The Strength Connection

Michael Kurkowski
  • 5.0 (35)
  • 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. 2d ago

    Hunger for MORE in LIfe w/ JD Tremblay

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Only 3 people in the world have accomplished something JD Tremblay has done. JD Tremblay is an ultra-endurance athlete, founder of the Hungry Warrior Academy in Canada, helping high-performing men stay disciplined and mentally resilient under sustained pressure, so performance doesn’t cost health or purpose. In this episode, JD shares his extraordinary journey into ultra-endurance racing, highlighting the mental strategies and resilience needed to tackle the Epicdeca, a feat of completing 10 Ironman’s in 10 days in the Hawaiian Islands, a challenge achieved by only three people in the world. This episode explores overcoming mental barriers, the importance of purpose, and how pushing limits can inspire others. Check out more from JD at: https://hunger4more.com/

  2. Sep 28

    Optimizing HRV for Athletes and Everyone Else w/ Don Moxley

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Don Moxley is the Founding creator and Chief Science Officer of Mode+Method, a company bringing HRV+ to market and leading the way on HRV research for health and longevity. In this episode, Don shares his extensive insights on heart rate variability (HRV), its evolution, and practical applications for athletes and individuals seeking peak performance. Discover how HRV can be a powerful tool for recovery, stress management, and optimizing training. Check out more from Don at: https://trainrecoverwin.com/ Get the HRV book at: https://trainrecoverwin.com/thehrvbook/

  3. Sep 21

    The Daily Champion's Mind w/ Jim Afremow & Phil White

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Jim Afremow, PhD, is a sport and performance psychologist, licensed professional counselor, and the bestselling author of The Champion’s Mind, The Champion’s Comeback, The Young Champion’s Mind, The Leader’s Mind, and The Creative’s Mind. His books have sold more than 225,000 copies in English editions domestically and have inspired athletes, coaches, and leaders across every field. Phil White is an Emmy-nominated writer, the coauthor of The Leader's Mind with Jim Afremow, and the co-host of The Basketball Strong Podcast with Tim DiFrancesco. Phil also cowrote Unplugged with Andy Galpin and Brian Mackenzie, Waterman 2.0 with Kelly Starrett, Game Changer with Fergus Connolly, and The 17 Hour Fast with Dr. Frank Merritt. He has written for many leading human performance brands, including Momentous, Onnit, TRX, XPT, TrainingPeaks, TrainHeroic, and FAST by Conor McGregor.  In this episode,  Jim and Phil discuss the mental game of champions, how to develop resilience, and practical strategies for everyday mental performance. They share insights from their books and experience working with elite athletes across sports. Follow Jim and Phil at: Jim: https://www.drjimafremow.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/jimafremow/ Phil: IG: https://www.instagram.com/philwhitebooks/?hl=en

  4. Sep 14

    To Succeed More, Do Less w/ Dr. Matt Delgado

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. Matt Delgado was handed an autoimmune diagnosis and three options: surgery, radiation, or medication for life. He picked a fourth option nobody in the room offered. He's not your typical chiropractor. He treats the body more like a plant than a car, restoring function so the body can restore health. He spent nearly a decade distilling that into his new book, Stepping Out of the Grave, out this January.  In this episode, Dr. Matt Delgado shares his personal journey overcoming Graves disease through holistic lifestyle changes, emphasizing the importance of the nervous system, environment, and mindset in health. Discover how shifting perspectives and surrendering control can lead to remarkable healing and long-term wellness. Follow Dr. Matt at: IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmattdelgado Pre-Order Matt’s Book: https://drmattdelgado.com/book/

  5. Sep 7

    Don't Fall for the "Doing Fine" Trap w/ Ali Gilbert

    Welcome to the Strength Connection!  Ali Gilbert, AKA the “Queen of Men’s Health”, is the founder of Silverback Coaching, and one the leaders and go to names in helping Men optimize their health, fitness, and lifestyle in their 40’s, 50’s, and beyond. In this episode, Ali shares her journey from Greenwich, CT to Golf fitness expert, to a leading expert in men's health, emphasizing the importance of personalized approaches, blood work, and community in achieving optimal health. Discover how her innovative summit and holistic strategies are transforming men's wellness. Check out more from Ali at: https://ali-gilbert.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thealigilbert/?hl=en

  6. Aug 24

    From Highland Games to Hardstyle Strength training w/ Mark Valenti

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Mark Valenti is a StrongFirst Senior Instructor and the owner and head trainer at Blind Dog Gym in Vermilion, Ohio. He is a former nationally ranked professional Highland games athlete, five times national highlands game qualifier, former world record holder in the 25-pound sheaf toss, and a member of the 2008 World Team Champions. He is also a three times national strongman championship qualifier. In this episode, Mark shares his journey from strength training as a kid to competing in Highland Games, and how his experiences shaped his approach to training, community, and mastery. Discover insights on traditional training principles, the importance of technique, auxiliary lifts, and the power of community in strength development. Check out more from Mark at: Articles on Strongfirst: https://www.strongfirst.com/author/mark-valenti/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/mvalenti100/?hl=en

  7. Aug 17

    How HYROX Became a Global Fitness Movement w/ Andrew Sugerman

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Andrew Sugerman is the CEO of Centr, a global performance fitness brand and the Official Competition Equipment Partner for HYROX, the fastest-growing fitness sport in the world.  In this episode, Andrew shares his journey from Disney to leading Center, exploring lessons in branding, community, and resilience, and delves into the rapid growth of High Rocks and the power of community in fitness. Learn more about the Centr x HYROX ecosystem: IG: https://www.instagram.com/centrfit/?hl=en  Website: https://centr.com/  For gym owners and operators interested in Centr x HYROX commercial opportunities: https://shop.centr.com/pages/commercial?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=TheStrengthConnection&utm_campaign=Podcast Try the Centr App (includes the only HYROX-certified digital training programs): https://centr.com/p/hyrox/all-programs?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=TheStrengthConnection&utm_campaign=Podcast

  8. Aug 10

    Bridging Body and Mind: The Occupational Therapist's Approach to Strength w/ Mallory Reilly

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Mallory Reilly is an Occupational Therapist and Strength Coach at Reload Physical Therapy and Fitness in New York City, blending the worlds of OT and PT together for the past 8 years. She earned her M.S in Occupational Therapy from Stony Brook University, and is a StrongFirst Level 1, RKC level 2, RMP level 2, FMS level 2, Yoga Alliance certified, Adaptive Special Needs certified, and Sensory Fitness for Autism certified instructor. In this episode, Mallory shares her unique perspective on integrating body and mind, the importance of holistic health, and how her diverse background enhances her approach to therapy and fitness. Check out more from Mallory: https://www.reloadpt.com/mallory-reilly IG: https://www.instagram.com/malloryreilly_ot/?hl=en Substack: https://substack.com/@malloryreilly

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5
out of 5
35 Ratings

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 - 2026
  • Episodes
    341
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Strength Connection
  • Show Website
    The Strength Connection

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