Strong Ambition Podcast

Rhyland Qually
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

You know those people who hang out at the top? The kind of people who have an internal drive to excel at everything they do? Maybe it's sports. Maybe its' academics. Maybe it's a professional career. Whatever it is....each person has their own unique story about how they became who they are. The Strong Ambition podcast is all about having conversations with high-performers, and getting to the core of what drives their ambition, so that you can apply those same lessons to your own training, nutrition and mindset.

  1. 2D AGO

    #135 - Ranking Strength Training Exercises For Boxers— Andreas Chrysouliotis

    We broke down the most overrated and underrated exercises for boxing—and ranked them from S tier to F tier. Because the reality is… most boxers are strength training completely wrong. Not based on trends. Not based on what looks cool. Based on what actually carries over into the ring. We talk about: • What exercises actually build punching power • What most fighters are wasting time on • Why strength training should NOT look like boxing • The biggest mistakes fighters make in the gym • And the one thing almost nobody trains… but should We also talk about: • Why most people fail fat loss even when they “know what to do” • The role of consistency vs perfection • How to actually build a sustainable nutrition approach • Why accountability matters early—but not forever • And how to individualize your diet so it actually works for you If you box, coach, or train fighters—this will change how you think about training. Find Andreas on Instagram:@andreas_chrysouliotis

    1h 23m

  2. MAR 18

    #134 - You don't actually hate the gym — Amy Stroud Contreras

    If you've been avoiding going to the gym, it's probably not because you're lazy. Most people don’t avoid the gym because they’re lazy.They avoid it because they feel like they don’t belong there. That was Amy. She didn't have a sports background.Didn't like showing up to the gym. Tried all the diets. Fell off. Started over. Same loop. Now she coaches women (a lot of moms) who feel that exact same way. In this episode, we get into what actually changes when you stop trying to be perfect and just build something you can stick to. Because probably 99% of you reading this don't have a laziness problem. You have a problem with the broken way you've been taught to approach fitness. We get into: Why so many women think their “best body” is already behind themWhat fitness actually looks like when you’ve got kids and no timeWhy “I’ll find time later” never worksThe guilt around taking time for yourself (and why it’s backwards)How social media turns normal eating into a problemWhy calling food “good” or “bad” screws people upWhat beginners actually need (and what they don’t)Why having a plan matters more than motivationAnd why walking is still one of the best things you can doOne thing Amy said that stuck with me: Her whole message is basically: You’re not too late.You’re not too old.You’re not stuck. You’ve just been doing it in a way that doesn’t work. If you’ve ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or like you’re starting from scratch again — you’ll probably relate to this one. Find Amy on Instagram:​@amyrenefitness "There are seasons where you’re just trying to get through the day. That’s fine. But a lot of people stay there way longer than they need to."

    1h 6m

  3. MAR 4

    #133 - I’m eating Oreos for 100 days - Solo cast

    You don’t need to suffer to lose fat. I know that’s controversial. Because most people think if it doesn’t feel miserable, it’s not working. But allow me to prove that those people are wrong. In this solo episode, I’m doing something a little different. I’m committing to 100 days of eating some form of “fun food” every single day while still losing fat. Oreos.Pizza.Burgers.Candy.Whatever fits. Not because junk food is magical. And not because I’m trying to win the Cool Coach Award. But because fat loss isn’t about restriction. It’s about skill. And most of us don’t lack this skill — or discipline, for that matter.We lack structure. So in this episode, I break down exactly how I’m doing it: Leaving 300–700 calories open for something I actually enjoyLocking in protein first (two shakes a day, non-negotiable)Building lean meals around itEating enough fiberSlight calorie trades (almond milk swaps, sugar-free sauces, small stuff that adds up)Planning tomorrow before tomorrow shows up Simple does not mean easy. It takes planning.It takes appetite tolerance.It takes not panicking when you feel a little hungry. And that’s really what this episode is about. We also get into: How your metabolism actually works (in simple language)Why “micro, mezzo, and macro” yo-yo dieting keeps wrecking peopleWhy starving all week just to explode on the weekend isn’t a metabolism problemThe different ways your body burns calories (not just workouts)Why a good deficit should feel like “enough,” not “empty”Why maintenance is harder than fat lossAnd why planning beats motivation every single time I share where I'm personally at too — mobility wins, knee frustrations, maybe an MRI in my future — and how purposeful discomfort is different than self-punishment. There’s a big difference between: “I hate this but I deserve it.”​and​“This is uncomfortable, but it’s building something.” If you’ve been stuck in the Monday-to-Friday diet / Saturday blow-up cycle, this episode will probably call you out a little. In a good way. And if you want help building the skill instead of just trying harder, I opened a free Fun Food Fat Loss Facebook group where I’m sharing: My DIY fitness portalA meal plan generatorA metabolic calculatorWeekly accountabilityA place to practice this without getting overwhelmed This isn’t about eating cookies every day. It’s about being able to. Listen to the episode and tell me what you think. Join the Fun Food Fat Loss Group

    1h 24m

  4. FEB 18

    #132 - What the USDA food update means for us — Jesse Rosenthal

    The USDA updated its food pyramid — and most people missed what actually matters. So before you panic about carbs or seed oils... read this. The USDA increased protein recommendations. That’s a good thing. The saturated fat guidance stayed about the same.Whole foods are still prioritized over processed ones.Fruits and vegetables are still a must. But what most people missed is this: The average American still isn’t hitting baseline protein intake.Most people aren’t close to adequate fruit and vegetable intake.And almost nobody’s problem is “too many seed oils.”That’s what this conversation is about. I sat down with Jesse Rosenthal — an online fitness coach with 13+ years in the industry. We cover the updated USDA food guide… but not in a boring, policy-debate way. We talk about what it actually means for you. Because the bigger issue isn’t food dyes or ingredient lists. It’s unrealistic expectations, shiny-object programs, and quitting in week three because you’re sore and impatient. We get into: Why most people sabotage themselves with timeline pressureThe “bathtub model” of progress (and why month one feels worse)Why extreme diets go viral — and why they don’t lastThe real story behind the USDA’s protein recommendationsWhy 1 lb per week is boring… and undefeated“Everything in moderation” — and why that phrase misleads peopleHow 80/20 only works if you actually trackThe difference between balance and avoidanceWhy two years of consistency can undo decades of neglectHow to stop jumping programs and just let something workJesse’s whole philosophy is systems over motivation.If you’ve been stuck bouncing between carnivore, keto, detoxes, or the next viral plan — this episode is worth your time. Find Jesse on Instagram:​​@j​esserosenthalfitness

    1h 24m

  5. FEB 5

    #131 - Fat loss starts in your brain, not your fridge — Anna Murphey

    If your mindset runs the show… this episode hands you the remote. This is for anyone who's ever thought, "I know what to do — so why can't I do it?" This sit-down with Anna Murphey is one of the best conversations I’ve had about mindset — not just around food or fitness, but the deeper stuff:How you think, how you react, and how you talk to yourself when things go sideways. We didn’t just touch on macros or training programs — we dug into the internal patterns that shape everything. Because your mindset is the program. And if you’re constantly stuck in all-or-nothing thinking, guilt spirals, or identity labels like “I’m broken” or “I always screw this up”... it doesn’t matter what plan you follow. You’ll sabotage it. This is about how to stop doing that — with more compassion, better tools, and way less shame. We get into: Why mindset is the missing link in sustainable fat lossHow emotional eating can be healthy when it’s structured (donuts included)The “pause” — what it is, and how it builds self-trust fastIdentity work: how to stop calling yourself broken and start building someone newThe link between emotional maturity and long-term successStrength training as therapy — and what it teaches you about discomfortHow to stop moralizing food and start using it for fuel and joyWhat most diets miss about real-life consistencyWhy 80% effort wins over 100% pressureWhat to do when the old version of you won’t let go This episode will be MASSIVELY helpful for anyone stuck in a mental loop of “why can’t I just get it together?”​It’s not about working harder — it’s about thinking differently. Find Anna on Instagram: @commonsense.health

    1h 15m

  6. JAN 22

    #130 - Powerlifting for real life — Whiskey and Barbells episode

    This is a really common misunderstanding people have about powerlifting:They think it's all about "maxing out" and chasing medals. But the best powerlifters I know train to be better in life — not just for meets. In this in-person episode of Whiskey and Barbells, I sat down with my own coach, Kurtis Tallaire — a national-level powerlifter who's been in the game for over a decade, both as an athlete and a coach. Today, he trains athletes who are crushing international meets. Kurtis and I take a deeper, practical look at powerlifting principles — not just for competitors, but for the everyday lifter who wants strength that supports their life, their body, and their longevity. We get into: Why powerlifting is a mindset, not just a sportHow a strong squat looks different from a “textbook” squatThe right way (and wrong way) to use a weight beltStrength training vs. bodybuilding — and why they feel so differentProgressive overload and why it still worksHow to build strength without obsessing over your 1RMTraining principles that make workouts feel easier over timeThe importance of sleep and recovery for strength gainsSpecific cues for improving bench, squat, and deadliftCore strength tips to protect your backMy recent competition recap — what I’d do differently This episode is great if you care about getting stronger for real life — whether you train for performance, health, or just to feel powerful in your body. Find more from Kurtis on Instagram:​​@kurtis.t

    1h 51m

  7. JAN 7

    #129 - 15 lessons from 15 episodes — with Rhyland Qually

    This episode is for anyone who’s made the same resolution five years in a row. Most “year-in-review” episodes are a highlight reel.This one isn’t. I recorded this episode with no voice, no sleep, low energy — but full honesty. Instead of shouting out guest names or surface-level takeaways, I focused on the patterns that kept repeating across coaches, therapists, athletes, and everyday people actually trying to change their lives. We get into the real stuff:Why resolutions fail, how identity shapes consistency, and what shame-free reflection actually looks like. It’s also the kickoff to my Real Resolution Challenge — built to help you follow through without burning out. We get into: Why your identity shapes your consistency (more than motivation ever could)The problem with vague goalsHow “failure” is actually just informationTangible takeaways from 15 expert guests this yearDetails on the Real Resolution Transformation Challenge (with over $1,500 in prizes)

    2h 9m

  8. 12/27/2025

    #128 - What your self-talk says about your results — Kevin Driscoll

    Kevin Driscoll spent years gaining and losing the same 40 pounds. ​Hard training. Hard partying. Restriction. Bingeing. Repeat. But it wasn’t because of a lack of discipline — it was a lack of identity. In this episode, Kevin and I unpack how he finally stepped off the dieting roller coaster and into what he calls The Goldilocks Zone — that sweet, sustainable middle ground where fitness supports your life without taking it over. We talk about the real reason most people can’t stay consistent: it’s not the food or the plan. It’s the story you keep telling yourself. “I have no discipline.”“I’m broken.”“I always screw this up.” Kevin explains how identity becomes the ceiling — and how to raise it, one small action at a time. If you’ve ever flipped from “clean eating” to chaos, or punished yourself with workouts to “make up” for food, this one hits home. We get into: Kevin’s own story of binge/restrict and emotional eatingHow identity and self-talk shape long-term successWhy “just be more disciplined” is trash adviceThe power of neutral thinking for chronic dietersHow to break the shame loop around foodKevin’s 3-phase coaching model: Foundation → Fat Loss → FreedomWhy perfection is the enemy of real changeWhy coaches need to stop moralizing foodThe Baby Bear Zone: finding a middle ground that actually worksKevin’s new challenge: HYROX training and rebuilding a healthy identityFind Kevin on Instagram: @kpd.fit

    1h 32m
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About

You know those people who hang out at the top? The kind of people who have an internal drive to excel at everything they do? Maybe it's sports. Maybe its' academics. Maybe it's a professional career. Whatever it is....each person has their own unique story about how they became who they are. The Strong Ambition podcast is all about having conversations with high-performers, and getting to the core of what drives their ambition, so that you can apply those same lessons to your own training, nutrition and mindset.

Information

  • Creator
    Rhyland Qually
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Rhyland Qually
  • Show Website
    Strong Ambition Podcast