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In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with John Valentine — BJJ black belt, active-duty military instructor, and founder of the Combatives Association.

They discuss the fundamentals of real-world self-defense, the importance of pressure testing in training, and how martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fit into the broader self defense picture. The conversation covers coaching integrity, effective learning methods, and how to build sustainable skills that actually work under stress.

John also shares details about the upcoming Combatives Summit (October 24–26 in D’Iberville, MS), plus the launch of the Combatives coaching platform.

Whether you’re a coach, martial artist, or someone interested in personal protection, this episode will help you think more clearly about what training really prepares you for.

🔗 Learn more about the Combatives Summit: combativesummit.com

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00:00 – Introduction and guest background

02:00 – The origin of the Combatives Association

04:30 – Building an honest community around fighting and training

09:00 – Why fighting is simple but training often overcomplicates it

12:00 – Core truths of stand-up clinch, striking, and grappling

16:30 – Positions that matter: parallel vs. perpendicular fighting

18:20 – Weapons considerations and the limits of BJJ

21:00 – Why pressure testing matters more than techniques

24:00 – Wrestling as the foundation of fighting

26:30 – Jiu-Jitsu as the best entry point for most people

28:30 – Has BJJ abandoned self-defense to Krav Maga?

33:30 – Striking, clinching, grappling, and weapons: it’s always “yes”

35:00 – Legal aftermath and what martial arts don’t teach

37:00 – Self-defense vs. fitness classes

39:00 – Why BJJ “on accident” builds fighting ability better than most systems

43:00 – The role of coaching and integrity in self-defense training

46:30 – How most training preserves systems, not effectiveness

48:30 – Why information isn’t the problem — coaching is

51:00 – The dangers of repackaging combatives material

55:00 – Skipping the process gets people hurt

56:00 – Drilling vs. ecological/constraints-based learning

01:00:00 – Good coaching vs. bad teaching in martial arts

01:04:30 – Anecdotes, authority, and developing skill

01:06:50 – Suggested path to becoming self-reliant in self-defense

01:10:30 – John’s advice for beginners starting martial arts

01:13:30 – Situational awareness and reducing vulnerability

01:14:30 – Legal education and concealed carry training

01:15:30 – Combatives Summit 2025 details (Oct 24–26)

01:18:45 – Coaching platform and professional community launch

01:21:20 – Sponsors and community support for the Summit

01:22:30 – The value of surrounding yourself with high-level people

01:23:30 – Closing thoughts and takeaways

⸻

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In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo is interviewed by Hari Fafutis of Tavros Strength in Mexico. Nick describes his approach to physical and mental development through hard physical effort. 

The discussion dives into:

•Why building strength is the foundation of self-defense

•The role of martial arts in restoring people’s relationship with controlled violence

•The life-changing value of hard physical effort and skill acquisition

•The importance of setting an example of capability and resilience for your family

Hari and Nick also discuss how strength training and martial arts create more capable, confident people and how that translates into healthier communities.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro and context of this special episode

02:17 – Nick’s professional development and teaching philosophy

07:40 – Why fighting and martial arts became essential

10:53 – Discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its impact

14:05 – Balancing marriage, career, and physical pursuits

18:13 – Hari’s bar fight wake-up call and pursuit of strength

20:52 – From strength training to self-defense and martial arts

23:34 – Why Jiu-Jitsu is a foundation for self-defense

28:13 – The value of strength as “Phase 0” for capability

31:18 – Ego, hierarchy, and benefits of combat sports

34:36 – Controlled violence and filling the modern void

39:55 – Functional training vs. recreational sports

44:07 – Why hard physical effort builds stronger minds and communities

46:11 – Setting an example for the next generation

47:45 – Final thoughts and next steps in capability development

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In Episode 8 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with elite junior golfer McKenna Murphy and her Starting Strength Coach, Pete Troupos, to discuss how barbell training played a critical role in elevating McKenna’s golf performance. From winning the U.S. Kids Teen World Championship to earning a D1 scholarship at South Alabama, McKenna shares her journey and how lifting—particularly squats and deadlifts—directly improved her club head speed, consistency, and endurance on the course.

Pete gives insight into programming for a high-level youth athlete and highlights the value of adapting barbell training to support a primary sport rather than compete with it.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or athlete looking for that performance edge, this episode showcases how strength training can transform golf—and why it might be the X-factor you’ve overlooked.

00:00 – Intro: Meet McKenna Murphy and Coach Pete Troupos

01:16 – The link between barbell training and golf performance

02:51 – Pete’s coaching background and Starting Strength journey

06:05 – McKenna’s athletic background and how she started lifting

10:00 – Winning the U.S. Kids Teen World Championship

13:56 – How competitive junior golf really is

17:14 – Technical vs. mental breakthroughs in tournament play

18:58 – Club head speed, consistency, and fatigue resistance

21:17 – A 10 mph club head speed gain: how rare is that?

24:02 – Pete reflects on tracking performance gains through strength

27:45 – Observations from golf coaches and peers

32:08 – Why strength needs to come before “golf-specific” training

34:00 – Golf as a sport: redefining athleticism

37:51 – McKenna’s college schedule: balancing golf and strength

41:23 – Adjusting programming around tournaments and travel

44:34 – The coach’s role: strength serves the athlete’s goals

46:19 – Is golf hard on the body?

48:34 – Future plans: McKenna’s goal of turning pro

50:51 – 1,400+ swings a week: what elite training volume looks like

53:00 – Strength training as the untapped differentiator in golf

56:04 – Final thoughts: strength + consistency = performance

57:39 – Thanks and closing remarks

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In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy https://www.ladybirdpt.com/ in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most underappreciated tools in women’s health. This conversation bridges the gap between medical rehab and high-performance coaching—essential listening for strength coaches, pregnant athletes, and anyone working with women in the gym.

00:00 - Intro & how Becky got involved with Starting Strength Austin

01:15 - Lifting workshop recap & Becky’s team background

03:27 - What is pelvic health PT?

05:04 - Why Becky started Lady Bird PT

07:12 - Pregnancy isn’t a problem to manage—training is essential

10:00 - Medical conservatism, strength, and female physiology

13:23 - Training during pregnancy: Becky’s and Nick’s coaching experience

16:36 - What guidelines should lifters follow?

20:20 - What symptoms matter and how to respond

22:55 - Exercise modifications & movement adjustments

24:58 - The role of energy availability during pregnancy

26:07 - Postpartum recovery: timelines and expectations

29:54 - Real-world coaching after pregnancy

32:03 - Strength persists post-pregnancy

34:12 - Weighing health vs. aesthetic goals postpartum

35:16 - Strength training protects pelvic health

37:24 - Stress incontinence: how coaches should think about it

41:08 - Common causes & symptoms

44:25 - What coaches can ask—and what’s in their scope

46:35 - How and when to modify training for stress incontinence

51:18 - Proper Valsalva vs. bearing down

54:03 - Practical breathing cues to reduce pelvic stress

55:35 - Do Kegels work? It depends

59:18 - Are there standard pelvic floor strengthening protocols?

1:00:52 - When to refer out to pelvic PT

1:03:42 - Understanding prolapse & how to respond

1:07:28 - What is a pessary and who might benefit from one?

1:08:29 - How to contact Dr. Becky Maidansky

⸻

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In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Starting Strength Gyms founder Ray Gillenwater for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, vision, and the founding story of Starting Strength Gyms. Ray shares how his experiences in tech, corporate leadership, and global markets led him to Starting Strength—and why strength training is at the core of building better people, teams, and businesses.

They explore the parallels between barbell training and business operations, discuss lessons from launching a franchise, and highlight the power of doing hard things. From his time at BlackBerry to the launch of Starting Strength Gyms, Ray’s story offers valuable insight for entrepreneurs, coaches, and anyone seeking freedom through ownership.

00:00 – Intro: Ray returns to the podcast

00:44 – Ray’s background in tech and telecom

02:20 – First encounter with Starting Strength

04:50 – Discovering the program, contacting Rip

07:00 – Attending his first seminar and injuries

08:20 – Starting Strength retail vision emerges

10:24 – Franchising vs affiliation

12:42 – How the response to COVID tested the franchise

14:59 – Corporate vs mission-driven business

16:35 – BlackBerry in Southeast Asia

19:30 – Sales tactics and incentive alignment

23:19 – Launching BlackBerry Money, ahead of its time

27:30 – What went wrong at BlackBerry

30:00 – The draw of Starting Strength

31:35 – Bullshit in the corporate world

33:00 – Rip’s influence and brutal honesty

34:15 – Returning to the franchise—lessons learned

36:04 – Coaching gym owners like lifters

38:49 – Business fundamentals mirror training

40:26 – Product, people, and solving real problems

44:42 – Technical expertise vs human connection

48:30 – How to help the runner, the skeptic, anyone

52:46 – Weekly habits and business levers

54:20 – Vision, strategy, and scalable simplicity

56:34 – Why the culture makes it all work

57:37 – Hard physical effort = quality people

1:01:25 – Franchising done the right way

1:03:31 – Humility, hardship, and growth

1:06:35 – Closing reflections on freedom and purpose

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In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, host Nick Delgadillo speaks with Alex Ptacek, Head Coach at Starting Strength Chicago, and his trainee Mike Kelly. Mike shares the gripping and ultimately inspiring story of suffering a catastrophic quad injury—followed by multiple surgeries, setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to recovery. Alex and Mike detail the coaching, rehab, and mindset needed to not only recover but hit PRs after the injury.

This episode is a masterclass in first principles thinking, coaching accountability, and what’s possible when grit meets process. Whether you’re a coach, trainee, or recovering from injury yourself—this one is not to be missed.

00:00 - Intro and guest introductions

01:15 - Alex’s background and entry into coaching

04:55 - Mike’s long training history and CrossFit roots

07:00 - Mike’s first serious injury and how it led to Starting Strength

11:00 - The value of strength and discovering Rip

17:30 - Injury mindset, aging, and training smarter

27:00 - The squat injury and ambulance ride

34:10 - First surgery and complications

42:00 - Training with only one functioning quad

49:00 - Re-injury and second surgery

1:04:50 - Tourniquet bruise, setback, and third surgery

1:14:00 - Training mentality and persistence

1:21:00 - Running again—why movement matters

1:26:00 - Final thoughts: gratitude, recovery, and moving forward

⸻

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In Episode 4 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with long-time client and friend Erin Spiva to discuss six years of consistent barbell training, lessons learned, and how strength carries over into real life, including hobbies like pole fitness. 

Erin shares her journey from getting started to becoming a client who trains with purpose and balance. They dive into training as a woman, programming adjustments for neuromuscular efficiency, nutrition habits, the myth of “bulking up,” chin-ups, and what happens when you pair heavy lifting with pole sport. A practical episode that demonstrates how strength makes everything better.

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro: Meet Erin Spiva

01:20 - Why Erin’s perspective matters

03:23 - How training women is (and isn’t) different

05:41 - Neuromuscular efficiency: men vs. women

08:28 - Programming fix: switching women to triples

11:46 - Women grind better: fatigue vs. recruitment

13:52 - Erin’s early lifting history

16:09 - Initial numbers, form struggles, and flexibility

17:46 - Weight trends over the years

18:54 - “Looking better” vs. health: what people really want

22:05 - Why women won’t “accidentally get bulky”

24:43 - Aesthetics vs. capability

26:52 - Cutting while training: Erin’s real numbers

27:55 - Simplicity in programming & new variations

30:36 - Dimmell deadlifts, press goals, and load manipulation

32:53 - Erin’s training progression & consistency

34:00 - Current mindset walking into the gym

35:37 - Lifelong strength: different goals at every stage

37:52 - The importance of balance & sustainable goals

40:09 - How Erin builds habits & sustainable systems

41:44 - Her weekly food prep: protein, grains, & travel chicken

42:50 - Accepting who you are and building around that

44:32 - Early goals: 315 deadlift & chin-ups

47:21 - Tradeoffs: could be stronger, but at what cost?

49:33 - How Erin got her first chin-up

52:29 - The progression: from holds to full reps

53:32 - Training balance and why pole fitness clicked

56:07 - What pole class is like—and who should try it

59:31 - How Erin found pole sport

1:01:18 - How strength helps with skill acquisition

1:03:30 - Why pole felt easier thanks to barbell strength

1:04:40 - Don’t spin your wheels: lift real weights

1:05:11 - Why Erin should start a practical nutrition blog

1:06:13 - Her no-brainer food strategy

1:07:46 - How much technical nutrition matters (or doesn’t)

1:08:52 - Progress is simple: consistency over perfection

1:10:00 - Helping parents get stronger without barbells

1:13:42 - Final advice to women thinking about lifting

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In Episode 3 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo dives deep into press programming—how to build a strong, pain-free, and consistent overhead press. Drawing on years of coaching and real-world experience, Nick explains why the press is uniquely difficult to progress, how to apply the right amount of stress, how to avoid common mistakes, and when to evolve your programming beyond novice LP. Whether you’re stuck at a plateau or just want to get jacked shoulders and bombproof joints, this episode gives you a full roadmap.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Why the press is hard

01:17 – Overview of press misconceptions and challenges

02:55 – The benefits of pressing: shoulder health & strength

04:36 – Pressing for rehab: mythbusting doctor advice

07:42 – Why the press is uniquely difficult to progress

11:00 – Press and aesthetics: traps, delts, and the “look”

12:42 – Understanding stress and recovery in press stalls

14:21 – Not enough stress is the real issue in most cases

18:30 – Hard plateaus: signs and solutions

20:58 – The skill component: it’s not just strength

23:35 – You must press heavy and often

26:33 – Summary of principles before implementing

27:05 – Press Programming Protocol Begins

33:00 – Step 1: Get all your reps, even if you fail

35:00 – Step 2: Add a second press day

37:48 – Singles and volume split explained

40:38 – Short rest intervals for better practice

43:05 – Step 3: Implement rep ranges

47:24 – Switch to strict press for volume

48:00 – Step 4: Add a third press day – the pin press

49:45 – Why and how to program pin presses

52:31 – Advanced options: pins, rep targets, and assistance

54:22 – Review: A press program that lasts for years

57:43 – Final advice: pressing is frustrating, but worth it

⸻

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In Episode 2 of the Stronger Is Better podcast, Nick Delgadillo breaks down strength standards into three categories: competitive goals, evaluative benchmarks, and personal targets. He explains why most people have skewed expectations about what’s possible—and how to set realistic goals without having to become a powerlifter.

Nick introduces the widely respected 2/3/4/5 baseline strength goals (200 lb press / 300 lb bench / 400 lb squat / 500 lb deadlift for men) and a proportional set for women. These aren’t elite standards—they’re what you should aim for before considering specialization.

Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or everyday lifter, this episode provides a grounded, motivating framework for assessing and pursuing your strength potential.

⸻

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00:00 - Intro: “How strong should I be?”

01:20 - Why strength goals are often misunderstood

04:00 - What “it depends” really means

08:08 - 3 categories of strength goals: personal, evaluative, competitive

09:48 - Competition: using meet results to guide expectations

17:36 - Evaluative standards: don't copy powerlifters

29:28 - What is strength specialization?

34:49 - Beginner male milestones: 135/225/315/405

38:52 - The 2/3/4/5 baseline standard

41:55 - Female equivalents to 2/3/4/5

45:17 - What comes after baseline strength?

47:01 - Final message: don’t stop too early

⸻

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Welcome to Episode 1 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms and hosted by Nick Delgadillo. In this kickoff episode, Nick lays out a comprehensive roadmap for barbell programming — from the simple and powerful Novice Linear Progression all the way to advanced programming strategies used by experienced lifters and coaches.

You’ll learn the first principles behind effective programming, how to progress as a lifter, and how to systematically plan your training to keep getting stronger over time.

This episode includes:

•Key programming concepts and first principles

•How to measure progress intelligently

•How to use volume and the value of heavy singles

•A sample 4-day advanced training split

•Influences from Starting Strength, Practical Programming, and Conjugate-style templates

📘 Referenced Resources:

•Novice Linear Progression: https://youtu.be/5xbqyrCi6Lo?si=kCarnQbTIk1h5Lhr

•Beyond NLP - Intermediate Programming: https://youtu.be/aX9lSM1L9o8?si=J5ywkn6V3UQ0vTDq

•Baker Barbell: https://www.andybaker.com/blog/

🎧 Have a question or topic suggestion?

Email us at [email protected]

00:00 - Introduction to the Stronger is Better Podcast  

00:43 - Podcast Focus: Principles and Process  

01:22 - Today's Topic: Advanced Programming  

02:32 - Foundational Texts and Why They Matter  

07:07 - Defining First Principles in Training  

09:00 - General Adaptation Syndrome and SAID Principle  

11:19 - Simple to Complex: Systems Thinking in Training  

14:16 - Barbell Training as a Hard Physical Endeavor  

17:04 - Defining Strength: Force Production  

20:22 - Barbell Training Efficiency vs. Other Methods  

24:25 - Force Production Across the Athletic Spectrum  

26:00 - Training Efficiency and Optimization  

29:28 - Novice Linear Progression: Foundation of Programming  

35:59 - When Novice Progression Ends: What’s Next?  

38:30 - Transitioning to Intermediate Programming  

43:30 - Measuring Progress with Key Lifts  

46:05 - Texas Method Clarified  

49:23 - Intermediate vs. Advanced: Variables and Volume  

50:26 - Advanced Programming: Heavier More Often  

52:00 - Programming the Bench Press with Variations  

58:31 - Influence of Conjugate Method and Andy Baker  

1:04:45 - Upper Body Split: Press and Assistance Work  

1:05:20 - Lower Body Programming: Rotating Squat and Deadlift  

1:14:00 - Dynamic Effort Day Explained  

1:17:05 - Weekly Structure Recap  

1:20:42 - Wrap Up: Personalization and Systematic Thinking  

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