training advice
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Our blog is a collection of articles that make up our doctrine on everything performance.
We are not beholden to corporate sponsors, influencers, or powers that be. Our commitment is to our readers; the coaches, athletes, and enthusiasts that come to us for our honest assessments, analysis, and opinions.
Our pledge to you is that we will do the heavy lifting! We go to battle with bullshit and cut to the chase. If you’re looking for honest information, you’re in the right place.
RECOMMENDED READING
training advice
How a World Champion Became a Beginner Again
Elite performance, and long-term strength, aren’t built on shortcuts. They come from mastering the fundamentals, putting in the work where it matters, and committing to the process before chasing results. This is the lesson a world champion learned when he emptied his cup and became a beginner again.
Inside Our Annual Training Deal
Go inside our annual training campaign with John. Learn how committing to 12 months of training gives you access to elite coaching, evidence-based nutrition protocols, and a flexible program structure designed to evolve with your goals. Discover why this is the best time to level up your training in 2026.
Ep 831 – The Science of Stress & Strength
Technology’s evolving faster than our bodies can keep up. John sits down with Certified Power Athlete Coaches, Dr. Ben Skutnick and Dr. Hunter Waldman, to dig into how comfort and convenience are killing performance. They break down the science of stress, why it’s essential for growth, and how nutrition and training come together in the HAMMER 90 Challenge, a 90-day mission proving what happens when discipline, data, and discomfort collide.
Ep 813 – The Powerlifting Playbook: Elite Tactics from Matt Wenning
Matt Wenning joins John to break down what it really takes to build elite-level strength. From time-tested training principles to lessons learned under the bar with some of powerlifting’s greats, this episode is a masterclass in doing the work, avoiding costly mistakes, and training for the long haul.
Modern Life Is Soft. You Don’t Have to Be.
Most people avoid failure, but here’s the deal: if your training never takes you to the brink, don’t expect your body to grow past average. Failure isn’t the end, it’s the ignition point. This article breaks down why mechanical failure is the key to size, strength, and real progress… if you’re smart enough to use it right. Learn how to flirt with the edge without getting crushedand why failing might just be the most productive thing you do in the gym.
Ep 807 – Jen Widerstrom Just Changed the Game
Jen Widerstrom has teamed up with Arnold Schwarzenegger to flip the fitness industry on its head, and she’s breaking it all down for us. From exposing the BS behind cookie-cutter programs to unveiling a live coaching app that actually delivers results, this episode is a no-holds-barred look at what real training should be. If you’re tired of hype and hungry for truth, this one’s for you.
Ep 800 – John McPhee: Train Like Your Life Depends on It
John McPhee—aka The Sheriff of Baghdad—pulls no punches in this episode, breaking down the biggest mistakes in tactical training, the realities of combat, and why most guys are preparing for a fantasy, not a fight. From mastering fundamentals to training smarter, not harder, McPhee delivers hard-earned lessons from years at the highest level. If you want the truth about fighting, survival, and what actually works when it matters most, don’t miss this one.
Ep 796 – Exercise Selection – What Works & What’s BS
Most gym programs are bloated with useless fluff that wastes your time and delivers nothing. John and Arash cut through the BS and answer your questions on exercise selection. Exposing the most overrated movements, breaking down the lifts that actually build strength, and sharing how to train smarter without spending hours in the gym. If your goal is real results, not just sweating for the sake of it, tune in now.
Ep 795 – Hard Truths & Tactics for Muscle Growth & Fat Loss
Think you’re training hard? Think again. John lays down the hard truths about muscle growth, fat loss, and why most people fail to see results. No gimmicks, just battle-tested tactics you can apply today to build muscle, burn fat, and dominate your training. If you’re serious about transforming your body, this is the wake-up call you need.