Strength & Speed

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

Army Ranger and Spartan Pro Mark Gaudet joins Evan to talk crossover points between combat, military training, Ranger School and Obstacle Course Racing (OCR). The two share some "fun" Ranger School stories, talk about "The Army's Obstacle Course", the Darby Queen, and deep dive into Mark's champion mindset, mental toughness along with not quitting.  As a 4x competitor at the Best Ranger Competition and Afghanistan war veteran Mark has a lot of great knowledge that his led to huge success in OCR including being on the Spartan Pro Team, currently in 7th at the Spartan US National Series, 4th at World's Toughest Mudder and a whole lot more.     Episode brought to you by Hammer Nutrition, use ref#240887 for 15% off your first order from www.HammerNutrition.com

You might remember Christopher "Beard" Accord when he took your band at BattleFrog back in 2015/2016.  CTG Pro Evan Perperis sat down to talk to him about what was really going on behind the scenes, what decisions were good/bad, BattleFrog's plan for their TV show and if the brand still technically exists. Afterwards they talk the future of OCR and what his amazing fiance Amy Winters is up to in the endurance world.   Episode brought to you by Elite Ops Energy Strips, use code CTG10 for 10% off every order. Music provided by Marc Capaldo of Madison Ambush

Ep 131: Co-founder of the largest OCR media website, Mud Run Guide, Brett Stewart joins Evan to talk about the current state of the OCR industry.  The two talk past (Warrior Dash World Championship, BattleFrog, rise/fall of races), present (OCR PQ, changes brands have made) and future (what to do to support brands).  Ultimately they attempt to answer the lingering question, "Is OCR Dead?"   Mud Run Guide articles referenced:      It's Complicated      Supporting Brands in 2020      Going to the Xtreme: Do I Need to Shave My Body? Mud Run Guide's Ultimate OCR Bucket List hard copy and digital book Ultra-OCR Man book, digital book and audio book   Episode brought to you by Rapid Reboot, the best recovery product money can buy and something you can put in your home/easily bring with you to races. Music provided by Marc Capaldo of Madison Ambush

(Updated: Delete and re-download if the guest audio sounds very low) Visually impaired runner, known famously throughout the OCR world as "Blind Pete" joins Evan to talk about upcoming projects he has for 2020 and beyond.  The two are joined by one of Pete's guides Spartan SGX Certified coach Christy Chapman who is also his business partner for "Blind Man Running".  Blind Man Running is taking virtual events up a level requiring you to do them completely blind adding a new challenge to even the simplest tasks.  Plus, Pete shares his long term plans including running on water.   Episode brought to you by Juice Performer.  Use code CTGPROJP for 15% off all Juice Performer products from Amazon including: Cherry Performer , Beet Performer and Beet Performer with Pineapple! Music provided by Marc Capaldo of Madison Ambush

Morgan Schulz has already made a big impact in the OCR and HYROX worlds.  In 2019 she had 4x1st place, 3x2nd place, 1x3rd place Spartan finish as well as finishing 7th at Spartan's North American Championship.  She recently switched her focus to HYROX where she won Dallas doubles competition and narrowly missed a world record.  Strength & Speed athlete who competed in HYROX virtual competition Kelly Williams joins Evan as a cohost.  The three talk hybrid athletics, functional fitness, overcoming injury, horror movies and more.  Plus, Morgan shares some very personal stuff and how she managed to overcome it returning to top form.   Episode brought to by VJ Shoes making OCR shoes with #BestGriponthePlanet Music provided by Marc Capaldo (my Halloween Haunted Host co-host) and singer for Madison Ambush    

Gary Shaw and Nicole Fleming are a power couple with impressive ultra-distance race resumes includes podium finishes at 100 mile races as well as top finishes in Ultra-OCR such as Tough Mudder's World's Toughest Mudder (Nicole 7th) and OCR World Championships Enduro (Gary 12th Elite and Nicole 1st 40-49 AG). They can also power through some short stuff too including a string of podiums in the beer mile (four beers and four laps of the track). However, in April of 2020 they took on the insane #RunTheDate challenge where they ran the number of miles equivalent to the date. They join Evan Perperis to talk about training, racing and preparing for such crazy endeavors. Plus, there is some funny/enjoyable digression at the end of the podcast about non-OCR "fun" stuff.   Gary also followed it up with a 42 mile run on the 31st day, then on May 16th did 24 beers / 24 miles / under 24 hours. He demolished the previous known record of 14 hours with a 9.5 hour finish and without going to the hospital or throwing up.