Stronger is Better by Starting Strength Gyms
The Stronger is Better Podcast focuses on principles and process. Host Nick Delgadillo is the CEO of Starting Strength Gyms, longtime Starting Strength Coach, BJJ school owner and Self Defense Coach, specializing in unarmed and armed combatives. In this podcast, Nick will discuss how the lessons learned through hard physical effort apply to coaching, learning, business, and relationships. Connect With Starting Strength Gyms https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com/ https://www.instagram.com/startingstrengthgyms https://www.facebook.com/startingstrengthgyms https://www.linkedin.com/company/starting-strength-gyms
Episodes
In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with John Valentine — BJJ black belt, active-duty military instructor, and founder of the Combatives Association.
They discuss the fundamentals of real-world self-defense, the importance of pressure testing in training, and how martial arts like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fit into the broader self defense picture. The conversation covers coaching int...
In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo is interviewed by Hari Fafutis of Tavros Strength in Mexico. Nick describes his approach to physical and mental development through hard physical effort.
The discussion dives into:
•Why building strength is the foundation of self-defense
•The role of martial arts in restoring people’s relationship with controlled violence
•The life-changing value of hard ...
In Episode 8 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with elite junior golfer McKenna Murphy and her Starting Strength Coach, Pete Troupos, to discuss how barbell training played a critical role in elevating McKenna’s golf performance. From winning the U.S. Kids Teen World Championship to earning a D1 scholarship at South Alabama, McKenna shares her journey and how lifting—particularly squats and ...
In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy https://www.ladybirdpt.com/ in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most underappreciated tools in women’s health. This conversation bridges ...
In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Starting Strength Gyms founder Ray Gillenwater for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, vision, and the founding story of Starting Strength Gyms. Ray shares how his experiences in tech, corporate leadership, and global markets led him to Starting Strength—and why strength training is at the core of building better people, ...
In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, host Nick Delgadillo speaks with Alex Ptacek, Head Coach at Starting Strength Chicago, and his trainee Mike Kelly. Mike shares the gripping and ultimately inspiring story of suffering a catastrophic quad injury—followed by multiple surgeries, setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to recovery. Alex and Mike detail the coaching, rehab, and mindset needed to not only re...
In Episode 4 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with long-time client and friend Erin Spiva to discuss six years of consistent barbell training, lessons learned, and how strength carries over into real life, including hobbies like pole fitness.
Erin shares her journey from getting started to becoming a client who trains with purpose and balance. They dive into training as a woman, programming...
In Episode 3 of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo dives deep into press programming—how to build a strong, pain-free, and consistent overhead press. Drawing on years of coaching and real-world experience, Nick explains why the press is uniquely difficult to progress, how to apply the right amount of stress, how to avoid common mistakes, and when to evolve your programming beyond novice LP. Whether you’re...
In Episode 2 of the Stronger Is Better podcast, Nick Delgadillo breaks down strength standards into three categories: competitive goals, evaluative benchmarks, and personal targets. He explains why most people have skewed expectations about what’s possible—and how to set realistic goals without having to become a powerlifter.
Nick introduces the widely respected 2/3/4/5 baseline strength goals (200 lb press / 300 lb be...
Welcome to Episode 1 of the Stronger is Better Podcast, brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms and hosted by Nick Delgadillo. In this kickoff episode, Nick lays out a comprehensive roadmap for barbell programming — from the simple and powerful Novice Linear Progression all the way to advanced programming strategies used by experienced lifters and coaches.
You’ll learn the first principles behind effective programming...
Host and Starting Strength Coach Nick Delgadillo welcomes you to the Stronger is Better Podcast, a show where we'll take a look at how doing hard things has positive carryover to health, fitness, business, and relationships.
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🔗 Brought to you by https://www.startingstrengthgyms.com
🎧 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
📩 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com
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