Andy Van Strength and Conditioning

Good morning and welcome back to the A2Z Podcast! This week Zack and I are doing an audit: when it comes to coaching and running a business, how do we improve? What does that look like? How do we fit in the fitness market on a local scale (for me and my brick-and-mortar) or a … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 82: Making a Difference in the Fitness Universe

Good morning and welcome back! Today, Zack and I are trying out some new hardware with our podcast in an effort to continue improving the user experience! When it comes to choosing the right exercise, training program, or diet, we're always looking for that "magic bullet" or "best" this or that in an effort to … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 81: Choosing “Best” vs. “Optimal”

Good morning and welcome back! Today Zack and I are welcoming a special guest and close friend of mine, Brian Murray of Motive Training. Brian has worked in many facets of the fitness industry and is a helluva trainer and business owner. He owns Motive Training in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and currently lives in Austin, … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 80: Three Fitpros, One Mic, Big Aspirations

Good morning and welcome back! Today, Zack and I are talking about autoregulation. We've all had stellar gym days where we lifted big ass weights and set PRs and everyone hoisted us on their shoulders and cheered us on. And we've also had those days where we feel like we've been hit by a truck … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 79: RPE/RIR and Overrated Exercises (send hate mail)

Good morning and welcome back! Today, Zack and I are talking about Recovery. It's all fine and good to "send it" in the weight room, but it might surprise you to know that the gym is not where the Gainz Magic happens. In fact, without proper nutrition and rest, all your efforts in the gym … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 78: The Perfect Workout Hangover Cure (Recovery)

Good morning and welcome back! After 26 episodes on the year, Zack and I took a well-deserved week off to rest and recover. We come back from the break with a special guest: Willis Graves. Willis is a local physical therapist and Highland Games athlete, and he joins us today to talk shop. There are … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 77: Is that a Caber in your Pocket? Drinking beer and Throwing Hammers with Highland Games Athlete and PT, Willis Graves

Good morning and welcome back! When it comes to working out, everyone wants to look and feel tough. It's "war" and we're "going into battle," two of many lines of thinking that Zack and I both believe to be hilariously silly. Instead, most fitness as we know it is fairly "softcore" if we were to … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 76: Softcore Fitness and getting Punched in the Face

Good morning and welcome back! Zack and I are a little worse for the wear after a weekend with the boys in Austin, Texas but the show goes on! Today we're talking about decision fatigue: that overwhelming feeling you get when it comes to all the choices you have at your disposal. Part of what … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 75: Decision Fatigue and Game Changers

Good morning and welcome back! Today, Zack and I are welcoming Mindi Martinez to the gym to be a very special guest on the podcast. Mindi hails originally from the Midwest and through work in the movie industry found her way to LA, Atlanta, and finally to Nashville. Over the years, Mindi was introduced to … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 74: Special Guest Mindi Martinez on Mastering the Oly Lifts

Good morning and welcome back! Zack and I are checking in from his apartment drinking some gas station Yuengling (because we're not above some store-bought plain stuff) and talking about training. Last week, after some busted sleep and back to back training sessions I found myself with a little back soreness. And what did I … Continue reading A2Z No BS Episode 73: Baby Got Back (Pain)