Strength & Speed

Andrew Potter is a renaissance athlete competing in a wide range of activities from triathlon to running to climbing and even dabbling into Obstacle Course Racing.  This Army Veteran served in both the 82nd Airborne Division and 75th Ranger Regiment in numerous deployments to Afghanistan, now works as the co-owner of ROKC (an epic climbing gym in the Kansas City area).  Andrew talks with Evan about the military, mindset, training for performance, improving on climbing and more in this content packed episode.   Episode brought to you by Volition Chiropractic, a chiro clinic owned and operated by OCR World Championships competitor Alexis "Alex" Buford. Music provided by Dino Sinos

Stoke Shed's Bobby Ross joins Evan Perperis to add some commentary to his book "Ultra-OCR Man: From Special Forces Soldier to Record Setting OCR Athlete".  If you don't own the book, don't worry you can still listen to the podcast and get a lot of great information, however, it works best when used in conjunction with the book (available in hard copy, digital or audiobook, available here: https://www.teamstrengthspeed.com/ultra-ocr-man ) Evan and Bobby talk about some fun and interesting stuff including the Kentucky Waterfall, comics, how mental toughness develops, what it's like deploying and a whole lot more.  Hold on because things get a little heavy towards the end as they talk about losses in combat and fallen military veterans. Head over and check out Bobby Ross at www.StokeShed.com

Professional Boomerang Thrower, 4x American Ninja Warrior Veteran, 4x Spartan Pro Team Athlete and OCR World Championship Pro Team World Champion Logan Broadbent joins Evan and his cohost AC Hale for this content packed episode.  Logan's broad background in everything from boomerangs, to triathlon (world championship qualifier) to diving (All-American athlete) brings a lot of great information and lessons learned to OCR.  (Since the initial recording, Spartan confirmed Logan is on the Pro Team for 2021)   Episode brought to you by Egg Weights, a training tool for your arms and cardio simultaneously.  Used this link for 10% off: https://eggweights.com/?ref=ctgproteam Pick up a copy of "The New Strength & Speed's Guide to Elite Obstacle Course Racing": https://amzn.to/3oZ908O Music provided by Dino Sinos (Subscribe to his YouTube here)

Which is worse, bear crawl for 3.3 miles?  Clean & Toss a 75 lbs. sandbag that length?  Or lunge walk the length of Warrior Dash?  In the latest episode Evan talks to OCR athlete and former pro bodybuilder Josh Andrews who has done all those self created challenges to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (https://specialops.org/).  They talk further about crossover points with bodybuilding and Josh's upcoming challenge, a 100 mile run with 2x ChopFit Choppers.   Episode brought to you by HYLETE, your favorite workout, recovery and now formal athletic fit apparel.  Use this link for $20 off your order Ultra-OCR Man: From Special Forces Soldier to Record Setting Pro OCR Athlete now available on hard copy digital and audiobook: https://www.teamstrengthspeed.com/ultra-ocr-man Music provided by Dino Sinos (subscribe on YouTube)

Without Mud Run Guide's annual Muddies awards, a couple members from the staff took it upon themselves to talk through some of their favorites for the year.  Despite limited racing, there was still a ton of stuff happening and so much we had to breeze over some topics.  Spread the positivity and pick up the gaps we left on our Facebook page by leaving some of your favorites underneath this podcast post.  We tried to mention any brand that we think someone in the OCR industry would enjoy and tried to get outside of our natural biases as much as we could.  We hope you enjoy and continue to support brands that support our sport. Athletes on the podcast include Amie Jacobs, Kathleen Davis, AC Hale, Doug Snyder, Lisa Nondorf, Alexis Matera and Evan Perperis.   Topics include:   1. Best Positive OCR Moment 2. Best Race with Three or More Live Events 3. Best Race with One or Two Live Events 4. Most Entertaining OCR Male on Social Media 5. Most Entertaining OCR Female on Social Media 6. Best Temporary

Regardless where you live int he country, 2020 had less races for you than you had originally planned.  This left OCR athletes with an option to pivot to other interests and opportunities that could improve their OCR performance in the future.  In our largest podcast yet we bring on: -6x American Ninja Warrior Amy "Magic" Pajcic -CTG Co-owner  and Conquer Youth owner David Mainprize -Battle OCR owner Sid Morris -S&S athlete Ian Periera -S&S athlete & CTGFamily AC Hale -CTG Pro Team Power Couple Doug Snyder & Lisa Nondorf Lots of topics covered in a short time and lots of options for how you can stay motivated including topics like ultra-running, climbing, martial arts, permanent OCR facilities, becoming a race director, building race courses and lots more.   Subscribe to S&S YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCES4b63JYWK4i2y7EOLZioQ Subscribe to CTG Pro Team YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj1JBGYULfnLmD--2VBPvXQ   Episode brought to you by YOLKED, use code Str

After her recent 80 mile win at the 24 hour long Casa Garcia Ultra-OCR and a 2nd place finish at the final Savage Race of 2020, Rachel Watters joins the podcast to talk training and racing with Evan.  They deep dive into her experience at Casa Garcia, her weekly training, endurance fueling and tips.  At the end of the episode Evan covers his own experience at Kimberly's 24 hour Ultra-Mudder.  Listen to this podcast from the only two athletes to overall win a 24 hour Ultra-OCR in 2020.   Strength & Speed Premium Channel Link: https://www.podbean.com/premium-podcast/teamstrengthspeedpremium Conquering The Gauntlet Premium Channel Link: https://www.podbean.com/premium-podcast/ConqueringTheGauntlet Pre-order now open for "The New Strength & Speed's Guide to Elite OCR" digital book: https://amzn.to/2W1Df27   Episode brought you by Hammer Nutrition, use ref#240887 for 15% off your first order from www.HammerNutrition.com Music provided by Dino Sinos

Back into the science of Obstacle Course Racing, this time focused on rig technique, altitude and the Army Fitness Test.  Jared Renyer of JRen Fitness joins Evan to talk about what he learned about rig technique from a paper for his Master's degree as well as the science on why running at altitude is hard.  Finally, the two share their opinions on the Army's new physical fitness test which is being implemented after 40 years of no major changes.   Plus, since I know you want to watch/listen to it now: Glory of Love: Karate Kid Part II Music Video And New Found Glory's cover of Glory of Love   Pick up copies of Evan's books from Amazon: Guide to Elite OCR, Ultra-OCR Bible, Ultra-OCR Man and Mud Run Guide's OCR Bucket List Episode brought to you by Compex, makers of EMS, massage guns and more recovery products to make your body race ready. Music provided by Dino Sinos

2019's 100m OCR World Champion and 4x top five finisher at OCR World Championships, Thomas van Tonder joins Evan to talk about the South African OCR scene.  The two talk about South Africa's Warrior Race, his training and his big plans for 2020:  a 50m rope climb world record attempt for the first half of his 94m rope climb occurring on November 16th, 2020.    Pick up copies of Evan's books from Amazon: Guide to Elite OCR, Ultra-OCR Bible, Ultra-OCR Man and Mud Run Guide's OCR Bucket List Episode brought to you by MudGear, the world's best OCR socks. Music provided by Dino Sinos

Another Q&A episode with William Shell asking a lot of great questions about training, the future of the sport and more.  Plus, Matthew Knight asks "What is the purpose of a pro team?".  Topics include: -If OCR is getting stale -The future of OCR -How OCR can change your life -Collegiate OCR vs. standardized OCR vs. high school OCR vs. Pro OCR -How to overcome obstacles you are stuck on -Obstacle difficulty opinions (hint the answer is found in Csikszentmihalyi...which I purposely didn't try to pronounce on the podcast) -Balancing racing, training, marriage and work -How to get to the top -Recommended podcasts (Free trial of Audible subscription here) -Favorite awards -Recommended books for maximizing training -Overcoming low points and much, much more.   Episode brought to you by Atomik Climbing Holds Music by Dino Sinos  

As a lifelong athlete and collegiate steeple chase competitor, Natalie Bullock knows a thing or two about fitness.  She joins Evan on the podcast to share her thoughts on training as well as how her steeple chase background applies to the world of Obstacle Course Racing.  She currently works as a Regional Manager for OOFOS, the world's best recovery shoe/sandal/clog/slide and they dive deep into the technology that makes you perform better thanks to their patented OOfoam.    Music provided by Dino Sinos

The newest female athletes on the Conquer The Gauntlet Pro Team, Miranda Huber and Jenny Overstreet (both podium Age Group medalists from North American OCR Championships) join Evan to discuss a wide variety of topics including: -If obstacles should be scaled for men/women -How to earn a spot on a Pro Team -How to train and complete Pegatron -Brands leading the industry in races in 2020 -Conquer The Gauntlet's new obstacle "Pay the Piper" -Training, racing and challenges in 2020 Finally, the episode ends with some little known facts including figure skating and hearing loss.  Plus some fun information that "will tear your soul apart."   This episode brought to you by InsideTracker, find out what is really going on inside your body with InsideTracker. Music provided by Dino Sinos (check out his other music on YouTube).

Listeners ask questions and Evan gives answers topics include: -Solomon Speed Cross vs. VJs -Pre-race fueling -Pre-race acohol -Training/racing with pumped out arms -General training schedule for those racing ultra and short course -Updates to Strength & Speed's Guide to Elite OCR -Ideal multi-lap race distance (per lap and time) -Starting your own brand/business/team   Episode brought to you by Yolked, use code Strength20 for 20% off every order. Music provided by Dino Sinos

3rd Degree Black Belt in Goju-ryu Karate and a specialty in fail weapons, John Givelis, comes on the podcast to talk about martial arts training and what lessons can be applied to the world of OCR.  Although John isn't a racer, he did pit crew for Evan for two of his Toughest Mudder podiums and for 2019's World's Toughest Mudder giving him a unique perspective.  Topics covered include basics of different types of martial arts, if Karate is still applicable in a world full of MMA, opinions on OCR from a pit crew perspective and John also shares his opinion on some of Evan's favorite 90s martial arts movies/shows in a quickfire format.   Episode brought to you by dryrobe, the world's most advanced changing robe and a must have for winter time events.  Order your dryrobe now so you have the custom embroidery done by the time winter rolls around. Music provided by Dino Sinos

Cali Schweikhart is a Spartan Pro and set the American Record for HYROX double competition with one of our previous guests Morgan Schulz.  Both with degrees in Psychology, Cali talks with Evan about lessons learned from her backgrounds in soccer and basketball along with the psychology of sports performance.  Cali's got some great insight in this episode packed with a ton of content.   Episode brought to you by OOFOS, recovery shoes and sandals designed to take you to the next level. Music provided by Dino Sinos.

What would it be like to be in the base of World Trade Center Tower 1 while Tower 2 is collapsing and live to tell about it?  Evan talks to his Godfather, Inspector (ret.) John Kassimatis, who responded to 9/11 as a NYC Port Authority Police Officer.  John talks through his experience, his mindset, how he made it out alive along with details about the heroes that responded to the terrorist attack on that horrific day.  Some of John's actions were portrayed in the movie "World Trade Center", but you need to listen to the story directly from the mouth of one of the heroes from that day.   Link and info for the 9/11 Museum and Memorial: https://www.911memorial.org/ Details on the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church: https://www.stnicholaswtc.org/ Music provided by Dino Sinos

This all Conquer The Gauntlet Pro Team episode features the newest female Pro, Jenny Overstreet.  Jenny has been winning all the races that come through Kansas City over the last several years and won her Age Group at 2019 North American OCR Championships 15k.  She talks with Ultra-OCR Man Evan Perperis and guest co-host Lisa Nondorf fresh off her first CTG win.  The episode gets a little weird at the end with surprising facts about the teammates.  (Podcast Clarification: Gigantopithecus lived sometime between 2.5 million years ago and 11,500 years ago.)   Episode brought to you by HYLETE, the makers of the best fitness apparel available. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Podcast Link: http://annunciation.podbean.com/ Music provided by Dino Sinos

Driven (formerly Green Beret Challenge) is one of the few multi-state Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) series still holding events this year.  Evan sits down to talk with former Army Ranger and Greet Beret Mark Ballas about the re-branding, the history of his race series, the origin of F**K BALLAS and how they build better humans.  Plus, Mark shares some of his thoughts on why some soldiers make it through Special Forces training while others come up short and Evan shares his secret on how to make your shoulder not hurt during Green Beret Challenge or military selection courses.   Episode brought to you by Elite Ops Energy Strips, use code CTG10 for 10% off every order. Link to Ultra-OCR Man: From Special Forces Soldier to Record Setting Obstacle Course Racer: https://www.teamstrengthspeed.com/ultra-ocr-man Music provided by Dino Sinos

2016 World's Toughest Mudder Champion and 4x Death Race finisher Stefanie Bishop is a pro/elite level adventure racer who specializes in expedition length racing (that's like 3-7 days in length).  Long Island natives, Evan and Stef talk training for multi-day events, mental aspects of racing that long, using the "bathroom" while racing, her future plans in Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) and her recent battle with COVID-19 (including if she is experience long term effects).  Plus, plans for the future OCR-windwood band start to take shape.   Episode brought to you by Compex, makers of Electrical Muscle Stimulators (EMS) and the Fixx massage gun.   Music provided by Dino Sino (check out his YouTube page here)

Bobby & Victoria Ross run the Tulsa based film making company, Stoke Shed who often cover aspects of the sport of Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).  We often hear opinions of OCR media coverage from other athletes and rarely from the people who craft the art themselves.  This makes Bobby and Victoria's opinions especially valuable as we discuss race coverage, Spartan National Series, documentaries, music videos, producing American Ninja Warrior submission videos, quality and where OCR based video coverage should be headed.    Like them on Facebook here and be sure to watch Hell Couch and coverage of OCR America Hire them through their website or Facebook   Episode brought to you by OOFOS, the most comfortable shoe or sandal you can own (stick around to the end of the episode to hear more about them). Music provided by Dino Sinos