Shows
BarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Should CrossFitters Switch to Strongman? (w/Hanna Coldiron)Here's one from the archives (we're back with new episodes next week!). Today we're wrapping up our mini-series with elite strongwoman athletes. Hanna Coldiron is the 2021 world's 7th strongest woman under 64kg, and she's looking to better that result later in 2022. Hanna wears a lot of hats: athlete and contest promoter, in addition to working a full time job outside of strength athletics. She also got her start in CrossFit (a bit like multi-time World's Strongest Man competitor Rob Kearney), and hearing her take on transitioning sports was eye-opening. If you've ever wanted to hear from a top strongman...
2023-10-2426 minBarBend PodcastFrom Gymnastics to Kettlebells to Weightlifting (with Rebecca Rouse)Today we have a first of its kind episode in BarBend Podcast history, because it's the first time we've ever had both members of a married couple on the show! We're talking to weightlifter, kettlebell specialist, and trainer Rebecca Rouse. Her husband — Joel Del Rosario — appeared on the podcast about two years ago! I sat down with Rebecca to talk about training in kettlebells and building a following there, making the transition to weightlifting, and tips for finding new coaches and training centers when you travel around or move frequently.Listen to our episode with Joel here.
2023-10-1328 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: How Mini-Cuts Unlock Muscle-BuildingHere's one from our archives; we'll be back with new episodes next week! Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and podcast Tom MacCormick. A writer for sites like Breaking Muscle and BarBend — but hey, I’m biased — Tom is a veteran of the strength and conditioning industry. But one thing he’s best known for online is helping people harness the power of mini cuts — targeted, specific periods of concentrated fat loss — that Tom says can actually help long-term muscle-building and strength goals. Tom joins us to explain how mini-cuts can be adapted to almost any training environment, along with tip...
2023-09-1932 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Ice-T on His Lifetime of FitnessThis is probably our FAVORITE episode from the archives!Today I’m talking to legendary rapper, songwriter, and actor Ice-T. Since his origins in the underground rap scene of the 1980s to his long-term stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T has been a cultural force in America for as long as many of us have been alive. But one thing a lot of people might not know is his passion for fitness. In his youth, Ice-T was a competitive gymnast and fan of physical culture, and now in his 60s, he’s exercising often twice per...
2023-07-3113 min
Rising Tide Startups7.26 – David Tao – Barbend – Rising Tide RecapWelcome to another episode of Rising Tide Startups! In this episode, host Kevin Prewett welcomes back on the show David Tao, the Co-Founder, and CEO of Barbend, a prominent platform dedicated to strength training and fitness content. David shares his experiences, having spent nearly a decade building and leading editorial teams in the health and fitness industry. During this conversation, Kevin and David deep dive into the remarkable journey of Barbend, tracing its origins from humble beginnings to its recent acquisition. Discover the importance of identifying a niche audience and creating engaging content that truly resonates.
A few highlights:
BarBend...
2023-06-2827 min
50% Facts with Silent Mike & Jim McDBuilding a strength sports media empire with David Thomas Tao of Barbend.comIn this episode of the 50% Facts podcast, we sit down with David Thomas Tao, co-founder, former CEO, and now head of brand for Barbend.com. Barbend is a leading website for strength training and fitness that was recently acquired by Pillar4 Media.In this interview, Tao discusses his journey to becoming the CEO of Barbend, his thoughts on the future of fitness media, and how Barbend has expanded coverage since its founding to serve the growing market. Tao talks about the challenges of starting a business and the importance of perseverance. He gives insight on what...
2023-06-141h 19BarBend PodcastCoaching the 2-Time Fittest Man on Earth® (w/Adam Neiffer)Today I'm talking to CrossFit coach, athlete, and affiliate owner Adam Neiffer, who joins The BarBend Podcast for the second time. Adam is perhaps best known today as the coach of two-time reigning Fittest Man on Earth Justin Medeiros. I've known Adam for approaching a decade, and he's one of the most thoughtful coaches I've ever had the pleasure of chatting with. Adam shares his approaches to training both elite and general population clients, and he also dives deep on the challenges of training top athletes in a sport where anything — and we do mean anything — can be contested.
2023-05-1631 minBarBend PodcastThe Secret History of Irish Stone Lifting (w/Dr. Conor Heffernan)Today we're joined (for the second time!) by Dr. Conor Heffernan, an historian and educator regarding the history of strength and physical culture. He's also a frequent BarBend contributor! Dr. Heffernan joins us to talk about the history of stone lifting in cultures around the globe, with a particular emphasis on Irish stone lifting. Dozens of historic Irish lifting stones have been uncovered in the past few years, and one intrepid explorer/lifter has even been called "Indiana Stones" because of his rare finds. How exactly are researchers finding these historic stones? And is anyone lifting them today?
2023-05-0930 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Treat Your Lifting Like a Stock PortfolioHere's a VERY popular one from our archives: Today I’m talking to weightlifter, CrossFitter, pro strongman, financial advisor, and coach Graciano Rubio, best known online as the Wall Street Weightlifter. He’s also the owner of CrossFit Valley View. In today’s episode, we discuss his strength background and why you should treat training like an investment portfolio — especially when it comes to something called stop loss. Along the way, I also get on a high horse about competing. You’ll just have to listen to find out more.
2023-04-2427 minBarBend PodcastThe Hidden Secrets of Strongman Competition (w/Maxime Boudreault)Today I’m talking to Canadian strongman Maxime Boudreault, who finished third place at the 2021 World’s Strongest Man and fifth at the 2022 World’s Strongest Man. Maxime is sitting out this year’s World’s Strongest Man due to injury — by the way, the competition kicks off this week! That recovery time has given him new perspective on the sport, and he’s looking to come back stronger than ever. We talk about breaking through strongman’s professional ranks, competing against historically amazing athletes, and the toll of staying on top in one of strength’s most demanding disciplines.
2023-04-1729 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: How Don Saladino Gets Hollywood's Elite ReadyDon Saladino is one of the fitness world's most in-demand trainers. A specialist in strength and physique for over 20 years, Don is perhaps best known for getting some of Hollywood's biggest stars ready for massive on-screen roles: Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Ryan Gosling, and more. Don is also the founder and owner of Drive 495 gym in Manhattan.In today's episode, Don joins host David Thomas Tao to discuss building a list of Hollywood clientele, setting realistic expectations for physique and performance, and why some of the most celebrated trends in wellness can be downright harmful.
2023-03-2700 minBarBend PodcastCrazy True Story of Obstacle Course Racing (w/Matt B. Davis)Today I’m talking to Matt B. Davis, the founder and driving force behind Obstacle Racing Media, the web’s number one source for all things OCR, Hyrox, and more. Matt and I have a lot in common: We’re both passionate about fitness, we both started sport-specific media companies, and we both started those media journeys at a time when a lot of folks said it was a bad idea. Like BarBend, Obstacle Racing Media has stood the test of time and grown from a one-man blog into a true source and home for its community online. If you wa...
2023-02-2131 minBarBend PodcastWhat It Takes to Be a Bodybuilding Pro (w/Clare Morrow)Today I'm talking to IFBB Bikini competitor Clare Morrow. What does it mean to be a bodybuilding pro? And what happens when you find that sport a little later in life like Clare? Clare and I talk a lot about her journey in that sport as well as practice with clients hoping to life healthier lifestyles. And we also discuss why Clare DOESN'T coach bodybuilding competitors to get stage ready.I will say a lot of topics in this conversation border on medical. The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should...
2023-02-0727 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Mat FraserHere's one from the archives with a man who needs little introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way...
2023-01-3028 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Busting Strength Myths with Dr. Jim StoppaniHere's my absolute favorite episode from 2022 (and one of our most downloaded ever!):Today I’m talking to legendary fitness researcher and bodybuilding Dr. Jim Stoppani. When it comes to influencers in the space, Dr. Stoppani’s resume is almost unparalleled. He’s an active research scientist who has also spent decades in fitness publishing. And he’s a straight shooter, not afraid to separate fact from fiction and to admit when the research is still coming up short on topics in strength. Stoppani joins us to talk about everything from training myths to protein requirements as we age...
2023-01-0330 minBarBend PodcastIs Bodybuilding Sport or Show? (w/Roger Lockridge)Today I'm talking to one of the fitness world's prolific writers, Roger Lockridge. Roger is a longtime contributor to all sorts of outlets, including BarBend and Breaking Muscle. He's also one of the world's best-known writers on bodybuilding, and he'll be covering the Olympia Weekend live and in person this year (as he did last year as well). Roger joins the podcast to talk about building an unlikely career — even from his home in rural West Virginia — as well as how to talk about bodybuilding. Is it a sport? Is it a pageant? Or is it something else entirely?...
2022-12-0529 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Coss Marte on Prison FitnessHere's one of my favorite recordings from our archives: Today we're talking to Coss Marte, the founder and CEO of CONBODY, a prison fitness-style boot camp offering in-person and virtual classes based out of NYC. Coss developed the idea of CONBODY based on his own experiences in prison, where he turned to fitness after becoming overweight and at a high risk for cardiac problems. Since founding CONBODY, Coss has hired over 40 formerly incarcerated individuals as trainers, and he’s also become an advocate for prison reform and former inmates looking to build new lives. We talk about Coss’ inspiration for...
2022-11-2827 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: How Kris Gethin Thrives As a Multi-Sport BodybuilderHere's a popular one from the archives perfect for a time of year when people are getting active in the cold. Kris Gethin is a bodybuilder, fitness model, and supplement entrepreneur who has been the face of some of fitness' biggest physique campaigns. He's also a passionate endurance athlete who has a ton of knowledge on balancing muscle growth and strength gain with long-duration training for triathlons and distance events. We talk to Kris, the founder of Kaged Muscle, about these strategies and more.
2022-11-2231 minBarBend PodcastFitness As "Info-tainment" (with Tony Horton)Today I’m talking to — and I don’t use this term lightly — fitness LEGEND Tony Horton. Tony is the creator of P90X, which became popular among millions of users. (Yes, I remember those infomercials too). Tony leveraged an acting background to become the fitness industry’s most visible personality for years. He’s also a straight shooter and isn’t afraid to look back on his career to say what he could have improved — and how he continues to learn. Which movement would he have removed from P90X? Who bailed on him for a celebrity workout? And what’s he up...
2022-11-1535 minBarBend PodcastHow to Build a Fitness Following (w/Andrew Coates)Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and speaker Andrew Coates. I met Andrew in person about a month ago at Strong New York, but he’s been on my radar for years. Andrew has built a following online and also contributes to some of the biggest publications in fitness, including — you guessed it — BarBend. In this episode, Andrew gives his playbook for building an online fitness following and talks about how to separate influencer hype from real, valuable fitness knowledge. I hope you enjoy.Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today...
2022-10-2533 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Powerlifting Legend Jen Thompson's Training RoutineHere's a super-popular (and super-relevant) one from our archives. Today we’re talking to 11-time IPF World Champion and Hall of Fame powerlifter Jen Thompson. Summarizing ALL of Jen’s accomplishments in strength in a quick intro is frankly impossible. She’s one of powerlifting’s all-time greats and still very much a dominant force in the sport, both when competing on the platform and through her contributions as an organizer and advocate. We talk about Jen’s current training and programming split, her favorite accessory movements for a legendary bench press, and how powerlifting has changed over her 20 plus years...
2022-10-1731 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Jordan Syatt on World Record Deadlifts and the Calorie DebateHere's a super-popular episode from the archives, and definitely one of our most listenable of all time. Jordan Syatt is a record-setting powerlifter and content producer who’s best known to many as Gary Vaynerchuk’s personal trainer. We sit down to talk about sacrificing everything to reach lifting goals, the psychological components of fitness, and the number one thing everyone in fitness can do to improve their communication skills. Jordan also shares a personal story of how Westside Barbell kept him from dropping out of college.
2022-09-2040 minBarBend PodcastThe World's Strongest People Aren't Role Models (w/Joe Sullivan)Today we’re bringing back one of the most popular guests in BarBend history — record-breaking powerlifter Joe Sullivan. Joe joins us for the second time to talk about training, overcoming injury, and why elite strength athletes are probably not the best health role models. He also gives his thoughts on how to bring more unity to the powerlifting world, and whether or not the sport can shift to an abundance mindset instead of focusing on scarcity.
2022-08-1632 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: How Your Metabolism Really Works (with Josh Clemente)Here's a popular one from our archives: Today we’re talking to Josh Clemente, Founder and President of Levels, a company producing wearable tech so users can track blood glucose in real time to maximize diet and exercise results. Josh is a veteran of both SpaceX and Hyperloop One, and his background is in designing life support systems for the next generation of space exploration. In today’s episode, we discuss how that work inspired Josh to found Levels, why metabolic responses can vary so differently from one person to the next even with the same food, and what this...
2022-08-0831 minBarBend PodcastThe Actual Secrets of Powerlifting Programs (w/Daniel DeBrocke)Today I’m talking to powerlifter and coach Daniel DeBrocke, Director Of Education at Kabuki Strength. He’s also a writer for Breaking Muscle, a website in the BarBend network, so I’m obviously a huge fan of his writing! Daniel is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever encountered when it comes to athlete prep and programming for competition. In today’s episode, we dive deep on programming for powerlifting, including the sometimes-unexpected changes that occur when progressing from beginner to intermediate to advanced. Daniel drops some real knowledge bombs in this episode, great for athletes and coache...
2022-08-0231 minBarBend PodcastWhat's the Future of Strength Content? (w/Andrew Gutman)Today I’m talking to Andrew Gutman, BarBend’s Editor-In-Chief. Andrew has joined the BarBend Podcast before, but this time, we’re talking about something a bit different: The future of strength content. What will the industry look like in 5, 10, or even 20 years? And what was it like (for both of us) to witness the downfall of print in fitness journalism? We look into the past to try and see the future — and that means predictions about everything from BarBend itself to fitness influencers. Let’s see what comes true!First, a quick word from today's sponsor. Organifi i...
2022-07-2633 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Scott Stallings on Combining Pro Golf and CrossFitToday we have one from our archives, one of the most popular episodes in BarBend Podcast history: PGA Tour Pro Scott Stallings. Scott joins us to talk about how discovering CrossFit and functional fitness impacted his golf game. Scott has trained with some of the fitness world’s biggest stars, and he’s got stories you simply don’t want to miss. First, a quick word from today’s sponsor. Organifi is a line of organic superfood blends that offers plant-based nutrition made with high-quality ingredients. Each Organifi blend is science-backed to craft the most effective doses with ing...
2022-07-1234 minBarBend PodcastHow Mini-Cuts Unlock Muscle-Building Potential (w/ Tom MacCormick)Today I’m talking to trainer, writer, and podcast Tom MacCormick. A writer for sites like Breaking Muscle and BarBend — but hey, I’m biased — Tom is a veteran of the strength and conditioning industry. But one thing he’s best known for online is helping people harness the power of mini cuts — targeted, specific periods of concentrated fat loss — that Tom says can actually help long-term muscle-building and strength goals. Tom joins us to explain how mini-cuts can be adapted to almost any training environment, along with tips on how to balance nutritional parameters with in-gym progress.Organifi i...
2022-07-0633 minBarBend PodcastFrom Running Marathons to World's Strongest Man (w/Mitchell Hooper)Today I’m talking to Canadian strongman phenom Mitchell Hooper. After just a few short years of elite strongman competition, Hooper burst into the conversation by qualifying for the World’s Strongest Man final in his first year at that competition — a meteoric rise in the sport. Now, he has his sights set on more, including world record deadlifts. Mitchell joints the podcast to talk about his broader professional and wellness goes, and he also explains how we made the progression from marathon runner to world’s strongest man contender in under 5 years.Before we get into that, I...
2022-06-1427 minBarBend PodcastLive from World's Strongest Man (with Phil Blechman)Today I’m talking to BarBend News Editor Phil Blechman. Phil is covering the 2022 World’s Strongest Man contest live on the ground in Sacramento, California. We’re recording this podcast on the Friday before the World’s Strongest Man final, so while we know the 10 finalists, we don’t know how the podium will shake out. Phil gives insights into the top stories and surprises from this year, including a firsthand look at how weather and event conditions impact the competitors. Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved unti...
2022-05-3130 minBarBend PodcastCan Statistics Make CrossFit More Fair? (w/Tyler Watkins)Today I'm talking to accountant, stats guru, and CrossFitter Tyler Watkins. He's on a mission to help identify where competitive CrossFit — which is still a very, very young sport — can level the playing field to be a more holistic, consistent, and fair test of fitness. Beyond Tia-Clair Toomey winning every year, how can organizers and programmers really set out to find the fittest athletes? Tyler takes a numbers-based approach, and his learnings are relevant to any fan of strength sports — CrossFit, weightlifting, powerlifting, you name it!Today's podcast is brought to you by Colter Dillon, makers of custom...
2022-05-2425 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Weightlifting vs. CrossFit with Zack TelanderHere's a great one from the archives: Weightlifter, coach, and YouTuber Zack Telander joins us to talk about transitioning back and forth between CrossFit and weightlifting. Zack also talks about setting realistic goals for weightlifting athletes, along with changing the paradigm of which sports are “worth it” in American culture. Zack also gives his thoughts on dealing with weightlifting data and the most underrated coach in American weightlifting.
2022-05-1732 minBarBend PodcastHow to Break Into Fitness Journalism (w/Andrew Gutman)Today I'm talking to Andrew Gutman, BarBend's Editor-in-Chief, a veteran of numerous fitness publications. We're giving you tips and tricks on how to network your way into this industry, whether you want to contribute as a writer, editor, videographer, designer, you name it. We cover some of our best insights into how to get involved with outlets like BarBend (and maybe even some of our esteemed competitors in the fitness journalism space).
2022-04-2630 minBarBend PodcastStrongman's Inside Man (w/Matt Rhodes)If you’ve heard breaking news out of the strongman world in the past couple of years, chances are it came from one of two sources: BarBend.com, or someone named Matt Rhodes. Matt has the inside track to the highest levels of strongman competition and often gets news about athletes and events before, well, almost anyone else. We talk about how a love of strongman turned into a growing media footprint that includes interviews with champions, breaking news, and frank discussions a lot of interviewers are scared to dive into. If you’re a fan of grassroots sports cove...
2022-04-1925 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Thoughts Before An 860 lb Squat (w/Kevin Oak)One from our archives: Kevin Oak has held multiple all-time powerlifting world records throughout his career. Currently, he holds the 242 lb raw all-time world record for the squat with his recent 860 lb lift. Outside of powerlifting, Kevin also owns his own apparel business, Barbell Commission. In today’s episode we chat with Kevin about a variety of topics including his pre world record mindset, what his next epics feats of strength will be, and much more.
2022-04-0440 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Busting Injury Myths with Dr. Bo BabenkoToday we're talking to Doctor of Physical Therapy and trainer Dr. Bo Babenko. Bo has worn many hats in fitness over the past decade: physical therapist, triathlete, CrossFit Regionals competitor, and more. Our conversation focuses heavily on what’s changed about physical therapy and recovery during Bo’s career so far, along with the most common myths and misconceptions when it comes to injury recovery. We’ll get right to it, because this is one episode that can be useful to just about anyone who strength trains.
2022-03-1429 minBarBend PodcastTackling 600Sixty with Fergus CrawleyToday I’m talking to a repeat guest on the BarBend Podcast, Fergus Crawley. Fergus is a multi-discipline endurance and strength athlete known for combining the two into unique physical challenges. His latest was “600Sixty” — a 600-kilogram raw powerlifting total followed by a sub-six-hour 60-kilometer ultramarathon.We catch up with Fergus to talk about what it takes to train for both elite strength and endurance, including how his protocols have shifted in the past two years to balance the various demands of these unique challenges.
2022-02-1531 min
Weightlifting HouseBuilding Weightlifting w/David Tao of BarBendDavid Tao is the founder of BarBend, the number one source of strength news online. We spoke about how he built the company, plans to grow it, and continues to ensure high quality content at scale.https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/secret/Follow Davidhttps://www.instagram.com/davidthomastao/Check out BarBendhttps://barbend.com/
2022-01-3157 minBarBend PodcastHow I Switched from Powerlifting to Bodybuilding (w/ Amanda Kohatsu)Today I'm chatting with a repeat guest on the BarBend Podcast: Powerlifter turned (now professional) bodybuilding competitor Amanda Kohatsu. Amanda originally made a name for herself in strength through her powerlifting accomplishments. But about a year and a half ago, she decided to take a break from competitive squat, bench, and deadlift to enter a new athletic arena: Figure and physique competition. Barely 18 months into her bodybuilding journey, Amanda earned victories and pro cards in BOTH bodybuilding categories, making her one of that discipline's most promising new competitors. We talk about her recent journey and compare powerlifting and bodybuilding...
2022-01-0327 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: CrossFit, Wine, & Long Drive Competitions w/ Margaux AlvarezMargaux Alvarez is a 7-time CrossFit Games athlete, long drive competitor, coach, and wine entrepreneur. She's one of the most multi-talented personalities in fitness, and her future in CrossFit — and beyond — is something we had to learn more about. We sit down with Margaux to talk about training across multiple sports, strength training for golf long drive competitions, her future in athletics, balancing wine with recovery, and more.
2021-12-2733 minBarBend PodcastBouncing Back from Tricep Rupture and Testicular Cancer (w/Rob Kearney)Today I'm chatting with strongman Rob Kearney, who joins the BarBend Podcast for a second time. Rob has been through a lot in the past two years, including a tricep rupture on an American Log Press record attempt, as well as a testicular cancer diagnosis. Rob joins the podcast to talk about his injury, illness, and road to recovery, including returning to the competition floor at the 2021 Rogue Invitational.
2021-12-2030 minBarBend Podcast2021's Biggest Strength StoriesToday on the BarBend Podcast, we welcome two of the BarBend Team's finest: Managing Editor Andrew Gutman and Senior Writer Phil Blechman. We dive into our favorite strength stories, feats, records, and competitions of 2021, then look ahead at the big stories to come in 2022. Did we include any of your favorite moments?
2021-12-1436 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Heather Connor and What We're Getting Wrong About InjuriesHeather Connor is a 2-time IPF World Champion and the first female IPF powerlifter to deadlift 4 times her bodyweight raw. Heather joins us to talk about the injury that sidelined her for nearly a year, along with why it’s so easy for lifters to ignore the signs of significant underlying injuries and issues. We also chat about Heather’s goals in the sport, what big money competitions could mean for powerlifting’s future, and an unorthodox weight gaining strategy. Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded before it was announced the SBD Sheffield 2020 Powerlifting Championships would be cancel...
2021-11-3034 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Jen Widerstrom on "American Gladiators" to Becoming a Go-To TrainerFrom the BarBend Podcast archives: Jen Widerstrom rose to the national spotlight as a star on "American Gladiators," but after the show was canceled, a career in the fitness industry didn't happen overnight. We talk with Jen about behind-the-scenes stories from "Gladiators," finding footing as a coach and trainer, and eventually becoming one of Hollywood's got-to trainers for TV and shows like "The Biggest Loser." What's it like to coach Kevin Hart and Conan O'Brien? Jen gives us the details, along with the incredibly fit celebrities you might not expect.
2021-10-2537 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: How to Optimize Your Sleep (with Kristen Holmes)This will shock many athletes: What you do in training likely has little to no impact on your next-day recovery. The common wisdom about recovery, especially sleep, needs a major update. So we sat down wit Kristen Holmes, WHOOP's VP of Performance, to separate fact from fiction on deep sleep, caffeine consumption, foods that help and hurt sleep, muscle repair, and what tracking HRV can tell us about how rested you really are.
2021-08-3033 minBarBend PodcastMetabolism and Muscle with Dr. Ben BikmanToday I’m talking to Dr. Ben Bikman, PhD, a professor, researcher, entrepreneur, and author in bioenergetics. In his own words, Ben’s research drives at exploring the “contrasting roles of insulin and ketones as key drivers of metabolic function.” Ben is also passionate about fitness, and he’s become a go-to resource and expert for many athletes and institutions hoping to better understand how what we eat drives our body’s responses and adaptations to training. In our conversation, we dive into Ben’s research, along with what data suggests regarding some key functions of these hormones for our bodies as...
2021-08-1632 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Dan John on 10,000 Kettlebell Swings and Strength OriginsDan John is one of the most respected coaches in strength & conditioning. Over the course of his 40+ year career, he's become well known for straightforward, effective protocols and programs that strip away the fluff to proven principles. He joins the podcast to talk about the popularity of his 10,000 kettlebell swing program, the simplest path to recovery and performance, and what to focus on when you have limited time to train.
2021-08-1036 minBarBend PodcastIt’s the Biggest Week in Strength History (w/Andrew Gutman)We’re bringing the podcast in house today, and for good reason. We're talking to BarBend’s Managing Editor, Andrew Gutman, who’s covered some of the biggest events in strength sports history. But it’s an especially interesting time for the strength community. Late July 2021 includes both the Tokyo Olympic Games AND the CrossFit Games, making it one of the busiest periods ever for BarBend’s newsroom. We discuss the upcoming challenges and thrills with covering multiple international sporting events at the same time, along with some fun stories from the trenches of strength sports coverage over the years.
2021-07-1930 minBarBend PodcastFrom a Broken Neck to CrossFit Journalism (w/ Spenser Mestel)Today we're talking to Spenser Mestel, a journalist who has written for publications like the New York Times, Buzzfeed, and of course, BarBend.com. Spenser has an insanely interesting athletic background, from competitive diving to parkour, a journey that includes ups like competing on American Ninja Warrior and downs that include breaking his neck in Egypt. Spenser has also established himself as one of the CrossFit community’s most impactful writers on a number of important issues in and around fitness. In addition, he co-authored Mat Fraser’s upcoming book, which will be released in January 2022.
2021-07-1229 minBarBend PodcastThe Keys to Elite Overhead Strength (w/Nicolas Cambi)Today we're talking to Nicolas Cambi, one of the world’s top strongman athletes in the 105kg weight category. We talk about his strongman origins — including training at a famous gym I used to frequent — and how the sport has grown over the past decade. What’s the future of strongman look like? And what are those weird looking, floppy bars Nicolas is famous for training with? All that and more in this episode of The BarBend Podcast.
2021-06-2129 minBarBend PodcastBarBend Classic: Layne Norton on the Real Science of Building MuscleIn this special (and rare) repost, The BarBend Podcast is going in-depth with a topic and guest that launched to a huge audience reaction. Layne Norton, PhD is one of the strength world's most respected minds when it comes to the science behind building muscle and strength. He's also competed in both bodybuilding and powerlifting at elite levels. Layne joins us to talk about what the bodybuilding and powerlifting worlds can learn from each other, along with sifting through the "bro science" to determine what's actually optimal for building muscle.
2021-06-1434 minBarBend PodcastTo the Paris Olympics and Beyond (w/Meredith Alwine)Today we're talking to American weightlifter Meredith Alwine, the current Pan American champion in the women’s 71kg category. I first met Meredith back in 2016 - in the early days of BarBend - while doing color commentary for the RVA Open in Richmond, Virginia. Back then, she was an up-and-coming collegiate lifter, and let’s just say her progress since has been nothing short of astounding. She’s risen through the ranks from the local, collegiate, and national levels to now be a contending force at any international competition where she’s representing the United States. She joins the podcast...
2021-05-2426 minBarBend PodcastAre You Strong Enough for a Racing Pit Crew? (w/ Christmas Abbott)Today we're talking to Christmas Abbott, a woman with a fitness resume about a mile long. She’s been a team CrossFit Games competitor, weightlifter, influencer, reality TV star, and also NASCAR’s first-ever female pit crew member. I’ve known Christmas for over seven years, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a proper catchup. In this episode of the BarBend podcast, we talk about her evolution from hyper-competitive athlete to producing fitness content for the masses, the physical rigors of working with a pit crew, and badass moms from movies Christmas wants to emulate.
2021-05-1133 minBarBend PodcastGet This Strong to Build a Log Cabin (w/Brian Alsruhe)Today we're talking to strongman athlete Brian Alsruhe, who actually joins the BarBend Podcast for a second time. Recently, Brian has been focusing most of his time on building a homestead in the woods, completely by hand and without the use of power tools. We discuss what it means to use strength in a real-world environment, along with how building a log cabin mirrors strongman-style training. This podcast also touches on the human connection with nature, feats of endurance long before electricity, and we even touch on Bigfoot and other topics in cryptozoology. Don’t miss it.
2021-05-0336 minBarBend PodcastWho's Stronger: Weightlifters or Powerlifters? (with Travis Mash)Today we're talking to coach Travis Mash. In some circles, Travis is best known as a champion, world record-breaking powerlifter, and his career in that sport is legendary. But fewer people know that Travis’ first strength love was weightlifting, a sport he spends most of his time coaching these days. Travis joins us to talk about training athletes based on scientific principles, starting a collegiate weightlifting program, and his passion for strength research. We also discuss the super total — which involves testing athletes across both weightlifting and powerlifting events — and much, much more. Before we get into that, I...
2021-04-0534 minBarBend PodcastThe Fight to Save Weightlifting w/ Sarah DaviesToday we're talking to British weightlifter Sarah Davies, who represents England at the highest levels of international competition. The 2018 Commonwealth Games silver medalist is also the IWF Athlete Commission’s Chair, a role that sees her advocating for athlete representation within the sport’s international governing body. Over the past year, massive shakeups, corruption allegations, and doping scandals have rocked the International Weightlifting Federation. Sarah has been very outspoken about where she feels the IWF must undergo reform, a stance that has created tension between her and members of the organization’s Executive Board. In this episode, Sarah joins us to...
2021-03-1529 min
The Platform Podcast35. David Thomas Tao | Co-founder & CEO of BarBend.comMy guest this week is David Thomas Tao (@davidthomastao), the co-founder and CEO of BarBend.com (@BarBend) the world's largest strength sports website. We discuss his work as a professional voice actor, and the genius of Mark Hamill's voice work as the Joker, as well as the history of BarBend and their recent venture into coverage of kettlebell sport with their profile on Kim Fox, how we can grow kettlebell sport in the US in a similar fashion to the growth USA Weightlifting, and his opinion on the greatest strength sport performance of all time.
If you en...
2021-02-241h 06BarBend PodcastFix Exercise, Improve Society (w/ Dr. Daniel Lieberman)Today we're talking to Dr. Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University and Chair of Harvard’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology. Dr. Lieberman is also the author of numerous books, most recently one titled “Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding.” Dr. Lieberman took time out of his busy teaching and research schedule to join us on the BarBend Podcast. We discuss why humans evolved for a very different lifestyle than we live today, and why exercise has become something many people dread while others embrace it in various forms. We als...
2021-02-1530 min
QA Selling Online at AmazonCo-Founder and Editor of BarBend & 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 - David TaoDAVID TAO
David Thomas Tao is an entrepreneur, editor, and voice actor based in New York City.
He is the Co-Founder and Editor of BarBend.com, a media brand that provides multi-platform coverage of news, analysis, training, and opinion in strength training and sports.
One of the largest and fastest-growing fitness sites on the web, BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting and is also a partner broadcaster for the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.
David is a 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list maker for Media. A veteran of the health & fitness industry, he has nearly a decade of experience building and...
2021-01-1929 min
Podcast Archives - QA Selling Online PodcastCo-Founder and Editor of BarBend & 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 - David TaoDAVID TAO
David Thomas Tao is an entrepreneur, editor, and voice actor based in New York City.
He is the Co-Founder and Editor of BarBend.com, a media brand that provides multi-platform coverage of news, analysis, training, and opinion in strength training and sports.
One of the largest and fastest-growing fitness sites on the web, BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting and is also a partner broadcaster for the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games.
David is a 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list maker for Media. A veteran of the health & fitness industry, he has nearly a decade of experience building and...
2021-01-1929 minBarBend PodcastFrom Bodybuilding to 'Ramy' and 'Ms. Marvel' (with Laith Nakli)Welcome to a very special episode of the BarBend Podcast, one that covers a bit more ground than normal. Today we're talking to Laith Nakli, a star of stage and screen probably best known for his roles in The Long Road Home, The Wall, and as Uncle Naseem in the hit TV series Ramy. He’s also a cast member on the upcoming Ms. Marvel series on Disney Plus. Before his acting days, Laith was a competitive bodybuilder, winning the title of Mr. Syria before retiring from the sport. In our conversation, we talk about Laith’s bodybuilding career, the...
2021-01-0533 minBarBend PodcastHow to Breathe Fire (with Bill Grundler)Today we're talking to Bill Grundler, a coach, athlete, and media personality who’s been one of CrossFit’s most visible personalities for nearly a decade. Bill also owns CrossFit Inferno and co-hosts the Get with the Programming Podcast, which analyzes programming in the CrossFit landscape including Worldwide Qualifiers, Age Group Online Qualifiers, Sanctioned Events, The Open and CrossFit Games. In our episode, Bill — once a career firefighter — explains how CrossFit methodology caught on so quickly in the first responder community. We also discuss what it’s like being a veteran of the competitive CrossFit sphere — a true fire-breather, as some in t...
2020-12-1542 minBarBend PodcastBear Crawled a Marathon (with Devon Lévesque)Today we're talking to Devon Lévesque, a trainer and fitness influencer based out of Jersey City, New Jersey. Devon is probably best known for — and I promise I’m no exaggerating here — bear crawling a full marathon. In about 22 hours this past October, Devon — who already held the world record for distance in the bear crawl — bear crawled 26.2 miles and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for FitOps, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans to pursue health and fitness careers. Devon — whose father was a professional bodybuilder and whose mother was a pro arm wrestler — joins us to talk about his...
2020-11-2331 min
BarBend PodcastYou're Warming Up Wrong (with Dr. Jordan Shallow)As we approach the holiday season, BarBend wants to celebrate by revisiting some of our most popular podcasts from the past 12 months. This episode with Jordan Shallow prompted a ton of discussion, and we're excited to share this remastered version!According to Dr. Jordan Shallow, the way we warm up — and the way most people think about movement — is fundamentally broken. The chiropractor, internationally competitive powerlifter, and presenter joins us to talk about the root cause of injuries, how we can prep our bodies to move better, and why the human body wants to operate "like lightning."
2020-11-1934 minBarBend PodcastThe Army's Strongest Man (with Anthony Fuhrman)Today we're talking to strongman competitor Anthony Fuhrman. He’s the two-time World’s Strongest Man at 105 kilograms and was a competitor on NBC’s Titan Games. Anthony is also an active duty service member, and our discussion today focuses in part on how he balances his training with a full time job in the US Army. Anthony is also a BarBend contributor and one of the most personable people in strength. If you’ve ever been interested in strongman, the military, or anything in between, this is one episode you won’t want to miss. We want to tak...
2020-10-2232 minBarBend PodcastCrossFit's Next Superstar In WaitingIn this episode of the BarBend Podcast, we're talking to CrossFit Games athlete, Kristine Best. While fans may know her as an elite athlete, most of the people she works with every day know her as something else: a teacher. Unlike other Games-level athletes — who build lives around training full time — Kristine is a full time special education teacher. This means balancing training with a highly-demanding day job, and because of that the sacrifices she makes are bit unlike what most other high level athletes shoulder at the top of their game. We talk about how th...
2020-10-1529 minBarBend PodcastCoss Marte: From Solitary Confinement to CONBODY EmpireToday we're talking to Coss Marte, the founder and CEO of CONBODY, a prison fitness-style boot camp offering in-person and virtual classes based out of NYC. Coss developed the idea of CONBODY based on his own experiences in prison, where he turned to fitness after becoming overweight and at a high risk for cardiac problems. Since founding CONBODY, Coss has hired over 40 formerly incarcerated individuals as trainers, and he’s also become an advocate for prison reform and former inmates looking to build new lives. We talk about Coss’ inspiration for CONBODY while in solitary confinement, what to expect from...
2020-10-0129 minBarBend PodcastJames Newbury: CrossFit Elite on Virtual CompetitionToday we're talking to CrossFit athlete, James Newbury, who finished 5th in the 2019 Reebok CrossFit Games. Due to a shortened qualifying season, James isn't competing in the 2020 Games this year, along with many other top athletes in the sport. But that hasn't stopped James from honing his craft as an elite athlete, training more for power and strength, while also exploring other sports like surfing and weightlifting.As one of the world's fittest men, James offers his thoughts on competing virtually vs in-person, the mind games that happen behind the scenes at these events, and of course...
2020-09-1738 minBarBend PodcastCheryl Haworth: Olympic Bronze At Age 17Today we're talking to three-time Olympian in weightlifting Cheryl Haworth. Cheryl is one of America’s most accomplished lifters, and she competed in her first Olympic Games — Sydney, where she earned bronze — when she was just 17 years old. That Olympic Games also marked the first time women could compete in weightlifting at the Olympic level. In this special episode of the BarBend Podcast, Cheryl joins us to look back on her experiences in Sydney 20 years ago, and what it was like to be among the first group of women Olympians to represent the USA in weightlifting.
2020-09-1028 minBarBend PodcastConor Heffernan: Strength History's Biggest MomentsIn today's episode, we sit down with Conor Heffernan, BarBend contributor and Assistant Professor of Physical Culture and Sports Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Our discussion spans thousands of years of strength, strength training and strength competition. From ancient weightlifting to the 1960s, where strength sports like Weightlifting and Powerlifting begin to split off into their own disciplines. It's an exciting ride through the history of strong people.
2020-08-3142 minBarBend PodcastPedro Meloni: Weightlifting Events During a PandemicToday we're talking to Pedro Meloni, Events & Sponsorships Director at USA Weightlifting. Prior to his role with USA Weightlifting, Pedro was the Weightlifting and Powerlifting Sport Manager for the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. In our conversation, we cover Pedro’s most memorable moments from the 2016 Games, including barely-in-time equipment deliveries and a weightlifting session that triggered international uproar. We also talk about the challenges facing organizations like USA Weightlifting to organize virtual and in-person events during the global COVID-19 pandemic.Note: BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting. Unless otherwise specified on certain content, th...
2020-08-2733 minBarBend PodcastGoodbye, Jake Boly: BarBend's Fitness Editor Takes A BowToday we're talking to Jake Boly, BarBend’s outgoing fitness editor. In nearly four years with BarBend, Jake has covered hundreds of strength sports events and written or edited thousands of articles on training and strength research. We look back on Jake’s time in and contributions toward strength journalism, including the athletes and feats that impressed him the most!
2020-08-1034 minBarBend PodcastKristin Hedstrom: How Olympic Rowers Train for StrengthToday we're talking to Kristin Hedstrom, a personal trainer who is also an Olympian in the sport of rowing. Kristin isn’t the first Olympian we’ve had on the BarBend podcast, but she is the first elite rower to give us insight into what it’s like to train in that sport at the highest level. We discuss the importance of strength training to rowing performance, how Kristin and other top rowers train throughout the year. We also discuss Kristin’s career after rowing, where she specializes in helping clients, particularly women, achieve their fat loss goals.
2020-07-1631 minBarBend PodcastScott Herman: The OG Fitness Influencer?Today I’m talking to Scott Herman, a trainer, BSN athlete, influencer, and founder of MuscularStrength.com. Scott was one of the first mainstream fitness influencers on YouTube and built out one of the internet’s first real video instructional libraries. Scott and I catch up on his background as a reality TV star, how fitness on the internet has evolved, and what he thinks is most misleading in the fitness industry.I want to give a big shout out to this episode’s sponsor, BSN. BSN has been around for nearly 20 years, and they’re a global l...
2020-06-2233 minBarBend PodcastEb Samuel: Superheroes & Men's Health Fitness DirectorEbenezer Samuel is a trainer and the Fitness Director for Men's Health Magazine. He joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about how his fascination with superheroes guided his career, the fittest professional athletes, giving pole dancing a try, and much more.
2020-06-1134 minBarBend PodcastPhil Andrews: International Weightlifting and the McLaren ReportOn June 4th, Professor Richard McLaren released his team's report investigating allegations of financial corruption, election fraud, and doping cover ups at the International Weightlifting Federation's (IWF) highest levels. According to McLaren's report, former IWF President Dr. Tamas Aján was involved in deep financial corruption (with over $10 million unaccounted for) as well as coordinated election fraud. However, allegations made against the Hungarian National Anti-Doping Agency (HUNADO) regarding false drug testing did NOT prove to be accurate.(Read BarBend's summary of McLaren's report as well as the original report.)In this episode, USA Weightlifting CEO P...
2020-06-0857 minBarBend PodcastCharlie Dickson: The Next Wave for PowerliftingCharlie Dickson is the 2018 International Powerlifting Federations' 83kg Junior World Champion. He's also a Doctor of Physical Therapy with an educational and professional background that gives him unique insight into training at an elite level. Charlie joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about training frequency and intensity misconceptions, his surprising approach to warm-ups, and the active powerlifters he most admires in the sport.
2020-05-2828 minBarBend PodcastJustin LoFranco: The Mind Behind Morning Chalk UpJustin LoFranco is the founder and CEO of Morning Chalk Up, a daily newsletter and media company dedicated to all things CrossFit. He joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about his roots on Capitol Hill and schisms within the CrossFit community. He also shares reactions from his friends and family when he decided to leave behind a promising career in politics to focus on such a niche sport.
2020-05-2135 minBarBend PodcastAngela Gargano: Real Life Ninjas and the Pull-up RevolutionAngela Gargano has a lengthy career in fitness, going from college gymnast to Miss Fitness USA and most recently a standout athlete on "American Ninja Warrior." Angela joins us in the BarBend studio to talk about her approach to training explosiveness, overcoming injury on national TV, and why she's on a quest to get everyone better at pull-ups.
2020-05-0432 min
Between SessionsS1 Episode 110 - Interview with David Tao - Co-Founder of BarBend.comDavid Tao has built a leading online fitness brand with millions of monthly visitors. He is an online marketing and content pro and shares with audiences his insight for those looking to build their own audiences online.
The journey the Harvard grad took to build his entrepreneurial venture BarBend wasn’t exactly simple. There were countless moments he questioned his entire career. The persistence paid off as he landed a coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 spot, raised funding for BarBend, and landed major corporate partnerships to elevate his company such as Under Armour. Collectively his sites and social profiles reach mi...
2020-04-2822 minBarBend PodcastDavid Meltzer: Pro Sports Recovery & Fitness on the RoadDavid Meltzer is the co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing, and he was formerly CEO of the sports agency that was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire. Today, he's an international best-selling author and motivational speaker who consults with some of the world's biggest pro sports leagues, teams, and athletes. David joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about which high-tech recovery techniques will become mainstream, what teams like the Los Angeles Lakers are doing on the cutting edge of strength performance, and how pro athletes handle aging and performance decline.
2020-04-2727 min
UPBEAT with Parker KaneEasy Nutrition Tips During Quarantine - Nick English @barbendIn this episode I talk with Nick English - Nutrition Editor @barbend - a leading news and media outlet for all things health, fitness, and strength. Nick is a journalist, editor, and digital media specialist with nearly a decade of reporting experience around the world. He's also been featured in Men's Health, Vice, Popular Science, and the Huffington Post. We break down the best nutrition tips for during quarantine! Connect with us :) BarBend: https://barbend.com/ Nick: https://twitter.com/ncjms?s=09 Parker: https://www.instagram.com...
2020-04-2049 minBarBend PodcastChad Vaughn: At-Home Training for WeightliftersChad Vaughn is a multi-time Olympian and one of the most accomplished weightlifters in American history. He joins the BarBend Podcast to discuss how weightlifters can stay strong, mobile, and fast when training from home with limited or even no equipment.
2020-03-3032 minBarBend PodcastChad Wesley Smith: How Powerlifters Can Stay Strong At HomeChad Wesley Smith is a record-breaking powerlifter, coach, and the founder of Juggernaut Training Systems. He joins the BarBend podcast to talk about the four main areas powerlifters and strength athletes of all types can focus on when working from home with limited or no equipment. Chad also highlights specific movements to focus on to keep neural force production high while away from heavy weights.
2020-03-2719 minBarBend PodcastJake Boly: Building Muscle and Strength At HomeIf you're training in powerlifting or weightlifting, nothing can perfectly replicate the stimulus of a barbell. But smart at-home training with minimal or no equipment CAN make an impact. And in an extended period away from the gym, many athletes can actually add muscle mass and improve their mobility. BarBend Fitness Editor Jake Boly joins the show to talk about strategies to preserve gains and even improve your lifting patterns while at home, using common household items and or just a few pieces of exercise equipment.
2020-03-2523 minRising Tide Startups3.12 – David Tao – Barbend.comToday on Rising Tide Startups, we chat with BarBend’s Co-Founder and Editorial Director, David Tao. David is a veteran of the health & fitness industry, with nearly a decade of experience building and running editorial teams in the space. He also serves as a color commentator for both National and International weightlifting competitions, many through USA Weightlifting. In addition to his work in the health & fitness industry, David has been a writer for Fortune and Fortune.com, as well as a contributor to Forbes.com, Slate, and numerous other outlets across the web and in print. He’s is also a gr...
2020-03-2339 min
The Optimal LifeDavid Tao, editor and founder of BarBend :: Building a Digital Fitness BrandDavid Tao is a Harvard graduate and founder of BarBend, a leading online fitness and strength training brand with over 2 million monthly visitors. An Internet marketing and content expert, David also hosts the BarBend Podcast and is a member of @badassery_hq. Connect with David on Instagram | Twitter Connect with BarBend on Instagram | Facebook
2020-03-0434 minUPBEAT with Parker KaneBe Your Biggest Competitor - David Tao @barbendIn this episode I talk with David Tao - Founder & Editorial Director @barbend - a leading news and media outlet for all things health, fitness, and strength. We break down the typical "meathead" stereotypes, the differences between strength sports, how strength correlates with sleep and brain power, and how you can start RIGHT NOW without going to the gym! Check out https://barbend.com/ and connect with us on Instagram :) @barbend // @upbeatpod // If you're listening on Apple - subscribe and review! If you're listening on other apps - hit the follow and auto-download options! Thanks for listening! patreon.com...
2020-02-1041 minBarBend PodcastRich Froning: CrossFit Games Changes and How Long He'll CompeteIn the world of fitness, Rich Froning needs almost no introduction. He is a 4-time Individual and 4-time Team CrossFit Games Champion, as well as the owner of CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee. Rich joins the BarBend Podcast to talk about hosting a Sanctional qualifier (the CrossFit Mayhem Classic), his honest reactions to CrossFit Games changes, and his future as a competitive athlete.
2020-01-2733 minBarBend PodcastJordan Shallow and Pat Davidson: How Are These STILL Questions?Dr. Pat Davidson and Jordan Shallow are both at the front of the pack leading the fitness industry and building better standards. Dr. Davidson has a PhD in exercise physiology and is an accomplished strength & conditioning coach and author, while Dr. Shallow is a chiropractor, strength coach, and traveling presenter. Both of these individuals have brilliant minds when looking at and assessing basic and advanced training concepts and programs. In today’s episode, Jake Boly takes commonly asked questions that we receive on BarBend Instagram posts, articles, and YouTube videos, and then has Dr. Davidson and Shallow ans...
2020-01-231h 00BarBend PodcastJake Boly: The Ultimate Guide to PowerbuildingAs BarBend's Fitness Editor, Jake Boly has written literally thousands of articles helping people train smarter. But there's a buzzy term in strength he thinks deserves a closer look: powerbuilding. (Yep, that's "powerlifting" and "bodybuilding" mashed up into one term.) We discuss the methodology and logic behind powerbuilding, specific training elements to keep in mind for maximum impact, and why some folks can have the best of both worlds. This episode is brought to you by Gravitus, an interactive mobile app that lets you track and record workouts written by the top minds in the strength industry.
2019-10-2434 minBarBend PodcastEmily Abbate: What We Need in Fitness JournalismEmily Abbate is a veteran fitness journalist who walks the walk (okay, more like runs). She's best known as the creator and host of Hurdle, one of the most popular fitness podcasts in the world. Emily has interviewed fitness icons like Tia-Clair Toomey, spent a day in the life of Rich Froning, and asked tough questions of sports celebrities like Alex Morgan. And she's only getting started.But her fitness cred goes beyond the podcast space. A contributor to Women's Health, Men's Health, GQ, SELF, and many more, Emily has covered almost everything hot, new, and relevant...
2019-09-2635 minBarBend PodcastTony Gentilcore: What's Really Important in StrengthIf you've ever read about fitness and strength training online, chances are you have Tony Gentilcore to thank, at least in part. Tony is a trainer and author who was one of the first to take his thoughts online, creating an early bridge between in-gym experience and the web's fitness community. Back around 2010, there weren’t a ton of places to turn to when it came to learning about the ins and outs of strength training online. But Tony’s name was one that popped up everywhere, a testament to his ability to take real-world experience and translate that into...
2019-09-1638 minBarBend PodcastFitness, Change, and Sacrifice with FITAID's Aaron HindeThere are few people in fitness — much less fitness entrepreneurs — who keep it honest and real like Aaron Hinde. He's an open book, someone who's just as eager to explain the bad as he is to celebrate the good. The Co-Founder and President of LIFEAID Beverage Company — makers of FITAID — Aaron is a constant presence at the CrossFit Games, where his company is one of the sport's most visible sponsors. He counts top athletes and coaches among his friends. But that success didn't come without major sacrifice and some serious "lean times" that left Aaron questioning whether his path was real...
2019-09-1233 minBarBend PodcastAthlete Driven Success with Danny CamargoDanny Camargo leads one of the largest and most successful weightlifting programs in the United States. Himself a former international-level lifter, Danny's Team Oly Concepts is a major force for the sport here and abroad. He's also gained an increased level of recognition for coaching Mattie Rogers, a World Championships medalist and one of America's most successful elite weightlifters this millennium.But after nearly three decades in the sport of weightlifting, Danny Camargo isn't done leaving his mark. And his position today resulted from a major life decision that, had it gone a different way, could have...
2019-09-0533 minBarBend PodcastStrength Trolls and Social Media with Jake BolyJake Boly is a writer, powerlifter, and online personality who has written (literally) thousands of articles covering the world of strength sports. He's also BarBend's Fitness Editor and a huge part of our social media team. Over the past three years, Jake has had a ringside seat to one of the biggest issues plaguing the strength community: social media trolls. In this episode of The BarBend Podcast, Jake gives his honest take on the impact trolling has on the strength community, and why so much of that hate is directed at a couple of sports and strength d...
2019-08-2940 minBarBend PodcastThe Pinnacle of Cal Strength with Dave SpitzWith a nickname like "The Godfather," Dave Spitz is clearly doing something right. The founder and mastermind behind much of California Strength's growth, he's a massive figure in American weightlifting. His team (not to mention his direct coaching) has produced some of the top U.S. lifters in the last decade and helped popularize the sport with an early and huge online following. If you've ever searched the web for lifting motivation and stumbled across videos of Donny Shankle, Jon North, Spencer Moorman, or other Cal Strength athletes, chances are you have Dave to thank.But Dave...
2019-08-2433 minBarBend PodcastThe Evolution of Strongman with Kalle BeckStrongman is one of the most physically demanding — and visually impressive — strength sports on the planet. And perhaps no one has done more to grow the sport's presence online than Kalle Beck.Kalle is the founder of StartingStrongman.com, a fantastic resource covering training in the sport, as well as event results and coverage. And what started as a personal blog — born out of a frustration over the lack of strongman resources online — has evolved into one of strength's more dedicated communities.No one — and I mean no one — has followed the sport more closely over the pas...
2019-08-0643 min