Canoeist and author Adam Shoalts on the mindset that drives individuals to seek adventure, and the importance of safety and decision-making in the wilderness. We also dive into the mysterious disappearance of the greatest explorer you've never heard of.

Grab Adam's book, Vanished Beyond the Map, anywhere books are sold or here: https://adamshoalts.com/literature/

Follow Stephan Kesting's outdoor adventures here:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@essentialwilderness Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/essentialwilderness TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@essentialwilderness

Check out Stephan's book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic here: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

And here are some links to the audio-only form this podcast :

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers, Stephan Kesting

Today the tables get turned and I end up on the other end of the microphone as Steve Kwan from BJJ Mental Models picks my brain about the huge benefits that arise to treating your jiu-jitsu submissions as positions first, and submissions second.

I promise this will make perfect sense by the end of the episode, and may change how you approach your training.

Check out my positional approach to mastering the Kimura and tapping out more training partners and competition opponents at https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura

And check out Steve Kwan's excellent BJJ Mental Models podcast at https://www.bjjmentalmodels.com

Thanks!

Stephan

Renowned BJJ blackbelt Roy Dean came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to talk about his research into how BJJ got started in North America, martial arts culture in Japan, the power of Judo in self defense situations, the importance of role models in shaping one's conception of masculinitym and more.

If you get a chance, please give this show a rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts. That really helps!

Also, you can order Roy's new book "Groundswell" here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bjjpioneers/groundswell-the-rise-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-america

And check out "The Kimura Roadmap" here: https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura

Cheers, Stephan Kesting

Beatrice Jin shares the competition strategies that have allowed her to become the American National adult black belt middleweight champion and one of the top ranked black belts in the world.

From guard pulls to sweeps to takedowns to pin escapes to conditioning to KO grips to structuring open mats so that they become a competitive advantage for you, Beatrice doesn't hold anything back.

If you compete, or if you're thinking about competing, this is a must-listen.

Follow Beatrice on Instagram at @berimbozo and her incredibly successful women's open mat program at @dmvwomensbjj. Or train with her at Kogaion Academy in Arlington, VA.

Alicia Reitz and I dive deep into how BJJ can be used to develop a strong sense of self confidence for everyone, and how that self confidence can then be put to good use in self defense and the the rest of your life. We also digress a little into specifics of the social media drama that I was involved in recently, which certainly raised my blood pressure just a little.

Alicia Reitz (Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed. Hon.B.Kin, B.Ed.) is a BJJ Brown Belt and does in person and remote coaching. Follow her and get in touch with her via Instagram at @angelishfit.

Please like, share and subscribe.

And if you sometimes prefer your podcasts in video form, click here to check out this episode on the Strenuous Life YouTube Channel.

Thank you so much,

Stephan Kesting

P.S. If you're interested in the topic of building self confidence and mental fortitude I think you might like my book about the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of dealing with extreme circumstances, available in hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook format everywhere including Amazon here: Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic

James Deirmendjian a strength and conditioning coach specialising in combat and tactical athletes who ALSO competes in BJJ, fighting against much younger opponents. As such he was the perfect choice to finish our 4-part series on hybrid training and the science of developing strength and endurance at the same time.

In this episode James and I touch on many topics, including…

• The most important aspects of fitness for winning matches in BJJ and how to develop it
• The difference between getting tired in a match vs not recovering between matches
• How to schedule weightlifting and cardio so they don't interfere with each
• How to recover more fully between workouts
• Training to maintain your cognitive abilities under stress
• And much more.

Reach out to James on Instagram at @fight_fit_training

And check out The Strenuous Life Podcast on YouTube here.

And if you're interested in adventures and the mindset required to keep going against all odds check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

James Pieratt from Wild Hunt Conditioning joins us to share what he learned on an expedition in which he ran 802 miles through nearly the entire state of California. James is unique in the ultrarunning community because he also lifts heavy weights and trains in BJJ.

We looked at the mindset and philosophy required for ultrarunning, the emotional journey of endurance athletes, and the importance of strength training for overall health and performance. We also covered training regimens, the science behind strength and endurance training, and shared insights for athletes looking to enhance their performance.

Check out James' training programs at https://wildhuntconditioning.com/ and follow him on Instagram at @wildhuntconditioning

And if you're interested in adventures and the mindset required to keep going against all odds check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

Thanks! Stephan Kesting

Record-setting powerlifter and freak athlete Chris Duffin discusses the intricacies of hybrid training, focusing on the balance between strength and endurance. He shares his unique qualifications, including his experience with elite athletes and his world record feats.

Chris breaks down the relative importance of skill, and the mechanical, neurological, and metabolic factors that influence power output, and the often-overlooked role of the diaphragm in performance. Duffin also provides insights on training for generalists, emphasizing the need for injury mitigation and effective training strategies.

Check out Chris's site at https://www.chrisduffin.com/ and his LiftLab App that helps athletes optimize their training using tools that previously were out of range for most recreational athletes:

And check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, on Amazon or anywhere books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold! https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

Thanks!

Stephan Kesting

Mike McCastle smashed David Goggins' pullup record by doing 5,804 pull-ups in 24 hours while wearing a 30-pound backpack... and pulled an F-150 pickup truck 22 miles through Death Valley... and flipped a 250 lb tire for 13 miles... and climbed a rope for the equivalent distance of Mount Everest... and has trained MMA fighters, alpinists, and extreme adventurers like Colin O'Brady, the first man to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.

As such, he's the perfect person to kick off our 4-part series on hybrid training, where we'll delve into the art and science of maximising strength AND endurance at the same time.

Some key areas covered include: - How hybrid training is about giving yourself options - Why strength training builds durability in joints and tendons - How to achieve your goals by reverse engineering the outcome - How to build mental toughness through conscious choices - Exactly how training should be tailored to individual needs and goals - Why recovery is crucial for optimal performance. - How to include skill development within your sport into your training phases - The methods Mike has used to create chaos in training to prepare for unpredictability - How training often and testing rarely is key to success.

Subscribe to this channel to be notified of new episodes in this series when they come out!

Check out Mike's website at https://www.mikemccastle.com/ and his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikemccastle/

And check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, on Amazon or anywhere books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold! https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

Martial arts pioneer Tom Callos came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to discuss the California martial arts scene in the wake of Bruce Lee, the importance of taking your training out of the dojo and into the world, how your students can become your school's most effective advertising, being BJ Penn's first BJJ instructor, and his thoughts about BJ's current struggles.

Tom has owned several martial arts schools, worked as a business and curriculum consultant to the international martial arts community, competed regionally, nationally, and internationally, and was a member of an internationally renowned demonstration team.

Follow Tom on Instagram @tomcallos.

And check out my best-selling book "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic", available everywhere including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Cheers! Stephan Kesting