Pressing The Limits Podcast

Our guest is Mike Savitch, former Olympic bobsledder and current owner of The Conditioning Room, a gym in northern Virginia. Growing up in the Virgin Islands, Mike's childhood was marked by his passion for surfing and baseball. Innately gifted as an athlete, Mike seemed destined for a professional sports career. However, during his time studying athletic training at Jacksonville University, a career-ending injury altered his path, leading him towards a new journey. In 1995, Mike became a member of the Virgin Islands bobsled team. He dedicated himself to rigorous training for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games – an achievement that stands as one of his greatest to date. With a career spanning over three decades, Mike brings a wealth of experience, specializing in areas ranging from biomechanics and injury recovery to Olympic lifting, sport-specific training, occupational therapy, and general fitness.

Traci Orel and Charley Thurber join us on the Pressing The Limits Podcast. Charley Thurber is the founder of Thurber Medical, a medical technology company that supplies professional and collegiate athletic training departments with cutting-edge health and rehabilitative equipment. Charley is a former professional baseball player, spending the majority of 7 professional seasons in the New York Mets and Colorado Rockies organizations. He was an SEC Honor Roll Student Athlete at the University of Tennessee where he graduated with a degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Management. He was selected in the MLB Draft after spending three years as the right fielder for the Volunteers. Traci Orel has more than 30 years in the Health and Sports Industry. Her desire to help athletes not only with their injuries but also to enhance performance comes from her own personal experience starting after several injuries sustained in her 13-year career in competitive gymnastics which ultimately ended her career. Traci went on to study Kinesiology at Michigan State University which then led her to take interest in athletic training, physical therapy, and personal training, competing herself in figure competitions. All this experience made for a natural progression to focus her passion on Rehab and Sports aiming to help athletes in all sports achieve their goals. During this journey, Traci became very interested in learning about tools to facilitate the healing process and shifted her focus into medical sales and consulting. Her passion along with her curiosity, and interest in technology made for a perfect fit to bring new technology to the US market. Traci has successfully launched and created brands for several European companies and looks forward to bringing game changing technologies to the US market so that athletes both professional and the weekend warriors can continue their careers and fitness goals. For more information, check out thurbermedical.com.

This episode is about all things bench! Andrew Harvot and Dan Palacios join us for an awesome discussion about benching, including what many do wrong, how to maximize range of motion, keeping things safe & reducing injuries, and improving every aspect of your bench. They also talk about The Launch Pad, a revolutionary product from Advanced Muscle Mechanics. Andrew Harvot is the co-owner of Advanced Muscle Mechanics. He grew up in a family with a strong sports background with his early years marked by a deep involvement in football and baseball. Despite not being the most towering figure on the field, Andrew relentlessly pursued strength and speed to compensate for his lack of height. This drive led him to discover his passion for working out at the age of 13, and since then, Andrew has remained a dedicated lifter for over 23 years, accumulating a wealth of experience in the world of fitness. Recognizing the need for innovation, Andrew embarked on the journey to address design flaws of the traditional bench and contribute to the evolution of fitness equipment. This endeavor culminated in the invention of The Launch Pad, a groundbreaking solution aimed at revolutionizing the way individuals approach strength training. The Launch Pad represents a synthesis of Andrew's extensive experience, educational background, and unyielding commitment to elevating the standards of strength and conditioning. Dan Palacios is a strength, conditioning and personal performance coach and founder of Live Kinetically. Dan has 10 years of experience working with all manner of clients from elite athletes to young children and adults with special needs. With over 11 years spent with real people who have faced unimaginable odds, Dan has come to understand human condition and it's undeniable relation to biology as well as bio-mechanics. Dan's goal is to guide and inspire people to redefine the meaning of health. To make humanity stronger and more resilient, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually is his primary mission. Dan lives by the creed, Live Kinetically, to improve daily and life better for himself and those around him. You can order your own The Lanuch Pad at advancedmusclemechanics.com and save with code "jon20".

Beaver Fleming is a 29-year-old professional skateboarder, world traveler, speaker, influencer, and self-declared life liver. Starting his journey in Knoxville, TN with a passion for skateboarding, Beaver moved to California at the age of 17 with the intent to achieve professional status by attending Woodward West for his senior year of high school. During that time, he worked hard, progressed, and caught the eye of Travis Pastrana (FMX athlete and action sports icon) who invited him to be a part of the Nitro Circus. Since, Beaver has traveled the world as part of the live show, starred in the Action Figures movie series, landed many "world's first" tricks, and been the exclusive Nitro Skater in appearances on TV and Media. Along with Nitro Circus, Beaver has been competing professionally with a three-time Best Trick, winning at Simple Session in Estonia, setting the high air record at Bondi Beach Bowl-A-Rama, and a huge second-place finish at the 2017 Nitro World Games with a world's first "Cork 720 Christ Air", which he calls the “Tennessee Tornado” as a homage to his roots and home state.

Self-described as a "nerd wrapped in tattoo-covered muscle", Jamie Lewis is a record-setting strength athlete, author, historian, and leader of Plague of Strength. Through his passion for lifting heavy things and his drive to earn multiple college degrees, Jamie became a founding member of the supplement company, Chaos and Pain, and one of the most prolific authors in modern strength sports. From Tibet to Vienna, from Hong Kong to the Eastern Seaboard, Jamie has thrown all of his knowledge into the most expansive history of lifting, fight sports, and nutrition the world may ever see.

J.D. Anderson, "The Ice Man", is a six-time world record holder and an expert of feats of strength. He's traveled with world motivating and encouraging people of all ages. His TV appearances include: "The Daily Show", "Guinness World Records Gone Wild", "The Tonight Show", "America's Got Talent", "Let's Ask America", "The Go Big Show", and many more. J.D. is owner of The Home Run Bat Company (homerunbat.com) and you can learn more about him at jdiceman.com.

Dr. AnnMaria De Mars was a 15-year-old runaway from a foster home who earned her Bachelor's degree by age 19 and her MBA by age 21. Her incredible story takes her from winning a World Judo Championship to earning her Ph.D. to serving as a university professor to running a software company. Dr. De Mars has been on the Forbes 40 Women to Watch over 40, a Next Gen Leader of the International Game Developers Association Foundation, and an AARP Purpose Prize Winner. She's achieved all of this while raising four children as a single mother, including her daughter, UFC legend Ronda Rousey. AnnMaria is a member of the International Sports Hall of Fame along with Ronda, making them the only mother-daughter tandem in the Hall. Her current passion is for her business venture, 7generationgames.com, where she is developing a focus on serving the specific needs of students from Native American, Latino, and underserved or rural communities.

Ana Browne is the owner of Anabells Fitness, a premier Washington, D.C.-based training service that specializes in kettlebells. She offers customized training plans for people from all types of backgrounds. Ana holds numerous certifications and is regularly sought out by the media as a subject-matter expert on a variety of fitness-related topics, ranging from strength training to overall wellness. You can find out more at her website, kettlebellchicks.com, and on her Instagram account, @kettlebellchicks.

Miloš Šarčev was Mr. Yugoslavia twice and has won the Mr. Universe title. He once held the record for competing in the most pro bodybuilding contests. After his competative career, Miloš became known for coaching/advising numerous professional athletes and Olympic medalists. He took part in the famous BALCO Labs "Project World Record" as a nutritionalist and strength & conditioning coach for Tim Montgomery, creating the fastest man alive by breaking the World Record in the 100-meter sprint after less than 9 months of coaching. As a bodybuilding coach, he advised over 100 IFBB professional bodybuilders, of which 38 qualified for the most prestigious Mr. Olympia competition. Miloš has become one of the most prominent authorities on nutrition and the human body as it related to athletic performance, earning him the industry moniker, "The Mind".

In our second podcast interview with Kevin Kearns, he goes deep into the topic of depression, suicide, and finding & fighting your way back. His brand new book, There's Light in the Tunnel, is now available at burnwithkearns.com. Kevin Kearns has been professionally involved in the fitness industry. As a certified strength and conditioning coach, he created the Burn with Kearns program which delivers innovative fitness training methods and philosophies that were developed and refined from training and educating UFC fighters and martial arts practitioners. Kevin is also involved in the education sector where kids from all over the globe experience his "Growing Up Strong Program", which promotes healthy habits through exercise and food supporting the happiness and welfare of young people. His writings have been featured in the Boston Globe, Train, Maxim, Inside Kung Fu, Men's Fitness, and many more.

Eric Fleishman (a.k.a. "Eric The Trainer") has a drive to be the best personal trainer on the planet. His methods have been utilized by countless Hollywood celebrities, touring rock stars, and UFC fighters alike, both in front and behind the camera. Eric has appeared in major magazines and television programs, including "Celebrity Sweat" on Amazon Prime. He is always spreading the word on his unique health and fitness methods. In addition to training, Eric The Trainer has a brisk fitness consulting business and is a frequent contributor to Muscle and Fitness magazine where he sits on their advisory board. He also hosts many of Muscle & Fitness’ online top videos.

Chris Chamberlin is the Director of Programming at WeckMethod Lab in San Diego, California, which has been featured on Men's Health and NBC Sports and well as numerous podcasts and other media outlets. With over 12 years of coaching experience and a lifetime's worth of personal practice, Chris is an industry leader in educating the fundamental principles of human movement. He is also credited with the completion of a wide array of continuing education certifications.

The Honorable Rob Wilkins is a two-term Presidential appointee to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, and a fitness expert. An advocate for military veterans, Wilkins is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and AMVETS. He also serves on the boards of the American Veterans Center, the Boulder Crest Retreat for military veterans, and the Blue Star Families Racial Equity & Inclusion Committee. Wilkins serves a President of Rolling Thunder, Washington, DC, Inc., and President of the REDCON1 Foundation. In addition, he serves as Senior Military Editor for Muscle & Fitness Magazine.

Coach Tony Blauer has been in the martial arts, self-defense, defensive tactics, and Combatives industry for almost four decades and is one of the only Combatives experts who has successfully affected training across all the combat-related communities: self-defense, combat sports, and the military & law enforcement sector. His research on physiology and mind-set as it relates to confrontation management has influenced over three decades of reality-based martial artists. Founded by Tony Blauer in 1985, Blauer Tactical Systems is one of the most respected self-defense training companies in the world, specializing in the research and development of close quarter tactics & scenario-based training for law enforcement, military, and professional self-defense.

Alberto Crane is an accomplished American martial artist. He is a trailblazer and teacher in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Alberto became one of the first Americans to receive a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in the sport’s home country of Brazil. He later entered the MMA world, where he earned a stunning 15-5 record, including stints in the UFC and becoming the King of the Cage Champion. Alberto’s had his own martial arts instruction gyms for over two decades. In 2012, Alberto faced a host of physical challenges. The injuries from his fighting career, coupled with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, had taken a toll on his body. Tacfit, a system that Scott Sonnon first introduced Alberto in 2007, allowed him to heal himself and has given him a second chance. He has believed in the system so much that Alberto eventually became the CEO.

R.J. Molinere is a Native American alligator hunter as well as a four-time World Champion arm wrestler, 11-time National arm wrestling champion, two-time Arnold Classic Arm Wrestling Champion, and two-time GNC Arm Wrestling Champion. He hunts with his son, Jay Paul, on his tribe's sacred land in Houma, Louisiana. R.J. has starred in History Channel's docuseries, Swamp People, and his company offers tours at rjandjaypaul.com.

Dr. Jim Stray-Gunderson is a world-renowned expert in Sports Medicine, Exercise Physiology and Training for Sports Performance, and is a world-renowned expert in BFR Training. He is the Co-Founder, Co-Developer, and Chief Marketing Officer for B Strong BFR Training Systems. Dr. Stray-Gunderson is one of the world's leading physiologists, who has identified the key mechanisms, applications, and safety guidelines for Blood Flow Restriction Training and applied them by developing the B Strong system. He also lectures throughout Europe and North America for those seeking protocols and guidelines to maximize benefits and eliminate risk in BFR training. As a physician, Dr. Stray-Gunderson has treated thousands of patients and athletes alike. As a researcher, he authored the groundbreaking study, Live High, Train Low, which revolutionized altitude training. As a sports scientist, he has worked with elite-level teams in skiing, cycling, running, soccer, and countless others. Dr. Stray-Gunderson has been involved in the training regimens of Olympians and world-class athletes, resulting in over 100 Olympic Medals and World Championships. From now through the end of February 2021, you can get $75 off of the B Strong Training System with code "jon75" at the website, BStrong.training.

Shawn Szydlowski is entering his 10th year as a professional hockey player. He was the leading scorer in the ECHL in the 2017-18 season and was the captain of his All-Star Team. As a fan favorite of the Fort Wayne Komets, Shawn has had a stellar career that includes a League MVP Award and two All-First Team nods. His stops after his entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres have taken him to the CHL, ECHL, and AHL.

Vinny Paz is a former world champion boxer, known the world over as "The Pazmanian Devil". The five-time belt holder has had storied wars inside the ring, including many that went the distance. Paz's career has become an inspiration to many people based on his historic jumps in weight classes and his overcoming of a devastating, thought-to-be-career-ending injury. His story was featured in the critically-acclaimed 2016 movie "Bleed For This". Paz is joined in this podcast with long-time friend and sparring partner, Greg Vartanian. Paz can be found at cameo.com/vinnypaz.

For more than 30 years, Steve Cotter has promoted body-mind fitness around the world through martial arts, qigong, mobility, flexibility, and kettlebell training. He works tirelessly to share the power of the kettlebell far and wide. Steve's efforts to teach his art form has globally impacted the growth and popularity of kettlebell training. His physical feats of power led him to be named by Men's Health magazine as one of the Top 100 Fittest Men of All Time, yet it is his clear communication and ability to break down the complex that has brought him global recognition as a fitness educator. Steve has lead hands-on trainings to thousands of fitness professionals in over 60 nations. He literally wrote the book on kettlebell training, and his landmark Encyclopedia of Kettlebell Training DVD series provided the foundational instruction for countless trainers who learned how to use kettlebells through his teachings. More than anything, Steve loves to teach and share his unique experiences to promote health, happiness, and longevity through fitness.