Strength Diaries

Reneta is a 6th degree Master Karate Instructor and a 3rd degree black belt in Shurite Kempo. She is a Team Leader with Strongfirst as well as an Elite Instructor having achieved and maintained all certifications in kettlebell, bodyweight and barbell modalities. She teaches group and private lessons as well as the Livestrong program for cancer survivors at the Mansfield YMCA and teaches at Strongfirst certifications and courses throughout the United States. She's married to Gary Music who is also a Strongfirst Team Leader. Renata was Amy's team leader in 2016 at a Bodyweight cert and we immediately clicked. She's an excellent coach and you will not meet a kinder person.

Jason Marshall is the owner of Lonestar Kettlebell in Lubbock Texas where he trains students from all walks of life. He has a degree in Exercise Science, is a CSCS and Strongfirst Master Instructor leading kettlebell and barbell certifications throughout the world. In this podcast we talked about how he coaches, his own strength training history including lifting the Dinnie Stones, and his interest in mountain biking and snow boarding. It's a great listen, we hope you enjoy!

Amy had a fantastic chat with Megan Kelly of the UK! Megan is a Strongfirst SFG II and SFL Instructor. She's currently training to take back her title as the World Record holder in kettlebell swings (total kilos in one hour). Megan is dedicated to the Strong Endurance principles taught by Pavel and has some great insight on ballistic training, endurance and recovery.

Thomas and Nicole Benge are the owners of Breakthrough Strength and performance in Redmond Oregon A Strength and conditioning gym specializing in group, semi-private (individual design) and personal coaching. They have been there for 13 years. They are SFG 1’s and Nicole is also an SFB. They have been married for 21 years (this October) and have 2 growing up daughters. Nicole was a competitive High school athlete playing volleyball and softball. Thomas competed in basketball and track in HS and played basketball in college (all 4 years). Through their gym, they have coached competitive athletes in powerlifting, Crossfit and Strongman. They have coached national level competitors in Crossfit having the 50th fittest female age 40-44 in 2018 a national level middleweight strongwoman also in 2018, Heavyweight national qualifier in 2019 and the middleweight champ (160lb) - female in 2014 who also went on to place 10th at the Arnold 2 consecutive years. In addition to competitors they have helped many achieve body composition and strength goals as well as helping 6 people prepare and pass SFG 1,2 as well as SFB. Thomas is a retired police officer (Sgt) as well as a nationally recognized police and military trainer. They are both active in their local church where Thomas is co-teaching pastor. Thomas is a lifelong martial artist and an active USPSA competitor. Nicole is starting to enjoy shooting. They love adventuring together.

Amanda and Amy so stoked for this podcast! They chatted with Erly Gomez of Lubbock Texas, a world-record holding powerlifter, mother, grandma and all-around joyful person! Erly talked about discovering strength training after years as a runner, meeting her coach Jason Marshall who introduced her to the Strongfirst system, and her unparalleled success in the sport of powerlifting.

In this podcast Amanda and Amy talk to Michal Radar Vrátný, owner and operator of the hugely successful Železná Koule gyms in the Czech Republic. Radar discusses his businesses he began in 2011 and the systems and programs he set in place to grow what is now becoming a worldwide venture. Radar is also a long time skydiver, snow-kiter and world traveler as well as a certified practitioner of the RKC, Ground Force Method, FMS and The Amazing 12.

Amy and Amanda have a great chat with Kelly Manzone. Kelly has spent 17 years in the fitness industry and loves sharing her passion of physical culture by brining people together through the love of movement and creating resilient bodies with traditional and holistic training tools. Kelly's approach to circular training methods is the perfect balance to traditional strength and athletic training. Anyone from seasoned athletes to home-bound folks looking for a way to stay physically active can benefit from Kelly's teaching. Kelly has collaborated with Paul Taras Wolkowinski and Kevin Rail to provide a unique education series at Indian Clubs International. You can find out more at indianclubs.com.au as well as her own website kellymanzone.com Follow her on Instagram @kellsbells88 and Facebook. She is currently active conducting on-line workshops and plans to get back to her rigorous schedule of live workshops and clinics when able.

We are so honored to have Dr. Mark Cheng as our guest. He is a doctor of Chinese medicine encompassing acupuncture, manual therapy and herbal medicine. He is a Strongfirst Senior Instructor and the founder of K3 Combat Movement Systems as well as Beachbody's Tai Cheng program. You can find him on social media with the moniker @drmarkcheng. Doc is a true gentleman, we had a great discussion and hope you enjoy!

Tony and Mira Gracia-Co Founders and Coaches at Industrial Strength Gym in Portland OR Mira is a native New Yorker who moved to Oregon in 2000. She grew up active, practicing Tae Keon-Do and gymnastics. She now competes in Olympic Weightlifting and holds 4 national and 9 Oregon State master's weightlifting titles. She is a Strongfirst Team Leader and certified Elite in the Strongfirst system having achieved all kettlebell, barbell and bodyweight certifications. In addition to her Strongfirst credentials, Mira has many other certifications including USA Weightlifting Advanced Weightlifting & Sport Performance Coach, Clinical Weightlifting Coach, Functional Movement Screen Level 2, Ground Force Method Certified Instructor and is a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Tony is the head coach at Industrial Strength and is also a Strongfirst Team Leader and Elite Instructor. He is a 1st degree black belt in Brazilian Jim Jitsu and with Industrial Strength has been able to combine his passions for both strength training and martial arts. He's written several articles and is active in assisting and presenting at Strongfirst and other strength and conditioning workshops and clinics around the country.

Mark is a Strongfirst Elite Instructor, Original Strength Pro Coach, former strength and conditioning coach for the Philippine boxing team. He serves on the advisory board and is a consultant to various gyms in metro Manila. He is a workshop presenter and a loving father and husband.

StrongFirst Senior Instructor, Elite Instructor & the Country Leader for StrongFirst Great Britain.   Claire started a very successful bodybuilding career in 1997 and has won over 20 titles including Miss Great Britain, Miss UK, Miss Wales & Miss International. She has also competed at the international level placing 3rd in the world.   Claire teaches her clients about proper exercises and nutrition, giving them the skills to to make decisions to achieve their goals.  Her approach to training and nutrition is tailored to the individual, the workouts are simple but highly effective and she takes the name no-nonsense approach with nutrition.

Former pro UK tennis player, yoga practitioner, RKC Kettlebell Instructor, photographer, professional print and runway model is Major Models in Milan. Great conversation with an incredibly talented guy. His approach to nutrition and training is worth the listen!

Andrea U-Shi Chang Master Strongfirst Kettlebell Instructor Ground Force Method Global Instructor Z-Health Certified Movement Coach Co-Owner of Kettlebility in Seattle.

John is the owner and head trainer at Empowered Strength in Bend. OR He has a degree in Exercise Science from Central Washington University and worked for over 10 years in a clinic environment as an exercise physiologist and employee wellness coordinator and high school strength coach. He retired from his clinical position in 2014 to start Empowered Strength and now teaches full time in his studio and online with students around the world. In addition to his degree in Exercise Science, John is a Strongfirst Level II Kettlebell Instructor and Bodyweight Instructor, a personal trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a FMS Level 2 Instructor, and Original Strength Instructor. He is a Highland Games Competitor and holds several world records and last year successfully lifted the 734 pound Dinnie Stones in Scotland with plans to lift even bigger stones in Iceland this year. John leads and teaches at workshops for Strongfirst, mace and circular training and Scottish Highland Games. He is a great instructor and friend and I always enjoy when our paths cross here in Oregon.

Amy and Amanda chat with Mike Sousa of Brick House Strength & Conditioning in Modesto, CA. Mike is a Strongfirst Team Leader and Elite Instructor. He has traveled the world teaching courses and certifications. Super cool guy, he’s extremely knowledgeable when it comes to getting strong and he loves cats and Heavy Metal!

Amy and Amanda chat with James Neidlinger of 5ringssystems.

Peter Joshua Kilolani Wolf of Rogue Wolf Training in Medford, OR is a strength and movement based coach and Tai Chi teacher. He is a certified personal trainer in several modalities including TRX, Scott Pilates, Kickboxing from Body Training Systems and is a Strongfirst Certified Instructor in kettlebell, barbell and bodyweight training. Peter is also certified in the Flexible Steel system, on of Strongfirst’s system partners, and is an Indian Club Flexible Steel Instructor. Peter is most recently affiliated with K3 Combat Systems, a system of movement and training developed by Dr. Mark Chang and Dr. Jimmy Yuan.

Amy and Amanda talk with Karen Smith. Karen is the founder and namesake of Coachkaren.com, She’s Master Instructor with Strongfirst and travels the world teaching certifications and courses.

James Breese of Strength Matters and Everyday Athlete discusses being quarantined in the Austrian ski resort town Ischgl, now considered the epicenter of the European outbreak of COVID-19.

Amy and Amanda discuss COVID-19, the Urban Dictionary and Amanda’s new venture Lean Queen

Amanda and Amy chat with Maggie Burrows, owner of Forge Fitness in Bozeman Montana. She’s a Strongfirst Team Leader and all-around awesome person.

Amy and Amanda discuss The impact the coronavirus is having on their communities, Wabi Sabi and their current training philosophies.

Amy and Amanda chat with Ridge Carpenter, a trainer out of Seattle Washington with a background in art and modeling.

Amy and Amanda discuss workout music, cooking meat and other random stuff before cutting to an interview Amy did with Travis Roberts, Jimmy Mayes and Russel Johnston, three guys who are inspiring others in their small town to lift big weight and get healthy.

Amy and Amanda discuss how they met, training, bending nails, travel and the Urban Dictionary.

Amy and Amanda discuss bending nails and Icelandic beer and horses.

Amy and Amanda record their first podcast