The Strenuous Life Podcast with Stephan Kesting
Episodes
244 - The 10 Most Nutritious Foods, with Nick Hiebert from The Nutrivore
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This was a fascinating conversation with Nick Hiebert who has done a ton of research into the nutrient density of different foods. In this talk we l...
243 - If I Don't Know, I Won't Allow! A Strategy for When Things Get SERIOUS on the Mat
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I think you'll like this one, because I share a fighting strategy that comes from Roberto Leitão, the godfather of Luta Livre who has trained fighter...
242 - A Roadmap for BJJ, the Complete Audiobook (Free)
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) can seem incredibly complicated when you're first exposed to it. In this episode I explain the positional hierarchy, the und...
241 - Boxing vs BJJ in a Fight (plus Stephan's Epic Rant on Self Defense)
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast I answer a question I received on an Instagram Live Q&A about a boxing beating jiu-jitsu in a real streetfight. Then I go on an epic...
240 - Pain is a Universal Language, with Endurance Athlete Mike McCastle
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mike McCastle has accomplished some of the most amazing tasks of endurance I've ever heard of. In this episode we go deep into developing mental stren...
239 - On Being Willing to Die in the Ring with Tristan Connelly, UFC Fighter
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tristan Connelly, fresh off his absolutely amazing underdog win over Michel Pereira in the UFC, talks with Stephan Kesting on The Strenuous Life Podca...
238 - Best Tips for Starting to Spar Full Contact
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sparring is just as essential in the striking arts as it is in the grappling arts, but the addition of percussive trauma raises the stakes and makes s...
237 - Survive First and Win Later - Timeless Jiu-Jitsu Wisdom
18 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Survive first, win later" was one of the very first pieces of advice I ever received in jiu-jitsu. It helped me then and it still helps me now, both ...
236 - The Mad Scientist of Strength, Chris Duffin
17 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I talk with Chris Duffin, one of the most elite powerlifters in the world, about his absolutely inspiring journey from a childhood spent in poverty to...
235 - Training Doesn't Make You Stronger; It's All In the Recovery Stupid!
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You can train super hard and kick the crap out of your body but that doesn't make you stronger - it's only after you RECOVER from training that the be...
235 - Training Doesn't Make You Stronger; It's the Recovery Stupid!
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You can train super hard and kick the crap out of your body but that doesn't make you stronger - it's only after you RECOVER from training that the be...
234 - How to Get More Submissions with Rob Biernacki
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
How to get more chokes, armlocks and leglocks in BJJ with Rob Biernacki. We break down a 6 step submission formula that will allow you to hit more s...
233 - Breathing Your Way Through Cancer and Other Emergencies with Jessica Huneycutt
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica is the yoga coach to the New Orleans Saints. She helps NFL players put themselves back together after the relentless abuse of games and trai...
232 - One Thing to Do Right Now So You'll Still Be Training in 10 Years
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
BJJ is a fantastically fun sport that's also undeniably hard on the body. Here's my single biggest tip for people in their 30's and 40's who want to k...
231 - No Days Off! (Or Should You Train Everyday?)
06 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're serious about jiu-jitsu then should you train everyday? In answering this question I also give some real life examples of how to achieve a...
230 - BJJ after 50 with the Black Belt Wrassling Rabbi Mordecai Finley
12 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
You'll like this episode! In it I talk with 62 yr old BJJ black belt Rabbi Mordecai Finley (the Wrassling Rabbi) about starting BJJ at a later age...
229 - The Filipino Martial Arts, Self Defense and Jarlo Ilano
09 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Stephan talks with Filipino Martial Arts instructor Jarlo Ilano about sparring with sticks and knives, self defense and how the training methods you'...
228 - Patience vs Speed of Implementation for Achieving Giant Dreams
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This trip has been a looooong time in the making. Back in 1992 I had the crazy idea of doing a super long trip that would take me across Nueltin Lake ...
227 - A Scary Bear Encounter
02 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today was a very interesting day. I had just arrived at Nuelton lake. It is a huge lake that expands over 100km. I had heard there were some abandoned...
226 - 7 Tips For Maintaining Motivation
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever find yourself struggling to start a task that you have been excited to do for so long? That is completely normal! We all have moments wher...
225 - The Key to Pushing Yourself Harder
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I am on day 12 of my 1000 miles solo journey and my body is starting to feel it. My mind is feeling foggier and my urges to rest are stronger. It is a...
224 - Never Stop Thinking, Even When You're Only Slogging Through a Lake
11 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you ever find yourself slogging through a lake like I did, here are some helpful tips and tricks on safety and navigation.
223 - Why Go Alone?
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When I told people I would be going on a solo expedition for a few weeks, most thought it was a strange thing to be traveling in complete solitude for...
222 - The Realities of Wilderness Travel
07 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you are watching someone document their expedition, you are likely only seeing their highlight reel. They would document their trekking over beauti...
221 - Brazil, BJJ and MMA with Jeff Meszaros
06 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this blast from the past, I have a fun conversation about BJJ, Judo and MMA with Jeff MEszaros, one of the guy si started training with 25 years ag...
220 - What People Misunderstand About Following Your Dreams
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It is day one of my canoe trip, and so far so good. Although some things were different than what I thought, my preparedness for this trip has left me...
219 - The Most Dangerous Part of MMA
28 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On the one hand, I am a huge fan. I have been watching the UFC since its inauguration in 1993, and have enjoyed fights in Pride FC, Shooto, WEC and ma...
218 - One Easy Way to GUARANTEE Failure!
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you fail to plan, plan to fail. I am just about ready to leave for my 1000 mile journey to Hudson Bay. This is just a small glimpse at some of the ...
217 - Why I'm Planning to do a 1,000 Mile Trip in the Arctic by Myself this Summer
19 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This summer I am attempting to travel 1,000 miles in a canoe by myself in Canada's northern boreal forest and the barren lands of the eastern arctic. ...
216 - How to Find a Good School to Train At
13 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most common questions I get is how to find a good school. This is a REALLY important issue, given that in your martial arts journey you'l...
215 - Making Jiu Jitsu Smooth with Brandon "Wolverine" Mullins
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This blast from the past podcast brings back a good friend of mine, Brandon Mullins. In our time together, we discussed Life and Death on the seminar ...
216 - Aikido vs BJJ with Roy Dean
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Roy Dean is a martial arts pro. In this podcast, he explains the fundamental differences between the different martial arts, including Aikido and how ...
214 - Why You MUST Regularly Calibrate Your Skills Against People Better Than You!
05 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This is a short rant about the dichotomy of individuality in the martial arts. On the one hand you absolutely have to take responsibility for findin...
213 - How I Survived a Kidney Transplant and Came Back Stronger
03 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Not many people know that in 2015 I was dying of kidney failure and had to have a lifesaving kidney transplant surgery to save my life. Here is the ...
212 - Scotty Nelson, the Original Gangster of Online BJJ Resources
31 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Scotty Nelson is one of the original gangsters of North American BJJ. From training at the Ralph Gracie Academy back in the day, to training jiu-jit...
211 - Discipline and Leveraging the 'Have To' State with Brett Piperni
18 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
TEDx speaker Brett Piperni joins us on The Strenuous Life Podcast to talk about discipline, decision making, and deliberately putting yourself into si...
210 - It's the Ego, Stupid! How My Last BJJ Injury Was Totally Preventable
13 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I'm just getting over an injury that was completely, utterly, absolutely my own fault. The fastest way to stall your BJJ progress is to get injured....
209 - Fighting Through Injury to Win Pan Am Gold with Vanessa Wexler
05 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Wexler is a BJJ black belt and a multiple no-gi world champion, PanAm champion, and Masters champion. I caught up with her shortly after she...
208 - Should Martial Artists Condition Their Knuckles?
04 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Knuckle conditioning is a two-edged sword in martial arts. On the one hand hard knuckles and a conditioned fist make for a much more powerful punch ...
207 - Monty Collier, Technical Judo Instructor for John Wick 3
23 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Monty Collier is a black belt Judoka who worked with Keanu Reeves to get him ready for the amazing fight sequences in the movie John Wick 3 Parabellum...
206 - One-Armed BJJ, with Para-Athlete and Competitor Jess Munster
10 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jess Munster was born with a severe brachial plexus injury which left her with only one functional arm. But this disability hasn't stopped her from tr...
205 - Coaching Lethwei, The Baddest Martial Art on the Planet, with Patrick Marcil
08 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lethwei is an incredibly intense full contact combat sport from Burma that allows punches, kicks, elbows, knees and headbutts. And did I mention that ...
204 - Mental Jiu-jitsu Breakthroughs with Tarsis Humphreys
29 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Tarsis Humphreys is a multiple time BJJ black belt world champion and Brazilian National Champion. In this episode we go DEEP into the mental game, ...
203 - How to Become More Comfortable in No Gi Grappling
23 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Switching to no gi grappling can be difficult. Here are 5 steps that will make it easier... 1) Accept that No Gi is an inherently faster style of grap...
202 - What to Do When You're Just Not Getting Better at BJJ
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Here's one simple thing you should do every time that your training has stalled out and you're just not getting any better. Hell, you should probably ...
201 - Kathy Hubble, Judo Champion and Professional Stuntwoman
16 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today I talk with Kathy Hubble who is a professional Stuntwoman and multiple time Canadian National Judo Champion. She shares how she got started in...
200 - Three Ways to Turn On Aggression in BJJ Matches
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's important to be able to dial your aggression level up or down in a BJJ match. There are essentially 3 ways to do this... #1, by using so-called '...
199 - Jamie Flynn, British Special Forces Operator, Base Jumper, Wingsuit Pilot and Bodyguard
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
I think you guys are really going to LOVE this talk I had withJamie Flynn, a British Special Forces operator turned world base jumping champion. Jam...
198 - What It Really Takes to Be an "Overnight Success" (a Rant)
02 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
"Overnight success feels great after 10 years of playing behind chicken wire in honky Tonks" - Willie Nelson. I recorded this rant halfway up a snowy...
197 - Reaching The State of 'Flow' in Martial Arts
20 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Reaching a state of flow where you respond automatically and correctly to your opponent is the goal of martial arts training. But how do you get there...
196 - Fitness, BJJ and Depression with Liz Beaver
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today I chat with Liz Beaver. She's a fitness writer, BJJ practitioner, adventurer, mental health advocate and self-described 'cantankerous bitch'. ...
195 - Guard Passing Strategies and Tactics with Fabio Gurgel
10 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is PURE GOLD for BJJ practitioners and No Gi grapplers. Fabio Gurgel - 4 time BJJ Black Belt World Champion (and trainer of more than ...
194 -Fighting in the Octagon and the Battle Within with Eliot Marshall
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Eliot Marshall is BJJ black belt and a former professional mixed MMA fighter who also appeared in Season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter show. In today'...
193 - Sport-Specific Conditioning with Red Sullivan
31 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Red Sullivan is a strength and conditioning expert who has worked with athletes in many different sports to help them realise their athletic potential...
192 - Three Key Steps to Successfully Sweeping and Submitting from Guard
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Are you flailing around in your guard, trying to react to your opponent, without a clear plan of what to do? If so then this episode is for you! I...
191 - When Strongman Training and BJJ Collide, with The Raspberry Ape, Daniel Strauss
28 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Strauss (aka The Raspberry Ape) is a BJJ black belt under 10x World Champion Roger Gracie. But he's also a very serious advocate of strongman...
190 - Neck Health with UFC Fighter, Mathematician and Osteopath Rosi Sexton
22 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Rosi Sexton is a true renaissance woman. She fought in BodogFight, EliteXC, Cage Warriors and was the first British Woman to fight in the UFC. But ...
189 - Grappling Dummies and Other Tips to Train When You Can't Make It to Class
18 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Does training with grappling dummies actually work to improve your skills? And what else can you do to get better when training time is limited and ...
188 - The Philosophy of Sport with Daniel 'Philosograppler' Bohigian
15 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Bohigian is a Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Dave Camarillo, competes actively, and also teaches 'Philosophy of Sport' at San Jose State...
187 - "In Volume We Trust" - Lessons from Ironman for BJJ, with Paul Kindzia
11 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Kindzia was immersed in the world of marathon and triathalon for many years before immersing himself in BJJ, even going so far as to write a book...
186 - Attacked in the Street: Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Adam Nadow on his Viral Streetfight Video
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jiu-jitsu black belt Adam Nadow was recently attacked in the street and used his training to defend himself and control his attacker until the police ...
185 - Training Predictions for the New Year; In 2019 You'll Be BOTH the Hammer AND the Nail!
02 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this coming year it's 100% certain that some days you'll be the hammer and other days you'll be the nail. This is normal and to be expected. In t...
184 - Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation
22 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How to figure out what makes you train and how to use that to improve your skills. Being self aware about whether you're intrinsically or extrinsicall...
183 - Canoeing Wild Rivers with Cliff Jacobson
14 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Cliff Jacobson wrote 'Canoeing Wild Rivers' which was a HUGE influence on me as an outdoorsman (the other two cornerstone books were 'Path of the Padd...
182 - Training and Rehab for Stretching the Envelope with Dr Mark Cheng
12 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Mark Cheng has rehabbed TONS of combat athletes, has trained with some of the best instructors in the world, and has a wealth of experience in the ...
181 - Why is Sparring so Hard, and How Can You Do It Safely?
08 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Ritchie Yip and I go deep into the sparring process. We explore why it's so hard to transition from from hitting pads to full on spa...
180 - When Should MMA Fighters Retire?
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Tito Ortiz vs Chuck Liddell got us all talking about it again: when should an MMA fighter retire? In the last 10 years we've learned that brain damage...
179 - Dietary Experiments Gone Bad, and Near Death on the Ketogenic Diet
25 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The ketogenic diet is really hot right now for weight loss, health, disease prevention and longevity. But when your doctor calls you in a panic then y...
178 - The 5 Ranges Every Martial Artist Should Be Familiar With
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
There are 5 ranges of combat, but many martial artists only train in one or two of those ranges. Ideally though you should be at least familiar with...
177 - Mental and Physical Training for Championship Wrestling, with Nick Ugoalah
15 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How to train mentally and physically to become a world calibre champion wrestler, with Commonwealth Games gold medalist and 5 times national team memb...
176 - Guard Passing Strategies in BJJ with Stephan Kesting and Rob Biernacki
12 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Biernacki and I sit down to discuss BJJ guard passing from a strategic point of view. When should you pass standing and when should you pass on ...
175 - That Technique Used to Work Great, So Why Did You Stop Using It?
06 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A quick rant about the absolute easiest way to add effective and proven techniques to your game, namely going through the memory banks and trying to f...
174 - Why Jiu-Jitsu is Best for Self Defense: Stephan on The Great Flip Podcast
04 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I was thrilled to appear on The Great Flip Podcast to talk about jiu-jitsu, specifically why it's probably the best self defense martial art for women...
173 - Self Experimentation, Ketosis and Crazy Chicks
28 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I talk about the importance of self experimentation and how your results may be different from most other people's. I share some die...
172 - Martial Arts Frauds and Other Buffoons with McDojoLife
19 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Rob from McDojoLife has been relentless in his attempts to expose martial arts frauds, exposing everyone from from chi-based knockout masters to ninja...
171 - The Best Way to Train Those Super-Deadly Techniques for Self Defense
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you're interested in self defense then how do you train techniques that are too deadly to spar realistically, like eye gouges and groin punches, an...
170 - Why People Want to Believe Crazy Things, with the Genetically Modified Skeptic.
06 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
My guest is the science advocate generally known as The Genetically Modified Skeptic. In this hard-hitting (and likely controversial) discussion he ...
169 - Kata Is Useless for Combat, Prove Me Wrong, with Iain Abernathy
30 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Abernathy is an author, a 7th degree black belt, and an expert in the application of traditional karate techniques. He joined me on the podcas...
168 - Leadership When All Hell is Breaking Loose
28 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Leadership is easy when things are going well,but is considerably more difficult when all hell is breaking loose and the s**t is hitting the fan. I...
167 - Navy Seal Sniper JP Dinnell on Taking Action and Making It Happen
19 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
JP Dinnell spent nearly a decade in the SEAL teams, including serving with Task Unit Bruiser in Ramadi, Iraq, where he was a point man, machine gunne...
166 - Fabio Gurgel on What Makes a World Champion, Fighting NHB in Brazil, and Why BJJ Right Now is the Best Ever!
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This discussion with multiple time BJJ world champion Fabio Gurgel was amazing. He talked about coming up under Jacare, being trained by Carlson Gra...
165 - How to Deal with Fear and Doubt with Ando Mierzwa
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I'm thrilled to have Ando Mierzwa back on the podcast to discuss dealing with fear, overcoming claustrophobia, whether martial arts lessons can be lif...
164 - Ice Climbing Niagara Falls in Winter with Will Gadd
10 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I LOVED talking to Will Gadd, champion ice climber, X games gold medalist, and extreme adventurer. In this episode we covered his epic climb up Niag...
163 - How to Cut Weight Safely with Ben Zhuang
30 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Weight cutting is a fact of life in modern MMA and also in many jiu-jitsu and submission grappling competitions. In this episode Ben Zhuang and I ta...
162 - Broken Bones, Concussions and Full Contact Jousting with Shane Adams
25 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I really, really enjoyed talking to Shane Adams, the godfather of modern full contact jousting, in this on-site interview. Full contact jousting inv...
161 - Sim Go and the Legacy of the Renegade 'Cobra Kai' Club in BJJ
20 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
BJJ black belt Sim Go and I explore the early days of the Vegas jiu-jitsu and MMA scene, how a 'garage' club can evolve to be a professional school, s...
160 - Old School BJJ in the Early Days of the UFC with Andreh Anderson
01 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I really enjoyed talking with Andreh Anderson who started training in the very early days of North American MMA with famous fighters like Oleg Takt...
159 - Seph Smith on BJJ, Combat Sambo, and Competition Mindset
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Loved chatting with articulate Seph Smith, Ryan Hall's first BJJ black belt and a Combat Sambo black belt as well! We cover training leglocks safel...
158 - Are Kung Fu Forms and Karate Kata Useful for Fighting?
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
OK, I kind of go off on a big rant here about traditional Kung Fu forms and Karate kata based on my years of training Hung Gar, Northern Shaolin, Sout...
157 - My Single Biggest Problem with Crossfit
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this rant I go off about my single biggest problem with Crossfit, especially when people try to use it as a conditioning method for another sport. ...
156 - Survivorman Les Stroud
15 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
I'm STOKED that Survivorman Les Stroud came on the podcast today!!! We talked adventure, survival skills, navigating in the wilderness, the closest he...
155 - Walking the Tightrope Between Training and Recovery
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How often and how hard to train are tricky questions. Too much hard training and you'll grind yourself into a pulp. Not enough hard training and y...
154 - What Makes Good Students, Teachers and BJJ Schools? Interview with Emily Kwok
07 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This was a neat interview I did with Emily Kwok from Princeton BJJ and star of the first How to Defeat the Bigger, Stronger Opponent series. We f...
153 - Microdrilling to Improve Your BJJ Almost Instantly
04 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How to improve your BJJ almost instantly. No, this isn't hyperbole; microdrilling is a training method that will have immediate effects on your game...
152 - Controlling the Adrenaline Dump with Shane Fazen from Fight Tips
27 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This is an important episode because it's all about managing the adrenaline dump and the fight or flight reflex. Shane Fazen from Fight Tips and I t...
151 - Concept of "What's the Score" to Know When and How to Attack!
21 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know when to attack? It's actually pretty simple math!! In this episode I share the "what's the score" concept that I learned from Rob ...
150 - Sparring to Win; How to Train Effectively with Smaller People So You BOTH Benefit!
16 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this short rant I talk about 3 or 4 training methods you can use when sparring someone significantly smaller than you so that you BOTH come out win...
149 - Martial Artist and Clinical Neuropsychologist David Brown
07 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
David Brown has spent many decades studying and teaching martial arts, including Muay Thai and Wing Chun. He's also a clinical neuropsychologist whi...
148 - Environmental Awareness and Dirty Fighting with Alex Kask
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a self defense situation you have to have a high level of environmental awareness to keep track of multiple attackers, improvised weapons, escape r...
147 - Why Your Game Needs to Change Every 10 Years
22 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
If you're doing any kind of martial art - be it BJJ, MMA, Kickboxing, Taekwondo or whatever - then your game needs to evolve every decade to accommoda...