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Dr. Erik Jensen bridges the gap between medical science and strength training wisdom, sharing insights from his dual perspective as an anesthesiologist and competitive strongman at age 55.

• Trained in Buffalo and worked at Erie County Medical Center as an anesthesiologist for decades
• Found weightlifting during college, used it as stress relief during medical residency
• Competed in powerlifting before transitioning to strongman competition
• Weighs under 200 pounds but competes successfully against much heavier athletes
• Set a goal to own the world record in deadlift for the over-80 age class

• The mental health benefits of intensive training: "The harder I beat my body, the quieter the voices in my head became"
• How strongman training naturally incorporates the conjugate method through implement variety
• Why physicians typically have poor knowledge of strength training and exercise science
• The importance of training smarter but not necessarily easier as we age
• Why protein supplementation is overhyped compared to actual resistance training
• Effective supplements with scientific backing: creatine, caffeine, and occasionally beta-alanine
• Finding enjoyable activities is crucial for long-term exercise adherence
• The social aspect of training becomes increasingly important as we age
• Exercise should involve some degree of "strain" to activate physiological mechanisms

Find something you enjoy that gets you moving. Medical evidence clearly shows that movement reduces hip fractures, spine fractures, stroke and heart disease rates – and the more movement, the better the outcomes.

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We chat with Denny Labresh, founder of Valkyrie Strength Team, about thriving in strength sports after 40 and his journey from basketball player to successful strongman competitor and coach.

• Denny shares how he transitioned from basketball to strongman in his late 20s and is now hitting lifetime PRs at age 41
• The evolution of strongman from showcasing athletes from other sports to becoming its own codified discipline with specialized athletes
• Why recovery becomes the most critical factor for masters athletes compared to younger competitors
• Training philosophy changes for masters: intense but less frequent training (3 days/week) versus high volume for younger athletes
• The importance of weighted carries like sandbags and husafell stones for developing functional strength for all masters athletes
• How Valkyrie Strength Club developed from making equipment during the pandemic to providing high-quality, affordable strongman gear
• Denny's coaching approach focuses on teaching independence and progression rather than creating dependency
• Online coaching benefits: more economical, provides accountability while promoting independence
• Key advice for masters athletes: "Enjoy the process" and remember why you fell in love with the sport

Find Denny and Valkyrie Strength at valkyriestrengthclub on Instagram or valkyriestrengthclub.ca online.

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Scott Fike shares the inspiring story behind the Love Like Ben Foundation and its annual strongman charity event honoring his son's memory while raising funds to help children afford sports participation. What began as a heartfelt tribute has grown into a thriving community event raising over $17,000 this year to provide equipment, memberships, and tuition assistance to young athletes in need.

• Detailed recap of the four main competition events: Circus Dumbbell, Sandbag Over Bar, Seated Arm Over Arm Sled Pull, and Hummer Tire Deadlift
• The event's accessible approach allowing athletes across nine divisions to participate
• Incredible community support from sponsors like Serious Steel Fitness and Valkyrie Strength
• Beautiful custom metal awards created by Wicked Welding and Fabrication
• Pain Face Photography's professional documentation of the event
• The Benjamin Fike Memorial Award given to individuals embodying Ben's spirit of making people smile
• This year's successful fundraising total of $17,000 gross, with approximately $14,000 going directly to the foundation

Visit lovelikeben9.com to learn more about the foundation, donate, or apply for a grant if you know a young athlete who needs financial assistance to participate in sports.

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Dr. B, a chiropractor specializing in Active Release Technique (ART), shares revolutionary perspectives on healing, mitochondrial health, and optimizing athletic performance after 40 through understanding the body's electrical systems.

• Active Release Technique (ART) targets "stuck" soft tissues by shortening muscles, applying pressure, and having patients actively move through treatment
• Red light therapy creates free electrons in the body through interaction with cytochrome c oxidase, supporting mitochondrial health without extra calories
• Seasonal eating matters because out-of-season foods create a "circadian mismatch" in our bodies
• Morning sunlight entering the eyes triggers production of dopamine and other neurotransmitters critical for muscle function and recovery
• DHA from seafood (especially oysters) helps create electrical currents in the body essential for healing
• Blue light, 5G networks, and modern technologies can cause calcium efflux from cells, creating voltage drops
• Getting outside at sunrise is crucial as the first frequencies of light unlock iron to properly carry oxygen
• Vitamin D supplements cannot replace the complex biological processes triggered by natural sunlight
• Mitochondrial health may be more important than muscle mass for longevity in athletes over 40

If you're dealing with persistent injuries or performance plateaus, consider exploring Active Release Technique and Dr. B's approach to light, nutrition, and electromagnetic sensitivity as complementary pathways to conventional treatment.

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Scott and John conduct an extensive taste test of ready-to-drink protein beverages, sampling over 15 different products to provide honest reviews and insights for athletes looking to supplement their protein intake.

• Tasting proteins from brands including RedCon MRE, Premier Protein, OWYN, Iso Pure, Lean Body, Fair Life, Muscle Milk, and Quest
• Evaluating taste, texture, aftertaste, and overall experience on a scale of 1-10
• Discovering that plant protein options (particularly pea protein) ranked lowest in palatability
• Testing clear and carbonated protein options as alternatives to traditional milky shakes
• Finding Quest Protein Milkshakes (45g protein) ranked highest across all flavors tested
• Comparing protein drinks to protein bars for different usage scenarios and portability
• Discussing the benefits of different protein options for various workout situations
• Noting most products now feature improved taste and minimal sugar compared to older protein drinks

If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at masters athlete survival guide.

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Masters athletes develop superior mental approaches to competition that extend beyond physical abilities, transforming how they handle stress, manage competition strategy, and maintain motivation when facing younger opponents.

• Age brings better stress resilience and adaptability during competition
• Younger competitors often win warm-ups but struggle with competition pressure
• Veterans take time for proper setup and technique, even when under time constraints
• Masters athletes compete against themselves more than others
• Body awareness and spatial recognition become competitive advantages with age
• Competition mindset can transfer to professional and personal challenges
• Having supportive training partners and community enhances performance at any age
• The mental ability to work through physical pain builds transferable life skills
• Crowd energy can provide a 10% performance boost during competitions

Join us next time when we'll bring in an expert to discuss specific mental techniques and strategies that can help athletes of all ages improve their competitive mindset.

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John and Scott take a reflective journey through their first 30 podcast episodes, highlighting the most impactful guests, meaningful lessons, and surprising revelations they've encountered.

• Mike Saffell's posturology techniques have proven remarkably effective for Scott's shoulder issues, providing pain relief when medical experts suggested surgery
• Claire Shorenstein's nutrition advice about incorporating strategic carbs has challenged their longstanding beliefs and yielded positive results
• Stories from stone lifters Sean Urquhart and John "Rockman" Johnson revealed the rich cultural history behind natural stone lifting traditions
• Candice's incredible mental fortitude across multiple athletic disciplines exemplifies the "don't fucking stop" mentality essential for Masters Athletes
• Jesse Titus's ongoing resilience through tremendous personal challenges continues to inspire them
• Dan John's practical wisdom about finding even 15 minutes for training has been transformative
• The pickleball episodes highlighted how every Masters Athlete has a compelling story regardless of their discipline
• The importance of community and "finding your tribe" has emerged as a crucial theme across all episodes
• Future plans include revisiting their protein bar taste test and exploring the concept of standards versus goals

Join us August 2nd for the Love Like Ben Strong Person Competition at the OFG compound, featuring circus dumbbell, sandbag over bar, tire deadlift, and arm over arm sled pull events.

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Scott Fike shares his journey toward the USS Masters National Strongman Competition and why this might be his last year competing at this level despite his previous success as a silver medalist.

• Training for five grueling events including a 650-pound yoke carry, 550-pound frame carries, frame deadlifts, bag throws, and log clean and press
• Working around significant shoulder injuries that doctors warn will eventually require replacement
• The importance of having a supportive community and training partners who understand your goals
• How focusing on ancillary exercises and movements can improve main competition lifts
• The mental fortitude required to continue training despite physical limitations
• Why proper programming and technique adjustments can make a significant difference for masters athletes
• The competitive advantage of registering early to go last in competition
• Balancing the desire to win with the reality of aging and physical limitations
• The value of having someone else handle programming to remove decision fatigue
• Understanding that some days will be harder than others but consistency is key

Our mantra for masters athletes pursuing challenging goals: "Don't fucking stop."

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New episodes come out every other Thursday!