Join us for an enlightening conversation with Zack Height, a remarkable individual who has embarked on a transformative journey, transitioning from competitive sports and CrossFit to a more holistic approach to fitness centered around hand balancing and mobility work. In this episode, we delve into Zack's compelling story, exploring his shift from traditional athletic pursuits to a profound focus on body awareness, work ethic, and the joy of continuous learning.

Zacks IG: @zackheight

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EPISODE SPONSORED BY:

RXSG: https://www.rxsmartgear.com/

Whether you are just starting out in your fitness journey or you are an avid workout enthusiast, a jump rope is one of the most essential pieces of equipment you should have in your workout arsenal and I cannot recommend RX Smart Gear jump ropes highly enough.

Not only are they dedicated to constantly improving and challenging the community with their variety of ropes, but they are dedicated to the education when it comes to their ropes and promote proper movement and technique patterns which we love at Power Monkey Fitness.

They’ve recently launched their new Frevo rope, made of a high impact polymer that can withstand a 50# dumbbell impact.

In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Brian Chontosh, a remarkable individual who exemplifies the qualities of leadership, compassion, and resilience. Join us as we explore Brian's incredible experiences, from his exceptional military career to his recent triumph in a grueling transatlantic rowing race.

As a highly decorated Marine Corps officer, Brian Chontosh has demonstrated unwavering leadership skills in the face of adversity. Drawing upon his wealth of knowledge, Brian shares invaluable insights into the principles of effective leadership, offering practical tips and anecdotes that can be applied to any aspect of life.

But it doesn't stop there. Brian's commitment to being a good human shines through as he reveals his deep-rooted belief in the power of compassion, kindness, and empathy. He shares personal stories that illuminate how these qualities have shaped his approach to leadership and his interactions with others.

Our conversation takes an exhilarating turn as we delve into the remarkable challenge Brian undertook—a transatlantic rowing race. Alongside his three teammates, Brian faced treacherous conditions, setbacks, and fierce competition. Against all odds, they not only persevered but also achieved an impressive placement near the top of the pack.

Through riveting accounts and vivid descriptions, Brian recounts the trials and triumphs of the race, highlighting the lessons learned from pushing the limits of physical and mental endurance. Prepare to be inspired as he shares how he and his team navigated the unpredictable waters, overcame setbacks, and summoned unwavering determination to reach their goal.

Whether you're a leader seeking practical strategies, someone striving to be a better human, or an adventure enthusiast craving tales of resilience, this episode with Brian Chontosh will leave you inspired, motivated, and armed with invaluable wisdom for your own journey. Join us as we delve into the heart of leadership, the power of compassion, and the indomitable spirit required to conquer the impossible.

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This episode is sponsored by Assault Fitness.

Assault has been a part of our Power Monkey Camp for a long time.

We’ve incorporated their runners, bikes and rowers in our endurance sessions as well as our competitions and nightly workouts.  

Check out their full line up of machines at assaultfitness.com

We are taking it back to another movement focused episode. This time, we are discussing one of the newest movements introduced at the CrossFit Games this past year: The Wall Facing Strict Handstand Push Up.

We talk about good technique surrounding the movement as well as how to build a solid foundation here. Dave Durante also throws out there what he believes would be the ideal competition standard for this specific movement.

Most importantly, Dave stresses why this movement is important to practice, even for those not intending to ever compete. Finally, Dave gives a prediction of where he believes competition is headed specifically as it pertains to the Handstand Push-Up.

••••

This episode is sponsored by Assault Fitness.

Assault has been a part of our Power Monkey Camp for a long time.

We’ve incorporated their runners, bikes and rowers in our endurance sessions as well as our competitions and nightly workouts.  

Check out their full line up of machines at assaultfitness.com

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we sit down with CrossFit Games Athlete Arielle Loewen, an accomplished athlete and mother who shares her unique perspective on competition, training, and identity.

Arielle shares how having a child has changed her approach to competition, highlighting the importance of balance and perspective in her training. As a former gymnast, she also draws on her experience and shares how that contributes to her athletic success, both physically and mentally.

But even with her background and success, Arielle emphasizes the importance of tackling weaknesses and taking a unique approach to training. She shares how she's adjusted her training this season to focus on her weaknesses, including both physical and mental challenges.

Arielle's IG: @ariellearm

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EPISODE SPONSORED BY:

https://icebarrel.com/

Cold water therapy is one of the fastest, easiest, and most natural ways to reset your body and mind. It can enhance recovery, improve your mood and brain health, and can boost your immune system.

Get yours today, use code "POWERMONKEY" at checkout for a discount.

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we sit down with Grant McCartney, also known as "The Island Ninja". Grant is a professional athlete and one of the most popular competitors on the hit TV show "American Ninja Warrior."

In this conversation, Grant talks about his career on the show, his journey to becoming "The Island Ninja," and the discipline and focus required to excel in this highly demanding sport. He also shares his family background, describing the love and support he received from his parents, which helped him overcome his fears and achieve his goals.

Grant emphasizes the importance of recognizing the fragility of life and the need to make the most of every moment. He shares how his experiences on the show have taught him to appreciate life more fully and live with intention.

Finally, Grant gives us a glimpse into what's next for him and how he plans to continue pushing himself to new heights in the future, including Grant's newest achievement...writing a children's book. Check it out here: https://a.co/d/biLYrjr 

If you want to follow along with Grant's workouts, check out his site here: Www.islandninjaapp.com

Grant's IG: @islandninja

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This episode is SPONSORED by: https://victorygrips.com/

• Victory grips are the standard in hand protection plus they just launched their new Gym Affiliate Program. 
• As affiliate owners, they understand the demands of gym owners. Their goal is to keep their Gym Referral Program process as simple as possible. 
• You’ll receive educational content, early access to upcoming releases and exclusive discounts for your members plus receive a percentage of the net sales.

Welcome to this episode of the podcast, where we have a very special guest - Yuval Ayalon, better know in the world of hand balancing as: Yuval on Hands. Yuval has had a fascinating career trajectory, having transitioned from being a collegiate gymnast to a performer in the circus and eventually to a hand balancing coach. In this episode, we dive deep into his journey and explore his insights and experiences.

Yuval speaks about the importance of finding efficiency within movement and how its a primary focus when training as well as teaching. He comments on the wide variety of populations that seek him out to learn how to perfect their handstand, and how his approach must be tailored to the individual.

IG: @yuval_on_hands

www.yuvalonhands.com

•••••

This episode is sponsored by POWER MONKEY CAMP

Join us for our 10TH ANNIVERSARY this year!

https://www.powermonkeycamp.com/

Use Code: SWOLEMATE for $200 off

Spring Camp Dates: April 30 - May 6

Fall Camp Dates: September 24 - 30

Enjoy a week of adult fitness camp, intended for ALL levels and ages, from an absolute beginner on up to athletes, coaches, and gym owners.

Learn from the best coaches and minds in fitness, all while staying in the serene setting of the Tennessee woods on a private 150 acre property.

On this weeks podcast we welcome CrossFit Games Athlete Emily Rolfe. Emily's athletic journey began in gymnastics, and she shares with us how her background in the sport has shaped her approach to training and competition.

In this episode, we delve into the importance of mental toughness in sports and how Emily has honed her mental strength to overcome challenges both inside and outside the gym. As someone who works in the medical field, Emily's schedule can sometimes require her to switch from day to night shifts, making it challenging to maintain a consistent training routine. We explore how she manages to juggle her career and passion for Crossfit and the strategies she uses to stay motivated.

Emily is used to training alone, and she shares her insights into the benefits and drawbacks of training solo. We also discuss her experience of dealing with injuries while competing and how she has navigated the mental and physical challenges of recovery.

Emily's IG: @emily_rolfe19

•••••

Check out the release of the new, rebranded and improved Power Monkey Training App!

DOWNLOAD IT HERE! http://www.powermonkeytraining.com

In it you will find personalized assessment based programs to help you: Develop specific skills, build capacity around those skills, prepare your body for longevity, and keep you focused on consistency.

Additionally you will find free daily core workouts to easily add into any of your existing training.

Remember...#TechniqueMatters

http://www.powermonkeytraining.com

In this episode, we have the pleasure of sitting down with Jamie Simmonds, one of top CrossFit athletes since 2016. Jamie shares her journey from her early days as a gymnast and rugby player, to her decision to pursue CrossFit and her eventual move to the Middle East to continue competing.

We discuss what it means to be a female athlete in sport, and how CrossFit is leading the way to level that playing field. She also talks about her experiences competing as both an individual and team athlete, including her top performances in both divisions, most recently at the Dubai Fitness Championships and at Wodapalooza.

Throughout the conversation, Jamie emphasizes the importance of mindset and how her attitude and determination have been key to her success as an athlete. 

IG: @jgreenewod

•••••

Check out the release of the new, rebranded and improved Power Monkey Training App!

DOWNLOAD IT HERE! http://www.powermonkeytraining.com

In it you will find personalized assessment based programs to help you: Develop specific skills, build capacity around those skills, prepare your body for longevity, and keep you focused on consistency.

Additionally you will find free daily core workouts to easily add into any of your existing training.

Remember...#TechniqueMatters

http://www.powermonkeytraining.com

On this episode, we have two special guests: Kelly and Juliet Starrett, a power couple who are passionate about fitness and entrepreneurship. Kelly is a renowned physical therapist and author of the bestselling book "Becoming a Supple Leopard," while Juliet is a lawyer turned entrepreneur who co-founded San Francisco CrossFit and MobilityWOD.

Together, Kelly and Juliet have been on a mission to revolutionize the way people think about health and wellness. They are the founders of The Ready State, a platform that offers a comprehensive approach to performance and recovery through movement, nutrition, and mindset.

In this podcast, Kelly and Juliet talked specifically about their newest collaboration and book, "Built to Move", where they outline an easy to follow assessment of 10 vital signs that we all should be taking a look at. The beauty of this book is that it applies to all lifestyle types, whether you are just looking to start improving your health and wellbeing, or you are a high level competitive athlete, these 10 vital signs are key to unlocking not just your overall health, but your fullest potential.

Join us for an engaging conversation with two of the most influential voices in the health and wellness industry.

https://thereadystate.com/built-to-move

•••••

This episode is sponsored by POWER MONKEY CAMP

Join us for our 10TH ANNIVERSARY this year!

https://www.powermonkeycamp.com/

Use Code: SWOLEMATE for $200 off

Spring Camp Dates: April 30 - May 6

Fall Camp Dates: September 24 - 30

Enjoy a week of adult fitness camp, intended for ALL levels and ages, from an absolute beginner on up to athletes, coaches, and gym owners.

Learn from the best coaches and minds in fitness, all while staying in the serene setting of the Tennessee woods on a private 150 acre property.

On today's episode we talk about the nuances surrounding the Press to Handstand. Higher level gymnastic movements are finding their way into competitive CrossFit settings, most recently having a version of the Press to Handstand at the 2022 CrossFit Games. Dave takes a moment to discuss some of the common challenges athletes have with attempting this movement, as well as some go to progressions and starting points that people are going to want to listen to.

Halfway through the episode we have the one and only Annie Sakamoto join us to talk about her experience learning the Press to Handstand. She decided to learn it for the first time so she could tackle the revamped benchmark workout named in her honor: "Annie" to know include the elusive Press to Handstand...aka "Gymnasty Annie"

Watch Annie take on the workout here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItouRkkXlR4

Referenced movement in podcast:

Planche Raise: https://youtu.be/Q--tIjPyTi0

Full tutorial on the Press to Handstand:

https://youtu.be/X8jcp7zQiu0

•••••

Check out the release of the new, rebranded and improved Power Monkey Training App!

DOWNLOAD IT HERE! http://www.powermonkeytraining.com

In it you will find personalized assessment based programs to help you: Develop specific skills, build capacity around those skills, prepare your body for longevity, and keep you focused on consistency.

Additionally you will find free daily core workouts to easily add into any of your existing training.

Remember...#TechniqueMatters

http://www.powermonkeytraining.com