kg

Week 4

3x5/5 @20kg

3x3/3@24kg

3x4/4@28kg

After this month long program, re-test your max press and you will be impressed with your progress.

Pre Order now to get free shipping. - Kettlebell Preorder Link

A description from an internet search

Yin and yang (or yin-yang) is a complex relational concept in Chinese culture that has developed over thousands of years. Briefly put, the meaning of yin and yang is that the universe is governed by a cosmic duality, sets of two opposing and complementing principles or cosmic energies that can be observed in nature.

Great Lakes Girya Podcast 005

ADAM GLASS

Professional Grip Strongman + Really knowledgeable fun guy to talk to.

This podcast is sponsored by greatlakesgirya.com

This is a very lengthy episode. Bottom line, strong grip means you’re strong. If your grip is weak… so are you. Stress happens, it's how you deal with it that dictates how it affects you.

But this podcast also has great insights on growing an equipment business at the beginning and during the peak of the pandemic! We chat about how Great Lakes Girya came to be as we know it today:

• Dive into the way I built GLG from my basement to a multimillion dollar business.

• Chat about my past and previous career as a trainer.

• Delve into what personal training and courses are about, plus injuries I sustained and dealt with via my own personal training.

Later in this episode, we chat about grip although, as chats sometimes do, we also talk extensively regarding sales and marketing and customer types. Insights such as: flavoured oreos will be bought by people who like oreos. It makes sense to target the market you are speaking to, rather than targeting everyone. Target specifically for best results.

Strength Gains and Power Positions

Adam views my 60kg TGU and says he sees more strength to be had. He mentioned 80kg. I will gun for the 72kg first and will substitute the barbell ion as he suggested. I haven't done that and it will give me a different experience which will allow me to go heavier as well.

We talk about the power position of the palm. It's the subtle difference that allows you to get heavier in your press or TGU. Do you flex, slightly flex or extend? People that are capable of lifting heavy you'll see the wrist is slightly extended as you allow the handle to press into the powerpoint of the palm.

Kool Aid with the kettlebell industry. Around the 2hour 11min mark.

It's a great listen. A neat chat regarding Steve Cotter apparently spilling the beans about Russians putting the North American training and representatives to shame.

Great Lakes Girya.com

Very excited to get this podcast out here for everyone to hear. In this episode I chat with Emre from Gripdeo and talk about grip and why it's important. Also we chat about this invention, the Gripedo

Actions of the wrist = Supination and pronation are terms used to describe the up or down orientation of your hand, arm, or foot. When your palm or forearm faces up, it's supinated. When your palm or forearm faces down, it's pronated

Actions of your upper arm (humerus) In anatomy, internal rotation (also known as medial rotation) is rotation towards the centre of the body. External rotation (or lateral rotation) is rotation away from the centre of the body.

Visual video on youtube

Podcast Timeline

1-10min

-Talking about grip and how it is gaining in popularity and introducing the gripeo.

-Movement for health and fitness in the last 10 years has increased the popularity of grip training .

-Grip is very important , especially for those who are athletes or use their hands daily for tough work.

- If you have to grab something heavy in an emergency situation. Gripedo for rehabbing elbow issues such as tennis elbow or golfer's elbow.

Visual video on youtube

10min -20min

-Chatting about me being a foot and hand fanatic (not in a creepy way)

-Kinetic chain - Train grip to avoid having your hand/wrist be your weak link

-Concentric training for rest/recovery/deload days easier on the nervous system and to recover from.

-Lou simmons from westside barbell uses lots of sled/concentric work

-Sealing from Paul to pay Peter in terms of movement (can't rotate in spine - knees, shoulders, ankles will rotate to make up for that.

20min - 40min

-Different positions to work the Gripedo - all planes sagittal, frontal and transverse (Very neat)

- Arm wrestling and the obvious importance of grip strength for that sport.

- Arm Lifting Super Series

- 250lb mace !!!! I need to check out how this thing was used. That is insane.

- Chatting about GLG Steel Clubs edesign and new upcoming options

- Maces and design ideas from our line up.

- Strength vs endurance with gripedo

- Combining kb and gripedo (Wicked combo !!)

40min - 65min

-Mental toughness with grip work (and bells)

- Supersetting gripedo and doing giant sets , drop sets with other grip training methods for insane grip endurance

- No grip = game over in fighting

- Bjj and Sambo chat. Taking off in North America (Canada kicks ass at Judo)

- Lots of physios love the Gripdeo

- How did Emre come up with the Gripdeo.

- Overuse injuries are enemy number one in wrist/elbow dysfunction (not balanced with strength and range of movement)

- Conditioning vs rehab with the Gripdeo

- Always work with a physio and physician to get assessed and started off safely.

- Pain can be a deterrent for progress. Don't work in pain.Work with your injury and around i

Move well and then get strong.

-Emre's story behind starting the Grideo!

Podcast #003 - Rik Brown

Mr.Maceman aka Rik Brown has been teaching people how to use the mace for over 15 years, from the motor morons (Those lacking coordination and natural athletic ability) to many elite level athletes. He teaches an amazing course. He is a master mace trainer and has done to maces what Pavel did for kettlebells.

I was honoured to learn from him. He understands the body and movement very well and he teaches in such a professional way. Every student feels his energy and passion for sharing his extensive knowledge about this amazing tool and how to use it as it.

Be sure to follow him and take his course if you ever have the chance. I highly recommend it.

RIk and I talk about mace training and circular strength training. It's a great conversation.

We cover chat about things such as:

• Flow vs traditional mace training

• Types of maces (steel maces, Hydro mace, Bamboo Maces from Bill and Steph Sorenson)

• Competitions - crazy one handed comps in Spain, weak ones in North America( we need to step it up around here and represent)

• Benefits of mace training.

• Starting direction when learning the mace. (very neat joint coupling, easiest direction biomechanically

• Benefits of having foundational based movements in your tool box to maintain your body when needed .

• Programming and rep ranges to start at and aim for. (Very Important)

• Importance of healthy shoulders in healthy movement

• Traits good maces have.

• Undulating movement is much different then linear force/strength applications

Learn a movement and aim for 20-30 reps flawlessly then work it until you can do 100. Don't add any more weight until you get 100 reps. Maces were designed/developed from battle weapons and were meant for many reps of use. So you wouldn't bring a really heavy mace to battle as you would get tired and not be able to continue macing folks.

If you want to check out some amazing deals from my store Great Lakes Girya.com

Please check out site

greatlakesgirya.com - Canadian site

us.greatlakesgirya.com - US site

We have selected steel maces and steel clubs on sale now as well as other great offers. check out our 12 deals of fitness with the link below.

https://www.greatlakesgirya.com/collections/12-deals-of-fitness - CDN site

https://us.greatlakesgirya.com/collections/12-deals-of-fitness - US site

Great Lakes Girya Podcast Episode #2 Bud Jeffries

(Sorry about the audio from my mic. Im working on it)

We cover a brief history of Bud and how his life changed direction because of a major injury when he was on the path to become a professional football player.

Bud is a speaker, author of many books and professional strongman and he walks the talk. He has had many reasons to be demotivated and to give up what he wants, but when life gives you kettlebells … swing them. Meaning, when things don't go your way keep your attitude positive because when you stay positive and keep going it's much better then the opposite. It's normal to have setbacks, that's life. When things don’t go your way you have to do what you can … and that’s a lot :)

A quote below I'll leave you with,

“We are not meant to be sedentary living below our potential, couch potatoes that do nothing with our life.”

-Bud Jeffries

Bud believes in making a difference where you can.

Make a difference today with the link below.

Sign up to become an organ donor

JOIN NOAH’S ARMY AND BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR TODAY.

HELP SUPPORT A GREAT FOUNDATION!

A LITTLE ABOUT NOAH’S ARMY FOUNDATION BELOW

Our goals through Noah's Army Foundation, Inc., are to provide scholarships and support for first responders, assist veterans and active duty military. To offer assistance to those in our community where we can and bring instruments, music and learning to children in long term health care. We will continue to help build awareness and understanding of the importance of organ donation. Our son, William Noah Jeffries' life was cut short at the age of 21. He was a very accomplished young man, but had many goals and dreams left ahead of him. It is our desire to help others achieve their goals, who share a similar spirit to Noah's and still bring some of his to fruition in his memory. Noah had elected to become an organ donor the day he received his license at 16. He always felt it was the right thing to do. Because of his awareness, four other people who were recipient matches, continue to live today. Register today!

In this episode Mark (using bells since 2001) and I chat about his history in the fitness game, injuries and getting over them ( or working with them/around them) when you have the tools and time to get down to business. Mark is an OG of the kettlebell world and I was very excited to chat with him regarding some interesting topics.

• Offset foot positions changes the loading of the backswing

• E-Coat vs powdercoat bells

• Hand positions when catching in single arm movements

• GS vs hardstyle breathing patterns biomechanical match vs anatomical

• Self care to improve strength and function. Possibly speed up recovery times.

• Primal movements and balancing the body and creating a more aligned posture.

• Length tension relationships and joint centration.

• knee Valgus in a deep squat under serious load .. adduction , internal rotation, flexion ( depending on femur position parts of the adductors can act as extensors) and a stable pronation not a weak one that is without tension. I would argue that the foot does go into pronation to supinate as you come out of the internal rotation , adduction and flexion from the loading/ eccentric phase of the squat.

• Grip position during the snatch

Please note there was some incorrect data I told Mark during this episode.

I have never completed 60 TGU in 30 min with a 48Kg bell. It is a goal of mine now.

Links relevant to this podcast.

Marks Body Maintenance Course

Marks website

The link to the video Mark mentions for activating the scapula.

NKT Neurokinetic Therapy - Functional Neurology + muscle testing

Paul Chek - Functional Training Godfather

Great Lakes Girya.com - Colin's Online Kettlebell store

Viking Warrior Condoning I purchased this book after checking it out.

Snatch Scheme Mark was talking about with Kennith Jay protocol . (I MUST TRY THIS)

Snatch a 16kg bell with your right arm 7 reps in 15 sec - 15sec rest - Snatch a 16kg bell with your left arm 7 reps = 2 sets

1 min = 2 sets

Start with 10 min / 20 sets ( 10 right / 10 left )

Total work time is 5 min rest is 5 min

work up until you get 50 sets

50 sets will take 25 min

7+7 x 25 = 350 snatches