Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Cori Lefkowith is the founder of Redefining Strength, beginning as a brick and mortar gym in Costa Mesa, California, that has grown into a global online coaching program… helping thousands of women reclaim their confidence and strength.

In this conversation, Cori discusses her journey from tennis to becoming a fitness coach and the founder of Redefining Strength. We explore the importance of community, mindset, and the act-as-if framework in achieving personal growth and success. Cori shares her experiences with identity shifts, the evolution of coaching, and the significance of feedback in the learning process. The discussion emphasizes the need for action, the value of small steps, and the importance of seeking support in one's fitness journey.

Check out more from Cori at:

https://redefiningstrength.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/redefiningstrength/?hl=en

Chapters

00:00 Cori Lefkowith's Journey into Fitness

02:44 The Evolution of Redefining Strength

06:01 Acting As If: A Framework for Success

08:52 The Importance of Customer Service in Fitness

11:47 Building a Community and Online Presence

14:34 Identity Shifts and Goal Setting

17:33 Mindset and Habit Formation

23:33 The Journey of Habits and Transformation

27:07 Embracing Discomfort and the All-or-Nothing Mentality

30:25 The Emotional Weight of Failure

32:58 The Power of Daily Wins and Positive Feedback

37:03 The Importance of Coaching and Community

39:23 Evolving Coaching Approaches and Mindset

43:53 From Tactics to Holistic Coaching

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Jan Raeder, known to many as the SelfCare Sensei, brings a rare depth to the conversation around strength, wellbeing, and what it really means to live with purpose.

Jan is an internationally recognized wellbeing educator, keynote speaker, and author of Strive for M.O.R.E., where MORE stands for Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, and Engagement — a framework she’s developed through decades of lived experience and evidence-based practice.

In this conversation, she shares insights from her background in martial arts and how it has shaped her approach to personal development. 

Check out more from Jan at:

MIT talk: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=71TfPUyLEWY

website: 

https://selfcaresensei.com/

Amazon link to book: 

amzn.to/49YmdGq

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Self Care Sensei

06:36 Defining Wellness and Well-Being

12:14 The Role of Martial Arts in Personal Development

20:26 The Importance of Practice and Consistency

29:20 Setting Goals vs. Finding Meaning

36:49 The MORE Framework: Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, Engagement

44:20 Transcending Challenges and Finding Gratitude

51:22 Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Dr. John Rusin is a physical therapist, performance coach, and the author of Pain-Free Performance — a framework that bridges elite strength training, intelligent movement, and long-term health. His work sits at the intersection of rehab and performance, helping people build resilient bodies without breaking themselves down in the process.

In this episode, we dive into Dr. Rusin's journey from a young athlete influenced by his parents, both in the medical field, to becoming a leader in strength and conditioning. Dr. Rusin shares insights from his new book, emphasizing the importance of health as the foundation for performance. He discusses the evolution of his training philosophy, which prioritizes pain-free movement and longevity over traditional performance metrics. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in mindset within the fitness industry, advocating for a more holistic approach to health and performance that begins early in life.

Check out more from Dr. John at:

Pain-Free Performance: Move Better, Train Smarter, and Build an Unbreakable Body 

https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Free-Performance-Better-Smarter-Unbreakable/dp/162860509X/ref=zg_bs_g_4645_d_sccl_95/134-5360092-2910026?psc=1

And if you have any extra space...

Train with Dr. John Rusin on the Unbreakable App

becomeunbreakable.com

Dr. John Rusin Coaching

https://www.drjohnrusincoaching.com

Dr. John Rusin Website

https://drjohnrusin.com

Socials

Dr. John Rusin on Instagram:  360K+ Followers

https://www.instagram.com/drjohnrusin

Dr. John Rusin on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/drjohnrusin

Dr. John Rusin on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.JohnRusin

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Nick Jonsson is a global keynote speaker, bestselling author, and mental health advocate redefining what it means to lead in the modern world. Ranked the world’s #1 thought leader on Executive Loneliness, Nick has spent the past decade breaking the silence around isolation, burnout, and addiction at the top levels of business. Today, he takes that work further by championing Holistic Leadership™, a model that integrates physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing with professional responsibility.

In this conversation, we delve into the pervasive issue of loneliness, particularly among leaders and high performers. They discuss the stigma surrounding loneliness, its impact on mental health and decision-making, and the importance of vulnerability and connection. Nick shares his personal journey from isolation to recovery, emphasizing the need for social health and the five steps of holistic leadership: surrender, connection, purpose, goals, and discipline. The discussion highlights the significance of addressing loneliness and fostering meaningful relationships in both personal and professional settings.

Check out more from Nick at:

https://www.nickjonsson.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonssonnick/?hl=en

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Loneliness in Leadership

02:58 The Impact of Loneliness on Performance

06:00 Personal Experiences with Loneliness

08:49 The Journey from Isolation to Connection

11:42 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership

15:07 Breaking the Cycle of Loneliness

17:53 Finding Strength in Community

20:49 Practical Steps to Combat Loneliness

26:09 Building Social Connections for Mental Health

30:02 The Importance of Vulnerability and Trust

33:45 Understanding Surrender in Recovery

38:44 Measuring Connection in Communities

44:00 Reconnecting with Purpose

45:56 Setting Meaningful Goals

49:49 The Balance of Discipline

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Katie Hardie is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and performance practitioner who helps people reconnect with their bodies through a personalized, data-driven approach to health, energy, and recovery. Her work bridges science and intuition, helping people move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and into sustainable performance.

In this conversation, Katie shares her journey into health and nutrition coaching, emphasizing the importance of bio-individuality in dietary choices. She discusses the impact of stress on nutrition and performance, the significance of energy management, and the necessity of intentional recovery practices. Katie highlights the balance between hard work and recovery, the value of hobbies, and the need for personalized approaches to nutrition and health.

Check out more from Katie at:

Website: https://www.mypeak365.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypeak365/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardiepeakperformance/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hardie-hermanson-860a874/ 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Health and Nutrition Coaching

02:31 Katie's Journey into Nutrition and Health Coaching

05:44 Understanding Bio-Individuality in Nutrition

08:38 The Importance of Personalization in Diet

11:36 Energy Management and Its Impact on Performance

14:43 The Role of Stress in Nutrition and Recovery

17:46 Intentional Recovery Practices

20:40 The Balance of Hard Work and Recovery

23:23 The Importance of Hobbies and Play

26:46 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias.

In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebells and barbells, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism and the significance of articulating coaching messages effectively. The discussion highlights the challenges of navigating misinformation and the necessity of providing solutions rather than merely criticizing others. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the value of communication in coaching and the role of tools in a broader system of strength training.

Follow Brett, DJ, and Mark at:

Brett: https://www.instagram.com/brettjonessfg/?hl=en

DJ: https://www.instagram.com/queencitykettlebell/

Mark: https://www.instagram.com/subiasm/?hl=en

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

01:12 The Language of Coaching and Marketing

07:22 Cynicism vs. Optimism in Coaching

09:28 Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation

11:49 Accountability in Coaching

14:53 Challenging Bad Ideas vs. Tearing Down

20:08 Effective Communication in Coaching

26:11 The Art of Coaching Communication

31:23 Navigating Criticism: Kettlebells vs. Barbells

41:51 Expertise and Experience in Training

47:48 The Essence of Strength Training Systems

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in personal experiences and insights gained from guests on the podcast, closing out with my tribute to a great friend.

Thank you so much for an incredible year!

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on 2025: Lessons Learned

02:46 The Importance of Loving the Process

05:42 Flow vs. Anti-Flow: Engaging with Life

08:34 Building Self-Trust Over Self-Esteem

11:32 The Value of Patience in Purpose

14:24 Optimism as a Learned Practice

17:40 Faith: A GPS for Life's Journey

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case. 

In this engaging conversation, Kyle shares his journey from being a passionate athlete to the founder of Blueprint LA, a gym that emphasizes community, culture, and connection. He discusses the importance of creating a positive environment in fitness, overcoming early business challenges, and the evolution of his leadership style. Kyle highlights the significance of hiring for cultural fit, maintaining a fun atmosphere, and the philosophy of 'One Vibe, One Tribe' that drives the community at Blueprint LA. He emphasizes that fitness is not just about physical strength but also about building relationships and celebrating individual successes.

Check out more from Kyle at:

https://www.instagram.com/kyleflynn__/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/theblueprintla/?hl=en

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kyle Flynn and Blueprint

03:05 The Journey from Athlete to Trainer

05:58 Building a Positive Gym Culture

08:53 Overcoming Early Challenges in Business

12:06 Shifting Mindsets: From Fitness to Community

14:54 Creating a Lasting Culture in Fitness

18:04 Hiring for Culture and Care

20:49 One Vibe, One Tribe: The Blueprint Mission

24:29 Creating a Fun and Engaging Community

25:57 The Importance of Big Dreams

26:47 Believing in Yourself and Your Purpose

28:28 Making Fitness Fun and Enjoyable

29:47 Evolving as a Leader

31:03 Trusting Your Gut as a Leader

32:30 Building a Supportive Team Environment

35:07 The Shift from Fitness to Connection

35:44 Creating a Raving Fan Experience

38:39 The Seven Layer Cake of Community Engagement

42:03 The Power of Personal Connection

43:48 Continuous Learning and Improvement

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Nicole Spencer is a former strength coach, founder of Authentic Conversion, and host of the podcast Spirituality for Skeptics.

In this conversation, Nicole Spencer discusses her transformative journey from a successful business in coaching to exploring spirituality. She reflects on her early experiences, including a pivotal trip to Peru, and how these moments led her to seek deeper meaning in life. Nicole shares her transition to focusing on spirituality, the challenges of identity, and the importance of surrendering to the process. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the value of discipline, the nature of truth, and the lessons learned from her podcast guests, ultimately highlighting the evolving definition of spirituality in her life.

Check out more from Nicole at:

substack.com/@nicolerspencer

https://www.youtube.com/@spirituality.for.skeptics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background Changes

03:07 The Spiritual Awakening Journey

05:56 Experiences in Peru and Their Impact

08:49 Transitioning to a Spiritual Focus

11:58 Navigating Identity and Feedback

14:40 Exploring Spirituality and Skepticism

17:44 Lessons from Guests and Personal Growth

22:38 Spiritual Awakening and Channeling Truths

24:29 Exploring Multiple Truths in Spirituality

26:18 The Importance of Exploration Over Quick Answers

27:03 Navigating Identity and Surrender in Business

29:25 The Challenge of Surrendering to Outcomes

31:42 Discipline: The Bridge Between Fitness and Spirituality

33:35 Ritual vs. Routine in Spiritual Practices

38:57 Evolving Definitions of Spirituality

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Today I am joined by Zar Horton, Master SFG within the community of Strongfirst. 

Zar has been teaching workshops in hardstyle strength nationally and internationally for over 12 years, and…was a battalion chief and firefighter in Albuquerque fire and rescue for 32 years. 

In this conversation, Zar shares his journey from a firefighter to a master instructor in strength training, emphasizing the importance of functional fitness for first responders. He discusses the challenges of introducing kettlebell training to traditional firefighting methods, the significance of mobility and breathwork, and the lessons learned in leadership throughout his career. Zar reflects on his transition into retirement and the changes in his lifestyle, while also outlining his future plans for workshops and certifications.

Check out more from Zar at:

https://linktr.ee/zarhorton

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:21 The Shift to Hardstyle Strength Training

12:49 Implementing Change in Firefighting Training

18:19 Transitioning from Firefighting to Retirement

27:45 The Importance of Sleep and Breathwork

29:54 Teaching Movement: Lessons Learned Over Time

32:37 Mastering Movement: The Kettlebell Experience

35:34 Mobility and Aging: A Shift in Focus

38:20 The Value of Tai Chi and Breathwork

42:38 Leadership Lessons from the Fire Service

47:29 Upcoming Workshops and Future Plans