Podcast
The Strength Connection
Hosted by Michael Kurkowski · EN
Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit.
The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life.
Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.
36episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Connecting "Intentional Recovery" with Strength and Nutrition w/ Katie Hardie
Jan 1200:50:35Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection!Katie Hardie is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and performance practitioner who helps people reconnect with their bodies through a personalized, data-driven approach to health, energy, and recovery. Her work bridges science and intuition, helping people move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and into sustainable performance.In this conversation, Katie shares her journey into health and nutrition coaching, emphasizing the importance of bio-individuality in dietary choices. She discusses the impact of stress on nutrition and performance, the significance of energy management, and the necessity of intentional recovery practices. Katie highlights the balance between hard work and recovery, the value of hobbies, and the need for personalized approaches to nutrition and health.Check out more from Katie at:Website: https://www.mypeak365.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypeak365/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardiepeakperformance/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hardie-hermanson-860a874/ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Health and Nutrition Coaching02:31 Katie's Journey into Nutrition and Health Coaching05:44 Understanding Bio-Individuality in Nutrition08:38 The Importance of Personalization in Diet11:36 Energy Management and Its Impact on Performance14:43 The Role of Stress in Nutrition and Recovery17:46 Intentional Recovery Practices20:40 The Balance of Hard Work and Recovery23:23 The Importance of Hobbies and Play26:46 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning
Transcribe →Cynicism vs. Optimism in the Fitness Industry w/ The Iron Council
Jan 500:50:33Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection!The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias.In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebells and barbells, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism and the significance of articulating coaching messages effectively. The discussion highlights the challenges of navigating misinformation and the necessity of providing solutions rather than merely criticizing others. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the value of communication in coaching and the role of tools in a broader system of strength training.Follow Brett, DJ, and Mark at:Brett: https://www.instagram.com/brettjonessfg/?hl=enDJ: https://www.instagram.com/queencitykettlebell/Mark: https://www.instagram.com/subiasm/?hl=enChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage01:12 The Language of Coaching and Marketing07:22 Cynicism vs. Optimism in Coaching09:28 Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation11:49 Accountability in Coaching14:53 Challenging Bad Ideas vs. Tearing Down20:08 Effective Communication in Coaching26:11 The Art of Coaching Communication31:23 Navigating Criticism: Kettlebells vs. Barbells41:51 Expertise and Experience in Training47:48 The Essence of Strength Training Systems
Transcribe →8 Lessons of 2025
Dec 2900:18:25Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection!In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in personal experiences and insights gained from guests on the podcast, closing out with my tribute to a great friend.Thank you so much for an incredible year!Chapters00:00 Reflections on 2025: Lessons Learned02:46 The Importance of Loving the Process05:42 Flow vs. Anti-Flow: Engaging with Life08:34 Building Self-Trust Over Self-Esteem11:32 The Value of Patience in Purpose14:24 Optimism as a Learned Practice17:40 Faith: A GPS for Life's Journey
Transcribe →Creating Lasting Connection in Fitness w/ Kyle Flynn
Dec 2200:47:25Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection!Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case. In this engaging conversation, Kyle shares his journey from being a passionate athlete to the founder of Blueprint LA, a gym that emphasizes community, culture, and connection. He discusses the importance of creating a positive environment in fitness, overcoming early business challenges, and the evolution of his leadership style. Kyle highlights the significance of hiring for cultural fit, maintaining a fun atmosphere, and the philosophy of 'One Vibe, One Tribe' that drives the community at Blueprint LA. He emphasizes that fitness is not just about physical strength but also about building relationships and celebrating individual successes.Check out more from Kyle at:https://www.instagram.com/kyleflynn__/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/theblueprintla/?hl=enChapters00:00 Introduction to Kyle Flynn and Blueprint03:05 The Journey from Athlete to Trainer05:58 Building a Positive Gym Culture08:53 Overcoming Early Challenges in Business12:06 Shifting Mindsets: From Fitness to Community14:54 Creating a Lasting Culture in Fitness18:04 Hiring for Culture and Care20:49 One Vibe, One Tribe: The Blueprint Mission24:29 Creating a Fun and Engaging Community25:57 The Importance of Big Dreams26:47 Believing in Yourself and Your Purpose28:28 Making Fitness Fun and Enjoyable29:47 Evolving as a Leader31:03 Trusting Your Gut as a Leader32:30 Building a Supportive Team Environment35:07 The Shift from Fitness to Connection35:44 Creating a Raving Fan Experience38:39 The Seven Layer Cake of Community Engagement42:03 The Power of Personal Connection43:48 Continuous Learning and Improvement
Transcribe →Ep 271 Dr. Richard Ulm: Achieving Super Sinister
Dec 21, 202400:51:49Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!What an absolute blast and wealth of knowledge this man is.Dr. Richard Ulm is the founder of Athlete Enhancement and treating physician at the Columbus Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Center, as well as a Strength and Conditioning coach and SFG level II instructor.His work with DNS training, and combining the strength and medical components of movement is truly valuable, and in this episode, he dives into his work in both, as well as his journey to achieving Sinister, then going above and beyond to achieve “Super Sinister.”To see more from Dr. Ulm, check out https://www.athlete-enhancement.com/
Transcribe →Ep 270 Devan Gonzalez: Master the Art of Connection
Dec 14, 202400:52:58Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In the 270th episode, I’m joined by Devan Gonzalez, owner and founder of Strive 11 Fitness, and host of the Mindset Cafe podcast.His journey took off as he transitioned to personal training, eventually launching his own 6-Figure personal training business serving a wide variety of clients from athletes to gym newcomers—a rare achievement WITHOUT an online model so common today.By the time he reached 28, Devan took the leap to become a gym owner, realizing his vision of building a fitness community that emphasizes personal growth as much as physical results. But he didn’t stop there!Driven to make a greater impact, Devan co-founded and scaled Strive 11 Fitness into a franchise model, becoming CEO of Strive 11 International, Inc. at just 31 years old.His approach to fitness and entrepreneurship is uniquely grounded in mindset mastery and resilience, which he shares with his growing community of franchisees.Check out more from Devan at: https://www.strive11fitness.com/franchise
Transcribe →Ep 269 Todd Durkin: True Strength
Dec 7, 202400:55:57Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!Anytime I get to chat with this man, I feel like I could run through a wall!Todd Durkin comes back on the show to talk about True Strength, a memoir released this year about the past few years, and how some of the most painful, and challenging times taught him the greatest lessons.One of the world’s most inspiring, and powerful speakers and coaches in strength, fitness, and mindset, you can’t help but feel empowered after listening to this conversation.You can grab a copy of True Strength at the link below.https://a.co/d/bUA0hcN
Transcribe →Ep 268 Kate Allgood: Keys to Building Unstoppable Confidence
Nov 23, 202400:44:25Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!Founder of Quantum Performance, mental performance coach Kate Allgood joins the show to talk confidence, resilience, and self talk for elite athletic performance.A recognized leader in the field of mental performance, she holds two master’s degrees in psychology and is a highly sought after coach. Her first book, "Get Into the Zone", became an Amazon bestseller on the subject.Check out more from Kate at:https://www.qpathlete.com
Transcribe →Ep 267 Missy Bunch: The Movement Mentality
Nov 16, 202401:07:52Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!Missy Bunch has been a sparkplug in the game of movement and neuro-training for over 14 years.The Founder of The Movement Mentality, and co-founder of Movement IQ, she is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pain management, rehabilitation, and neuro training for health and wellness.I was so pumped to connect with her, after seeing her work with Death of the Desk, and other movement quality programs, and in this episode, she shares the neuro hierarchy, the benefits of neuro training, and how she found herself in the space of movement coaching.Follow Missy on IG at missybunch15 or on FB at Missy Bunch.
Transcribe →Ep 266 Annie Vo: Strength can Literally Save your Life
Nov 9, 202400:57:39Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!Strength truly has a greater purpose, and Annie Vo’s story and experience is living proof of that.A veteran strength coach, RKC senior instructor, and Level III Gym Jones instructor, I was so pumped to have Annie join me on the show to talk strength.In this episode, Annie tells her incredibly powerful story of how she found strength training, the impact that it had on helping her heal from seriously challenging experiences, and how strength can carry over into everyday life, sometimes in the most challenging of situations.Check out more from Annie at annievo.comIG: vofactor
Transcribe →