Westside Barbell: The Conjugate Method Podcast

Westside Barbell: The Conjugate Method Podcast

The Conjugate Method, straight from the source. Westside Barbell is where the method was built, and this is the podcast where it gets taught. Host Mac McFarland sits down with the coaches, athletes, and specialists using conjugate training to build strength and speed in the real world. NFL, UFC, grappling, track, wrestling, and the weight room floor at 705 Hadley Drive. Tom Barry, Head Coach of Westside Barbell, joins to answer your training questions and break down gym topics. Tom was mentored and chosen by Louie Simmons to carry the method forward after his passing. Every episode: max effort, dynamic effort, special exercises, and the reasoning behind them. If you coach athletes, train yourself, or want to understand why the Conjugate Method works, this is your show. New episodes Monthly. Learn the system at westside-barbell.com.

Episodes

Joe Kenn: There Are No Absolutes in Strength Training (Full Episode)

May 12, 2026 • 110 mins
Joe "Big House" Kenn coached strength in the NFL for nearly a decade. He sits down with Tom Barry for four decades of lessons. From a guard at Wake Forest to leading strength programs at Boise State, Utah, Arizona State, and Louisville, Joe Kenn has built one of the most decorated coaching careers in the NSCA. He created the Tier System, served as head strength and conditioning coach for the Carolina Panthers from 2011 to 2019, and...
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When Culture Becomes a Trap | Westside Barbell Podcast

February 6, 2026 • 29 mins
In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk discuss the importance of transitioning from hard work to smart training methods for athletes. They explore the differences between athletes with seasonal structures and those without, emphasizing the need for tailored training approaches. The conversation also delves into understanding athlete personalities, particularly the dynamics between introvert...
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Unpacking the Conjugate Method A Q&A with Tom Barry and Burley Hawk

January 16, 2026 • 59 mins
In today’s episode of the podcast, Tom and Burley answer your questions on various aspects of strength training. Topics discussed include dynamic effort training, max effort training frequency, the importance of strength in grappling, and the common misconceptions surrounding the conjugate method.  00:00 Intro 00:29 Dynamic Effort For Raw Lifters 02:04 What Does A Training Week Look Like 03:04 Posture & Plyo Day 04:4...
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Introduction To The Bench Press: Techniques and Methods

October 28, 2025 • 43 mins
Download The Conjugate Method: Introduction to Bench Press Training (E‑Book) here Tom & Burley delve into the intricacies of bench pressing, focusing on the methods employed at Westside Barbell. It covers the max effort, dynamic effort, and repeated effort training methods, emphasizing the importance of technique, safety, and the role of various training parameters. The hosts also address common questions regarding bench pressi...
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Mastering the Dynamic Effort Method

August 15, 2025 • 70 mins
In this episode of the Westside Barbell podcast, the Tom & Burley delve into the complexities of the Dynamic Effort Method, discussing its purpose, execution, and the importance of rate of force development. They explore the three-week wave format, emphasizing the need for proper technique and execution to ensure safety and effectiveness. The conversation also covers the role of accommodating resistance, the significance of res...
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Conjugate Method for Combat Athletes: The Westside Barbell Way

July 17, 2025 • 39 mins
In the debut episode of the Westside Barbell Combat Sports Strength & Conditioning Podcast, hosts Tom Barry and Burley Hawk introduce listeners to the world of strength training tailored for combat athletes, including competitive Jiu-Jitsu athletes, Wrestlers, and MMA fighters. They discuss the influential legacy of Westside Barbell founder Louie Simmons, who revolutionized modern strength training through the Conjugate Method....
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Ask Westside #1: The Max Effort Method

July 12, 2025 • 16 mins
In this power-packed episode, we dive deep into the Max Effort Method—not just the “what,” but the “how” and “why” behind one of the most effective tools in strength programming. Whether you're a coach programming for athletes, a gym owner refining your training cycles, or a lifter pushing for consistent PRs, this conversation breaks down the nuance. We cover: What an optimal warm-up should...
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How Westside Barbell Builds Brutal Strength with The Maximal Effort Method

July 2, 2025 • 36 mins
Join Tom Barry and Burley Hawk as they explore the mindset, culture, and methods behind Westside’s Maximal Effort training. From Louie Simmons’ legendary principles to the chaos of group training that runs like a machine, this episode covers everything from exercise selection to the art of coaching and self-assessment. Learn why brutally strong athletes are built with smart intensity—not reckless effort. Key Point...
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The Conjugate Method for High School Football Strength, Speed, and Durability

June 13, 2025 • 32 mins
In this episode, we dive into why the Conjugate Method, pioneered and popularized by Louie Simmons and Westside Barbell, is particularly effective for high school football athletes. We explore the crucial role of strength training in enhancing football performance, discussing how absolute strength, explosive power, speed, and durability directly impact success on the field. You'll learn the essentials of the three pillars of the Co...
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Unracked Webinar: The Conjugate Method with Tom Barry

June 4, 2025 • 45 mins
Today's episode is the Unracked: Mastering the Conjugate Method webinar Tom did with BridgeAthletic "UNRACKED is a live event series from BridgeAthletic where top coaches break down the training systems, methods, and philosophies that drive elite performance. In this session, Tom Barry, CEO of Westside Barbell and one of Louie Simmons’ handpicked successors, offers a focused walkthrough of the Conjugate Method in practice: ho...
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Dynamic Effort Combined Training at Westside Barbell – How to Build Speed & Power

February 7, 2025 • 23 mins
In this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast, Tom Barry and Burley Hawk break down Dynamic Effort Training, its role in building explosive strength, and how Westside has adapted it for powerlifters, MMA fighters, and Jiu-Jitsu athletes. Topics Covered: What is Dynamic Effort Training & how does it work? How to apply the three-week wave system for speed & power Why powerlifters, MMA fighters, and grapplers use this method...
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Driven by Westside: Anthony Schlegel

January 23, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode of Driven by Westside, join Tom Barry of Westside Barbell as he picks up former Ohio State linebacker, NFL athlete and renowned strength coach Anthony Schlegel for an in-depth, on-the-road conversation about all things training. From their days under legendary coaches like Louie Simmons, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer to the gritty environments of Metroflex Gym and Westside Barbell, this episode dives into the core pr...
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Strength Training and Athletic Performance, How Training Intent Impacts Performance

January 16, 2025 • 24 mins
On today's episode, using a recent training example in the gym, Tom & Burley discuss utilizing the conjugate method for strength training and how it impact's athlete's performance. They reinforce how important consistency is over PR's for an athlete and how vital training intent is. Key Topics: The Importance of Max Effort Training Balancing Volume, Dynamic Effort, and Recovery Athlete Mindset & PR Philosophy Organize Your ...
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Westside Barbell 2025

January 10, 2025 • 30 mins
Welcome to the first episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast for 2025. Tom & Burley recap the last 2 years at Westside. They discuss Louie's passing, his plans for the future of Westside, and his ongoing legacy. They also go over the current training approach at Westside and Westside's plan for 2025 Key Topics: Legacy of Louie Simmons & Westside Culture Current Approach to Training Looking Ahead to 2025 Organize Your Visit ...
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From Five to 500: A Journey of Recovery and Strength with Tommy Richardson

September 26, 2024 • 72 mins
In this episode, we're joined by Tommy Richardson, a former USMC Infantryman and Navy SEAL with a combined 26 years of service. Tommy is a Guest Contributing Writer at Westside and is passionate about shedding light on Louie Simmons' methods for both those active in the U.S. military and those seeking enlistment. Tommy is also the CEO of Divine Savagery, consulting firm that trains the characteristics of shoot, move, and communicat...
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Unlocking Peak Performance: How Applied Behavior Analysis Transforms Athletes with Sarah Welsh

September 19, 2024 • 44 mins
In this episode, we’re joined by Sarah Welsh, an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to explore how ABA is applied to enhance performance in professional athletes. We begin by discussing Sarah’s background, including her inspiration for getting into the field, and break down ABA into simple, digestible terms for our listeners. From there, we dive into a real-world case study of a professional athlete struggling w...
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Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Updates, UFC PI Tour #84

September 19, 2024 • 25 mins
Westside Recap: Inside ADCC 2024, Athlete Highlights, UFC PI Tour & More Today's episode is a solo cast with Tom, where he recaps the last 3 months at Westside. Firstly, he recaps the ADCC Las Vegas event, covering performances of Dante, Max, and Lawson. He also dives into how Westside’s dynamic training systems are pushing athletes to new heights. Tom covers Ally Kennedy's Lacrosse Season, and how training at Westside im...
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Mastering Strength and Strategy: Dante Leon’s ADCC Prep #83

August 8, 2024 • 58 mins
Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring elite grappler Dante Leon. Dive deep into Dante's journey as he prepares for the prestigious Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Championship. https://adcombat.com/ Discover how Dante balances his rigorous training regimen with competition strategy, his insights on selecting the right competitions, and the unique challenges he faces in high-stakes tournaments. Dante ...
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The Journey and Strength Training of "The Immortal' Matt Brown #82

July 23, 2024 • 85 mins
Join Tom Barry in this episode of the Westside Barbell Podcast featuring "The Immortal" Matt Brown. Deep dive into Matt's journey as he shares his experiences transitioning from a professional fighter to a dedicated coach and family man. Discover how he navigates his post-retirement life, his insights on training and injury prevention, and his unique challenges throughout his fighting career. Matt also opens up about his first enco...
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Women's Pro Lacrosse Strength Training : Ally Kennedy #81

July 11, 2024 • 58 mins
Join Tom Barry as he chats with Ally Kennedy, Pro Lacrosse Player and Westside Barbell Athlete. Learn about how she started lacrosse, what brought her to Westside, and the impact training at Westside has on her performance as an athlete Ally Kennedy is not only a top-tier professional lacrosse player but also an assistant coach for the Ohio State women’s lacrosse program, where she coaches the Buckeye offense.  Key ...
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