The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting

Stephan Kesting
  • 4.8 (372)
  • WRESTLING
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What is it that allows some people to push themselves beyond their limitations? Why can some people survive situations others do not? On this podcast we try to find out the answers. Stephan Kesting, is a lifelong martial artist, BJJ black belt, career firefighter, and outdoorsman. Join us as he talks to fighters, adventurers, competitors, coaches, firefighters, trainers and other people living the strenuous life. Stephan also runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials. His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art.

  1. AUG 18

    430 - Hybrid Training 2: The Science of Strength, Power and Endurance with Chris Duffin

    Record-setting powerlifter and freak athlete Chris Duffin discusses the intricacies of hybrid training, focusing on the balance between strength and endurance. He shares his unique qualifications, including his experience with elite athletes and his world record feats. Chris breaks down the relative importance of skill, and the mechanical, neurological, and metabolic factors that influence power output, and the often-overlooked role of the diaphragm in performance. Duffin also provides insights on training for generalists, emphasizing the need for injury mitigation and effective training strategies. Check out Chris's site at https://www.chrisduffin.com/ and his LiftLab App that helps athletes optimize their training using tools that previously were out of range for most recreational athletes:  And check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, on Amazon or anywhere books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold!  https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Thanks! Stephan Kesting

    1h 2m

  2. AUG 4

    429 - Hybrid Training 1: Peaking for Power, Endurance, and Mental Strength with Mike McCastle

    Mike McCastle smashed David Goggins' pullup record by doing 5,804 pull-ups in 24 hours while wearing a 30-pound backpack... and pulled an F-150 pickup truck 22 miles through Death Valley... and flipped a 250 lb tire for 13 miles... and climbed a rope for the equivalent distance of Mount Everest... and has trained MMA fighters, alpinists, and extreme adventurers like Colin O'Brady, the first man to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.   As such, he's the perfect person to kick off our 4-part series on hybrid training, where we'll delve into the art and science of maximising strength AND endurance at the same time. Some key areas covered include: - How hybrid training is about giving yourself options - Why strength training builds durability in joints and tendons - How to achieve your goals by reverse engineering the outcome - How to build mental toughness through conscious choices - Exactly how training should be tailored to individual needs and goals - Why recovery is crucial for optimal performance. - How to include skill development within your sport into your training phases - The methods Mike has used to create chaos in training to prepare for unpredictability - How training often and testing rarely is key to success. Subscribe to this channel to be notified of new episodes in this series when they come out! Check out Mike's website at https://www.mikemccastle.com/ and his Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mikemccastle/ And check out my own book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, on Amazon or anywhere books, ebooks, and audiobooks are sold!  https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

    1h 2m

  3. JUL 23

    428 - Tom Callos, A Black Belt and Gentleman

    Martial arts pioneer Tom Callos came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to discuss the California martial arts scene in the wake of Bruce Lee, the importance of taking your training out of the dojo and into the world, how your students can become your school's most effective advertising, being BJ Penn's first BJJ instructor, and his thoughts about BJ's current struggles. Tom has owned several martial arts schools, worked as a business and curriculum consultant to the international martial arts community, competed regionally, nationally, and internationally, and was a member of an internationally renowned demonstration team.   Follow Tom on Instagram @tomcallos. And check out my best-selling book "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic", available everywhere including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/   Cheers! Stephan Kesting

    1h 16m

  4. JUL 8

    427 - Overcoming Doubt and Anxiety in Competition, with Sports Psychologist Haley Perlis

    Today let's learn from sports psychologist Dr. Haley Perlis, who delves into the competition mindset, developing mental toughness, managing stress, avoiding burnout, the psychology of extreme sports, and how your core values shape your life and sport. Find out more about Dr Perlis at https://drhaleyperlus.com/ And to get a glimpse into the mental aspect of dealing with suffering and self doubt check out my book, Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic at https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Thanks! Stephan Kesting

    54 min

  5. JUN 24

    426 - What Needs to Change to Do Jiu-Jitsu after Age 35

    Today I'm joined by wrestler, jiu-jitsuka, and author Chris Jessulat (https://www.thewrongsideof35.com/) to discuss the best practices for staying relevant on the mats as you enter your fourth decade and beyond... 00:00 Training as an Older Grappler 02:48 The Transition from Competitive to Recreational Training 05:46 Physical Changes and Changing to a Mobility Focus 08:34 Quantifying Progress in Jiu-Jitsu 11:47 Breaking Through Training Plateaus 14:23 Comfort in Unfamiliar Positions 17:11 Training Strategies for Older Grapplers 29:35 Creating Positive Training Environments 31:12 The Impact of Focussing on Recovery and Positive Lifestyle Choices 33:41 Proactive Injury Management and Recovery Strategies 37:44 Navigating Injury Diagnosis and Treatment 40:51 Adapting Techniques and Mindset in Training 44:22 Reflections on Writing and Sharing Martial Arts Experiences 48:26 Lessons Learned from Martial Arts Training 51:20 The Importance of Community in Martial Arts If you've read this far down then check out my best-selling book Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, available everywhere including Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

    56 min

  6. JUN 9

    425 - Optimal BJJ Competition Mindset, with Rob Biernacki

    Rob Biernacki has some very impressive competition victories, including black belt masters gold at both No Gi Worlds and ADCC. In this podcast episode he reveals... Why people sometimes just don't perform up to their potential and how to fix it, How to reframe tournament nerves, The optimal state of arousal for competition, Building and executing on gameplans, Why some people just shouldn't compete, His best advice for first-time competitors And more. If you compete (or are thinking about competing), then this is a must listen! Resources referred to in this video include: Gripfighting and Kuzushi with Rob Biernacki: https://www.grapplearts.com/gripfighting Omoplata 2.0 with Stephan Kesting: https://www.grapplearts.com/omoplata/ Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic, by Stephan Kesting https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ BJJ Concepts by Rob Biernacki: https://www.bjjconcepts.net Please pass this episode on to someone you think would like it - that really helps us grow! Thanks, Stephan Kesting

    1 hr

  7. MAY 29

    424 - Writing the Ultimate BJJ Book, with Meerkatsu and Graham Barlow

    It started as an April Fool's joke and then morphed into a BEAST of a book complete with 967 illustrations called "Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the Ultimate Illustrated Guidebook".  In episode 424 I chat with renowned BJJ black belt, illustrator and designer Seymour Yang (better known as Meerkatsu) and his partner in crime Graham Barlow (the creator of the Tai Chi Notebook) about the core techniques of BJJ, modern vs traditional jiu-jitsu, and the process of bringing a new book into the world. Check out the book here: https://www.meerkatsu.com/product/brazilian-jiu-jitsu-the-ultimate-illustrated-guidebook/ Cheers, Stephan P.S. And while we're on the topic of books check out Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic.  While this isn't a BJJ book specifically, it does contain many of the lessons I learned about endurance, perseverance, and grit on the toughest expedition of my life.   Available on Amazon or wherever books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/

    51 min

  8. MAY 6

    423 - BJJ, Science, and D&D with Bryan Rumble

    Bryan Rumble is a 2nd degree belt and a working scientist.  In this episode we start out by talking about BJJ traditions, the depth of the art, and how the scientific method might be applied in jiu-jitsu.  Then, at about the 23 minute mark, Bryan and I nerd out SUPER hard on Dungeons and Dragons and how it relates to martial arts training.  You've been warned! Check out Bryan's school in Brantford, Ontario at the links below https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Rumble-Academy-100057419059340/ https://www.instagram.com/bryanrumble And check out the memoir of my toughest solo trip ever, a 42 day solo expedition into the remote Canadian North where I dodged forest fires, stared down bears, and canoed raging rapids completely alone.  Check out "Perseverance, Life and Death in the Subarctic" in hardcover, Kindle, and audiobook formats on Amazon or wherever you get your books! https://www.amazon.com/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612/ Good luck with your training! Stephan

    48 min
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About

What is it that allows some people to push themselves beyond their limitations? Why can some people survive situations others do not? On this podcast we try to find out the answers. Stephan Kesting, is a lifelong martial artist, BJJ black belt, career firefighter, and outdoorsman. Join us as he talks to fighters, adventurers, competitors, coaches, firefighters, trainers and other people living the strenuous life. Stephan also runs Grapplearts.com, where he has published many hundreds of martial arts videos, articles and tutorials. His free guide to learning Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, A Roadmap for BJJ, has been downloaded more than 10,000 times and has become a foundational text for the art.

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