The Strength Connection

Michael Kurkowski
  • 5.0 (1)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED DAILY

Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit.  The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life.  Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    8 Lessons of 2025

    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

    18 min

  2. 22/12/2025

    Creating Lasting Connection in Fitness w/ Kyle Flynn

    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

    47 min

  3. 15/12/2025

    Spirituality for Skeptics w/ Nicole Spencer

    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

    43 min

  4. 08/12/2025

    Strength, Mobility, and Firefighting w/ Zar Horton

    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

    51 min

  5. 01/12/2025

    Building a Champion Mindset in any Arena W/ Megan Henry

    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

    50 min

  6. 24/11/2025

    Empowering the Modern Strength Coach w/ Hewitt Tomlin

    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: hewitt@teambuildr.com 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

    47 min

  7. 17/11/2025

    The Iron Council w/ Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind & Mark Subias

    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

    49 min

  8. 10/11/2025

    Strength, QiGong, and Spirituality for the Optimal Life w/ Dr. Chris Holder

    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

    55 min
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About

Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit.  The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life.  Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Kurkowski
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    312
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Strength Connection
  • Show Website
    The Strength Connection

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