The Essential Strength Podcast

Our guest this week is Dr. Kyle Gillett.In today's conversation, Dr. Gillett and I talk about the concerning health trends he sees in men and women between the ages of 25 and 45 as well as the health trends that those over 50 should be aware of. We talk about the continuum of diet, exercise and pharmaceutical interventions in addressing obesity and the many downstream risk factors associated with excessively high body fat percentages. We also go deep on the topic on infertility - why rates are climbing and what we can do about it.You can LEARN MORE about Dr. Gillett's work & his new venture, GilletHealth - HEREOur Partner Today is Stronger In Motion - Whether it's 1:1 Strength Coaching, Nutrition Consultation or our new Enduring Strength Program - we can take take the guess work out of training and nutrition and guide you towards the STRONGEST version of yourself!Connect with Dr. Gillett - @kylegillettmdConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanMy biggest takeaway - the the inspiration for your ACTION PLAN this week is this: while there are trends towards higher rates of certain diseases right now, especially metabolic conditions and declining fertility rates - there is also SO MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT IT! Lifestyle changes, pharmaceutical support, dietary interventions… there is almost no problem that we cannot solve with the right team around us and the necessary tests to identify our personal risk factors.So, your action plan this week is simply to go check out Marek Health - learn more about what they do and also, if you haven't seen a doctor in 5 years - make a freakin appointment! If you feel amazing - GREAT - go get some labs done and figure out what your internal environment looks like when you feel awesome - that way in the future you and your medical team will know what to do in the inevitable event that one day you don't feel so awesome whether because of age, environment, stress or illness. Be an active agent of your own health!That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Frank Benedetto.On today's episode, Frank and I talk about why so many healthcare professionals are finding themselves burned out but scared to leave their jobs, when and how to find your niche as a practitioner and I ask Frank if it is ever too early or too late to start a side hustle. Frank is also gracious enough to offer two free tools to help everyone listening design a life they will love and to help them discover their niche - both resources typically reserved for members of The Honey Badger Project - so be sure to check today's show notes for links!Check Out Pain Free Performance - our partner on today's show is THE BEST educational resource for trainers, coaches and allied health professionals looking to advance their skills and ensure their clients will train PAIN FREE while improving their performance!!! USE THE CODE "ESSENTIAL"  AT CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF !!Download the Life Design WorksheetDownload the Find My Niche WorksheetConnect with Frank - @frank_benedettoConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanYour action plan for the week is this - Block out the time needed to fill out the Life Design Worksheet, which is linked in the show notes for this episode. I can tell you from personal experience - the first time I did this exercise it was eye opening in a lot of ways. It gave me clarity as to what I really want my life to look like in a way I'd never experienced before, and it highlighted how my current work, income, and time management was not necessarily in alignment with what I said I wanted. And, spoiler alert - it still isn't. I'm moving in the right direction - albeit slowly - but it's high time I sat down and completed the Life Design Worksheet again, this time with my wife, and started taking more concrete steps towards living out my ideals. I hope you gain some valuable insight from this exercise… in fact I'm quite sure that you will.That's it for this week - until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Dr. Kristin Phillips, DPT & a Re-Release of the fifth most popular episode in Essential Strength History!Check out our partner on today's episode - Barbell Rehab - and use the code "stronger25" to save $25 off any online continuing education course!Remember - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis!Highlights - In today's Conversation, Dr. Phillips and I discuss the pros and cons of the term “Women's Health” in light of the fact that both men and women both have pelvic floor anatomy that can benefits from assessment and treatment. We talk about the link between pelvic health and sexual function as it relates to both men and women and we talk about some of the common misconceptions that people have about the day to day job of a pelvic health therapist.Connect with Dr. Phillips: @kristinphillips_dptConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction Plan - Your action plan this week is two fold:First - your very practical action plan is simply to hop on the good old google machine and find your local women's health physical therapist. You might not need their services now, but maybe you know someone who recently had a child and doesn't even know pelvic floor rehab is available, and maybe at some point in the future this will be important for you personally. It's always good to know where the healthcare specialists are in your area.Second - your more broad action plan is to expand your professional knowledge base. Don't assume that because you've been in an industry for 5 years, 10 years or longer that you have “seen it all” or that you know everything there is to know. This is part fo why I love having guests on who are fellow Physical Therapists specializing in treatment approaches I'm only peripherally familiar with, or has one lecture on in school. The best time to learn is now, and the next best time to learn is every day for the rest of your life.That's it for this week, be sure to tune in next time for my conversation with Frank Benedetto and a conversation that initially aired on November 3rd, 2021. This one is all about professional BURNOUT, especially as it relates to health and fitness professionals. Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Saad Alam. Saad Alam is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hone Health (formerly known as Peak), an online clinic that treats men's hormonal imbalances and low testosterone.Saad is a lifelong health advocate dedicated to researching new and innovative ways to improve overall well-being. Saad set out on his journey to build a next-generation men's health clinic after experiencing testosterone imbalances firsthand, which inspired him to learn more about male hormones and to help other men. Since founding the company, Saad has devoted himself to assisting men realize that age should not dictate how one feels and to have confidence as they evolve. He believes that we can maximize human life span past 100 years and is committed to helping people understand how to cultivate a holistic approach to actually feel younger as they age.Remember - If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me, your friendly host - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt.And don't forget to check out our partners on today's episode:STRONG CoffeeIf coffee is one of your daily essentials, do yourself a favor - check out STRONG Coffee and save 15% of every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout.Connect with Saad: @msaadalamCheck out Hone Health: HoneHealth.comConnect with David: @dr.DavidSkolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanYour action plan this week is, once again, to get your blood work done and to take the results to a naturopath or hormone optimization specialist. Someone who won't write off your results as “aging” when you're 32 years old (or younger). I'm going to keep beating this bloodwork drum until you all understand it's importance. I'm working on improving some health markers. My wife is working on improving some health markers. I have co-workers and friends who are taking positive action towards a better, healthier, more energized life and in a minute, you're going to hear Saad's story - one that inspired an entire company that is working to revolutionize men's health. So please - get your blood work done and take the results to a professional who cares about optimizing health, not just managing sickness.What's Next?That's a wrap for this week's episode but make sure to tune in in two weeks for the first of our HIGHLIGHT SERIES featuring the five most popular episodes in Essential Strength history - starting with an episode featuring Dr. Kristin Phillips, DPT and a conversation about pelvic health, pelvic floor physical therapy and why women's health isn't actually just for women.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Danny Matranga.In today's conversation, Danny and I talk about the key elements he wants every client to understand about training, the difference between the idea of a “best diet” vs. “best dietary practices”, what Danny sees as the biggest scam in the fitness industry and the potentially bleak inevitability that we will all eventually have to prioritize our health.Remember - If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me, your friendly host - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt.And don't forget to check out our partners on today's episode:STRONG CoffeeIf coffee is one of your daily essentials, do yourself a favor - check out STRONG Coffee and save 15% of every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout.The Enduring Strength Training Platform!If you are tired of doing the same workouts and getting the same results... if you are ready for a training plan that will get you Strong & Healthy now and for the long run, send me an e-mail: david@strongerinmotion.comConnect with Danny: @danny.matrangaCheck out Danny's Podcast: Dynamic Dialogue Connect with David: @dr.DavidSkolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week I want to focus on a single statement Danny made during our conversation. The statement is:“Someone else making progress faster than you is not a personal failure.”I want you to identify 1 or 2 areas of your personal or professional life where you find yourself feeling like a failure because you aren't where someone else is, and I want you to make time to compare more than just your current situation but instead to consider your path to where you are vs. theirs, your currently trajectory vs. theirs, your goals vs. theirs, your definition of success vs. theirs… you might actually need to have a conversation with this person or these people you think are “beating you.” I can't guarantee what you'll discover but I do know that you'll be taking steps towards comparing apples to apples instead of apples or oranges and that alone will help you see that you are not a failure.What's Next?Be sure to tune in next week for a solo episode where I'll be taking a deeper dive into the differences between personal training, group coaching and following a training plan - you'll learn which of these three options is best for you, how to weigh both the financial and fitness sides of the decision and for the coaches and trainers listening, you'll learn how to create offers that target all three levels of this fitness/business continuum.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Shanté Cofield.Shanté is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and the creator of The Movement Maestro, a website and social-media based platform devoted to all things human movement and mobility and a business coach who helps people discover their unique stories so they can stand out in the crowded online business landscape. In today's conversation, Shanté and I talk about her two keys to good content and why it's vital for folks to “stop watching other people's stories and start writing their own.” Shanté defines empathic listening, shares the values that guide her life and business and we discuss when it's appropriate for coaches to guide our clients and when it's better to be their sidekick.Remember - If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me, your friendly host - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt.And don't forget to check out our partners on today's episode:STRONG CoffeeIf coffee is one of your daily essentials, do yourself a favor - check out STRONG Coffee and save 15% of every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout.Pain Free Performance Specialist CertificationIf you are a health and fitness professional who is ready to step up and take your place on the true FRONT LINE of preventative health, then you need to check out GetPPSC.com and sign up for the LvL 1 Coaching Course. use the code ESSENTIAL to save 15%.Connect with Shanté : @themovementmaestroConnect with David: @dr.DavidSkolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction planIf you are a content creator, whether on Instagram, TikTok or any other platform, and your end goal is to convert followers to customers - my challenge to you is to be more like Shanté in one specific way:The Challenge - use your platform and your content to move your people forward before they ever actually decide to work with you. Make your content so valuable that when people do decide to work with you - and if you make it easy for them to do so, they will - make it so valuable that they say “Your content helped me so much in my fitness journey, my business development, my self-care, it helped me so much that I just can't wait to work with you.”Now, I know what you're going to say - if I give it all away fro free, why would anyone pay to work with me? Well, I posed that exact question to Shanté in today's conversation so, you'll just have to keep listening to find out what she had to say about it!That's it for this week, but make sure you tune in next week for our conversation with Danny Matranga for a conversation about the five things he wants every client to understand about training, the difference between the idea of a “best diet” vs. “best dietary practices”, what Danny sees as the biggest scam in the fitness industry and potentially bleak inevitability that we will all eventually have to prioritize our health.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our Guest this week is Mark Breedon.Mark is an online strength coach for women who uses strength training to build their confidence in and out of the gym, and make them feel like a confident badass lifter. Mark is passionate about helping those who don't fit the typical mold of someone who is strong and wants to show you that strength training is for everyone. Mark's mission is to change the focus on why we exercise, to move away from training for the weight on the scale and instead use exercise for health, self-confidence, and feeling strong!In today's conversation, Mark and I talk about training for strength vs. training for fat loss, Mark defines a “weight neutral” approach to coaching, how he helps his female clients celebrate “non scale victories” and we talk about the “five minute rule” for exercise. I'm really excited to share this one with everyone listening because the world needs more strong women and it's going to take more coaches like Mark breaking down barriers!Remember - If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me, your friendly host - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt.And don't forget to check out our partners on today's episode:The Enduring Strength Training Platform!If you are tired of doing the same workouts and getting the same results... if you are ready for a training plan that will get you Strong & Healthy now and for the long run, send me an e-mail: david@strongerinmotion.comSTRONG CoffeeIf coffee is one of your daily essentials, do yourself a favor - check out STRONG Coffee and save 15% of every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout.Connect with Mark: @training.strong.womenConnect with David: @dr.DavidSkolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week's action plan is a reimagining of one of the questions that Mark asks his clients. The question is - “What would make you feel strong?”I'd like you to spend 10 minutes this week answering this question in one of two ways. You can simply sit down and free-write on the question of “what would make you feel strong”. Let you mind go, let the words flow and see where you get. Alternatively, if that sounds a bit to unbridled for you taste, I'd suggest you break this question down into three categories:What would make me feel physically strong?What would make me feel intellectually strong?What would make me feel emotionally strong?If you take 10 minutes to define what a STRONGER YOU actually looks like, you may find that you have a renewed sense of motivation and direction after this exercise!That's it for this week, but make sure you tune in next week for our conversation with Shante Cofield, aka The Movement Maestro and a conversation about how to own your time, build trust, live your values and make your online business stand out in a time when everyone has gone online.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Ebenezer Samuel.Ebenezer is the fitness director for Men's Health, the largest men's media brand in the world, and a personal trainer for a wide range of clients from NFL players to working mothers and from broadcast personalities to firefighters. He's also the head of training innovation at the virtual training platform FlexIt.In today's conversation, Ebenezer and I talk about how the fitness industry can do a better job of promoting client health vs. specific physical attributes, I get Ebenezer's insight on how the growing market for fitness technology can have positive impacts for both coaches and clients, the importance of critical thinking for coaches and why making workouts and recovery fun is the key to activity adherence. Ebenezer has a unique perspective as both a coach and a journalist and I'm thrilled to share this episode with everyone listening!Remember - If you're enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me, your friendly host - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt.And don't forget to check out our partner on today's episode - The Enduring Strength Training Platform!If you are tired of doing the same workouts and getting the same results... if you are ready for a training plan that will get you Strong & Healthy now and for the long run, send me an e-mail: david@strongerinmotion.comConnect with Ebenezer: @ebenezersamuel23Connect with David: @dr.DavidSkolnik.dpt Connect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week's action plan will speak directly to the coaches, trainers and fitness professionals in the audience. I want you to take the next 7 days and make an effort to talk to your clients about the health-related benefits of physical activity, nutrition, or whatever kind of service your are providing. I'm not saying to stop talking about bigger biceps, flatter stomachs or new PRs... but there are more important things in the long term. Things that might motivate these current clients to become forever clients which is not only great for their health, but pretty good for your bottom line when coaching is your career. Stable health and stable income is a winning combination. This action plan might require you to do a bit of research - maybe you should go back and listen to a few more episodes of this podcast for some brain gains - it will be time well spent. Understand - as a coach or trainer you have the ability to be working on the TRUE front line of healthcare - the preventative side of the line. Don't every underestimate the value you can bring and don't be afraid to show every client just how powerful healthy lifestyle choices are!That's it for this week. Make sure you tune in next week for our episode Mark Breedon and a conversation about strength training with female clients, common barriers to entry for the female gym goer, weight-neutral training and defining success without looking at the scale.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Reed Davis.Reed is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and Certified Nutritional Therapist (CNT). He is an expert in functional lab testing and holistic lifestyle medicine. Reed is the Founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) and the FDN Certification Course with over 3,000 graduates in 50 countries.Our Parter on today's episode is Functional Diagnostic Nutrition - Use this special enrollment link to gain access to the most in-depth nutrition and lab testing certification course ever developed!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Reed  touches on the importance of personal responsibility, both as a prerequisite to being a strong person and also as it relates to taking responsibility for your own health. We discuss how conditions that are “common” in modern health should by no means be considered “normal”  and the difference between a doctor who labels you with a diagnosis code and a practitioner who identifies your opportunities to heal. Reed and I get into concepts like individualized micronutrient metabolism testing, why Reed no longer uses the phrase “root cause” when it comes to health and we talk about Functional Diagnostic Nutrition. This is one of the more unique, eye opening conversations I've had on the podcast and I can't wait for all of you out there to hear it!Connect with Reed: Reed on LinkedIn Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastCheck out Functional Diagnostic Nutrition: functionaldiagnosticnutrition.comAction PlanThis weeks action plan could easily be to get your bloodwork done… again. But that was your action plan last week and I'm confident you all went out and got that done right away! So, this week's action plan is simply take stock of Reed's 5 categories of wholistic health - his DRESS Principle:Diet, Rest, Exercise, Stress Reduction and Supplementation.Rate yourself 0-10 on category and write down 3 concrete steps you can take to raise your scores.Simple. Actionable. Health.What's Next - Make sure you tune in next week for our episode with Ebenezer Samuel and a conversation about the intersections of technology and fitness, why the fun factor is key to exercise adherence and how global accessibility to coaching is changing the game for both coaches and clients. I hope you'll join me!Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Ali Gilbert.Ali has 20 years of experience as a Strength & Conditioning Coach specializing in Men's Health and Hormone Optimization and has presented on these topics nationwide. Our Parter on today's episode is Testosterone School - Use this special enrollment link to sign up and learn everything you need to know about testosterone and TRT in this self-paced course!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Ali focuses on one hormone in particular - Testosterone. Ali explains why testosterone levels are plummeting in industrialized nations. She covers exactly what Testosterone does in the body and why low testosterone has a nasty cascade of effects on everything from focus to energy to libido. Ali also explains how the traditional healthcare system is failing men with low T and what every guy can do about it - including educating themselves with Ali's immersive new online platform - Testosterone School.Connect with Ali: @thealigilbert Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastCheck out Testosterone School: thetestosteroneschool.com Action PlanThis week's action plan is very concrete - I want you to get your blood work done. By the end of this episode I think you'll understand why this is the second time that blood work has been your action plan - the first one was Episode 60 w/ Dr. Kyle Gillet. My wife and I have both recently gotten bloodwork done and it's lead to changes in diet, stress management practices, household product use, you name it. There are processes happening inside our bodies that we simply cannot see, hear or even necessarily feel. That's where a male or female wellness panel comes into play. Most insurances WILL COVER a wellness panel at one of the big lab companies in America. If you are interested in thriving rather than just surviving though, what you do with those lab results makes the difference. Ir you're in a state where naturopathic physicians can practice, set up an appointment. Or find a men's or women's health specialist, a hormone optimization specialist … find someone who is going to hold you to a high standard than the standard American because sadly, only 12% of American's are metabolically healthy and if you're listening to this podcast, I know you don't want to fall in that other 88%.What's Next - Make sure you tune in next week for our episode with Reed Davis and another conversation all about REAL HEALTH - Reed and I go deep on the power of food sensitivity testing, metabolic profiles, the difference between “normal” and “common” when it comes to health conditions and why personal responsibility is paramount. I hope you'll join me!Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Roman Rodriguez.Roman is the founder of The Coaching Marketplace, Director of Training at Moxy, PPSC Lead instructor and has been coaching and educating in the fitness industry for over a decade.Our Parter on today's episode is Pain Free Performance - Use the code "ESSENTIAL" to save 15% on the BEST weekend certification in the fitness industry!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Roman explores his journey as a trainer, an educator and a tech founder. We cover the importance of telling a good story, the social psychology skills that most coaches are sorely lacking, the importance of competition even when you don't always win and Roman will dive deep into the problems he sees in the fitness education industry, the solutions he is building with The Coaching Marketplace, and why he is so passionate about coaches and educators having more opportunities to monetize their knowledge and their content.Connect with Kevin:@roman_empire813Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastCheck out The Coaching Market: thecoachingmarket.comAction PlanThis week's action plan builds on a single line that Roman says near the very end of the conversation - “Choose to challenge yourself before life challenges you.”If you listened to Episode 78 with Doctor Chris Swart - you will remember that he made a point of saying that as life progresses challenges don't get smaller, they get bigger. And that is why the continuous pursuit of strength is so important. Roman echoed this sentiment. Life will ALWAYS present challenges. You can CHOOSE to volunteer for certain challenges, or you can wait for the inevitable. One gives you some semblance of control. The other hands the reigns over the whatever unknowable force you believe controls this crazy world we live in. Your action plan this week is to CHOOSE to take on a challenge that you've been avoiding. Volunteer for the challenge. Step up. Maybe you'll succeed. Maybe you'll fail. I guarantee you'll learn something. And as you'll find out later from Roman, it's not about always winning, it about always COMPETING. Always TRYING. Again and again and again. So challenge yourself this week. That's your action plan.What's Next - Make sure you tune in next week for out episode with Ali Gilbert and conversation all about Testosterone - why the definition of “normal levels” of testosterone is changing, societal and environmental impacts on this vital sex hormone, the role of testosterone on aging and vitality what Ali is doing to support men who want to live an optimal life instead of an average one.Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our Guest this week is Kenny Santucci.Kenny is the owner of Strong New York and The Strength Club NYC. Kenny has established himself as a top trainer and thought leader in the New York City Fitness LandscapeOur Partner on today's episode is the STRONG Coffee - save 15% with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Kenny is about his vision for Healing the World Through Fitness, his personal reasons for pursuing a strong life, how to get more people physically active and the keys to effectively training the general population client.Connect with Kevin: @kennysantucci Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week's action plan is specifically for the coaches listening to the show. I want each of you to take stock of two key elements of effectively coaching general population clients - First, do you know what your clients specific goals are? Not the goals you think they should have, but the goals they actually want to achieve, their reasons for working with you in the first place! Next are you making Every. Single. Session FUN. Again, not fun for you, but fun for your clients! We're coaches, we like being in the gym. We think lifting heavy shit is fun. We think learning new exercises is fun. But those aren't necessarily the elements your clients enjoy the most. So, can you make sure that your clients, the people investing time, money and TRUST into you, are having fun every single time they work with you. Prioritize those two elements, plus two more that Kenny will outline later in the conversation, and your training business will CRUSH IT.What's Next - Make sure you tune in next week for out episode with Roman Rodriguez and a conversation about the soft skills every coach needs, the importance of competition even when you don't always win, and Roman's vision for a democratized fitness education marketplace.Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Kevin Mullins.Kevin is a Miami-based personal trainer, Pain Free Performance Lead Instructor, and published author. Kevin and I share many of the same interests and passions in the realm of health & fitness and we are both part of the Pain Free Performance Education team. Our Partner on today's episode is the Pain Free Performance Specialist Certification - save 15% on the BEST weekend certification in the Fitness Industry with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Kevin isn't about how to cue a squat or program effectively for online clientele… no. Today's conversation with Kevin is about mental health. Specifically, it's about the mental health of men in the fitness industry. How we're taught to deal with difficult situations, what happens when our identity is called into question and whether or not we can still be badass coaches while taking a softer, more introspective approach to masculinity. Connect with Kevin: @kevinmullinsfitness Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week's action plan is meant to provoke some hard mental work. The question to ask yourself is - “What strategies do I have for dealing with difficult feelings?”It would probably be a good idea to grab a pen and paper for this week's action plan so that you can actually SEE your strategies written out. As you'll learn later in the conversation with Kevin - only having one way to deal with difficult feelings can work… until it doesn't. Until you hit what seems like rock bottom and then the floor collapses underneath you all over again. The point of this question isn't to trigger anxiety or cause you to feel your strategies are flawed. The point is to bring attention, perhaps for the first time, to the strategies you have in place. I hope that as you listen to this, life is mostly good, you're mostly happy and your feeling mostly positive about your immediate future. But, again, as you'll learn in this episode - life can change fast. Really fast. And it never hurts to be prepared.What's Next - That's it for this week on The Essential Strength Podcast. Be sure to tune in next week for our episode with Kenny Santucci, owner of Strong New York, and a conversation about Healing the World Through Fitness, Taking care of the little things, prioritizing personal health, lowering the barriers to physical activity, and how to train the general population.Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Doctor Chris Swart.Doctor Swart is an Exercise Science Professor with a PhD in Exercise Physiology. While this conversation is built on our shared experiences in the field of Exercise Science, there are a lot of universally applicable lessons that can be applied to the pursuit of any career or any stage of life - including the importance of networking early and often, finding mentors and testing your knowledge.Our Partner on today's episode is FNXFit - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Doctor Swart includes the story of his decision to pursue a career in academics vs. a career in coaching or rehab, the common mistakes he sees undergraduate students make as they prepare for graduation and the transition into the workforce, and Doctor Swart outlines his “Three Mentors Philosophy”. Connect with Doctor Swart: @doctor.swart Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThis week's action plan is inspired by Doctor Swart's “Three Mentor's Philosophy”. If you are truly trying to level up in life, you need to find people who have done want you want to do, experienced the potential stumbling blocks, and found success. So, without spoiling the Philosophy - I still want you to listen to the entire conversation, of course! - What I'm encouraging you to do is identify one area of life you are actively trying to improve - this could be professional, it could be athletic, it could be your marriage… you get to choose - and then find someone 10-20 years ahead of you who has achieved and sustained what you are striving for and approach them about mentoring you. You'll learn about some strategies for initiating this type of conversation later in the conversation but for now, just start thinking about what you want to achieve and identifying potential mentors!What's Next - That's it for this week on The Essential Strength Podcast. Be sure to tune in next week for our episode with Kevin Mullins, coach, educator and author - and a discussion about the state of men's mental health in the Fitness Industry, how we are taught to deal with difficult situations, what happens when our identity is called into question and whether or not we can still be badass coaches while taking a softer, more introspective approach to masculinity.  Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Cory Camp.Cory is a former Division One athlete, Founder of Forever Athlete and host of the Forever Athlete Podcast. After his athletic career ended, Cory experienced a profound loss of identity and felt that he'd been “locked out of flow” - the state of being where we are at our most creative and intuitive. The realization that he had invested too much of his identity into a single element of life, lead Cory to dedicate himself to helping other athletes make a smoother transition into life after sport. Our Partner on today's episode is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Cory is about human connection, training for a marathon, getting uncomfortable and the struggles that athletes face when their careers come to an end.Connect with Cory: @corycamp Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More About Forever Athlete:  https://www.foreverathletela.com/Check out the Forever Athlete Podcast: Listen HereAction PlanThis weeks action plan goes deep. I want each of you to ask yourself one of Cory's favorite questions - “How would you describe yourself without telling me what you do for a living?” You'll hear Cory's answer in a just a little bit but feel free to pause this episode for a minute to answer this question in your head. If you find value in this exercise - I'd suggest you pose it to a friend, family member or significant other. I wonder if you'll be surprised by their answer or if you'll find you would use similar words to describe them? Regardless, I think you'll learn something about yourself by describing yourself in this way.What's Next - That's it for this week on The Essential Strength Podcast. Be sure to tune in next week for our episode with Doctor Chris Swart, and a conversation about how undergraduate students with an interest in health and fitness can best prepare themselves for a successful transition into the working world. The conversation includes Dr. Swart's “3 Mentors Philosophy”, the power of networking and common mistakes students make but don't have to.Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is Matteo Franceschetti.An athlete his entire life, Matteo has always been obsessed with performance. First, it was athletics. Then business. Now, sleep. The first two pursuits - athletics and business - lead to many sleepless nights, rationalized by the pursuit of record performance. It was Matteo's quest for more restorative sleep, in fact, that led him to quit his previous life and launch Eight Sleep, a company dedicated to fueling human potential through optimal sleep, and to turning the bed into a seamless health platform for improved health, performance, and longevity. Our Partner on today's episode is FNX Fitness - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with Matteo centers around how to how to express our power, the roll of sleep in peak performance and how Eight Sleep is using modern technology to recreate a more optimal human sleep experience.Connect with Matteo: Matteo Franceschetti on LinkedIn Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More About Eight Sleep : www.eightsleep.comAction PlanThis week it's all about SLEEP - something I've been learning so much about ever since I recorded this conversation with Matteo.  Sleep impacts everything from focus and memory retention, to risk of all sorts of mental health disorders, body composition, cancer risk, life expectancy - you name it, sleep effects it. I've been reading the book Why We Sleep , and in the book the author, Matthew Walker, even goes to far as to posit the question - “While most people ask - why did living organisms begin sleeping? - I think the more pertinent question may be why did we ever wake up”. Life is traumatic. Sleep is restorative. You action plan this week is incredibly simple - Get 7.5 hours or more of sleep every night this week if at all possible. This means giving yourself a sleep opportunity of closer to 8.5 hours of sleep - meaning about 8.5 hours of time in bed to achieve the 7.5 hours of sleep. And just take note of ALL the wonderful things you feel at the end of the week. While you're getting all this wonderfully restorative rest - go check out EightSleep.com and, if you're feeling like you really want to put all your newfound energy and focus to work - Check out “Why We Sleep” by Matthew Walker. Do these things and You'll never look at your bed the same way again!Whats Next - That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Cory Camp, founder of Forever Athlete, and a conversation about human connection, training for a marathon, getting uncomfortable, the struggles that athletes face when their careers come to an end.That's it for this week.  Until next time - we wish you Strength and Good Health.

Our guest this week is James Ellis. James is a friend here in Phoenix and the owner of Hammer CrossFit. I've described James as a guy who would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was the last shirt he owned. This selflessness is juxtaposed by James' self-proclaimed tendency to be an “over thinker” and today's conversation is a deep dive into how James is able to both take bold action while still finding time and space to reflect on his decisions.Our Partner on today's episode is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation with James centers around how to apply your strength in productive ways, the risks of using external strength to cover internal struggles, trying to find a balance between overthinking and taking action and expanding a gym-based business in the middle of a pandemic.Connect with James: @jimsgym1030 Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More James' Gyms:  ALL THE GYMS!Action PlanJames had a very interesting insight on what triggers his tendency to overthink. Contrary to how many of us may view comfort vs. strain - for James its times where he is “too comfortable” that he feels the burden of overthinking creep to the forefront of his mind. So, with this knowledge - he stays active. He puts tasks, projects and goals on his plate and by stimulating a need to think fast and act fast he finds his mind is more at peace. Your action plan is not to do exactly what James does and forefeet yourself task after task and action after action. It's simply to take the next seven days and bring some awareness to the times your mind feels at ease, like it's running smoothly and firing on all cylinders vs. times it feels like it's misfiring, or stuck in neutral. Try to avoid the impulse to judge your mind and force it to feel good in the situations you would like it to, but rather just work on identifying the times, tasks and environments that create the feeling of a happy, efficient mind. Then, with that knowledge, put yourself in position to experience more of these moments!That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Matteo Franceschetti - Founder & CEO of Eight Sleep - and a conversation about how to express our power, the roll of sleep in peak performance and how Eight Sleep is using modern technology to recreate a more optimal human sleep experience.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.Strong Coffee Company Coffee designed to make you Stronger - Use Code "ESSENTIAL" for 15% off! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Our guest this week is Astrid Narajo - aka The Anti-Diet Dietician.Our Partner on today's episode is FNX - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Today's Conversation centers around Astrid's four pillars of a wholistic health, common self-limiting mindsets that undermine fat loss goals, various ways to increasing caloric expenditure and the importance of asking yourself some very simple questions before you reach for your next snack.Connect with Astrid: @antidiet_dietician Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More Astrid's Business:  So Many Resources!Action PlanToday's action plan is - you guessed it - diet related! That being said - I am not going to give you a macronutrient goal, and calorie goal or anything else nearly that restrictive. Instead, I'm going to ask you to ask yourself the most profound question that Astrid suggested during our conversation. The question is - “Am I eating because I'm hungry? Or am I eating because it's a habit?” You are going to hear Astrid and I talk at length about the topic of emotional eating later in today's episode. We eat for all kinds of reasons - social norms, in response to sadness, in celebration or because this is how our parents ate. It might sound strange but - we rarely eat in response to hunger anymore. Food is just too readily available - hunger has become completely avoidable for most of us. But… is that really a good thing? You're about to find out!That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with James Ellis and a conversation about how to apply your strength in productive ways, the risks of using external strength to cover internal struggles, trying to find a balance between overthinking and taking action and expanding a gym-based business in the middle of a pandemic.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our Guest this week is Austin Cohen.Our partner on today's episode is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!In today's conversation, Austin and I talk about the origins of FlexIt Fitness, the problem the company is out to solve, and the challenges of fitness entrepreneurship. Austin provides some very practical advice for anyone looking to branch into and build up their online coaching presence and we discuss the pros and cons of joining an established coaching company vs striking out on your own.Connect with Austin: @austin_flexitConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More FlexIt Fitness:  https://flexit.fit/virtualpt/Action PlanToday's action plan stems from something that Austin reveals towards the very end of the conversation - it is one of his three daily essentials. Austin strives to end each day knowing that anything he could have done today has not been left for tomorrow. Now, I'm not saying you need to turn this podcast off and get busy immediately - seriously, stick around because this is an incredible episode - but rather I just want you to be little more diligent with creating a daily to-do list that is achievable. I want you to be a smidge more protective of your time, a bit more committed to your priorities and give yourself permission to say “no” I can't do that today, my scheduled is already full. If it feels good today, do a little bit more tomorrow, and the day after that. By the end of this week, I think you'll back and say “Wow”, I can't believe how much I accomplished.That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Astrid Naranjo. Astrid is a clinical dietician  and nutritionist who joins us to talk about the four pillars of a wholistic health, common self-limiting mindsets that undermine fat loss goals, various ways to increasing caloric expenditure and the importance of asking yourself some very simple questions before you reach for your next snack.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Nelly Attar.Our partner on today's episode is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!Nelly Attar joins us all the way from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nelly is a sports entrepreneur, trainer and athlete. After completing two degrees in psychology and working in mental health for four years, Nelly followed a calling to pursue her growing interest in physical activity and sport and has become a driving force in the emerging sports landscape in the middle east as wall as a champion of ecotourism and adventure tourism in the region. Nelly has summited mount Everest, run 6 full marathons, completed 2 half ironman races and is currently training for the most demanding physical challenge of her life.Connect with Nelly: @nellyattar Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More Nelly on her Website:  http://nellyattar.com/Action PlanThis week's action plan stems from something Nelly says fairly early in our conversation. You are going to hear Nelly and I talk at length about a quote from her father that has driven her forward through all of life's challenges. But that's not the quote that your action plan is based on. It's based on this quote, from Nelly - “Life is a beautiful thing, because even when we plan for it, it's full of surprises.” I want you to write that quote down and put it somewhere you will see if every day. Keep it up for at least a week and let it be a reminder to you - despite our best attempts, our most thorough preparation - we can never fully control life. This lack of control can be felt in one of two ways - as a frustration, and something we must fight against or as the exact thing that makes life so beautiful, something to embrace and be grateful for. Ultimately, the interpretation is up to you, but I'd suggest that for the next seven days you practice viewing life's surprises and moments of beauty.That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Austin Cohen -  Founder and CEO of FlexIt - and a conversation about virtual fitness, improving access to personal training, re-thinking what it means to have a gym membership and Austin's personal mantra of “don't let anything that can be done today get left for tomorrow.”Until then, we wish you Strength and Good Health!

Our Guest this week is Sarah McDevitt.Our partner on this week's episode is Pain Free Performance - Save 15% with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!In today's conversation, we talk to Sarah about her personal experiences with anxiety and her realization that, like many of us, achieving the deeper states of meditation was really freakin hard! In today's conversation, Sarah walks us through the benefits she found from meditation and breath work and small discoveries along the way that lead her to develop Core as she realized that utilizing an external object allowed her to better anchor herself in the present moment. Connect with Anthony: SarahMcDevitt on LinkedIn Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastLearn More About Core: https://hyperice.com/products/core-premium/Action PlanThis week's action plan is to take the next seven days and practice meditation for at least 5 minutes per day. I want you to focus on one specific line from Sarah that you will hear later in this episode - “We Must Enjoy the Journey.” Meditation is your journey this week. Not your destination - your JOURNEY. Accept every distracted moment, every fleeting thought, every moment that meditation feels harder than it should be. There is a reason people “practice” meditation - they don't achieve it. It's a process, a journey if you will to become better, more focused, more accepting of your own headspace and more connected to you own mind. If you want to check out the Core app - you can find it linked in this week's show notes - even without the Core device, you can try the guided meditations that Sarah and I will be talking about today. 5 minutes a day for 7 days - that is how you turn thoughts into action this week!That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Nelly Attar for a conversation about the strength that can be found in grief, how to live an inspired life, and the work Nelly is doing to improve access to sport and fitness in her home country of Saudi Arabia!Until then, we wish you Strength and Good Health!

Our guest this week is Anthony Mendez.Our partner on this week's episode is STRONG Coffee - Save 15% with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!In today's conversation, Anthony and I walk about how to define success for yourself rather than measuring your success by someone else definition. We talk about both the big and the small stepping stones in Anthony's career and lessons learned along the way and we talk about algorithm-proof tactics for building a large and engaged social media presence and the impact social media can have on a health and fitness business!Connect with Anthony: @mendezfitness Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastCheck Out Anthony's Podcast: Sweat It Out Action PlanIf you have an instagram account and you want to grow it and leverage it for your business I want to you block out time to engage and interact every day for the next 7 days. Put it in your calendar, highlight it and then check it off when you do it. What exactly do I mean by engage and interact? I want you to dm every new follower, thank them for the follow and ask a follow-up question, start a conversation! Then, choose 5 of the accounts that liked your last post and DM them - thank them for engaging with your content and see if there is anything they'd like to see more of, or how that particular piece of content impacted them. Again - start a conversation! If you are action SOCIAL on social media, you will separate yourself from the herd very quickly!That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Sarah McDevitt - CEO of Core by HyperIce and a conversation about breaking down the mystery of meditation, using breath training to enhance a mental practice and how biofeedback from the Core device can enhance a meditation practice!Until then, we wish you Strength and Good Health!

Our guest this week is Julie Shiller.Our partner this week is Pain Free Performance - use the code ESSENTIAL at checkout to save 15%Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a weekly basis!In today's conversation, Julie and I talk about her evolving definition of strength, the benefits of taking risks and intentionally trying things you are bad at, the role of courage in living a strong life and the urgent need for everyone to begin strength training given our current health climate.Connect with Julie:  @theother23hourscoachingConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanI want to you grab a pen and paper and make a short list of things you want, but you've been too afraid to ask for. That could mean things that require you to ask permission from someone else, or things you simply need to give yourself permission to pursue. Once you've got your list written down, choose the one that's the scariest. The one that is going to require to most courage to ask for. And ask for that. If it's only you that needs to give yourself permission, well - then make sure the answer is a resounding YES. The reason to start with the scariest, most courageous ask is that once you've checked that one off, the rest of the list won't be nearly as scary! So follow Julie's advice today - be courageous, do something that scares you and ask for what you want!That's it for this week! Make sure that you are subscribed to this podcast so that you don't miss next week's episode with Anthony Mendez and a conversation about how to define your own success, taking small actions in preparation for the big leaps of faith and some very practical strategies for growing an Instagram Account that supports your personal and business goals!Until next time - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Valentina LeQueux.Our partner this week is STRONG Coffee - use the code ESSENTIAL at checkout to save 15%Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis!On today's episode, Valentina and I talk about her recovery from crippling anxiety and the steps she took to learn to love herself more than ever. We talk about the importance of being open about your feelings, seeking help when its needed and the unfortunate judgement most people fear when discussing mental health. Valentina and I also both share how physical health has helped solidify our mental health and we chat about the All Vibes Welcome project, whose aim it is is to normalize the full spectrum of emotions reduce the pressure to feel “good vibes only”.Connect with Valentina:  @valentinalequeuxConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastConnect with the ALL VIBES PROJECT: @all_vibes_project Action PlanThis week's action plan is to honor your mental health. What does that mean? It means that I want you to take stock of what you're feeling, without judgement and without fear of outside expectations - and I want you to do what's best for your mental health. If you are in a place of contentment, low anxiety and your happiness quote is being met - appreciate that and assess the conditions that are impacting this state of mind. If you are in a place where your primary emotion is sadness or grief, respect that and assess the conditions that are impacting this state. If you feel the way that Valentina and I have felt in the past - like you don't have control of your thoughts, like your anxiety or depression is crippling you - accept that and seek the help you need. Contentment, anxiety, grief, frustration, joy —- no one feeling is more “normal” than any other. They all have their time and place, and more often then not they are rooted in our recent life experiences. Please, don't feel like you have to paint a smile on for the sake of making other people more comfortable. All Vibes truly are Welcome.That's it for this week's episode. Make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss next week's episode with Julie Shiller and a conversation about courage, doing things that scare you and the importance of being strong for the greater good!Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Brandon Whitehead.Our Partner on Today's Episode is FNXFit - use the code ESSENTIAL and save 25% on all your sports nutrition needs!Remember - If you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis!In today's conversation, Brandon and I talk about the roll of being open to change as it relates to coaching and to being coached. We discuss the links between gut health and brain health and mindset shift from thinking only about what you're eating but also about what your body is able to digest and Brandon breaks down his four keys to restoring a healthy gut - remove, replace, repair and repopulate.Connect with Brandon - @bwlegend_tcmConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt Connect with the Show - @sessential.strength.podcast Action Plan - Your action plan for the week is this - I want to combine two pieces of the the conversation with Brandon today to forge what I believe is a very powerful action plan - mindset and nutrition:I want you to be open and accepting of chance, and the discomfort that comes with it. Specifically, I want you to be open to the idea of making changes to your diet. I know from personal experience that I am resistant to these changes. I talk to nutrition coaches like Brandon and I read book and articles on nutrition and all the negative impacts of processed food… and then somewhere in my subconscious I justify continuing to eat mostly the same as I always have. I make small changes but… at what cost? At the cost of my gut health? My brain health? My executive function and my risk of dementia? It's time for some hard change. Some change that initially, might not taste great - because lets be honest, vegetables will never taste as good as potato chips - but its a change that you will be proud of and feel the effects of because don't kid yourself - even though they're delicious, you've never felt great after binge eating chips or cookies. So accept the challenge to eat foods that make your body and brain happy, even though initially it will be hard.That's it for this week. Make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss next week's episode with Valentina LeQueue and a conversation about the depths of anxiety and depression, the pursuit of self-love and the importance of being open about your feelings.Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Dr. Carolyn Stone.Check out our partner on today's episode - STRONG Coffee - and use the code ESSENTIAL to save 15% off every purchase of organic coffee!Remember - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're SUBSCRIBED, and that you're SHARING these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis!Highlights - In today's Conversation, Dr. Stone defines Hashimoto's Disease, why it is increasingly common and why it is such a primary focus of her practice. I ask Dr. Stone what's behind the silent epidemic of low testosterone in young men and why Testosterone is something every guy should care about. We also discuss how strength training can directly effect our hormonal health.Connect with Dr. Stone: @drstoneazConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction Plan - it's simple. Get your damn blood drawn and establish a baseline level of hormonal health. We talked about this on Ep. 60 with Dr. Kyle Gillett - you don't have to wait until something hurts or your feel sick to benefit from blood testing. That's the trap of modern healthcare - we all wait until we're sick and then try and figure out how to treat our symptoms. What we should be doing is figuring out why we feel good and how to keep feeling that way!That's it for this week - make sure you're subscribed so that you don't miss next week's episode with Tailored Nutrition Coach Brandon Whitehead and a conversation about all things gut health, gut-friendly food and gut-friendly lifestyle choices.Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Dr. Kristin Phillips, DPT.Check out our partner on today's episode - Barbell Rehab - and use the code "stronger25" to save $25 off any online continuing education course!Remember - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Highlights - In today's Conversation, Dr. Phillips and I discuss the pros and cons of the term “Women's Health” in light of the fact that both men and women both have pelvic floor anatomy that can benefits from assessment and treatment. We talk about the link between pelvic health and sexual function as it relates to both men and women and we talk about some of the common misconceptions that people have about the day to day job of a pelvic health therapist.Connect with Dr. Phillips: @kristinphillips_dptConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction Plan - Your action plan this week is two fold:First - your very practical action plan is simply to hop on the good old google machine and find your local women's health physical therapist. You might not need their services now, but maybe you know someone who recently had a child and doesn't even know pelvic floor rehab is available, and maybe at some point in the future this will be important for you personally. It's always good to know where the healthcare specialists are in your area.Second - your more broad action plan is to expand your professional knowledge base. Don't assume that because you've been in an industry for 5 years, 10 years or longer that you have “seen it all” or that you know everything there is to know. This is part fo why I love having guests on who are fellow Physical Therapists specializing in treatment approaches I'm only peripherally familiar with, or has one lecture on in school. The best time to learn is now, and the next best time to learn is every day for the rest of your life.That's it for this week, be sure to tune in next time for my conversation with Dr. Carolyn Stone where you'll learn about common causes of Thyroid Disorders, Hashimoto's disease risk and treatment, and the incredible connections between strength training and your hormones!Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Mark Bell.Our partner this week is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL! A portion of every purchase helps support this show.REMEMBER - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis!HIGHLIGHTS - Mark is back for his second appearance on The Essential Strength Podcast, and today we are talking all about DIETS. For anyone who follow's mark on social media, you know that he is ALWAYS pursuing some sort of dietary goal and experimenting with different diet principles and approaches to goal-oriented nutrition. In today's conversation, Mark pulls back the curtain on all the things he's learned from the last 18 months of dieting in one form or another, and provides some incredible take-home messages for anyone committed to living a stronger, healthier life.Connect with Mark: @marksmellybellListen to Mark's Podcast: Mark Bell's Power ProjectConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with The Show: @essential.strength.podcastACTION PLAN - Your action plan this week, and perhaps for the next few months, is to pick a dietary framework, commit to it and learn from the experience. That could mean you try intermittent fasting, eating Paleo, investing in the Vertical Diet… as you learned today it's not a matter of figuring out the ONE DIET TO RULE THEM ALL, it's about picking something and sticking too it, and then moving on to something else and sticking to that, rinse, repeat and figure out what works best for you - the current version of you with your current goals and lifestyle. And if that feels a bit too nebulous well - maybe you can start by subscribing to Mark's PROTEIN MANDATE and prioritizing 0.8-1 grams of protein per pound of body weight every single day, as many days as you can for as many weeks and months as you can. You'll end up with a daily food intake that looks pretty similar to some of these “named” diets just by subscribing to a high protein intake.That's it for this week, be sure to tune in next time for my conversation with Dr. Kristin Phillips about all things pelvic floor, pelvic health and why “more keggles” is not the answer to your problems.Until then - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Pat Darby.Our partner on this week's episode is STRONG Coffee - save 15% on every purchase with the code ESSENTIAL at checkout! A portion of every purchase helps support this show.REMEMBER - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! HIGHLIGHTS - In today's conversation, Pat and I talk about the benefits of hiring a money coach and why so many people think they need to make money before they hire someone to help them make and manage their money. Pat tells me why there is no simple answer to the question - ‘what's the best investment', and we discuss how to approach the conflict of paying yourself vs. re-investing in your business.Connect with Pat: @patdarbybizConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcast Action PlanWhether you own a business that requires book keeping, or have personal financial goals that require accurate budgeting, I want you to take Pat's advice and make sure you aren't “loosing your expenses”. For a business owner, this means ensuring that everything you spend on the business is accounted for so that when tax season rolls around, you are able to accurately calculate your gains and losses. For the individuals who don't own a business, this means being more objective and more specific about where and what your money is being spent on, and where you could save more for that goal you say is so important.Think of it like taking the first steps towards achieving a fitness goal - until you define your starting line - by taking actions such as tracking what you eat, how you train and how you feel - you can't map the route to the finish line.That's in for this week - until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Hayden Bowe.Today's Partner is Pain Free Performance - use the code "essential" to save 15% on any in -person course.  Remember - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram too - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt - its super fun to see whose listening!Hayden Bowe is Co-Owner of Hybrid Performance Method, Co-Host of the Hybrid Unlimited Podcast, Gold Medal Winning Powerlifter and Champion Weight Lifter. In today's conversation, Hayden and I talk about the Sport of Powerlifting - the origins, the future, how to improve the athlete experience and the fan experience and how to “professionalize” the sport. From powerlifting, we shift to business - how Hybrid has evolved, the bumps along the way, the apparel and coaching elements and how to let success and data dictate growth.Connect with Hayden: @hayden.bowe Connect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanYour Action Plan for this week is going to particularly applicable to those of you who own a business - but can be applied to any other area of your life as well - I want you to take stock of the actions, products or habits that are garnering the most robust response and make a plan to put more energy into them. If there is an element of your business, like the online coaching element of Hybrid, that is consistently garnering the most attention from your clients or audience - are you putting the equivalent amount of energy into that element to make it the BEST it can be? Or are you spreading yourself too thin, investing time, energy and money disproportionately into activities that don't really need it? Like Hayden said - allow growth to happen when it's OBVIOUSLY necessary, and until then pour yourself into the actions and activities that are your bread and butter. This goes to family activities, physical training, you name it!That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest today is Natalie Newhart.Our Partner on Today's Show - FNX Fitness - Use code "essential" for 25% off every purchaseIn today's conversation, Natalie and I walk at length about her definition of strength and how it has changed in the last 3 years, why learning to manage stress is just as important as the food we eat and the weights we lift, and strategies for overcoming the compulsive desire to always train harder.Connect with Natalie - @natalie.newhart Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastRemember - if you are enjoying this podcast, be sure you're subscribed, and that you're sharing these episodes with your friends and family who would appreciate what we're talking about on a week to week basis! Tag the show on Instagram too - @essential.strength.podcast - and tag me - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt - its super fun to see whose listening!Today's action plan centers around something Natalie said about the difference between knowledge and action. We all have that one thing that we want to do, that we've read about, talked about, planned for … and never taken action on. We live in a time when information is perhaps the single most abundant resource and at the same time, the sheer volume of that information can cripple us. It can leave us feeling like there is so much to know that we will never know enough. But, I challenge you, Natalie challenges you, to prove to yourself that you have the CAPACITY TO TAKE ACTION. You can still keep learning, you can still gather more information as you go, but whatever that “one thing” is that you thought about when I said “we all have that one thing…” - don't let it die on the vine.That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Frank Benedetto.On today's episode, Frank and I talk about why so many healthcare professionals are finding themselves burned out but scared to leave their jobs, when and how to find your niche as a practitioner and I ask Frank if it is ever too early or too late to start a side hustle. Frank is also gracious enough to offer two free tools to help everyone listening design a life they will love and to help them discover their niche - both resources typically reserved for members of The Honey Badger Project - so be sure to check today's show notes for links!Check Out Pain Free Performance - our partner on today's show is THE BEST educational resource for trainers, coaches and allied health professionals looking to advance their skills and ensure their clients will train PAIN FREE while improving their performance!!! USE THE CODE "ESSENTIAL"  AT CHECKOUT FOR 15% OFF !!Download the Life Design WorksheetDownload the Find My Niche WorksheetConnect with Frank - @frank_benedettoConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanYour action plan for the week is this - Block out the time needed to fill out the Life Design Worksheet, which is linked in the show notes for this episode. I can tell you from personal experience - the first time I did this exercise it was eye opening in a lot of ways. It gave me clarity as to what I really want my life to look like in a way I'd never experienced before, and it highlighted how my current work, income, and time management was not necessarily in alignment with what I said I wanted. And, spoiler alert - it still isn't. I'm moving in the right direction - albeit slowly - but it's high time I sat down and completed the Life Design Worksheet again, this time with my wife, and started taking more concrete steps towards living out my ideals. I hope you gain some valuable insight from this exercise… in fact I'm quite sure that you will.That's it for this week - until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Dr. Kyle Gillett.In today's conversation, Dr. Gillett and I talk about the concerning health trends he sees in men and women between the ages of 25 and 45 as well as the health trends that those over 50 should be aware of. We talk about the continuum of diet, exercise and pharmaceutical interventions in addressing obesity and the many downstream risk factors associated with excessively high body fat percentages. We also go deep on the topic on infertility - why rates are climbing and what we can do about it.You can LEARN MORE about Dr. Gillett's work with Marek Health - HEREOur Partner Today is Stronger In Motion - Whether it's 1:1 Strength Coaching, Nutrition Consultation or our new Enduring Strength Program - we can take take the guess work out of training and nutrition and guide you towards the STRONGEST version of yourself!Connect with Dr. Gillett - @kylegillettmd Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanMy biggest takeaway - the the inspiration for your ACTION PLAN this week is this: while there are trends towards higher rates of certain diseases right now, especially metabolic conditions and declining fertility rates - there is also SO MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT IT! Lifestyle changes, pharmaceutical support, dietary interventions… there is almost no problem that we cannot solve with the right team around us and the necessary tests to identify our personal risk factors.So, your action plan this week is simply to go check out Marek Health - learn more about what they do and also, if you haven't seen a doctor in 5 years - make a freakin appointment! If you feel amazing - GREAT - go get some labs done and figure out what your internal environment looks like when you feel awesome - that way in the future you and your medical team will know what to do in the inevitable event that one day you don't feel so awesome whether because of age, environment, stress or illness. Be an active agent of your own health!That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest today is Danial Hooper.In today's conversation, I ask Danial about the role of community within the framework of building a brand, what challenges he has faced in building a digital brand and Danial shares an incredible shift in perspective from assessing Return on Investment (or ROI) to prioritizing Return on Relationship (ROR). Plus I get Danial to spill the beans on some new products and projects coming down the pipe at FNX Fitness.Our Partner on Today's Show - FNF Fitness - Use code "essential" for 25% off every purchaseConnect with Danial - @instadanial_ Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastBook Recommendation - The Go Giver (Bob Burg & John David Mann)Action PlanI want to zero in on one of Danial's core philosophy's for delivering amazing customer service - and that is the idea of delivering home cooked meals. I haven't stopped thinking about this since Danial and I recorded this conversation and I've been taking steps to ensure I deliver that level of personalized care in each interaction I have in my coaching business and with my patients. I hope that each of you listening feel a bit of that home cooking each time you listen to this podcast. I mean really, what an incredible standard to hold. I'm so happy to have gained this gold nugget of insight from Danial.What I'd ask each of you to do is to make a point of delivering that home cooked feeling to at least one interaction this week. It could be an interaction with a customer, an employee, a friend or even a stranger. The home cooked feeling makes it obvious you've put extra time and thought into your interaction - you could have gone the convenient, store bought route but you decided to take the time to cook something up SPECIAL. I think you'll find that people will respond to this in an incredibly positive way!That's it for this week - until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest today is Crystal Miranda.Crystal is back as our very first repeat guest and today we are talking about the dangerous nature of Toxic Positivity and the importance of normalizing the full spectrum of human emotions.Today's episode is being released on October 10, 2021 on World Mental Health Day and in support of Crystal and the non-profit work she is doing through The Healthy Mind Movement - we are releasing a new piece of apparel. I'm sure everyone listening has seen someone wearing a “Good Vibes Only” T-shirt, but what about all the other vibes? The anxious vibes? The angry vibes? That accepting and nurturing vibes? Even the bad vibes? Life is full of emotions, all of which are innately normal and human, which is why were are releasing our "ALL VIBES WELCOME" t-shirt today, on World Mental Health Day, with all proceeds going directly to The Healthy Mind Movement to support access to mental health services.Connect with Crystal - @healthymindmovementConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastPurchase Your "All Vibes Welcome" T-shirt - HEREToday's conversation is all about normalizing the full spectrum of human emotions. It's about giving ourselves permission to “feel all the feels” and it's about creating an opportunity for each of you listening to support the work Crystal is doing by purchasing an “All Vibes Welcome” t-shirt. It's OK to not be OK. It's OK to work through tough things just like it's OK to celebrate all the good in our lives. All emotions, all feelings… All Vibes are Welcome here.Your action plan this week is to give yourself time, space and permission to FEEL YOUR FEELINGS. To be OK not being OK and to welcome whatever vibes emirate from your mind and your soul. Soak them in. They are what make you human.If today's conversation resonated with you and you want to support the powerful work that Crystal is doing in the Mental Health Community through her non-profit The Healthy Mind Movement - check the show notes for lots of ways to connect with Crystal, support her work and of course, to purchase your All Vibes Welcome T-shirt.Until next week, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Sarry Ibrahim. In today's conversation, Sarry and I talk about how to define financial strength, what it means to Think Like a Bank, the importance of having financial objectives and goals and what Sarry thinks people can do right now to set themselves up for strong financial futures.Sign up for Enduring Strength - Take the guesswork out of your workouts with this year-round program coached by Dr. David Skolnik, DPT.  Build Strength, Gain Muscle and Improve Your Endurance with Enduring Strength. Hit the link above to e-mail David directly and receive your link to join the join the program!FNXFit - Use the code "essential" - Take 25% off any order from FNXFit. FUEL YOUR GREATNESS!Connect with Sarry - Sarry Ibrahim, MBA, LTCPConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the show - @essential.strength.podcastBook Recommendation - Who Not How: The Formula to Achieving Bigger Goals Through Accelerating TeamworkAction PlanYour action plan for the day is this - take 10-15 minutes this week to write down 1 or 2 primary financial objectives and 3-5 steps or strategies you can implement to start moving yourself in the direction of accomplishing those objectives. I know you all have financial goals, even if you've never written them down. Let today be the day you start taking real action toward meeting them.That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest today is Dr. Justin Farnsworth, DPT.In today's conversation, Dr. Farnsworth and David talk about how the American Healthcare system is failing to keep us healthy and how the Fitness Industry needs to step up to fill the void. They talk about why it is so difficult for people to take personal responsibility for their own health and the dangers of “convenience culture”. This is a no-holds-barred conversation, with a lot of passion - these issues are vitally important and its going to take a lot of difficult discussions to bring about real change.If you are listening on Apple Podcasts - don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and short review. These simple actions make a major impact on the show's future!Connect with Dr. Farnsworth: @drjustinfarnsworthConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastOur Partner Today is Pain Free Performance - Use the code "essential" for 15% off.The Pain Free Performance Certification is a must for any fitness professional who is committed helping their clients achieve true health, avoid injury and maximize performance!Action PlanYour action plan this week is to take responsibility for your own health. I want you to identify the area of your health that is lacking the most. That could be sleep, nutrition, stress management or physical training. Piggy-backing off of my conversation with Mads Friis on Ep. 53 - I want you to write down the three biggest barriers to making positive changes to your chosen health metric and then I want you to make an Action Plan for taking steps toward improving your health. Maybe you do what Mads does and bring your gym bag to work to avoid the temptation of stopping at home and never going to the gym at all. Maybe you write down your grocery list instead of just shopping on a whim. Or maybe you set an alarm on your phone that tells you to PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY at 9:30pm so you can start winding down and improve your sleep quality and quantity. It doesn't matter what you choose. Choose something, identify your obstacles and make a plan. You are your own best healthcare system and you only get one body and one life - so act accordingly.That's it for this week - Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Kyle Benson.Kyle is a marriage and sex therapist who has worked with dozens of couples to help them understand the root causes of their wants, needs, insecurities and find the truth in their relationships.In today's conversation, Kyle and I talk about how to cultivate intentionally intimate relationships, how to adjust the “thermostat” on your relationship, balancing individuality with partnership, and how to root out defensiveness and stonewalling to allow for effective communication.Connect with me and to connect with this podcast via Instagram where we produce weekly video content and would love to get a chance to know you, our listeners! If you have a second to rate and review this podcast, that would also mean the world to me and help get these messages into more heads and more hearts!Connect with Kyle: @_kylebensonConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcast Recommended ReadingFor New Couples & Those Currently Dating: Attached & Wired for DatingFor Committed Couples: 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work, Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love & Eight DatesFor Non-Monogamous Couples: PolysecureFor Better Sex: Magnificent SexAction PlanYour action plan this week is specifically for the listeners who are in a committed relationship. I want you to take a page out of Kyle's book and schedule 30 plus minutes of uninterrupted time with your partner where you talk about the things that are going well in your lives (both individually and as a couple), areas of stress and uncertainty, and areas where you could really use each other's support. This conversation could happen on the couch, at the kitchen table, on a walk, or over dinner during date night. The only rule - NO PHONES, NO DISTRACTIONS - if you think you're going to need to take notes, grab a piece of paper and a pen. This is about internal togetherness.That's it for this week. Until next time we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!

Our guest this week is Hayley Pettinato.In today's conversation, Hayley and I talk about the power of daily affirmations and how to optimize your self-talk. We discuss different forms of journaling, and Hayley and I dive into three of the biggest health and fitness myths that can have damaging effects on both our physical and our mental health.If you have a second, please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a five star rating and write a quick review. It means the world to me, and it helps get this podcast out into the ears of more people looking to discover their strength. Check us out on instagram too, @essential.strength.podcast - where you can catch video clips of every episode, motivational quotes and keep up with everything happening on the show!Connect with Hayley: Instagram @iamhayleynoelle // YouTube Hayley Noelle // Philosophy of Fitness PodcastConnect with David:  @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastOur Partner on Today's Podcast is FNX Fitness - Take 15% off their full line of performance supplements with the code "ESSENTIAL" at checkout.Action PlanYour action plan this week is to use one of the journaling strategies that Hayley told us about today - the Scripting Strategy.I want you to choose a current goal you are working towards and set aside 10 minutes between now and our next episode to write down, in detail, a description of the day you achieve this goal as if it has already happened. Where are you? Who is with you? How do you feel? What was the hardest part? The more detail, the better. If someone else were to read this journal entry, they would have no idea that this event has not yet come to pass.That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Mads Friis.On today's Episode, Mad's and David discuss strategic goal setting, the importance of sleep and rest, and why so many people are unhappy despite their perceived success. Mads is, by his own admission, excessively curious and this curiosity has lead hum to question why so many people seem so unhappy and unfulfilled. It is his mission with his Podcast and his coaching business, to help as many people as he can figure out what makes them happy, where they want to be in life, and show them how simple it is to start taking concrete steps towards fulfilling their highest desires.Connect with Mads - Instagram: @madsmfriis // Website: GrowthIsland.com // Podcast: Growth Island w/ Mads FriisConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastCheck out our Partner on Today's Episode!15% off at FNXFit when you use the code "ESSENTIAL" at checkout!FNXFit is my go-to performance supplement brand - from their SuperGreen powder, to protein, creatine and pre-workout products - they have everything you need to live an optimized life!  Action PlanYour action plan this week is take action on one of Mads' most simple, and yet most profound suggestions for living your highest performing, most fulfilled life. And that is to write down what makes you happy. Block out at least 10 minutes to grab a piece of paper and a pen - yes, a physical piece of paper and a pen, not just your laptop or phone - and write down as many things that make you happy as come to mind. Do your best to just let this list flow out of you - without judgement, or worry of what others might think. This is your list. Written by you. And for you. You can share it if you want, or keep it all to yourself. But please, allow yourself to be immersed in the process of discovering, or perhaps rediscovering, what truly makes you happy.That's it for this week. If you enjoyed today's episode Mads and I would love to hear from you! Take a screenshot and post it to social media, be sure to tag me, @dr.davidskolnik.dpt and Mads, @madsmfriis. And if you're so inclined, subscribe to this podcast, as well as the Growth Island podcast, and drop each of us a review and a comment! It's a small action to take, but it has an outsized effect!That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Joe Sullivan.In today's episode, Joe and I talk about the origin of his “Adapt or Die” mentality, the importance of family, what  makes a good coach and Joe answers some questions from gym members at my home gym, American Raw Fitness out here in Gilbert, Arizona.Joe is an All Time World Record holding powerlifter, a coach, an entrepreneur and an educator. He is very familiar with hardship and speaks frequently on the power of mindset as it relates to overcoming difficult circumstances.Our Partner on Today's EpisodeBarbell Rehab - use the code "stronger25" to get $25 off any online courses from Barbell Rehab.Connect with Us:Connect with Joe - @joesullivan_aod & on YouTube Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastRemember to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts :)Action PlanThis week's action plan is two-fold:The first thing I want EVERYONE to do is take a second and just count your blessings. Just stop and be thankful for what you have and for the hardships you've overcome because they've lead you to wherever you are now and at some point in the future, those same hardships will provide you with the wisdom and experience to overcome the hard shit the future indefinitely holds for all of us.For the coaches listening - take an honest look at yourselves and your services and make damn sure that you're delivering what you are succeeding in fulfilling the promise of the service you were hired for. I thought this definition of good coaching sets a very clear bar for all of use to measure ourselves by, but only if you're truly honest in the assessment. If you aren't sure, the answer is probably “no”, but you could always take a quick poll of your clients - at the end of the day it's really their perception of your service that matters most.That's it for this week. Remember to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review or a comment, and check out the Instagram Page for this show - it's linked in the show notes - to see video clips and other highlights from the show!Until next week, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH!Barbell Rehab Improve your ability to coach and modify the barbell lifts. Code "stronger25" for $25 any course!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Our Guest this week is Kandace Hudspeth.On today's episode, Kandace and I talk about all the things you need to know to leverage Instagram to support your personal brand and business. From how lay out your page, build trust, increase interaction and help people transition from consuming your content to taking action on it.Kandace is a career brand strategist and lifelong fitness enthusiast who pivoted her career, from big agency leadership to fitness business and brand innovation. With 20 years building brands and crafting digital marketing strategies, Kandace brings proven growth and an elevated touch to every brand and team she works with.Connect with Kandace - @kandacehudspeth on Instagram // Kandace Hudspeth on LinkedInConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastBooks & Products we Talked About1. Pain Free Performance - use the code "essential" at checkout for 15% off 2. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino3. Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller4. Start With Why by Simon SinekAction PlanThis week's action plan is going to sound easy - but it is going to be VERY HARD for anyone who uses Instagram to support their personal brand or business. For the next week, I want you to take Kandace's advice and truly treat it like it's a part of your business - make a strategy, block your time, cut out the consumption and focus on action. Set specific time aside to connect with like-minded individual, audit pages that are achieving what you hope to achieve with your page, and make some Gary V style “deposits”. Seriously, I've been trying to do this since we recording the conversation 10 days ago and it is freaking TOUGH. But it feels good to be taking purposeful steps towards maximizing the power of this social media platform.That's it for this week. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest today is David Skolnik. We're changing things up to make episode 50 with something special. Today, my producer - Christian - is interviewing me. The idea is, a reintroduction of sorts. Now that we're 50 episodes in, I know it's not just my mom and dad and a few friends listening any more, so getting to know who I am, and why I do what I do seemed the pertinent thing to do. Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastOur Partner today is  - Get PPSC - use the code "Essential" for 15% off The Pain Free Performance Certification is the ULTIMATE in-person learning experience for any fitness professional who wants to provide the absolute best for their clients.Action PlanYour action plan for the week is this - If you have some element of your own personal story that you find it hard to talk about, I want you to lean into that discomfort just a little bit more this week. There were elements of my experience with depression that I shared for the first time on this episode. Things I've only told my closest friends and family, and even a few pieces of the story they may never have heard before. Each time I talk about that time in my life, it gets a little bit easier to share the dark, uncomfortable details. It's those details that make the story real, and relatable. And it is those details that could make the difference in someone else's life. You don't have to share with everyone. You can share with one person. But that's my challenge to you. Share a little more than you ever have before about something hard that you've been through. Overcome the mental resistance and you will be stronger for it.That's it for this week. We'll be back to our normal format next week with a new guest for Episode 51.Until then, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Hallie Tobias.In our conversation today, Hallie and I talk about how to eat to achieve specific goals, we talk about the psychology and personal development aspects of nutrition coaching, and I learn what has surprised Hallie the most about working as a nutrition coach.Check Out Our Partner on Today's Episode - FNX Fitness Save 15% off any purchase of the BEST nutritional supplements in the game!Use the code "ESSENTIAL" at checkout to save some dolla dolla bills ya'll :)Connect with Hallie - @hallietobias_tcmConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt Connect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcast Action PlanHallie had a quote earlier in the conversation that really struck me - she said “Nobody is perfect, and perfection is not required to reach your goals.”I'm sure that some of you listening have been hesitating to make a change in how you approach your eating, but are stuck in the planning phase of change because the complexity and controversial nature of diets and diet culture. What I would like you to do this week is the following - make one small change and stick to it for the next three weeks. That could be adding a serving of vegetables, waiting an extra hour before eating breakfast, adding more carbohydrates - just do something to move the needle. It doesn't have to be perfect - spoiler, it will never be perfect - but it has to be SOMETHING. Perfection may not be required to reach your goals, but action most certainly is. That's it for today - if you appreciated today's conversation, check out the show notes and connect with Hallie and I, let us know what you thought, and if you have any questions we can answer! Don't forget to subscribe and rate the podcast when you have a second! It's truly appreciated.Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Today's guest is Joe Rinaldi. Joe is a Doctor of Physical Therapy based on Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - but Joe will tell anyone who asks that he is far more than his professional title. His personal mission is to serve, love, encourage and inspire everyone he meets, and to leave the world better than he found it. There is a contagious positivity about Joe that I am sure everyone listening will feel.In today's conversation, we talk about who Joe wants to be and the work he is doing to become that person, we talk about balancing selfishness and selflessness, how and why Joe is able to view negative circumstances as opportunities and why being a good person is essential to being a good healthcare provider.Connect with Joe - @joerinaldi.dpt Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dpt Connect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastCheck out this week's partner - Barbell RehabBarbell Rehab is a resource for the fitness-minded Physio and the evidence based coach looking to sharpen their professional skill set. Use the code "stronger25" and take $25 OFF the Barbell Rehab Online Course & Strength Training the Postoperative Client.Action PlanYour action plan for the week is to practice a single line from today's conversation. Not long ago, Joe said something I found incredibly profound. He said that his life began to change when he changed his inner monologue from “what if”  to “even if”.I want you to practice the same shift in language. Write down the words “even if” on a piece of paper and stick it in your pocket. For the rest of the day, or the week even, any time you think “what if” stop yourself and replace “what if”  to “even if” and feel that power surge that follows.That's it for this week. If you found this episode inspiring, share it with a friend or post a screenshot of today's episode and tag the show. Be sure to subscribe to the show for weekly podcasts that will inform, inspire and empower you. Until next time - we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Matt Lombardi, Former Professional Hockey Player, Entrepreneur, Avid Cross-Fitter and Co-Founder of Beam, a THC-Free CBD brand committed to producing the best possible products for better everything. In our conversation today, Matt and I talk about CBD and why it stood out to him as an athlete surrounded by a million different supplements. We talk about Beam, their core products, and their mission to reimagine health and wellness. We also discuss the “dark sides” of entrepreneurship that happens behind the flashy ad campaigns and celebrity endorsements.Our partner on today's episode is - BeamUse the code "Essential" for 15% off any purchase from Beam's full line-up of THC-free CBD products and start experiencing better everything!Connect with Matt: @mattlombardi24Connect with Beam: @beamConnect with David: @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show: @essential.strength.podcastAction PlanThe way that Matt described his approach to both athletics and business inspired the action plan this week - I challenge each of you to write down the five most important things in your life and make an effort to be more obsessed with each of them. When you are engaged in one of your top five activities, I want you to make a more concerted effort to eliminate distractions and truly pour yourself in the experience - be that quality time with your family, a passion project, or your job. See what you can achieve in just a week of enhancing your attention to obsession.That's it for this week. Be sure to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe to the show if you haven't already. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Scott Howell.From training clients in small boutique gyms, to overseeing regional operations at one of the biggest corporate fitness brands to owning his own successful gym business, Scott has seen, and done, more than most in this industry.In today's conversation, Scott and I talk about the risk and rewards of working for a larger company vs. blazing your own entrepreneurial trail, we talk about whether there is any such thing as “stability” in the workplace anymore, and I get Scott's insight into how he has created local networks and worked to bridge the gap between health and fitness at Red Dot Fitness.Connect with Scott - @ironsightspodcastConnect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcastOur parter on today's episode is GetPPSC - The Pain Free Performance Certification is the most valuable course available for fitness professionals looking to improve the new client acquisition, assessment, programming and performance coaching skills!Listeners can take 15% OFF with the code "essential" at checkout.Action PlanYour action plan for the week is this - if you are thinking of branching out and starting your own business, whether that is in the fitness industry or otherwise - your task this week is to spend time finding ways to start taking steps without leaving your current “main gig”. Can you commit 10% of your weekly time to building a business, feed that part of you that is hungry for autonomy and creativity, while holding on to the safety that makes those dreams possible? And in that 10%, can you clearly identify the people in your network that can help you grow?If you can do that, you'll be on the right track!That's it for now. Remember to SHARE THIS EPISODE with someone who needs to hear it, and to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast before you go. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Conny Schneider. Conny is the owner of KomplexFit in Petaluma, California. She is a personal trainer,  community builder, knowledge seeker  and as you're learn today - not afraid to take bold steps in pursuit of fulfillment.In today's conversation, Conny and I talk about the strength that was required to pick up her entire life and move from Germany to Northern California after high school, how she first got involved in the fitness industry, her decision to start her own business and the challenges she faced when she she realized it was time to leave that business and start a new one. Throughout it all, we discuss the importance of human connection and community and how these concepts are central to everything in her life.Connect with Connie - @connie.komplex Connect with David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptConnect with the Show - @essential.strength.podcast Our parter on today's episode is GetPPSC - The Pain Free Performance Certification is the most valuable course available for fitness professionals looking to improve the new client acquisition, assessment, programming and performance coaching skills! Listeners can take 15% OFF with the code "essential" at checkout.Your action plan for the week is to incorporate Conny's 3 essential elements into your day to day life. Each day for the next week, I want you to keep track of the one thing you are doing to fuel your body, fuel your mind and fuel your soul. If, at the end of the week, you feel your fulfillment meter has moved in the right direction, this is an action plan you can roll with for as long as you want!That's it for now. Until next time, we with you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Today's Guest is Layci Nelson.In today's conversation, Layci and David talk about the differences between someone in a leadership position and someone who is a real leader, why ego checks and apologies are key components of effective leadership, and the potential pitfalls of becoming friends with your employees.Follow Layci - @layci_nelsonFollow David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptFollow the Show - @essential.strength.podcastCheck Out our Partner - GetPPSC** Use the Code "essential"  to take 10% off any in-person GetPPSC Course and become a Pain Free Performance SpecialistAction PlanYour action plan for the week is a page right out of Layci's Leadership manual - when was the last time you apologized and truly meant it? No ulterior motive, no sarcasm, no “I'm just saying sorry because that's what you want to hear”. A real apology and an intention to make things right. Why is this your action plan for the week? Because, at the end of the day, we are all leaders - leaders in our family, our community, our job, a team…leaders of our own destiny.  That's it for now. Until next time, we wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Our guest this week is Gabi Dixson.Today's conversation is focused on how health and fitness professionals, and the public at large, can have more effective and empathetic conversations about body weight, and how the lived experience of being in a bigger body shapes one's outlook on life.Gabi is the Winner of New Zealand's Strongest Woman 2020 and is currently training for USPA Powerlifting Nationals in July 2021 and World's Strongest Woman in November 2021. She is also an aspiring coach on a mission to create space for black and brown people in the fitness world and to inspire women of all shapes and sizes to try new things, be strong, and chase their dreams. Follow Gabi - @gabigrlFollow David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptFollow the Show - @essential.strength.podcastCheck Out Our Partner on Today's Episode - FNXFitAction PlanYour action plan for the week falls in line with that intention - This week I want you to seek out a difficulty conversation about a topic that makes you uncomfortable, or to have a conversation focusing on subject matter that has tripped you up in the past. Talk to someone with a different life experience that you - be that a different ethnicity, socioeconomic status, physical shape or religion - and make a concerted effort to learn, and to be empathetic.That's it for this week, until next time - We wish you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.

Today's guest is Andrew Coates. Andrew is a personal trainer based in Edmonton, Alberta Canada. He hosts a weekly podcast called Lift Free and Diet Hard, and is a prolific writer in the fitness space who has contributed articles to T Nation, True Coach, The PTDC and Generation Iron. He is a mentor, and a bonafide scholar of all things health and fitness.Follow Andrew - @andrewcoatesfitnessFollow David - @dr.davidskolnik.dptFollow the Show - @essential.strength.podcastOur Partner on today's episode is GetPPSC - use the code "essential" at checkout for 10% off any in-person certification course!Your Action PlanYour action plan for the week is this - if you use social media to promote your business or your personal brand, ask yourself the same question Andrew and I promote when it comes to exercise - “Why am I doing this?” Is your content consistent with your message? Does that message convey a clear purpose? A is that conveyed message the one you actually intended to produce? A little thoughtfulness goes a long way in a a world full of unplanned, spontaneous content creation!Until next time, we with you STRENGTH and GOOD HEALTH.