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203 episodes with david thomas tao
Send us a text In this episode of A Steady Pour Podcast, the crew welcomes David Thomas-Tao, a whiskey expert and Kentucky Colonel, who brings his wealth of knowledge about spirits, writing, and entertainment. David shares his journey from growing up in Bardstown, Kentucky—whiskey capital of the world—to becoming a respected voice in the whiskey industry. The discussion dives deep into David's career, his love for bourbon, and how he became a writer and reviewer. From his first taste of sour mash as a kid to his professional journey of reviewing whiskey, David reflects on the evolution of his passion for spirits. The team also samples Michter's latest release, the Bomberger's Precision Fine Grain, exploring its unique flavor profile and the impact of French oak. It's an episode filled with insights, whiskey wisdom, and good vibes—perfect for anyone looking to blend their love for whiskey with a bit of entertainment.
It's DUNE YEAR'S EVE, and in this thrilling episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad are joined by David Thomas Tao to review this year's sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve. They discuss Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya's standout performances, Hans Zimmer's breathtaking score, and the movie's stunning visuals of Arrakis. Then, they dive into the world of premium whiskey with a detailed review of Bushmills 30-Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey, exploring its unique flavor profile and heritage. (0:00) Intro (7:32) Brad Explains (10:07) Performances, Themes (44:17) Bushmills 30-Year review (01:11:03) Two facts and a Falsehood (01:19:10) Final Analysis (01:30:25) Let's Make it a Double and Final Scores Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twitter Email us! Join our Discord server! For more episodes and engaging content, visit Film & Whiskey's website at www.filmwhiskey.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/filmwhiskey/support
In this special episode of Film & Whiskey, hosts Bob and Brad are joined by guest David Thomas Tao for a fun and competitive Movie Candy Draft. Together, they build their ultimate teams of movie theater candy, selecting from categories like Chocolate, Chewy, Crunchy, Fruity, and Wild Card. On top of the candy fun, the hosts also review Bardstown Bourbon Company's new Origin Series: High Wheat Bourbon, a premium whiskey that's quickly gaining recognition in the bourbon world. More about the episode: In this week's episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad shift gears for a lighthearted Movie Candy Draft. Joined by David Thomas Tao, the trio drafts their favorite movie theater candies in a snake draft format, vying to create the ultimate movie snack lineup. Each participant selects a candy in five different categories—Chocolate, Chewy, Crunchy, Fruity, and Wild Card. Whether you prefer the fruity tang of Sour Patch Kids or the crunchy sweetness of Peanut M&Ms, this episode is sure to take you back to your favorite movie theater memories. But the fun doesn't stop there! Bob and Brad also turn their attention to the whiskey of the week—Bardstown Bourbon Company's Origin Series: High Wheat Bourbon. The hosts break down the tasting notes that make this bourbon a standout in the ever-growing world of whiskey. For more fun discussions, whiskey reviews, and of course, candy debates, make sure to check out this episode of the Film & Whiskey podcast. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twitter Email us! Join our Discord server! For more episodes and engaging content, visit Film & Whiskey's website at www.filmwhiskey.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/filmwhiskey/support
I kept bumping into David at events (like Philip Duff Show stalwart Tony Sach's regular get-togethers for writers and other waifs and strays) and he was always good fun to chat with, so me and him sat down in a shady spot inside Central Park* on a hot-as-balls day, on camp chairs, with a nearby wheelie cooler bag full of ice cold Negra Modelo beers and some 1960s IW Harper Whiskey (him) and some special releases from Widow Jane whiskey & FEW whiskey (me). He's hilarious, as you'll learn, and seems to have lived a dozen lives, from personally applying to boarding school at the ripe old age of 13, to being a commentator at the CrossFit games, to exiting successful businesses he created, becoming a writer, narrowly avoiding becoming an immigration lawyer, and a whole bunch more. We didn't get around to the half of it, so me and him are going to do this all over again as soon as both find a window. For now, enjoy!DTT on IG: https://www.instagram.com/davidthomastao/?hl=en Get in touch with Duff!Podcast business enquiries: consulting@liquidsolutions.org (PR friends: we're only interested in having your client on if they can talk about OTHER things than their prepared speaking points or their new thing, whatever that is, for a few hours. They need to be able to hang. Oh, plus we don't edit, and we won't supply prepared or sample questions, or listener or “reach” stats, either.) Retain Philip's consulting firm, Liquid Solutions, specialised in on-trade engagement & education, brand creation and repositioning: philip@liquidsolutions.orgPhilip on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philipsduff/ Philip on Facebook: Philip Duff Philip on X/Twitter: Philip Duff (@philipduff) / Twitter Philip on LinkedIn: linkedin.com Old Duff Genever on Instagram: Old Duff Genever (@oldduffgenever) • Instagram photos and videos Old Duff Genever on Facebook: facebook.com Old Duff Genever on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/oldduff...
In this episode, Gavin interviews David Thomas Tao, a whiskey reviewer, writer, and producer. David shares his first encounter with whiskey, growing up in Bardstown, Kentucky, and visiting distilleries as a child. He talks about his journey back into the world of whiskey as an adult and how he became involved in cocktail culture. David also discusses his transition into whiskey writing and the opportunities that have come his way. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and the connections made through whiskey.
In this episode of The EmbellishPod, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Thomas Tao, a media entrepreneur, television and movie producer, and spirits reviewer and writer. David shared his journey from growing up in rural Kentucky to attending Harvard and eventually settling in New York City. He discussed his passion for whiskey and how he became involved in the spirits industry, including his role as a reviewer and writer for Vine Pair. We also delved into the topic of Bardstown's fight to remain the bourbon capital of the world, with David emphasizing the importance of investing in accommodations to attract visitors. We touched on the storytelling aspect of distilleries, with David highlighting Makers Mark as a brand that excels in incorporating their brand story into their products. We also discussed the exciting developments in the craft whiskey scene and how they are pushing the boundaries of flavor. Overall, it was a fascinating conversation that shed light on David's experiences and insights in the whiskey industry. Connect with David Thomas Tao: Instagram: David Thomas Tao Twitter: D_Tao VinePair: David Tao Connect with The Embellish Pod: Website: www.embellishpod.com Instagram: embellishpod TikTok: embellishpod
“Let's build ESPN.com for strength, and convince everyone they can lift weights.” With this mission in mind, the first six months of building the BarBend platform were a blur for today's guest. By the end of the first year in 2016, they had had 1.4 million readers. By 2022, they had over 31 million registered users, allowing them to sell the business in 2023. In this conversation, we cover David Tao's take on the media landscape and how to build a profitable content-based business; raising a seed round of funding from friends and family after getting rejected from every venture pitch; the biggest mistake he made while experimenting with monetization strategies; and how he navigated a successful acquisition with a shared vision at the new parent company, Pillar4. More About David: David Thomas Tao is an entrepreneur and writer based in NYC. He's the co-founder and former CEO of BarBend.com, the world's premiere strength sports and strength training media platform. A proud Kentucky native, David is also a Forbes 30 Under 30 Listmaker, Kentucky Colonel, and a noted whiskey/spirits writer and judge, appearing yearly on national tasting panels. BarBend was recently acquired in a thrilling deal that included hiring all employees and the executive team has chosen to stay on as well.
You can now own a piece of the company democratizing venture capital investing in their active fundraising round at https://invest.startengine.com/These investment rounds are active for a limited amount of time. Don't miss this opportunity!In this episode:David Thomas Tao co-founded BarBend in 2016 with the goal of becoming the go-to destination for strength training content on the internet. Seven years later, the site had grown to over 31 million users and a GMV of nearly $19 million. He'll explain how to start a digital media company with this kind of growth potential in this episode. David fell in love with weight lifting after losing 100 pounds in high school. He had to dig deep through internet forums, social media, and print magazines to find resources and information on the sport, and decided to create an online home for other strength training and weight lifting lovers. Within the first year, BarBend was being cited by mainstream sports sites and getting more than 20,000 organic visitors every day. This led to a partnership with USA Weightlifting and a huge increase in revenue from affiliate marketing that spurred them on to more growth and, eventually, the company's sale to Pillar4 Media. If you've wondered how to start an affiliate marketing business that's actually profitable, or what it takes to launch a new digital media brand, you'll definitely want to listen to this interview!Resources:BarBend - Learn more about BarBend and see the content they post on their blogDavid Tao - Connect with David on InstagramBreaking Muscle - Site acquired by BarBend and relaunched in 2022Pillar4 Media - Health and fitness brand that recently purchased BarBendUpFlip Blog - Find more advice on how to start and grow a business in any nicheRadical Candor - Book by Kim Scott on how to be a great boss while still being a good personThis Reg A+ offering is made available through StarEngine Crowdfunding Inc. No broker-dealer or intermediary involved in offering. This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment. For more information, please see the most recent Supplements, Offering Circular, and Risks Related to this Offering.The information provided in this marketing material is for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. Past performance, including the success of certain individuals, is not indicative of future results. Investing in any market, including startups, involves risks, and there is no guarantee that similar opportunities will yield comparable returns.Includes funds raised via Reg CF and Reg A+ combines through StartEngine's funding portal and broker-dealer, as well as StartEngine's OWN raise.Connect with UpFlip: On Facebook On Instagram @UpFlipOfficial on Twitter For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts. Thanks for listening!
Today I'm talking to CrossFit Games athlete Alex Gazan. She's the fifth Fittest Woman on Earth, and still in her early 20s, she made her rookie debut at the CrossFit Games. She improved massively in 2023, and we talk about what it took to get to that next level. I do want to point out that we recorded this episodes while she was still in final prep, so before this year's CrossFit Games, so it's a good look at her mindset and training approach leading up to the season's biggest competition. We also talk about her lacrosse career and how Alex went viral for a 270 pound bench press.
Dr. A'Naja Newsome, PhD is an educator, weightlifter, and weightlifting coach, and she has studied athlete psychology both inside and outside the gym. In this episode, we talk about weightlifting in particular: What are the factors that influence performance from within the athlete, and which external factors impact what and how they lift? Which questions are most coaches NOT asking that they should be? And when do normal strategies for contest preparation and peaking simply fall short? We do a deep dive that's useful for all strength athletes hoping to reach that next level of performance and strength.
Today I'm talking to Bobby Maximus, and it's a fitness dream of mine. If you've never heard of Bobby, you should know he was one of the original fitness influencers online. He's a former professional fighter and appeared on The Ultimate Fighter twice with more than a decade in between those stints, and we talk about those appearances in this episode. He's a consultant to militaries and pro athletes. You name it, this guy has done it. We talk about his insane career, why he works out three times a day, and we also bust some pros and cons of that approach and fitness in general.
This is probably our FAVORITE episode from the archives!Today I'm talking to legendary rapper, songwriter, and actor Ice-T. Since his origins in the underground rap scene of the 1980s to his long-term stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T has been a cultural force in America for as long as many of us have been alive. But one thing a lot of people might not know is his passion for fitness. In his youth, Ice-T was a competitive gymnast and fan of physical culture, and now in his 60s, he's exercising often twice per day.
Today I'm talking to Zachary Bartell, who's not only a competitive powerlifter and coach, but also a gym owner. We don't often talk business on this podcast, but today, we're diving into the ins, outs, ups, and downs of gym ownership. Zachary founded and grew SoCal Powerlifting, but where were the speed bumps along the way? How does one maintain and foster community as a gym grows? And why do most gyms fail? It's valuable insight into a side of the fitness world most of us never really glimpse.
Today I'm talking with Mona Pretorius de Lacey, who has one of the most impressive athletic resumes I've ever come across. She's perhaps best known as a Commonwealth Games medalist in weightlifting. But she's also a CrossFit Games athlete and six-time Karate World Champion. Mona has perspective on international athletics above and beyond what most of us can fathom. We talk about her experiences on the world stage, along with lessons learned and applied across sports at the highest levels.
Today I'm talking to my friend Dan Churchill. Dan is a performance chef and athlete who's been on the podcast before — and life has changed a lot in a couple years. Dan gets vulnerable and talks about the tough decision to shutter his physical restaurant, then we dive into where his nutrition company is going now. (Spoiler: They're growing like wildfire by doubling down on what really works for them.) Then we move into his training regimen for an upcoming ultra-marathon — what does training to run 100 miles look like while working to maintain strength and capacity in other areas?
Today I'm talking to Chris Chapman, Senior Sport Scientist at Whoop. He is also the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Big Air & Slopestyle Ski Team for Freestyle Canada. Chris is certified as a Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Exercise Physiologist, Sport Scientist, Olympic Weightlifting Coach, Track & Field Coach, and holds a Master's Degree in Biomechanics. And if those qualifications aren't enough, Chris has coached athletes for 7 Olympic games. Our conversation focuses on the future of strength tracking and performance research, and I truly hope you enjoy!In case it wasn't clear, today's episode is brought to you by our friends at WHOOP. The WHOOP 4.0 has more capabilities than ever for the strength athlete — find out more at WHOOP.com today.
Today I'm talking to Ebenezer Samuel, Fitness Director at Men's Health. It's Eb's second time on the podcast, and today we're breaking down his recent training session with Arnold Schwarzenegger. It's always fun talking with Eb, and while our companies are technically competitors, we've built a friendship over a shared love for fitness and the culture surrounding it. There's a deep dive in this episode on the difference between training and working out. How are you approaching your time in the gym?
John Franklin (https://twitter.com/JohnIsBuilding), Mateo Lopez, and Mark Fisher (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpI_I0QUkOsTOVi-HYS-y1g) sat down with David Thomas Tao (https://twitter.com/d_tao?lang=en) to talk about how he built and sold BarBend.com (https://barbend.com/) – the next great fitness content brand in the industry. Show notes: (00:58) Introducing David & being on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list (05:26) What it's like being a Spirits writer
In this episode of the 50% Facts podcast, we sit down with David Thomas Tao, co-founder, former CEO, and now head of brand for Barbend.com. Barbend is a leading website for strength training and fitness that was recently acquired by Pillar4 Media.In this interview, Tao discusses his journey to becoming the CEO of Barbend, his thoughts on the future of fitness media, and how Barbend has expanded coverage since its founding to serve the growing market. Tao talks about the challenges of starting a business and the importance of perseverance. He gives insight on what it's like to try to raise capital, and how to weather the process of being acquired. David also writes about spirits, so we kick things off with a discussion about winning over first-time whiskey drinkers. You can find David on Instagram at @davidthomastao and Twitter @d_tao and obviously at barbend.com. ____ Have a question for one of our Friday “One Good Question” episodes? Hit us up on social media and use the hashtag #onegoodquestion.Join our Discord for free at goodcompanydiscord.com! Check out our gym (Third Street Barbell) at ThirdStreetBarbell.com https://www.thirdstreetbarbell.com/ and subscribe for updates about our apparel line at goodcompanyapparel.com https://3sb.co/! Local memberships and international fresh fits! Get early access to our NEXT DROP! Check out our podcast website: 50percentfacts.com https://www.50percentfacts.com/ 50% Facts is a Spreaker Prime podcast on OCN – the Obscure Celebrity Network. ____ Hosted by Mike Farr (@silentmikke) https://www.instagram.com/silentmikke/ and Jim McDonald (@thejimmcd). https://www.instagram.com/thejimmcd/ Produced by Jim McDonald. Production assistance by Sam McDonald and Sebastian Brambilla. Theme by Aaron Moore. Branding by Joseph Manzo (@jmanzo523)This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5538735/advertisement
Today I'm talking to my (new) friend Luka Hocevar. He's got one of the more fascinating stories I've ever heard in the fitness industry. He grew up and played pro basketball in his native Slovenia, then he eventually transitioned to a career in fitness. After permanently relocating to the United States, he gradually — and all good things take time — became one of the fitness world's most in-demand coaches for pro athletes and general population folks alike. Now, he runs a fitness empire from the Seattle area and mentors dozens (if not hundreds) of coaches making their way in this industry. He has some of the hottest takes in fitness, and I'm curious what our listener feedback is like after this episode with one of the industry's true straight shooters.
Today I'm talking to pro strongman Evan Singleton, who is coming off a 5th place finish at the 2023 World's Strongest Man, along with his first-ever WSM Finals appearance. Evan made a quick recovery from injury and surgery last year to make it back among strongman's elite. He's a straight-shooter, and we actually share a lot of interests outside strength sports. So be ready for more than a few pop culture, movie, and dinosaur references along with a lot at what it takes to be one of the strongest humans in the world. They don't call him T-Rex for nothing!
David Thomas Tao, co-founder of BarBend and now Head of Brand after it's recent acquisition joins the podcast to share the history of how and why BarBend started and where it's headed as a strength sport news outlet and strength training resource. David digs into the lessons from his approach to building BarBend, why timing and network effects matter, and why a commitment to getting it right early on was essential to building credibility. David also shares how they intend to support coaches going forward plus some lessons on how to approach getting published. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefitnessdevil/support
Today I'm talking to one of my oldest and dearest friends in the fitness industry, Adam Bornstein. He's a New York Times Bestselling Author, personal advisor to Arnold Schwarzenegger, journalist, and all around Swiss Army Knife of all things content. His latest book is call You Can't Screw This Up, and it's a new paradigm for dieting and the journey to wellness. I learn something every time I talk to Adam, and this podcast recording was no exception. I hope you enjoy!
Today, we're talking to the NEW World's Strongest Man, Mitchell Hooper. Mitchell is actually joining the podcast for a second time! He's the first Canadian athlete to ever hold the title of World's Strongest Man, and he did it in a Finals packed with former champions. Did we mention it's only his SECOND year as a pro strongman?Mitchell updates us on 24 hours in the life of a new World's Strongest Man, along with how his goals and outlook on the sport have shifted since we last chatted. He also talks about getting back to his day job — yes, he has a full time job outside of strongman! — and the media circus that started right after he hoisted the famous trophy.
Today I'm talking to Canadian strongman Maxime Boudreault, who finished third place at the 2021 World's Strongest Man and fifth at the 2022 World's Strongest Man. Maxime is sitting out this year's World's Strongest Man due to injury — by the way, the competition kicks off this week! That recovery time has given him new perspective on the sport, and he's looking to come back stronger than ever. We talk about breaking through strongman's professional ranks, competing against historically amazing athletes, and the toll of staying on top in one of strength's most demanding disciplines.We also discuss how Maxime has used the AIRWAAV mouthpiece — which generously sponsored this podcast — to improve his performance and recovery in both training and long competition days. AIRWAAV is now The Official Mouthpiece of World's Strongest Man, and BarBend Podcast listeners can use the code BARBEND to receive 15% off. Now let's get on with the show.
Today I'm talking to IFBB Bikini competitor Clare Morrow. What does it mean to be a bodybuilding pro? And what happens when you find that sport a little later in life like Clare? Clare and I talk a lot about her journey in that sport as well as practice with clients hoping to life healthier lifestyles. And we also discuss why Clare DOESN'T coach bodybuilding competitors to get stage ready.I will say a lot of topics in this conversation border on medical. The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. When starting a new training regimen and/or diet, it is always a good idea to consult with a trusted medical professional. We are not a medical resource.Everybody is different, so seek out that professional guidance if you're thinking of making big changes. With that said, let's get on with the show.
Here's one from the archives with a man who needs little introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way through today. These days, he runs HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), a training and coaching empire.
Today I'm talking to Grammy-nominated composer, producer, and songwriter Kitt Wakeley. Kitt has a decades-long career in music, and he's also a lifelong fitness fanatic. He joins us to talk about finding a path to wellness in the demanding and temptation-filled music industry, including tips for how he stays on track while on the road. Kitt also talks about his bucket-list collaborators, rock & roll stereotypes, and much, much more.
Today I'm talking to trainer, writer, and speaker Andrew Coates. I met Andrew in person about a month ago at Strong New York, but he's been on my radar for years. Andrew has built a following online and also contributes to some of the biggest publications in fitness, including — you guessed it — BarBend. In this episode, Andrew gives his playbook for building an online fitness following and talks about how to separate influencer hype from real, valuable fitness knowledge. I hope you enjoy.Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today's episode sponsor, Thridzy. Thridzy's PM Recovery Collagen is formulated to help you sleep deeper and recover faster. It's got collagen peptides to support muscle, bone, and ligament health, plus sleep-promoters like magnesium, L-theanine, and tryptophan to help you fall asleep and stay asleep for better recovery. I'm personally a huge fan of magnesium before bed to help with relaxation. Wake up feeling energized and ready for the day and training ahead. Use code BarBendZzz — that's BarBend with three Zs after it — for 25% off today.
Today I'm talking to my friend Angela Gargano, who is a bit of an “OG” in the fitness space. She's competed on American Ninja Warrior multiple times, earned the title of Miss Fitness USA, and she's also a serial fitness entrepreneur. She joins me from Austin, Texas, which just might be the best city in America for fitness pros and enthusiasts alike. Let's find out why.
Today I'm talking to kettlebell sport world champion and Master of Sport Juan Pellot. Spoiler alert: Juan is actually my coach, and I interact with him pretty darn regularly. But we're flipping the script this time, and I'm asking Juan to dive deep on the differences between kettlebells as a training tool versus contested sport, and why the latter — a sport popular in Eastern Europe — has taken so long to catch on in the Western world. And does a kettlebell sport set really feel like doing the CrossFit workout Fran for 10 minutes straight?
Today I'm talking to Canadian strongman phenom Mitchell Hooper. After just a few short years of elite strongman competition, Hooper burst into the conversation by qualifying for the World's Strongest Man final in his first year at that competition — a meteoric rise in the sport. Now, he has his sights set on more, including world record deadlifts. Mitchell joints the podcast to talk about his broader professional and wellness goes, and he also explains how we made the progression from marathon runner to world's strongest man contender in under 5 years.Before we get into that, I want to give a quick shoutout to today's episode sponsor, Athletic Greens. I first tried Athletic Greens back in 2012. It was already a massively popular daily supplement, and since then, they've undergone dozens of formulation tweaks, each an improvement on the last. It's the rare all-in-one greens supplement that's NSF-certified — a must for competitive athletes — and also tastes delicious (I'm probably a bit biased because I love the subtle notes of pineapple and vanilla). Interested in trying it? Visit athleticgreens.com/barbend to get a free gift with your purchase.
Today I'm talking to Lucy Campbell, a CrossFit athlete who just became the second British Woman in history to qualify as an Elite Individual for the CrossFit Games. A former gymnast and swimmer, Lucy rose to the highest level of CrossFit competition after barely five years in the sport. What about that athletic background helped her progress so quickly? And as a former gymnast, why were things like handstand push-ups still so challenging? I hope you enjoy my conversation with a rising star in the sport of fitness.Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn't so baggy for you? Then you've got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon.
Today I'm talking to BarBend News Editor Phil Blechman. Phil is covering the 2022 World's Strongest Man contest live on the ground in Sacramento, California. We're recording this podcast on the Friday before the World's Strongest Man final, so while we know the 10 finalists, we don't know how the podium will shake out. Phil gives insights into the top stories and surprises from this year, including a firsthand look at how weather and event conditions impact the competitors. Do you struggle finding a t-shirt that fits as well as that ONE t you loved until it wore out? Do you wish a standard medium was JUST a little bit longer, or maybe a large wasn't so baggy for you? Then you've got to check out Colter Dillon. They personalize the fit for YOU, and they have tons of color options — you can even personalize artwork on the shirt! They deliver your perfect t-shirt every time. Check out Colter Dillon.
Today I'm talking to accountant, stats guru, and CrossFitter Tyler Watkins. He's on a mission to help identify where competitive CrossFit — which is still a very, very young sport — can level the playing field to be a more holistic, consistent, and fair test of fitness. Beyond Tia-Clair Toomey winning every year, how can organizers and programmers really set out to find the fittest athletes? Tyler takes a numbers-based approach, and his learnings are relevant to any fan of strength sports — CrossFit, weightlifting, powerlifting, you name it!
Here's a great one from the archives: Weightlifter, coach, and YouTuber Zack Telander joins us to talk about transitioning back and forth between CrossFit and weightlifting. Zack also talks about setting realistic goals for weightlifting athletes, along with changing the paradigm of which sports are “worth it” in American culture. Zack also gives his thoughts on dealing with weightlifting data and the most underrated coach in American weightlifting.
Today I'm talking to CrossFit athlete Khan Porter, an Australian native who's competed in the CrossFit Games as both an individual and on a team. One of the sport's most durable stars, Khan had a choice for the 2022 season: Find a new training environment to make yet another run at Individual competition, or form a team in Australia. But on Christmas 2021, a third path opened up: legendary athlete Annie Thorisdottir invited Khan to live and train with her team in Iceland. Now part of CrossFit's newest super team, Khan joins us to talk about optimizing your training environment and how to continue improving after nearly a decade in the sport of functional fitness.
Today I'm talking to a friend I've had the pleasure of working with for years. JP Nicoletta is USA Weightlifting's Coaching Education Manager, and he's perhaps even better known internationally as being one of the sport's most accomplished color commentators. JP has pushed the boundaries of what weightlifting broadcasts can do to inform and make the sport more accessible for viewers. He's also called some of history's most impactful lifts and world records. We chat about what good commentary can do for strength sports and what's next in the world of weightlifting broadcasts.
Today I'm talking to Andrew Gutman, BarBend's Editor-in-Chief, a veteran of numerous fitness publications. We're giving you tips and tricks on how to network your way into this industry, whether you want to contribute as a writer, editor, videographer, designer, you name it. We cover some of our best insights into how to get involved with outlets like BarBend (and maybe even some of our esteemed competitors in the fitness journalism space).
Today we're talking to Griffin and Jarika Shaffer, the husband/wife duo behind fitness meme (mostly CrossFit meme) producer Chalk Llamas. We chat about not taking fitness or lifting too seriously, sourcing ideas for memes in the dustiest corners of the most mysterious gyms, and how Griffin turned a love of digital humor into a full-time gig making memes for CrossFit Inc. It's the strength meme story just crazy enough to be true.
One from our archives: Kevin Oak has held multiple all-time powerlifting world records throughout his career. Currently, he holds the 242 lb raw all-time world record for the squat with his recent 860 lb lift. Outside of powerlifting, Kevin also owns his own apparel business, Barbell Commission. In today's episode we chat with Kevin about a variety of topics including his pre world record mindset, what his next epics feats of strength will be, and much more.
Our guest today needs almost no introduction. Mat Fraser is a 5-time CrossFit Games Champion. He has a lengthy background in strength sports as a youth weightlifter, all the way through to the fittest man in history. I've known Mat for years, before he was a CrossFit Games Champion, and it's awesome to finally get him on this podcast. We talk about everything from nutrition to his eating habits as a weightlifter and goals in the sport, transitioning to CrossFit, training without knowing what was really going on in functional fitness, all the way through today. These days, he runs HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), a training and coaching empire.
Today we're joined (for the second time) by pro strongman Gabe Peña. Gabe has come a long way since we last chatted. In his World's Strongest Man debut as an alternate, Gabe had to withdraw due to an irregular heartbeat. Now, after an unexpected but very manageable medical diagnosis, Gabe is heading back to WSM, but as a full-fledged competitor. He's also an accomplished event organizer and recently put on South Texas' first-ever Pro-Am Strongman Contest.
Today we're talking to Doctor of Physical Therapy and trainer Dr. Bo Babenko. Bo has worn many hats in fitness over the past decade: physical therapist, triathlete, CrossFit Regionals competitor, and more. Our conversation focuses heavily on what's changed about physical therapy and recovery during Bo's career so far, along with the most common myths and misconceptions when it comes to injury recovery. We'll get right to it, because this is one episode that can be useful to just about anyone who strength trains.
Today I'm talking to chef, entrepreneur, and athlete Dan Churchill. Dan has been featured on MasterChef Australia, Good Morning America, the Food Network, and more. He's also the mastermind behind the restaurant Charley Street in NYC. He also has a masters in exercise science. Dan exists at an interesting nexus between fitness and nutrition, and today, he joins us to talk about fueling for performance based on your lifestyle and goals.
Today I'm talking to legendary rapper, songwriter, and actor Ice-T. Since his origins in the underground rap scene of the 1980s to his long-term stint on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Ice-T has been a cultural force in America for as long as many of us have been alive. But one thing a lot of people might not know is his passion for fitness. In his youth, Ice-T was a competitive gymnast and fan of physical culture, and now in his 60s, he's exercising often twice per day.
Today I'm talking to Adam Sedlack, CEO of UFC Gym. Adam has had an amazing rise through the ranks of gyms. He started as an entry-level employee at a brick and mortar gym, then became a trainer, and from there he spent years working his way to management as he learned every in and out of the gym business. Now, he's CEO of a gym conglomerate with over 150 locations worldwide — and they're still growing! Adam joins us to talk about how the fitness industry has changed, separating fad from lasting trend, and how people will train in the near future.
Today I'm talking to a repeat guest on the BarBend Podcast, Fergus Crawley. Fergus is a multi-discipline endurance and strength athlete known for combining the two into unique physical challenges. His latest was “600Sixty” — a 600-kilogram raw powerlifting total followed by a sub-six-hour 60-kilometer ultramarathon.We catch up with Fergus to talk about what it takes to train for both elite strength and endurance, including how his protocols have shifted in the past two years to balance the various demands of these unique challenges.
The episode of PVA PODCAST highlights Barbend Co-founder and CEO, David Thomas Tao, David is a veteran of the health and fitness industry, with nearly a decade of experience building and running editorial teams in the space. He also serves as a color commentator for both national and international weight lifting competition, many through USA Weightlifting. I hope you enjoy. Instagram @'s: @davidthomastao @BarBend @usa_weigtlifting @crossfit @pva_podcast Websites: www.barbend.com
My guest this week is David Thomas Tao (@davidthomastao), the co-founder and CEO of BarBend.com (@BarBend) the world's largest strength sports website. We discuss his work as a professional voice actor, and the genius of Mark Hamill's voice work as the Joker, as well as the history of BarBend and their recent venture into coverage of kettlebell sport with their profile on Kim Fox, how we can grow kettlebell sport in the US in a similar fashion to the growth USA Weightlifting, and his opinion on the greatest strength sport performance of all time. If you enjoy the content please leave a 5 star rating & review, share on social media, and support my work by supporting my affiliates: Kettlebell Kings, use code TCKB to get 10% off Bearfoot Athletics, use code TWINCITIESKETTL to get 10% off Gaspari Nutrition, use code JWright20 at check out for 20% off your order --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/platformpodcast/support
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