The Iron Edge

On this episode Ken sits down with a woman who took the strongwoman world by storm, multiple Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion... the one and only, Victoria Long (@onestrongb). Ken & Victoria talk about her introduction to strongwoman, competing at the top level and its challenges, where is the limit for women's strength sports, her retirement from the sport, and more. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00- Intro 00:50- Moving back to Minnesota and how it has aided her prep 03:07- Her big surprise and why 06:29- Family 07:38- Her future aspirations/endeavors 13:48- Being all in for competition preps/coming back from “retirement” 14:51- Competing being an addiction 15:47- High level competitions 16:56- How her prep was for this years Arnold compared to last year 18:39- Injuries within the sport 22:34- How she’s feeling about the deadlift this year 23:40- The events for the Arnold this year 26:45- Where does she see Strongwoman going 29:13- Where’s the strength limit for women? 33:25- How she feels about being an athlete on the competition floor 35:08- Competing at the top and what it takes 39:01- How to not make strongman your full identity 47:54- Her advice to other strongman athletes 55:08- Dealing with hate comments 57:37- Her frequency of competing 1:00:24- Dabbling in commentating 1:01:53- Where to find her

On this episode Ken sits down with one of the best deadlifters around today... Niko Chaprales (@greekgoliath). Ken & Niko talk about a vast range of topics in this episode including injuries, social media & being marketable in strength sports, Niko's powerlifting background, and a whole lot more. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00- Intro 00:25- Diving into injuries that have been in the sport recently 16:52- Social media playing a part in Strongman 17:29- What is the path to the big competitions in Strongman 27:43- Being marketable as a strongman athlete 32:32- The entertainment side of strongman 36:24- His hot take on weight class athletes 39:18- The growth of Strongman since Covid 44:16- Spectators and opinions on how to get more at shows 48:23- Coming from Powerlifting 50:01- His last Powerlifting meet 54:37- Coming into strongman from leaving powerlifting 56:45- Describing his first few strongman comps 1:01:41- His tricep injury in more detail 1:05:04- Preparing for his upcoming competition and all that he has coming up 1:17:45- His thoughts on being an athlete and having the support of Cerberus and others

On this episode Ken sits down with Calum Liptrot (@tallcal), the founder of Cerberus Strength. Ken & Calum dive into a huge range of topics including what spurred the creation of what is now a global strength brand, developing the first range of products, the beginnings of CERBERUS Strength USA, the future direction of the business, and so much more. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00- Intro 01:01- Cerberus origin story- getting started in the MMA scene with mouth guards 06:44- Starting to train strongman and discovering the little support equipment available 09:38- Starting to break into strongman with developing wrist wraps and elbow sleeves 15:00- Contributing to growing the sport of strongman 17:00- Starting to sponsor strongman athletes 23:03- Getting Cerberus into the US 28:00- Committing to growth and product quality 33:30- His most stressful business experience 36:44- The structure of the business (UK, US, etc) 42:37- The biggest challenge of how he runs Cerberus 45:17- Long term plans for Cerberus 47:45- Making money to put it back into the sport 49:00- Campaigning for opportunities for strongman and women in strongman 55:30- Survivors guilt with business 56:13- Being a good person in business 1:00:58- Upcoming product release

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with legendary strongwoman Lacy Hughes, who has been involved with the sport for almost 20 years. Ken & Lacy dive into a vast range of topics including the growth of strongwoman, her first international competition, how to train and stay healthy as a masters athlete, and a lot lot more. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00- Intro 01:00- When she started competing in strongman 03:36- When the women’s side started to get bigger 05:41- Biggest driving factor behind the growth of strongwoman 09:39- Training crews back then vs now 14:05- Her first international experience 15:32- The difference of strongman internationally to strongman here in the US 18:30- Women’s pay out in the sport 22:00- Where she sees the sport going 22:54- What has the gym taught her 23:45- Staying healthy within the sport 24:27- Her training schedule and mindset being a masters athlete 29:08- Overcoming the feeling of being lazy 33:36- Training partners and her gym now 37:47- Having a coach and how it’s been an asset for her 39:44- Is there an age limit to competing? 40:40- Learning from competing and frequency of competing 43:58- What is next for her 46:05- The changes in strongman events 49:40- The federations when she started in the sport and how it’s gotten bigger 55:03- Can we fully standardize strongman?

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with one of the best strongmen on the planet today... Bobby Thompson. Bobby's journey to the top level hasn't been without it's share of hardships and intros episode Ken & Bobby discuss how he got into strongman, his work life before going 100% pro, working with athletes, eating habits, "joy investments", and a whole load more. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 00:25- How this strongman season is going for him 04:12- Physically getting bigger and when he needed to stop 05:26- Getting started with training 06:08- His journey with coaches and coaching himself 10:12- Using social media and coaching to reach athletes in an impactful way 12:57- Getting to know his athletes and how it translates to their performance 15:25- His job prior to strongman 17:25- The troubles of working as a bouncer 18:46- Physical injuries that have potentially hindered his strongman career 20:18- What his daily schedule is like currently 22:09- His breakdown and benefits of his morning routine 28:27- The eating habits and body comp of strongman and how it’s changing 30:38 - Weights in strongman getting pushed 32:37- The difference between organizations and his opinions on them 40:28- How he handles life or comp struggles with his clients 43:48- Biggest lesson learned inside the gym 45:23- Advice from his financial advisor when he is stressed 46:54- How he came up with a phrase to bring a client out of a spiral 50:16- The dynamics of coach and athlete relationship in strongman 54:00- “Joy investments” 56:57- His different outlooks on strongman throughout his career 59:04- How his daughter has had some type of impact on his strongman career 01:00:16- Having the foot on the gas in the beginning of his career to get to where he is 01:06:21- What’s next for Bobby 01:07:37- Where to find him

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with multi-ply powerlifter and business owner Anthony Oliveira. Aside from being one of the best lifters in the world, Anthony has built an extremely successful apparel business, Trigger Warning Conjugate, as well as his gym in Concord, NH… Anchor Athletics & Strength. Ken & Anthony get deep and discuss just how important being genuinely yourself and building a community is to success in the fitness industry as well as a whole range of topics from staying connected to ourselves, life balance, and the ever present imposter syndrome. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Athletic Background 03:58- Team sports and the benefits 05:22- The importance of playing sports in the past and how it can translate to powerlifting 08:50- Mental state going to a comp 11:09- His elbow injury and how his competitive drive got him through it 14:22- Giving back to the sport 15:10- Being a competitor and a sponsor 17:13- Is it possible to balance competing and career? 25:10- Being an entrepreneur within the sport you love; why its great but also a stressor 28:06- Successful people having a chaotic home life 32:57- Learning how to take breaks from work and destress 34:55- Staying connected and not dehumanizing ourselves 42:17- Accepting not being a balance person 47:41- Setting up systems 49:00- The start of his apparel company 51:56- Betting on yourself 53:35- Being in genuine as the face of a company 56:30- Seeing the it factor in athletes 1:02:03- The highs outweighing the lows to having a business 1:03:42- Imposter syndrome and being confident at what you know 1:04:28- “The answers are always in the gym” 1:08:14- Where you can find Anthony

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with one of the most prominent and successful bodybuilders of the 2010s, Evan Centopani. Evan made a name for himself in the IFBB with an extremely impressive, yet balanced physique and has been the poster child for Animal Park for years. Ken & Evan deep dive into topics such as body image being a key driver to start lifting, elements of his success, as well as his career now as a financial planner and what he believes athletes should be focussing on for long-term financial success. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 02:40- Body image and getting into lifting 05:12- Becoming obsessed with lifting 06:41- Power of social media 08:11- Social media pros and cons 09:10- Becoming desensitized as a society 12:41- The beginning of his bodybuilding career 16:45- Career path after turning pro 18:42- Different looks of bodybuilding 20:15- Elements of his success 23:55- Support and having a support system 27:20- What he is doing now 29:27- Financial planning and its importance 31:40- Planning for the future as an athlete 34:35- His financial advice 37:30- Passive income 39:45- His diet and training currently 43:05- The idea of balance 44:42- Adjusting things to fit your state of life 47:25- Lesson from the gym to life 48:55- What next for him 52:00- Where you can find him

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with one of the legendary Hadge Brothers, Nick Hadge. Nick rose very quickly through the ranks of strongman competing on a world stage in both junior and open categories. Known for his HUGE deadlift and a more emotional focussed approach to training, Nick is also a very successful coach to many athletes. In this episode, Ken & Nick cover topics from the extremes of top level strength athletics, to more fundamental things such as movement prep and his advice to younger athletes. As always, you aren’t going to want to miss this! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 00:58- Plans to compete again 01:58- Previous injuries/recovery 05:03- The extremes of top level Strongman athletes 06:13- Being an athlete but also a person 08:28- Growing up/How he got into Strongman 12:33- Difference between him and his twin brother 16:43- Finding his coach and their relationship 21:21- Who he is outside of the gym 23:58- What Strongman has taught him 25:13- Movement prep 29:53- Coaching gen pop clients 31:18- His personal training career 33:58- His career in realty 35:13- Strongman carry over to his work 39:13- Impacts of social media 41:10- Knife collecting/finding his flow state 44:38- Advice to younger athletes 47:28- What's next for him 53:43- Being selfish as a Strongman athlete

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken sits down with one of the best strength athletes in the world Rob Kearney. Rob was one of the first openly gay strongmen and as such as been able to use his platform to inspire a huge amount of people from all backgrounds; and in this episode we talk all things strongman, coaching, coming back from injury, the realities of being gay in strength sports, as well as his plans for after strongman. This is one episode you aren't going to want to miss! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 01:30- Reasons for his time off 07:35- His life workload currently 10:05- Strategy on coaching (CrossFit/elite athletes) 13:50- CrossFit and being adaptive as athletes 18:35- His thoughts on making Strongman unpredictable/mystery events 22:40- Competing then vs now 25:50- What Strongman has taught him 27:50- How his experience with cancer has helped others 29:20- Coming back from his tricep injury 32:35- Coming out and changing the narrative for gay people 34:55- What he wants to be remembered for 37:05- Dealing with negativity from others 39:45- The reality of being gay 43:05- Growing up 57:35- First Strongman experience/start of love for strength training 50:05- How he stepped out of being completely consumed by Strongman 53:35- His husband's support 55:35- Advice to newer Strongman athletes 57:35- Goals outside of Strongman 59:45- Where to find Rob

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken talks to owner of The Top Strength Project and an incredible strength athlete in his own right, Steve Tripp. In our longest episode to date they cover a HUGE range of topics, this is one episode you aren't going to want to miss! --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 03:00- How Steve's gym is different than others 04:15- Always being the student in the process 04:45- Character and "full potential" 05:30- Aging and feeling more excited to grow/learn 10:30- Showing up when you don't feel like it 12:10- Reaching people and relating to athletes 13:20- His start as a trainer/focusing on passion over money 17:55- Business people VS fitness people in the business 19:30- Growing a good community 24:30- The start of Steve's lifting career 29:30- Steve's parents and their influence 36:50- Effort and successful people traits 42:00- The point of the podcast 43:40- Social media lens 52:30- Being the guy to figure it out 58:45- Vulnerability 1:04:45- Previous injuries and recent elbow injury 1:11:20- What's next for competitions 1:16:02- What's next for the gym/business

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken talks to one of the most intense strength athletes around, Hannah Linzay. They cover a range of topics from Hannah's ability to balance training and her work schedule, enjoying life in the off-season, her gratitude of competing, mindset, and a whole lot more. --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength USA with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 02:30 - Highland Games experience 04:00 - Athletic Background 05:51 - How Strongman Has Impacted Her Life 10:50 - Working In The Steel Mill 15:15 - How She Balances Work & Training 25:30 - Coaching & Working With Other Athletes 33:20 - The Importance Of Living Life Outside Of Strongman/Off Season 40:00 - Moving & Training For Health 42:30 - Having A Long Term Plan/Goals For Life 46:15 - Gratitude While Competing 47:20 - What’s Next For Her

On this episode of The Iron Edge Podcast, Ken talks to 2022 LW America's Strongest Woman, Kira Wrixon. They cover a range of topics from Kira's unexpected athletic background, how to excel at any endeavor while keeping life in balance, plus a whole host of other topics. --------------- Save at Cerberus Strength USA with code IRONEDGE --------------- Follow Us On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ironedgepodcast Follow Us On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-iron-edge/id1694013341 Follow Us On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zinhh1iFmj9P0rkCngHYl --------------- Content; 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - Highland Games 03:19 - Athletic Background 06:39 - Growth From Being An Athlete 09:11 - Having An Identity Outside Of Strongman 12:40 - Having Drive As An Athlete 20:37 - Life Path/What Ifs 23:11 - Benefits Of Lifting (Outside Of The Gym) 30:49 - Coaching 34:12 - Changes In Strongman/Adapting To Change 48:12 - Balance