Pressing The Limits Podcast

Geoff Neupert is a former champion in Olympic Weightlifting and was a Division I Strength & Conditioning Coach at Rutgers University. He is known as a "thought leader" throughout the kettlebell industry and has trained over 25,000 people in one-on-one sessions after earning Master Instructor status in Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC). Geoff was co-creator of Original Strength and currently operates Chasing Strength, which has been featured in Men's Health and Men's Fitness, among others. His training programs and online courses can be found at chasingstrength.com.

Jedd "Napalm" Johnson has some of the strongest hands on the planet.  His grip feats include numerous world records. His start in grip and strength came with the formation of The Diesel Crew and has continues with The Grip Authority today. "Napalm" is not just an extraordinary athlete, but also a world-class coach. For more information on Jedd Johnson and grip training, be sure to check out:  https://dieselcrew.com/store/shop/ and https://thegripauthority.com/.  Save 20% with promo code "PTLP20" today.

Our guest is Mike Savitch, former Olympic bobsledder and current owner of The Conditioning Room, a gym in northern Virginia. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, Mike's childhood was marked by his passion for surfing and baseball. Innately gifted as an athlete, Mike seemed destined for a professional sports career. However, during his time studying athletic training at Jacksonville University, a career-ending injury altered his path, leading him towards a new journey. In 1995, Mike became a member of the Virgin Islands bobsled team. He dedicated himself to rigorous training for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games – an achievement that stands as one of his greatest to date. With a career spanning over three decades, Mike brings a wealth of experience, specializing in areas ranging from biomechanics and injury recovery to Olympic lifting, sport-specific training, occupational therapy, and general fitness.

Traci Orel and Charley Thurber join us on the Pressing The Limits Podcast. Charley Thurber is the founder of Thurber Medical, a medical technology company that supplies professional and collegiate athletic training departments with cutting-edge health and rehabilitative equipment. Charley is a former professional baseball player, spending the majority of 7 professional seasons in the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies organizations.  He was an SEC Honor Roll Student Athlete at the University of Tennessee where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management.  He was selected in the MLB Draft after spending three years as the right fielder for the Volunteers. Traci Orel has more than 30 years in the Health and Sports Industry.  Her desire to help athletes not only with their injuries but also to enhance performance comes from her own personal experience starting after several injuries sustained in her 13-year career in competitive gymnastics which ultimately ended her career.  Traci went on to study Kinesiology at Michigan State University which then led her to take interest in athletic training, physical therapy, and personal training, competing herself in figure competitions.  All this experience made for a natural progression to focus her passion on Rehab and Sports aiming to help athletes in all sports achieve their goals. During this journey, Traci became very interested in learning about tools to facilitate the healing process and shifted her focus into medical sales and consulting.  Her passion along with her curiosity, and interest in technology made for a perfect fit to bring new technology to the US market.  Traci has successfully launched and created brands for several European companies and looks forward to bringing game changing technologies to the US market so that athletes both professional and the weekend warriors can continue their careers and fitness goals. For more information, check out thurbermedical.com.

This episode is about all things bench!  Andrew Harvot and Dan Palacios join us for an awesome discussion about benching, including what many do wrong, how to maximize range of motion, keeping things safe & reducing injuries, and improving every aspect of your bench.  They also talk about The Launch Pad, a revolutionary product from Advanced Muscle Mechanics. Andrew Harvot is the co-owner of Advanced Muscle Mechanics.  He grew up in a family with a strong sports background with his early years marked by a deep involvement in football and baseball. Despite not being the most towering figure on the field, Andrew relentlessly pursued strength and speed to compensate for his lack of height. This drive led him to discover his passion for working out at the age of 13, and since then, Andrew has remained a dedicated lifter for over 23 years, accumulating a wealth of experience in the world of fitness. Recognizing the need for innovation, Andrew embarked on the journey to address design flaws of the traditional bench and contribute to the evolution of fitness equipment. This endeavor culminated in the invention of The Launch Pad, a groundbreaking solution aimed at revolutionizing the way individuals approach strength training. The Launch Pad represents a synthesis of Andrew's extensive experience, educational background, and unyielding commitment to elevating the standards of strength and conditioning. Dan Palacios is a strength, conditioning and personal performance coach and founder of Live Kinetically. Dan has 10 years of experience working with all manner of clients from elite athletes to young children and adults with special needs. With over 11 years spent with real people who have faced unimaginable odds, Dan has come to understand human condition and it's undeniable relation to biology as well as bio-mechanics. Dan's goal is to guide and inspire people to redefine the meaning of health. To make humanity stronger and more resilient, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually is his primary mission. Dan lives by the creed, Live Kinetically, to improve daily and life better for himself and those around him. You can order your own The Lanuch Pad at advancedmusclemechanics.com and save with code "jon20".

Beaver Fleming is a 29-year-old professional skateboarder, world traveler, speaker, influencer, and self-declared life liver. Starting his journey in Knoxville, TN with a passion for skateboarding, Beaver moved to California at the age of 17 with the intent to achieve professional status by attending Woodward West for his senior year of high school. During that time, he worked hard, progressed, and caught the eye of Travis Pastrana (FMX athlete and action sports icon) who invited him to be a part of the Nitro Circus. Since, Beaver has traveled the world as part of the live show, starred in the Action Figures movie series, landed many "world's first" tricks, and been the exclusive Nitro Skater in appearances on TV and Media. Along with Nitro Circus, Beaver has been competing professionally with a three-time Best Trick, winning at Simple Session in Estonia, setting the high air record at Bondi Beach Bowl-A-Rama, and a huge second-place finish at the 2017 Nitro World Games with a world's first "Cork 720 Christ Air", which he calls the “Tennessee Tornado” as a homage to his roots and home state.

Self-described as a "nerd wrapped in tattoo-covered muscle", Jamie Lewis is a record-setting strength athlete, author, historian, and leader of Plague of Strength. Through his passion for lifting heavy things and his drive to earn multiple college degrees, Jamie became a founding member of the supplement company, Chaos and Pain, and one of the most prolific authors in modern strength sports. From Tibet to Vienna, from Hong Kong to the Eastern Seaboard, Jamie has thrown all of his knowledge into the most expansive history of lifting, fight sports, and nutrition the world may ever see.

J.D. Anderson, "The Ice Man", is a six-time world record holder and an expert of feats of strength.  He's traveled with world motivating and encouraging people of all ages. His TV appearances include:  "The Daily Show", "Guinness World Records Gone Wild", "The Tonight Show", "America's Got Talent", "Let's Ask America", "The Go Big Show", and many more. J.D. is owner of The Home Run Bat Company (homerunbat.com) and you can learn more about him at jdiceman.com.

Dr. AnnMaria De Mars was a 15-year-old runaway from a foster home who earned her Bachelor's degree by age 19 and her MBA by age 21.  Her incredible story takes her from winning a World Judo Championship to earning her Ph.D. to serving as a university professor to running a software company. Dr. De Mars has been on the Forbes 40 Women to Watch over 40, a Next Gen Leader of the International Game Developers Association Foundation, and an AARP Purpose Prize Winner.  She's achieved all of this while raising four children as a single mother, including her daughter, UFC legend Ronda Rousey.  AnnMaria is a member of the International Sports Hall of Fame along with Ronda, making them the only mother-daughter tandem in the Hall. Her current passion is for her business venture, 7generationgames.com, where she is developing a focus on serving the specific needs of students from Native American, Latino, and underserved or rural communities.

Ana Browne is the owner of Anabells Fitness, a premier Washington, D.C.-based training service that specializes in kettlebells.  She offers customized training plans for people from all types of backgrounds. Ana holds numerous certifications and is regularly sought out by the media as a subject-matter expert on a variety of fitness-related topics, ranging from strength training to overall wellness. You can find out more at her website, kettlebellchicks.com, and on her Instagram account, @kettlebellchicks.

Miloš Šarčev was Mr. Yugoslavia twice and has won the Mr. Universe title.  He once held the record for competing in the most pro bodybuilding contests. After his competative career, Miloš became known for coaching/advising numerous professional athletes and Olympic medalists.  He took part in the famous BALCO Labs "Project World Record" as a nutritionalist and strength & conditioning coach for Tim Montgomery, creating the fastest man alive by breaking the World Record in the 100-meter sprint after less than 9 months of coaching. As a bodybuilding coach, he advised over 100 IFBB professional bodybuilders, of which 38 qualified for the most prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. Miloš has become one of the most prominent authorities on nutrition and the human body as it related to athletic performance, earning him the industry moniker, "The Mind".

In our second podcast interview with Kevin Kearns, he goes deep into the topic of depression, suicide, and finding & fighting your way back. His brand new book, There's Light in the Tunnel, is now available at burnwithkearns.com. Kevin Kearns has been professionally involved in the fitness industry.  As a certified strength and conditioning coach, he created the Burn with Kearns program which delivers innovative fitness training methods and philosophies that were developed and refined from training and educating UFC fighters and martial arts practitioners. Kevin is also involved in the education sector where kids from all over the globe experience his "Growing Up Strong Program", which promotes healthy habits through exercise and food supporting the happiness and welfare of young people. His writings have been featured in the Boston Globe, Train, Maxim, Inside Kung Fu, Men's Fitness, and many more.

Eric Fleishman (a.k.a. "Eric The Trainer") has a drive to be the best personal trainer on the planet.  His methods have been utilized by countless Hollywood celebrities, touring rock stars, and UFC fighters alike, both in front and behind the camera. Eric has appeared in major magazines and television programs, including "Celebrity Sweat" on Amazon Prime.  He is always spreading the word on his unique health and fitness methods. In addition to training, Eric The Trainer has a brisk fitness consulting business and is a frequent contributor to Muscle and Fitness magazine where he sits on their advisory board.  He also hosts many of Muscle & Fitness' online top videos.

Chris Chamberlin is the Director of Programming at WeckMethod Lab in San Diego, California, which has been featured on Men's Health and NBC Sports and well as numerous podcasts and other media outlets. With over 12 years of coaching experience and a lifetime's worth of personal practice, Chris is an industry leader in educating the fundamental principles of human movement.  He is also credited with the completion of a wide array of continuing education certifications.

The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a two-term Presidential appointee to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, and a fitness expert. An advocate for military veterans, Wilkins is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and AMVETS.  He also serves on the boards of the American Veterans Center, the Boulder Crest Retreat for military veterans, and the Blue Star Families Racial Equity & Inclusion Committee. Wilkins serves a President of Rolling Thunder, Washington, DC, Inc., and President of the REDCON1 Foundation.  In addition, he serves as Senior Military Editor for Muscle & Fitness Magazine.

Coach Tony Blauer has been in the martial arts, self-defense, defensive tactics, and Combatives industry for almost four decades and is one of the only Combatives experts who has successfully affected training across all the combat-related communities: self-defense, combat sports, and the military & law enforcement sector. His research on physiology and mind-set as it relates to confrontation management has influenced over three decades of reality-based martial artists. Founded by Tony Blauer in 1985, Blauer Tactical Systems is one of the most respected self-defense training companies in the world, specializing in the research and development of close quarter tactics & scenario-based training for law enforcement, military, and professional self-defense.

Alberto Crane is an accomplished American martial artist. He is a trailblazer and teacher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Alberto became one of the first Americans to receive a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in the sport’s home country of Brazil. He later entered the MMA world, where he earned a stunning 15-5 record, including stints in the UFC and becoming the King of the Cage Champion. Alberto’s had his own martial arts instruction gyms for over two decades. In 2012, Alberto faced a host of physical challenges. The injuries from his fighting career, coupled with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, had taken a toll on his body. Tacfit, a system that Scott Sonnon first introduced Alberto in 2007, allowed him to heal himself and has given him a second chance. He has believed in the system so much that Alberto eventually became the CEO.

R.J. Molinere is a Native American alligator hunter as well as a four-time World Champion arm wrestler, 11-time National arm wrestling champion, two-time Arnold Classic Arm Wrestling Champion, and two-time GNC Arm Wrestling Champion. He hunts with his son, Jay Paul, on his tribe's sacred land in Houma, Louisiana.  R.J. has starred in History Channel's docuseries, Swamp People, and his company offers tours at rjandjaypaul.com.

Dr. Jim Stray-Gunderson is a world-renowned expert in Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology and Training for Sports Performance, and is a world-renowned expert in BFR Training.  He is the Co-Founder, Co-Developer, and Chief Marketing Officer for B Strong BFR Training Systems. Dr. Stray-Gunderson is one of the world's leading physiologists, who has identified the key mechanisms, applications, and safety guidelines for Blood Flow Restriction Training and applied them by developing the B Strong system.  He also lectures throughout Europe and North America for those seeking protocols and guidelines to maximize benefits and eliminate risk in BFR training. As a physician, Dr. Stray-Gunderson has treated thousands of patients and athletes alike.  As a researcher, he authored the groundbreaking study, Live High, Train Low, which revolutionized altitude training.  As a sports scientist, he has worked with elite-level teams in skiing, cycling, running, soccer, and countless others. Dr. Stray-Gunderson has been involved in the training regimens of Olympians and world-class athletes, resulting in over 100 Olympic Medals and World Championships. From now through the end of February 2021, you can get $75 off of the B Strong Training System with code "jon75" at the website, BStrong.training.

Shawn Szydlowski is entering his 10th year as a professional hockey player.  He was the leading scorer in the ECHL in the 2017-18 season and was the captain of his All-Star Team.   As a fan favorite of the Fort Wayne Komets, Shawn has had a stellar career that includes a League MVP Award and two All-First Team nods.  His stops after his entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres have taken him to the CHL, ECHL, and AHL.

Vinny Paz is a former world champion boxer, known the world over as "The Pazmanian Devil".  The five-time belt holder has had storied wars inside the ring, including many that went the distance. Paz's career has become an inspiration to many people based on his historic jumps in weight classes and his overcoming of a devastating, thought-to-be-career-ending injury. His story was featured in the critically-acclaimed 2016 movie "Bleed For This". Paz is joined in this podcast with long-time friend and sparring partner, Greg Vartanian.  Paz can be found at cameo.com/vinnypaz.

For more than 30 years, Steve Cotter has promoted body-mind fitness around the world through martial arts, qigong, mobility, flexibility, and kettlebell training.  He works tirelessly to share the power of the kettlebell far and wide.  Steve's efforts to teach his art form has globally impacted the growth and popularity of kettlebell training. His physical feats of power led him to be named by Men's Health magazine as one of the Top 100 Fittest Men of All Time, yet it is his clear communication and ability to break down the complex that has brought him global recognition as a fitness educator.  Steve has lead hands-on trainings to thousands of fitness professionals in over 60 nations. He literally wrote the book on kettlebell training, and his landmark Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Training DVD series provided the foundational instruction for countless trainers who learned how to use kettlebells through his teachings.  More than anything, Steve loves to teach and share his unique experiences to promote health, happiness, and longevity through fitness.

Zach Even-Esh is a leading figure in the strength & conditioning industry where he has trained thousands of athletes ranging from the youth level to the Olympic level. Zach founded The Underground Strength Gym and created The Underground Strength Coach Certification, both of which have inspired and educated coaches and athletes from around the world to achieve greater success in both sports and life. Zach has consulted with Division I athletic teams, Olympic Level athletic clubs, Spartan Race, pro teams and independent coaches and athletes from around the world. The Underground Strength Gym began from Zach's parents garage while he was a Health and Physical Education teacher in 2002. What started as a summer experiment training a few athletes grew into a full time obsession and now Zach and his Underground Strength methods have grown into a world wide movement, inspiring athletes and coaches all around the world in training and life.

Burt Watson has had a history of working with the best of the best in boxing and MMA.  As a consultant, advisor, promoter, and event coordinator, Burt commands a wealth of knowledge, which is unparalleled in both industries. He coordinated some of the most recognized fights and fighters in boxing and mixed martial arts, serving first as business manager for Joe Frazier in the 1970s and continuing throughout the new millennium.  Among the fighters that he's worked with are Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Ken Norton, Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya, and countless others.  Burt also worked directly with promoters Don King, Lou Duva, Frank Warren, and Univision. In 2001, Burt was introduced to the UFC and Dana White.  There, he served a coordinator for their televised and pay-per-view events.   Burt has also organized championship fights and boxing events on such networks as ESPN, Showtime, HBO, CBS, and ABC.

Dr. Gregory Kelly is a naturopathic physician and lead product formulator at Neurohacker Collective based in Carlsbad, California.  He is an expert in nootropics, anti-aging, regenerative medicine, weight management, and the chronobiology of performance and health. Dr. Kelly is the author of Shape Shift: The Shape Intelligence Solution.  He has also served the past editor of the journal, Alternative Medicine Review and have been an instructor at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine.  Dr. Kelly has written and published numerous articles on natural medicine and nutrition, contributed three chapters to the Textbook of Natural Medicine, and has more than 30 journal articles indexed in Pubmed.

For decades, Kevin Kearns has been professionally involved in the fitness industry.  As a certified strength and conditioning coach, he created the Burn with Kearns program which delivers innovative fitness training methods and philosophies that were developed and refined from training and educating UFC fighters and martial arts practitioners. Kevin is also involved in the education sector where kids from all over the globe experience his "Growing Up Strong Program", which promotes healthy habits through exercise and food supporting the happiness and welfare of young people. His writings have been featured in the Boston Globe, Train, Maxim, Inside Kung Fu, Men's Fitness, and many more.

Mike Gillette escape a childhood of poverty, violence, and substance abuse to become an Army paratrooper, SWAT commander, government counter-terrorism consultant, bodyguard to Fortune 500 CEOs, and a record-breaking motivational strongman whose feats have been recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records and by Ripley's Believe It Or Not. At over 50 years of age, he continues to transcend his own personal limits while teaching others to do the same. Mike has also helped thousands of people to achieve their goals personally and professionally as the author of Mind Boss, Using the Tenets of Tough Thinking to Take Charge of Your Thoughts and Transform Your Life in 2015.

Chris Gronkowski first made a career for himself as a professional football player.  He joined the NFL in 2010 after being signed by the Dallas Cowboys as a fullback.  During his years in the NFL, Gronkowski also played for the Indianapollis Colts and the Denver Broncos. In 2016, he decided to put his entrepreneurial skills to the test when he set out to create a protein shaker bottle that would alliviate many of the issues he and other avid athletes experience with standard protein shakers.  This led Chris to become the inventor of the Ice Shaker. In addition, Chris serves as the host for the "Gronk'd UP" podcast which he began in 2019.

"Hero" best describes Kirstie Ennis.  She joined the Marine Corps at just 17 years old.  Over the years that she served, she performed duties as a helicopter door gunner and airframes mechanic. On June 23, 2012, during her last deployment to Afghanistan, her helicopter went down.  As a result of the crash, she sustained multiple injuries, including those to her back, face, and brain. After more than 40 surgeries, she has accomplished more with one leg than most people will ever do with two.  Kirstie competed as a Paralympic snowboarder and then ventured into mountaineering, where her goal is to complete the Seven Summits by the end of 2021. Kirstie also serves people through the Kirstie Ennis Foundation, giving back to thousands of people annually with monetary gifts and refurbished prosthetics.

Jay Campbell is a former champion men's physique competitor and a four-time international best-selling author in the optimized health care space.  He is a global thought leader on hormones, biohacking, and higher consciousness. Jay helps individuals break free from the limitations of traditional health care (which he refers to as "sick care") and discover what it means to live life fully optimized.  He is a no-nonsense, authentic, and fully-transparent expert who is fearless in his mission to serve and lead humanity towards full-spectrum optimization of body, mind, heart, and soul.

Frank "The Legend" Shamrock is a champion fighter, speaker, entrepreneur, and mentor.  He was the first UFC Middleweight Champion and retired as a four-time defending champion.  Frank also won titles in other organizations, such as King of Pancrase, the WEC, and Strikeforce. He is a 7th-degree black belt in submission fighting.  In addition, Frank is an actor, commentator, author, philanthropist, and social activist.

Rick Collins is a renowned attorney with an active national law practice focusing on clients in bodybuilding, fitness, and dietary supplement communities.  He is the country's foremost legal authority in the area of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and supplements, having defended cases from coast to coast involving steroids, human growth hormone (HGH), peptides, and other anabolic substances. In addition to his work as a lawyer, Rick is a popular author, fitness authority, actor, and former competitive bodybuilder and fitness trainer.  He has become one of the nation's most celebrated personalities in the men's health arena, particularly with his revolutionary book, Alpha Male Challenge. Rick has appeared on film and television, has been featured is dozens of publications, serves as a crime blogger for The Huffington Post, and is a board member of the International Sports Hall of Fame.

Alie Ward is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning science correspondent for CBS’s "The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation with Mo Rocca,” and host of “Did I Mention Invention?” on the CW. She also appears on two Netflix’s science series, "100 Humans" and “Brainchild” and Science Channel’s "How to Build Everything.” Previously, she was the co-host of the GE's series "In the Wild" with co-host Adam Savage of "Mythbusters" and a contributor on Cooking Channel's ongoing show "Unique Sweets.” Alie studied both science & film in college and was a staff writer/editor for the Los Angeles Times and on-air contributor to KTLA.    She volunteers at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and is a co-founder of the science communication collective Nerd Brigade.    Alie is also a culinary host, appearing on Cooking Channel’s “Food: Fact or Fiction.” Previously, she created, co-wrote and co-hosted over 50 videos for Cooking Channel.    Alie hosts "Ologies," a comedic science podcast. 

Rich Graham is a Navy SEAL veteran and creator of the Full Spectrum Warrior (FSW) system. He is a SEAL Team Sniper, a Thai boxing coach and competitor, a tactical advisor to multiple SWAT teams, and a personal trainer for NFL athletes and Olympians, among others. Rich serves as the president of the Home Front K9 Project and vice-president of SEAL Swim Charities.  He is also committed to assisting in veteran suicide awareness and prevention.  

Joe Binley is the founder and CEO of Project AD.  He is an eminent name in sports nutrition and is responsible for pioneering innumerable groundbreaking formula, including Shredabull Untamed, Stampede Untamed, AD Life products, and Professor Nutz peanut butter. Project AD - https://www.projectad.me/ - *SAVE 20% ON YOUR ORDER WITH CODE BRUNEY20* Joe is a renowned expert on ketogenic dieting and contest prep for some of the industry's most famous bodybuilders.  He is committed to developing the world's best nutrition brand.

Billy Blanks is a 9th-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a 7-time world karate champion, and a member of the Karate Hall of Fame.  He won over 30 gold medals as a member and captain of the United States Karate Team. Billy is most known as the inventor of Tae Bo and Boom Boxing systems, which combine martial arts training into fitness programming.  These systems have been used by millions of people from all around the world.

Ed Coan is regarded as the greatest powerlifter of all time.  He has set over 71 world records in powerlifting.  Among Ed's records include a 1,019-pound squat, a 584-pound bench, and a 901-pound deadlift.  His deadlift was with only a singlet and a belt, making it considered "raw" by today's standards. Only one term comes to mind when we talk about Ed Coan:  The G.O.A.T., the Greatest Of All Time. Ed shares his thoughts on powerlifting and training at a variety of ages and levels.  He also shares some of his more interesting stories, including that as the original "Tiger King".

Bas Rutten is a mixed martial artist, Karate and Taekwondo black belt, and Muay Thai kickboxer.  He was a UFC Heavyweight Champion and a three-time King of Pancrase World Champion.  He finished his career on a twenty-two fight unbeaten streak.  Bas is also a UFC Hall of Famer, inducted in 2015, and a member of the International Sports Hall of Fame, inducted in 2018. In addition to his fighting career, Bas has had a successful acting career.  He was featured on the movie, "Here Comes The Boom!", had a recurring role on "King of Queens" and "Kevin Can Wait", among many others, and has been digitally represented in multiple video games. As an innovator, Bas was the inventor of the O2 Trainer device, which has served as a revolutionary tool in the world of fitness.

Robert Sherman is the CMO of Iron Neck, which manufactures and sells innovative strength training equipment for sports, fitness, and rehabilitation. Developed in response to the concussion epidemic seen throughout sports, Iron Neck provides a safe, effective, and efficient way to improve neck strength and mobility while reducing neck and back pain.  Iron Neck is used by thousands of professional, college, and high school athletes across the world to reduce concussion risk.  Athletes and individuals where Iron Neck has provided great benefits include those in the NFL, NHL, UFC, F1, IndyCar, international rugby, and in the military. Use this link to get your Iron Neck https://www.iron-neck.com/?rfsn=4094104.41abf1

Cam F. Awesome is a well-known youth speaker and personality. He is a 6-time USA National Champion, 4-time Golden Gloves National Champion, 2-Time Olympic Trails Champion Heavyweight boxer, and former Captain of the USA National boxing team. Cam Awesome is also a proud Member of the National Speakers Association and was nominated for an Emmy award for his role in the Netflix documentary “Counterpunch” in 2018. Cam has twisted the perspective of failures and used them as stepping stones towards success. His career as a boxer has given him insight to the mind-state it takes to become successful. The resilience Cam has shown throughout his career was due to his consistency, perseverance, and hard work. He shares these lessons he has learned from boxing with students across the country using humor and interactive activities. In addition, Cam is a stand-up comedian and has been featured across the country. He has been featured in several print and internet publications and digital media outlets, including: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Sports Nation, The Washington Post, Yahoo! Sports, Team USA, Bleacher Report, Rolling Stone Magazine, and many others.

Dr. Carlos Berio is among the most highly trained sports fitness physical therapy professionals in the D.C. Metro region. He has been working with clients across a very wide spectrum of health and fitness levels since 1998. Dr. Berio utilizes a number of sports fitness techniques to help reduce pain and improve your sport or play performance. As a sports fitness therapist in Alexandria, VA, he has an extensive sports performance and training backgrounds. Carlos earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Maryland at College Park and subsequently earned his Master’s Degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology from George Washington University. His education is rounded out by a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy with which he uses to help his clients become pain-free and reach their maximum performance. Carlos’ passions lie in the attaining of client rehab goals and the highest level of performance possible. Because of his attention to detail, unique treatment style, and priority on one-on-one care, his clients move without pain and undergo amazing transformations in their physical condition. Carlos derives the most satisfaction from the realization that his clients become highly educated in the technical aspects of their body and how the entire “chain” functions as a whole. As Executive Director, Carlos aspires to develop and retain the most highly trained staff of physical medicine, sports physical therapy and personal fitness professionals in northern Virginia.

Eric Hillman is the co-founder and co-CEO of Europa Sports, the nation’s industry-leading distributor of nutritional and sports supplements, sports drinks, and accessories with more than 5,000 products representing the industry’s best brands. In 1985, Eric opened his first training center, Powerhouse Gym, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He currently co-owns Sweat Method Yoga and HiiT in uptown Charlotte. Eric serves as a National Physique Committee and IFBB Professional Judge and promoter. He was a director for the USA Rugby Trust, the philanthropic arm of USA Rugby. Eric is a Professional Member of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the only non-profit academic society dedicated to promoting the science and application of evidence-based sports nutrition and supplementation. He also serves on the Global Advisory Board of the International Sports Hall of Fame. Eric served as Head Size Coach for Appalachian State University from 2015 to 2019, helping lead the Mountaineers to four consecutive bowl wins. He recently supported the University of Louisville Strength and Conditioning program.

John Brookfield is a multiple world record holder in feats of strength and endurance.  He has appeared on numerous television programs, such as Regis & Kathie Lee, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.  John is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and in Ripley's Believe It or Not. John is the creator & developer of the Battling Ropes Training System, which is the famous rope system used worldwide in gyms and on television commercials.  He has worked with NFL teams, Olympic athletes, military special forces, and police & fire departments to teach his unique physical training methods and systems.  Even though John is still involved in fitness training, his main focus is on helping people step into their destiny and become all that God has created them to be.  God has called on John to write a series of books, including his newest, Renew Your Youth God's Way, which has been recently released.

Lee Haney has more than 30 years of fitness and nutrition experience with eight consecutive World Bodybuilding Championships to his credit. Over the years, Lee has trained professional athletes and celebrities, serving as a consultant for some of the best nutritional supplement companies in the world and was appointed Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Even at over the age of 50, Lee Haney’s Herculean physique mirrors his equally impressive credentials. As the unprecedented winner of eight consecutive Mr. Olympia titles, besting Arnold Schwarzenegger’s seven-file record, Lee is an icon in the fitness industry. Lee was the 1st 8 time Mr. Olympia and the youngest to retire at the age of 31. Now retired from his historic body building career, Lee’s focus has turned to educating others. Within the sports and fitness arena, Lee is revered among his peers for his comprehensive personal training techniques as well as his contributions to the integrity of exercise in general. Professional athletes and coaches look to Lee for goal-specific sports training and nutrition programs during the off-season and for injury rehabilitation.

Jon Fitch is one of the best welterweight world champion fighters in MMA history. He is a seasoned fighter beginning his career in 2002, collecting more than 32 professional victories throughout his career, while rising to stardom in the world’s fastest-growing and most brutal sports. He's a decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. Jon is a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana and is currently signed with Bellator.  He lives in San Jose, CA with his two sons. In his free time you can find him carving toke stones and playing the ukulele. He’s written two books, Failing Upward/Death by Ego and The Weight Cut Bible, both of which are available on Amazon.

Bert Sorin is the President and Co-Owner of Sorinex Exercise Equipment, a very successful family run business founded by his father, another big name in the iron game, Richard Sorin. Bert is a highly-accomplished athlete.  He has been a four-time Division I All-American in Track & Field in the Hammer Throw and the 35-lb. Weight Throw.  Bert was SEC Champion and a former record holder in the Weight Throw.   Together with his father, they are the inventors of hardware and applications to make people more effective, efficient, and safe on the sports field and the battle field. Although he never served in the armed forces, Sorin's gear is changing the game to provide readiness and rebuilding to the veterans prior to, during and after their deployments to far off, hostile lands. His network of veterans, scientists, coaches and therapists allows for a combination of expertise and support, and has been changing lives on both sides of the table. Every day, Bert pushes to find the best in people, and to assist in their exploration of their potential and maximize their value to the cause.

Randy Couture is a six-time UFC Champion and member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He also has starred and appeared in scores of Hollywood films. Yet, what makes Couture continue down the road of excellence every day is his heart and his dedication for others. Couture served in the U.S. Army after a decorated Greco-Roman wrestling career. In the early days of the UFC, "The Natural" found great success. He improved steadily over the years, appearing in 16 title fights and earning admiration from fans and from other fighters as well. After his fighting career, Couture made the move toward acting and business. His role in "The Expendables" franchise gave those outside of the MMA realm a respect for his efforts on film. In addition, his Xtreme Couture clothing line has been very successful around the world. The passion that Couture has had throughout his career continued into his endeavors with the "Xtreme Couture GI Foundation" and "Merging Vets and Players" (MVP), both of which help injured and challenged combat veterans in their adjustments toward civilian life. Randy Couture is the true embodiment of what it means to be an American and a servant leader.

Mike Salemi specializes in human performance and is a sought after international presenter in the field of health and fitness. Mike has a diverse background in strength and conditioning and has competed over the course of 15+ years at an elite level in Powerlifting and Kettlebell Sport, which includes a World Kettlebell Sport Championship in 2017. Through his own path of resolving sport-related injuries, Mike understands the importance of integrating the body, mind, and spirit as a means to foster high performance for the long term. His motivation is to help athletes, fitness professionals, and coaches discover their own potential from the inside-out. Professionally, Mike has served as a Division I strength and conditioning coach for Santa Clara University, as well as been the trainer to elite athletes across a wide range of sports. His focus is teaching educational workshops, certifications, and creating programs on unconventional training that build more balance athletes.

Fairfax Hackley is an award-winning master trainer with over 40 years in the fitness business and he currently serves as the Senior Vice President of the International Sports Hall of Fame. In addition, "Hack" has been involved with the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, for over 30 years and counting, working directly to always produce a better festival than the last.   In 2017, Fairfax was awarded the Dwight David Eisenhower Lifetime Achievement Award in Fitness by the United States Sports Academy, an honor that he shares with other past recipients such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Weider, Jack LaLanne, and Pat Summit.   Fairfax has appeared on over 400 radio segments, 40 television appearances.  He has also appeared in Washingtonian Magazine, USA TODAY, Washington Post, Muscle & Fitness, Flex, and many other media publications. The Dartmouth College alum has worked with elite athletes, U. S. Marshals, and many celebrities throughout the world of entertainment.

Kaleigh Schrock won three championships during his career as a hockey player.  He captained Neumann University program to an NCAA Division III National Championship (2008-2009) before being signed professionally by his hometown team, the Fort Wayne Komets, and leading them to an IHL Championship (2009-2010) and a CHL Championship (2011-2012). Schrock played 439 games over six seasons for the Komets, collecting 81 goals, 152 points...and 854 penalty minutes. Regarded as a speedy, tenacious forward and something of an underdog, Schrock was named the Komets Rookie of the Year for the 2009-2010 championship season.  Schrock captained the Komets from late 2013 until his retirement in 2015. After his professional playing career, Coach Schrock stayed in Fort Wayne to oversee youth programs at the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse as well as at the Trine University rink, where he was also the assistant arena manager.  He also found the time to coach the Summit City Panthers to an Indiana State High School Championship (2017-2018).  The Fort Wayne Spacemen of the USPHL Premier Hockey League hired Schrock to be their first head coach in June 2019. The Fort Wayne Komets was inducted Schrock into the Komets Hall of Fame in March 2020.

Barry Horowitz has had a well-decorated, 20-plus year career in the squared circle, wrestling in various promotions including the WWF/WWE.  Barry cuts to the chase quickly, sharing his opinions on various aspects of the wrestling industry, then and now.  He talks about how his mentors shaped his career, what tips that young, up-and-coming wrestlers ought to focus on, and even how his “Pat Yourself On The Back” gimmick came to fruition. He won multiple titles in several promotions and has been viewed by many as one of the greats who focused himself on making others great. Other topics explored by “Mr. Technical” include:  What training he did throughout his career, how his faith impacted him over the years, what life was like on the road, and what the future holds for Barry Horowitz.