The Strength Connection

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

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Megan Henry is a mindset performance coach, SupraHuman performance coach, Former Team USA skeleton athlete, World Record holder and recent IFBB pro athlete.

Meg is really interesting, we connected a couple years ago, she came on the show, it was one of the most memorable conversations I had early on about practical mindset training, specifically in the athletic realm.

In this episode, Meg emphasizes the importance of self-image and visualization in achieving personal and professional goals. 

She discusses how one's perception of themselves is the key to their ability to reach their aspirations in health, athletics, business, and relationships.

To check out more from Megan:

https://beacons.ai/thesavagemeglet

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

In this episode I am joined by Hewitt Tomlin, founder and CEO of TeamBuildr. 

Hewitt Tomlin shares his journey from being a college athlete to becoming an entrepreneur with Team Builder, a software platform designed to empower strength coaches. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the pivotal moment that led him to fully commit to his business, and the evolution of Team Builder's mission. The conversation also touches on the importance of strength training, the impact of COVID on business growth, and the balance between personal health and professional responsibilities.

Check out more from Hewitt at:

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Hewitt Tomlin

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Team Builder and Leadership Journey

03:01 Transition from Athlete to Entrepreneur

05:57 The Leap into Entrepreneurship

08:52 Building Team Builder: The Early Days

11:40 The Evolution of Team Builder

14:55 Navigating Challenges as a Strength Coach

17:54 Growth and Brand Equity During COVID

20:42 Reflections on Leadership and Business Growth

25:19 Navigating Feature Requests and Customer Feedback

27:18 The Importance of Strength Training in Athletic Development

30:35 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in Sports

34:26 Trends in General Population Training and Tactical Fitness

40:39 Balancing Health and Performance in a Busy Life

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

I am joined in this episode by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind and Mark Subias, AKA The Iron Council.

We first came together in a roundtable discussion in April 2024 at Queen City Kettlebell, and have reconnected to talk strength, health and all things in the culture of performance and coaching.

In this episode, Brett, DJ, Mark and I talk about our personal evolutions of coaching in the information age, how things have changed over the years, and the keys to training for longevity and healthspan.

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

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Dr. Chris Holder is a renowned Strength and Conditioning coach, former Master RKC instructor, Doctor of Medical QiGong, and currently a teacher and leader in Christian Mysticism.

In this episode, Dr. Holder shares his journey from a successful career in strength coaching to embracing Chinese medicine and spirituality. 

He discusses the importance of integrating physical and spiritual practices for holistic health, emphasizing how energy healing can enhance recovery and performance in athletes. 

Dr. Holder also explores the challenges of bridging Eastern and Western medicine, the significance of community, and the role of sleep in spiritual health. 

He highlights the transformative power of practices like Qigong and Christian mysticism in fostering personal growth and well-being.

Join Dr. Holder mornings at 7am PST for a FREE QiGong practice at:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84404332459?pwd=pO6W0vrOmmlHCvgI7BbFLbOC3rlIZV.1

And find out more from Dr. Holder at:

https://www.christianmysticism.online

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Dr. Robb Kelly is a renowned Addiction expert, creating the Robb Kelly group, a Telehealth Neuroscience Coaching company with a 98% success rate,working with patients to improve their optimal performance by using Brain Spotting and other neuroscience coaching evidence based approaches.

In this episode, Dr. Robb shares his transformative journey from addiction to recovery, emphasizing the importance of understanding the neuroscience behind addiction. He discusses his unique approach to treatment, which boasts a 98% success rate, and highlights the significance of the subconscious mind in overcoming addiction. Dr. Kelly also explores the impact of environment and relationships on recovery, advocating for a positive mindset and the power of community support.

Connect directly with Dr. Robb at:

https://robbkelly.com/

Or his personal cell: (214) 600-0210

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rob Kelly's Journey

02:41 The Roots of Addiction and Personal Struggles

05:42 The Turning Point: A Moment of Surrender

08:48 The Role of Spirituality in Recovery

11:36 Innovative Approaches to Addiction Treatment

14:49 Understanding the Neuroscience of Addiction

17:42 The Importance of Living in the Now

26:48 Understanding the Addictive Mindset

30:47 Transforming Neural Pathways for Recovery

35:50 The Power of Subliminal Messaging

40:40 Surrounding Yourself with Success

46:00 The Ripple Effect of Positivity

Welcome to the Strength Connection!

Sylvia Takada is a SFG II, SFL Instructor in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Originally from Cairo, Egypt, Sylvia helps empower women 40+ to embrace strength and health in the next stages of life.

In this 304th episode, Sylvia discusses the societal perceptions surrounding women and aging, particularly the negative stereotypes associated with turning 40. She expresses her frustration with the idea that women's value diminishes with age, emphasizing instead the wisdom and strength gained through life experiences.

Follow Sylvia on IG at: https://www.instagram.com/sylvia_takada/