The Masters Athlete Survival Guide

John Katalinas and Scott Fike
  • 4.7 (6)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

We explore thriving as an athlete after 40. Each episode, we’ll dive into tips, hacks, and inspiring stories from seasoned athletes and our personal experience. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitive pro, this podcast is your playbook for staying fit, strong, and motivated

  1. 2D AGO

    Masters Mindset Minute: Winning Every Workout

    Send us Fan Mail A one minute reset to start your week off right! @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    2 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Mastering Pain: How Athletes Over 40 Tell Hurt From Harm

    Send us Fan Mail We question the line between hurt and injured, then map a practical way to keep training after 40 without quitting. Warmups become diagnostics, mobility turns into insurance, and goals give way to systems that keep you consistent and strong. • defining hurt versus injured for masters athletes • using warmups to detect red flags • avoiding hidden compensations and imbalances • mobility and prehab as first training block • simple tools for resilient joints and core • intelligent modifications to keep momentum • systems over brittle outcome goals • when to consult PT, coach, or doctor • accessory work that protects weak links • how to adapt without stopping completely If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    52 min

  3. MAR 31

    Coach Joe "Big House" Kenn’s Blueprint for Stronger Training After 40

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with veteran NFL and college strength coach Joe "Big House" Kenn to talk about what actually keeps athletes strong as they age and why the basics beat the flashy tools. We dig into Block Zero, the Tier System, and the mindset shift that helps masters athletes train hard without chasing who they used to be.  • Joe Ken’s coaching background across college football and the NFL  • why mobility, stability, and simple positions come before heavy loading  • Block Zero as an on-ramp for athletes who are not ready to lift hard  • masters athletes as “100% of who you are today” rather than a comparison to past PRs  • preactivity preparation with bands, activation, and readiness work as non-negotiable  • how language changes effort: preparation progression sets instead of warm-up sets  • the Tier System as exercise choice and order, not a single periodization style  • adapting training to time available and injury history  • strongman, armlifting, grip strength, and staying in the game without catastrophic risk  If you enjoyed this episode and you’d like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide.  @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    1h 7m

  4. MAR 30 ·  BONUS

    Masters Mindset Minute: Centering and Gratitude

    Send us Fan Mail A one minute reset to start your week off right! @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    1 min

  5. MAR 19

    Moderation With Muscle: Smarter Training After 40

    Send us Fan Mail We tackle caffeine habits, realistic training for masters athletes, and why processes often beat goals when consistency matters most. The thread is accountable moderation: push just past comfortable, track what matters, and build systems that last. • dialing back caffeine and understanding tolerance • energy drink choices vs coffee and pre-workout timing • processes as a foundation for sustainable progress • realistic goals, discipline and avoiding all or nothing • bodyweight basics for balance and fall prevention • 80 percent training and knowing when to stop • interval ideas, walking meetings and daily movement • journaling, wearables and personal data for feedback • accountable moderation as the long term strategy • caffeine’s possible impact on blood sugar and sleep If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Master's Athlete Survival Guide @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    51 min

  6. MAR 6

    From Muay Thai to Mindset: How Fitness and Grit Saved Ty Wilson

    Send us Fan Mail We share how training saved Ty’s life after a brutal car crash, then unpack the mindset, habits, and community support that carried him through recovery and back to service. We also break down Muay Thai lessons, youth coaching, and The MYCROBIG Project’s blueprint for turning ideas into impact. • fitness as protective armor after 40 • injuries, setbacks, and rebuilding identity • fixed mindset versus growth mindset • Muay Thai conditioning and core endurance • coaching kids’ minds before mechanics • MYCROBIG intake, LLC and 501c3 support • Destination We, camps, and a new school • authentic self, legacy, and daily discipline If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    57 min

  7. FEB 20

    Classroom To Kali: How Martial Arts Built Community and a Champion with Shannon Duval

    Send us Fan Mail We welcome Shannon Duvall, a philosophy professor turned martial artist and coach, to explore how community, grit, and simple routines can change a life. From founding a dojang in ten days to competing in Filipino stick fighting, she shows how showing up builds confidence at any age. • school is people, not a building • starting martial arts as a parent alongside kids • parking-lot plan that launched a new dojang • how Kali works, from armor choices to ring control • talent vs trainability and learning through feedback • running, long COVID, and identity shifts • coaching with care, critique as belief • belts and stripes as motivation for kids • Silver Sticks, canes, and practical self-defense • aging strong through footwork, balance, and community • turning disappointment into hard work • confidence as the real outcome of training If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. Now get off our lawn, you damn kids. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    54 min

  8. FEB 6

    Trade Intensity for Longevity and Win Your 40s and Beyond

    Send us Fan Mail We unpack the gap between weekend intensity and weekday inactivity, then lay out a practical path for masters athletes to build consistency, protect joints, and keep playing longer. Mobility, skill practice, and short strength-conditioning sessions turn fear into confidence. • defining weekend warrior versus competitive athlete • risks from sedentary weeks and sudden intensity • mindset shifts after 40 and fear of injury • why consistency outperforms intensity for longevity • mobility as daily warm-up and real-life strength • blending carries, sleds, and sandbags for safe conditioning • simple frameworks: circuits, Tabata, and short sprints • skill practice over ego lifts to prevent dumb injuries • how hard to train using 70% effort and reps in reserve • setting three to four weekly touchpoints for progress If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

    39 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

We explore thriving as an athlete after 40. Each episode, we’ll dive into tips, hacks, and inspiring stories from seasoned athletes and our personal experience. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitive pro, this podcast is your playbook for staying fit, strong, and motivated

Information

  • Creator
    John Katalinas and Scott Fike
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Masters Athlete Survival Guide
  • Show Website
    The Masters Athlete Survival Guide

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