Nick Best hosts a live episode with longtime training partner “Big James,” discussing their strongman history since 2009, James’s 200kg granite stone world record at FIBO, and Nick’s recent 700lb squat PR at age 42. They answer a fan question about strength training for bone density and the benefits and cautions of vitamin D3, zinc, and selenium, emphasizing tracking variables and bloodwork. James recounts starting strongman in 2003, qualifying for Giants Live, and competing at events like Fit Expo and Sin City Strongman. They preview World’s Strongest Man contenders, discuss the Enhanced Games deadlift and how flexible bars affect deadlift integrity, and touch on supportive gear for longevity. James plugs Tactical Night Vision Company and Task Force 70 and shares his Instagram handle.

James Rude
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/real_strong_tactical/
Tactical Night Vision https://tnvc.com/shop/category/training-classes/
Task force 70 https://www.tf70.org/

00:00 Show Kickoff
00:54 Meet Big James
02:03 Granite Stone Grip
02:27 Fan Question Space Lifting
04:14 Supplements And Doctors
06:40 Track Variables Carefully
07:47 Vitamin D And Selenium Safety
09:10 Nick Squat PR
10:57 Conjugate Training Explained
12:15 How James Met Nick
15:24 Strongman Career Highlights
17:40 Firearms Instructor Life
20:21 Worlds Strongest Man Plans
22:21 Fit Expo Yoke Medley
23:18 Event Win Breakdown
24:59 Worlds Contenders Talk
25:40 Martins Training Memories
27:28 Attic Water Heater Chaos
29:35 FIBO Stone Record Prep
32:35 Highland Games And Loss
33:31 Travel Plans And Deadlift Hype
36:19 Bendy Bars Debate
39:11 Gear Longevity Tips
44:47 Night Vision Shoutouts
47:55 Final Thanks And Wrap 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Invigor Medical https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman


Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

The hosts go live, plug their Patreon tiers, welcome new member, and answer a question about protecting others from fake news by staying calm, educating through discussion, and holding media to being honest, fair, and impartial, while criticizing partisan news, corporate influence, and political incentives; they also call for restoring an updated FCC Fairness Doctrine and stricter accountability for politicians and NGOs. The episode then pivots to a detailed Worlds Strongest Man 2026 preparation blueprint: how to plan once invited, study event order and rules, train the full contest in sequence in the final weeks, and build strategies for circus medley overhead, squat for reps, truck pull, natural stone medley, and finals events like max log, Titan Toss, deadlift-for-reps options, and Atlas Stones. Nick also covers contest-week nutrition, recovery timing, gear/tacky/shoe choices, and mindset, and they close by encouraging Patreon support and future guests.

00:00 Going Live and Patreon
01:37 Fighting Fake News
04:52 Media Bias and Ownership
07:03 Fixing Politics and Healthcare
10:23 Fairness Doctrine and Accountability
11:32 NGO Money and Common Truth
14:40 Worlds Strongest Man Prep
19:31 Event Strategy Overhead Medley
21:53 Squat for Reps Tactics
23:46 Rules And Advantages
24:03 Squat Prep And Surfaces
25:25 Truck Pull Heavy Vs Speed
26:42 Shoe Grip Hacks
27:07 Natural Stone Medley Tactics
29:33 Finals Medley Safety Talk
31:53 Max Log Attempt Strategy
33:25 Titan Toss Training
34:21 Deadlift For Reps Gameplan
35:46 Stones After Deadlifts
37:27 Contest Nutrition And Gut Safety
40:01 Mindset Recovery And Weather Prep
41:22 Gear Checklist And Sleep Setup
44:15 Wrap Up And Next Guests 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Invigor Medical https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Nick Best hosts a live Q&A for Patreon members with Trey Mitchell and Ben, discussing discipline and learning strongman skills by mastering event rules, technique details, and individualized training cycles while seeking advice to prevent injuries. They address a conspiracy theory about celebrity clones by recommending not engaging with such content, blocking sources, and quickly swiping past unwanted posts to reduce algorithmic exposure, noting AI makes fake media harder to detect. The conversation shifts to Trey’s recent Arnold performance and excitement for a max log at World’s Strongest Man, plus preparation for farmers into power stairs, overhead medley strategy, grip work (plate finger holds, behind-the-back barbell holds, arm-over-arm), truck/bus pull training alternatives, and using equipment tweaks like taping bars and liquid chalk. Trey also mentions gym upgrades, Facebook Marketplace buys, and his sponsors SBD, Belfast Formula, and John Henry Meats.

Trey Mitchell 
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/berserkerlifter/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@BigThicket

00:00 Patreon Live Kickoff
01:12 Discipline From Lifting
02:54 Learning Events Properly
04:11 Technique And Training Cycles
06:03 Sharing Knowledge And Safety
07:10 Clones Conspiracies And AI
10:11 Trey Arnold Highlights
12:09 Grip Prep And Farmers
14:58 Quick Turnaround Recovery
15:34 Chad Stories And Toughness
17:59 Nick Hip Surgery Plan
19:43 Power Stairs And Speed Work
21:52 Training Crew And Content
25:19 Gym Tech And Heat Training
28:32 Home Gym Marketplace Finds
33:00 Beefing Up Equipment
34:14 Trump Deadlift Plans
36:23 Truck Pull Training Hacks
42:13 Overhead Medley Strategy
48:00 Circus Bar Setup Tips
52:47 Chad Coaching Stories
55:07 Worlds Prep Check In
01:02:24 Food Content And Sponsors
01:07:30 Final Thanks And Sign Off 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com



Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Invigor Medical https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman



Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Welcome new Patreon members and discuss a listener question about whether to avoid U.S. news due to tragic war footage, concluding it’s important to stay informed while not letting it overwhelm daily life and to make choices like not supporting companies that support war. Joined by strongman veteran Chad Coy, they talk about the strongman community’s unusually supportive “family” culture despite intense competition, mentoring athletes to the pro level, and the value of coaching honesty and continuous education. Chad shares his work with the Prey Speed School helping gym owners, notes growth in youth sports performance, and previews upcoming events including Worlds in Myrtle Beach, emphasizing conditioning for heat and humidity. They also cover judging standards, training journals, avoiding constant gym PRs, and coaching accountability.

00:00 Live Show Kickoff
00:52 Welcoming Patreon Members
01:30 Staying Informed About War
04:28 Strongman Community Culture
08:01 Mentorship and Pro Path
10:49 Coaching and Day Job
13:28 Worlds Format and Conditioning
15:35 Training for Heat and Humidity
17:51 Beards and Strongman Banter
20:07 Longevity and GOAT Debates 
24:38 Enhanced Games and Drug Talk
26:31 Coaching Philosophy and Learning
30:41 Young Athlete Mindset
31:40 Train With Consistency
32:27 Peak For Competition
33:04 Coach Accountability
33:51 Training Journal Habit
36:07 Find Your Best System
37:20 Velocity Based Deadlift
38:54 Nutrition And Recovery Talk
40:30 Judging And Rule Calls
49:08 Strongman Stories And Implements
55:16 Invites Jobs And Purpose
57:54 Wrap Up And Farewell 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Nick Best and Ben welcome new Patreon member Men and answer questions about training, explaining differences between powerlifting (squat, bench, deadlift) and Olympic weightlifting (clean & jerk, snatch), including the higher technical demand, explosiveness, and potential injury risks of Olympic lifts while noting both are accessible with proper coaching. They discuss how many gym-goers lack intention and mind-muscle connection, stressing structured training, learning from experienced coaches who teach independence, tracking what works, and balancing knowledge with experience. They also cover strongman’s supportive culture, sharing competition “tricks,” camaraderie built from earlier low-budget days, and how mutual support can help other industries. The episode includes thoughts on peaking for World’s Strongest Man after the Arnold, contenders to watch, plans to attend Worlds and the invitation-only Enhanced Games in Vegas, and an update that Nick’s 75-year-old mother is recovering well after a rollover car accident.

00:00 Show Kickoff
01:04 Patreon Perks
02:02 Olympic Lifting Basics
03:51 Powerlifting vs Risk
06:19 Coaching and Limits
07:56 Train With Purpose
10:56 Good Trainers Teach
13:57 Learn and Experiment
16:01 Strongman Community
17:36 Sharing Contest Tricks
18:39 Strongman Brotherhood
19:48 Old School Worlds Stories
20:39 Money and Growth
22:15 Teamwork Beyond Sport
23:16 Arnold to Worlds Prep
25:09 Top Contenders Breakdown
27:44 Meetups and Events 2
9:04 Nick Mom Update
30:49 Final Sendoff 
 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Nick Best and his co-host go live, thank new Patreon members Steve and Lynn, and explain Patreon perks including fan Q&A. Nick answers a question on what young strength athletes should understand, emphasizing patience, recovery timelines, and avoiding overtraining because tendons and ligaments heal slower than muscle, with long-term progress built over years through disciplined training, diet, and technique. They discuss recovery and movement using examples of Nick’s mother after a car accident, a friend rehabbing a quad injury, and Nick’s own thumb recovery. Nick also describes experimenting with training cycles and technique (deadlift, bench, yoke), noting overtraining as his biggest backfire. The episode then reviews the Arnold Strongman Classic results and events, highlighting Mitch Hooper’s consistent win, key performances across deadlift, dumbbell, stones, Dinnie Stones, Austrian Oak, and Rampage, plus the women’s contest where Olga wins through consistent top finishes, and they close by encouraging kindness and smart training.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Welcome a new Patreon members, answer questions about gray hair (saying it’s largely natural, suggesting accepting it or using dye, and noting collagen supports hair health but not color), and discuss sweets, explaining small amounts can be used to spike insulin after protein but overindulgence is unhealthy and may contribute to diabetes. They address “tech neck,” recommending better posture, bringing the phone up to eye level, taking breaks about every 45 minutes, moving and stretching, and using towel-based neck resistance exercises plus ergonomic seating or standing desks. They reminisce about Nick’s 2010 World’s Strongest Man wine barrel run strategy and rules, announce receiving a 100K subscriber YouTube plaque, and preview Arnold Strongman Classic events and contenders (including Hooper, Martins, Trey Mitchell, Evan Singleton, Tom Evans, and others), mentioning the free livestream. They also discuss movies and F1’s Drive to Survive, criticizing press tactics and noting Netflix released only eight episodes.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Nick Best and co-host go live to welcome new members and answer two questions, covering spine alignment pain with advice to see a doctor or chiropractor and to strengthen the torso gradually using movements like Zercher squats, hyperextensions, and dumbbell side bends, plus committing seriously to physical therapy. Nick then shares his journey from college football and a dominant powerlifting run (including state titles and record lifts) into strongman, earning his pro card, breaking a farmer’s walk world record at IFA Worlds 2006, and later competing at World’s Strongest Man multiple times and winning Masters WSM in 2016. They discuss 2026 World’s Strongest Man heat and final events, how conditions like heat affect performance, preview the Arnold Classic bodybuilding field and free livestream, mention Nick’s mother’s recovery after a car crash, and briefly note rumors about Thor vs Butterbean and other fights, plus a movie cameo on Amazon Prime.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

AlynMD https://alynmd.com/ambassador/nick-best/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Welcome to another episode of 'The Best Experience' with your host, Nick Best! In this session, Nick dives deep into the difference between training hard and training smart, offering valuable advice for viewers of all ages and fitness levels. He shares insights on structuring workout routines, the importance of recovery, and personalized training techniques. Nick also discusses the recent Britain's Strongest Man competition, upcoming events, and the excitement around the enhanced games. Tune in for expert tips, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies to elevate your fitness journey!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch 
https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com


Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.

Join us as we dive into practical ways to improve health and performance in our latest episode! We welcome new members, answer community questions, and offer expert tips on enhancing your immune system through rest, supplements, and nutrition. Discover the importance of sleep, get nutrition advice for children's growth, and learn about maintaining a healthy diet. Plus, we preview the upcoming Arnold Strongman Classic, exploring event details and predictions for top competitors. Watch till the end for travel updates and special announcements!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong

Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest

Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com

Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8

Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support.