Send us a text

Check out John's YouTube channel Empowered Strength and IG @empowered strength for more of his ideas and insights

John Odden shares his journey as a Highland Games competitor, fitness professional, and movement enthusiast who's discovered the key to athletic longevity after 40.

• Background in healthcare, cardiac rehab, and multiple strength sports including Highland Games and stone lifting
• Importance of technical precision in training as we age to reduce wear and tear on the body
• Moving in all directions and planes to maintain mobility and function
• Training more frequently but with shorter, more focused sessions
• Combining structured training with unscripted play to maintain athletic joy
• Prioritizing animal-based nutrition with strategic carbohydrates for performance
• Finding your optimal body weight for both health and athletic performance
• Taking a mindful approach to supplementation focused on basics like creatine and magnesium
• Including family in health and training goals creates sustainable lifestyle changes
• Maintaining childlike movement curiosity while respecting your body's changing needs

Stay tuned for a future episode including John's guide on realistic weight cutting for competitions that works for both men and women.

@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG

New episodes come out every other Thursday!

Send us a text

John "Rock Man" Johnson shares his journey from childhood athlete to desk job worker to internationally connected stone lifter, revealing how this ancient practice transformed both his physical strength and mental resilience.

• Early athletic career playing baseball and football before losing interest in fitness during young adulthood
• Family connection to Hollywood through uncle Pat Johnson, martial arts expert and fight choreographer for films like Karate Kid
• The pivotal moment when seeing an unflattering photo prompted his return to fitness
• Discovering rock lifting by chance while hiking in the woods
• Finding mentors like Ross Enemayat, Bud Jeffries, and Scott Sonnen who shaped his fitness philosophy
• How stone lifting helped him develop mental toughness during challenging life transitions
• Connecting with a worldwide community of stone lifters through social media
• The various cultural traditions of stone lifting found across Scotland, Ireland, Asia and beyond
• His ongoing quest to discover a historic Erie Canal lifting stone during the canal's bicentennial year
• The technical aspects of approaching and lifting awkwardly shaped natural stones

Join us outdoors this spring to experience stone lifting firsthand and connect with this ancient test of strength!

@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG

New episodes come out every other Thursday!

Send us a text

This episode explores the inspiring journey of Jesse Titus, who shares his experiences as a master's athlete facing health challenges, including an AFib diagnosis. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, mental resilience, and adapting one's athletic goals for sustainable well-being and longevity.

• Jesse's background and athletic journey, transitioning from strongman competitor to mindful athlete
• The significance of community in supporting athletic growth and health
• Personal health challenges, including Jesse's diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AFib)
• Navigating the balance between competing and caring for one's body
• Setting new fitness goals while focusing on long-term health and well-being
• The power of sharing experiences and learning from one another in the athletic community
• Encouragement for listeners to prioritize their health and seek help proactively

If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media or leave a review.

@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG

New episodes come out every other Thursday!