Podcast
Smarter Strength w/ Dr. David Skolnik, DPT
Hosted by David Skolnik · EN
Smarter Strength is a show for good coaches who want to be great and great coaches who want to become undeniable.
It’s a show for coaches who choose knowledge over status, value over virility and impact over influence.
While there are countless shows about the theory, science and art of coaching, this show is all about ACTION. Because just like we tell our clients, great intentions are useless without action.
Each week, we will work through the PSA Framework: Problem, Solution, Action.
We will identify a common coaching problem, propose a viable solution and present an action every listener can take right away to become a better coach. The kind of coach who solves complex problems quickly and whose clients get uncommon results.
You won’t become a better coach just by listening to Smarter Strength, but you will if you apply what you learn!
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Saad Alam - Building a Better System for Supporting Men's Health
Jun 8, 202201:01:22Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Danny Matranga - The Myth of Motivation & Other Common Fitness Mistakes to Avoid
May 11, 202201:02:30Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Shanté Cofield - Cutting Through the Noise to Make Your Online Business Stand Out
May 4, 202200:56:47Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Mark Breedon - Strength Training for Women & Breaking Fitness Barriers
Apr 27, 202200:59:03Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Ebenezer Samuel - How Technology is Lowering the Barriers to Fitness
Apr 20, 202201:06:23Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
Transcribe →Reed Davis - Metabolic Chaos, Functional Nutrition & Taking Responsibility for Your Health
Apr 13, 202201:07:20Tap to summarizeOur 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.Want more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Ali Gilbert - Testosterone: Why It's Low & What To Do About It
Apr 6, 202201:04:19Tap to summarizeOur 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 personalWant more content? Follow Dr. David on Instagram: @dr.davidskolnik.dpt
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Dr. Kyle Gillett - Concerning Health Trends & Full Spectrum Medicine
Oct 27, 2021Tap to summarizeOur 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.
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