The year is 2001 and I am training boxers in Bangkok, Thailand. That’s where I meet Pompoi. Unlike his nickname, which means “fatty” in Thai, Pompoi is small, lean, fast, and surprisingly strong for his size. His dream, like many others of his age, is to become pro and fight at the famous Lumpini stadium …
The revolver of the old West had six revolving chambers each holding a ballistic round of instant karma. The legendary six-gun or Colt Single Action Army Revolver, was the handgun of choice of many of the gunslingers of the American wild West. Be they bandits, outlaws, or lawmen, everyone relied on the six-shooter and the …
I grew up hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and hunting in the mountains of southwestern Montana. Following college, I joined the military and served in the US Special Operations Command for sixteen years before transitioning to a corporate job in the private sector. When I was much younger and fitter, I experienced some of the most …
The Tactical Strength Challenge, StrongFirst’s opportunity to provide a challenge and “test” of our training, happens twice a year. The TSC brings together competitors from around the world who put forward their best effort in three events: max barbell deadlift, max dead hang pullups, and a five-minute kettlebell snatch test for max reps. In May …
Given the absolute strength differences between men and women, a chin-up is an excellent challenge for ladies with strength goals. I train a number of women, so I decided to challenge my students (and myself) by embarking on an audacious one-year long plan to help as many of my female students perform their first chin-up …
How Over Twenty Ladies Did Their First Chin-up Within a Year Read More »
At 76, I’ve noticed that people my age come in two groups: those who let their vitality slip away without contest, and those who fight to remain strong and active. Growing old well takes courage and a sense of humor. Old folks are cranky because they’re usually in pain, and it’s easy for some to fall …
When I wrote the article “Simple Strength for Difficult Times” I outlined an 8-week plan, confident that within two months we would be all back to our gyms and our regular life. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet. Most of us are still under lockdown and many gyms all across the world are still closed. As …
Simple Strength for Difficult Times Part Two: Get Even Stronger in Quarantine Read More »
Three years ago, at the age of 50, I decided to find out how strong I was. It wasn’t an easy time in my life, and this new path started with a stumble and fall before I embarked on a tough climb. I had just left my 24 years marriage which had left me anxious …
“Strength is Tension—Tension is Strength.” I can still hear those words taught by StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, Jason Marshall at the barbell course I attended a few years ago. Tension ties the body together to enable strong movement. Tension creates the structure that can hold and move heavy weight. Tension is the mind’s command to …
I am a sports medicine physician from Kaunas, Lithuania. My passion is human movement and helping people move safely and properly. In addition to corrective exercises I use manipulative therapy (a method of treatment for restrictions in soft tissues and joints) by means of mobilization and manipulation as well as systemic dry needling (where acupuncture …