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The Strength Connection

Michael Kurkowski

Exploring Strength: Body, Mind and Spirit. 


The Strength Connection goes beyond the gym to uncover the lessons, stories, and wisdom that build resilience and purpose in every area of life. 


Join host Michael Kurkowski as he connects with world-class coaches, athletes, and leaders to reveal what true strength really means.

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  • 22 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 51 min
  • English
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • February 2 · 1 hr 7 min

    Strive for M.O.R.E w/ Jan Raeder

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Jan Raeder, known to many as the SelfCare Sensei, brings a rare depth to the conversation around strength, wellbeing, and what it really means to live with purpose. Jan is an internationally recognized wellbeing educator, keynote speaker, and author of Strive for M.O.R.E., where MORE stands for Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, and Engagement — a framework she’s developed through decades of lived experience and evidence-based practice. In this conversation, she shares insights from her background in martial arts and how it has shaped her approach to personal development. Check out more from Jan at: MIT talk: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=71TfPUyLEWY website: https://selfcaresensei.com/ Amazon link to book: amzn.to/49YmdGq Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Self Care Sensei 06:36 Defining Wellness and Well-Being 12:14 The Role of Martial Arts in Personal Development 20:26 The Importance of Practice and Consistency 29:20 Setting Goals vs. Finding Meaning 36:49 The MORE Framework: Meaning, Optimism, Relationships, Engagement 44:20 Transcending Challenges and Finding Gratitude 51:22 Self-Awareness and Personal Growth

  • January 26 · 53 min

    The Truth behind Pain-Free Performance w/ Dr. John Rusin

    Welcome to the Strength Connection! Dr. John Rusin is a physical therapist, performance coach, and the author of Pain-Free Performance — a framework that bridges elite strength training, intelligent movement, and long-term health. His work sits at the intersection of rehab and performance, helping people build resilient bodies without breaking themselves down in the process. In this episode, we dive into Dr. Rusin's journey from a young athlete influenced by his parents, both in the medical field, to becoming a leader in strength and conditioning. Dr. Rusin shares insights from his new book, emphasizing the importance of health as the foundation for performance. He discusses the evolution of his training philosophy, which prioritizes pain-free movement and longevity over traditional performance metrics. The conversation highlights the need for a shift in mindset within the fitness industry, advocating for a more holistic approach to health and performance that begins early in life. Check out more from Dr. John at: Pain-Free Performance: Move Better, Train Smarter, and Build an Unbreakable Body https://www.amazon.com/Pain-Free-Performance-Better-Smarter-Unbreakable/dp/162860509X/ref=zg_bs_g_4645_d_sccl_95/134-5360092-2910026?psc=1 And if you have any extra space... Train with Dr. John Rusin on the Unbreakable App becomeunbreakable.com Dr. John Rusin Coaching https://www.drjohnrusincoaching.com Dr. John Rusin Website https://drjohnrusin.com Socials Dr. John Rusin on Instagram: 360K+ Followers https://www.instagram.com/drjohnrusin Dr. John Rusin on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drjohnrusin Dr. John Rusin on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.JohnRusin

Showing 21–22 of 22 episodes