🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

As we gear up for the milestone of Episode 150, OB and Smitty take a reflective turn, diving into the often-overlooked role grief plays in personal growth. This conversation pulls back the curtain on how emotional depth can shape physical resilience and how embracing life’s heavier moments can actually fuel the journey forward.

From there, the energy shifts to what makes training stick. The guys unpack fresh approaches to programming that make fitness feel more like play - not punishment. They break down why novelty, gamification, and strategic intensity are key to keeping clients engaged and progressing. Topics include the timeless effectiveness of the five by five method, the underrated power of isometrics, and how ad sets can push adaptation without wrecking recovery.

Throughout the episode, OB and Smitty underline one constant: evolution. Whether it’s emotional intelligence or smarter programming, the Becoming Ronin philosophy is always about leveling up and staying one step ahead.

Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction and Anticipation for Upcoming Episode

[02:44] Exploring Grief: A Deep Dive

[05:25] Innovative Training Methods: Making Fitness Fun

[08:30] The Importance of Novelty in Training

[11:20] Understanding the Five by Five Training Method

[13:57] The Evolution of Training Philosophy

[16:50] The Role of Mental Toughness in Training

[19:21] The Science Behind Compound Lifts

[21:59] Practical Application of Training Techniques

[29:46] High-Intensity Training Techniques

[34:46] The Simplicity of Five by Five Training

[39:05] Active Rest and Fillers in Training

[43:02] Innovative Training Phases and Techniques

[56:02] Building Work Capacity and Recovery Strategies

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this episode, OB and Smitty share stories from their time training in commercial gyms—the good, the bad, and the frustrating. From mismatched weights to people sitting on machines scrolling their phones, they vent about common gym pet peeves and how social media has changed the gym environment.

The conversation shifts to practical nutrition advice, including the importance of tracking your food and getting enough protein, especially for those serious about results. They also dive into how training methods need to evolve over time, particularly in bodybuilding—balancing strength with size and learning how to adapt as you age.

Later in the episode, OB and Smitty get into what it really means to be a good coach. They talk about building trust, creating a supportive environment, and helping clients focus on more than just the physical side of training. It’s about being real, staying positive, and helping people grow both in and out of the gym. This one’s full of honest takes and hard-earned lessons from two guys who’ve been in the game for a long time.

Timestamps

[00:00] Strongman Training in Commercial Gyms

[10:41] The Role of Social Media in Fitness

[18:11] Nutrition Tips and Misconceptions

[26:03] The Importance of Open-Mindedness in Fitness

[31:08] Judgment in Gym Culture

[40:11] The Importance of Tracking Progress

[46:41] Strength vs. Size in Bodybuilding

[52:32] Nutrition: The Key to Bodybuilding Success

[01:02:05] Coaching Challenges and Business Insights

[01:09:07] Authenticity in Coaching

[01:15:41] The Journey of Self-Discovery

[01:22:51] Building Connections Through Positivity

[01:30:49] The Importance of Personal Growth

[01:39:01] Setting Realistic Expectations

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this episode of Becoming Ronin, OB and Smitty dive deep into the worlds of Jiu-Jitsu and strength training, sharing hard-earned lessons and practical insights for coaches and athletes alike. They discuss the significance of earning milestones in martial arts, how training methods have evolved, and why coaching with integrity and intention is more important than ever—especially when it comes to popular challenges like the Murph.

The conversation shifts into technical training strategies, with a focus on improving grip strength, dialing in proper push-up form, and understanding the nuances of deadlift technique—especially how to identify and fix hip shifts to prevent injury. OB and Smitty break down how to get more out of your Romanian Deadlifts (RDLs), how to choose the right footwear as a coach who’s on their feet all day, and how to address and correct strength imbalances by programming for your weaker side.

Whether you're on the mat or under the barbell, this episode delivers powerful tools to refine your craft and lead with purpose.

Timestamps

[00:00] OB Gets His Purple Belt

[05:50] The Current Status of Jiu-Jitsu

[12:01] Programming Techniques for Challenges

[18:13] Correcting Push-Up Form for Better Results

[25:50] How to Feel Your Glutes With RDLs

[32:57] Innovative Techniques for RDLs

[41:28] Addressing Imbalances in Strength Training

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this introspective and thought-provoking episode, OB and Smitty take listeners on a guided descent through the symbolic layers of Dante’s Inferno—not as passive tourists, but as directors of a modern reimagining that reflects the traps we face in everyday life. Drawing from the powerful allegory of Dante’s journey through hell, they illuminate how subtle sins—like gluttony, greed, wrath, and deceit—can slowly erode your character and pull you further into a personal hell of stagnation, regret, and disconnection.

Each circle of Inferno becomes a metaphor for self-inflicted suffering, revealing how we often sabotage our growth through emotional indulgence, broken trust, and spiritual neglect. OB and Smitty explore how these behaviors manifest in both personal and societal contexts, making the case that unchecked habits and disordered values can keep us trapped in cycles of pain and avoidance.

But this isn't a message of doom—it's a call to awareness. The episode highlights how faith, integrity, and personal responsibility can serve as guideposts back to the surface. By identifying where you may be sliding and understanding the emotional and spiritual consequences of sin, you can begin the climb toward redemption, purpose, and peace.

Whether you're battling internal demons or looking to strengthen your moral compass, this episode offers hard truths, timeless insights, and a path forward for those willing to face their own inferno.

Timestamps

[00:00] Exploring Dante's Inferno: A Journey Through Hell

[07:43] Self-Mastery and Personal Reflection

[14:56] The Layers of Hell: Understanding Sin and Consequence

[22:34] The Path to Redemption: Faith and Spiritual Truth

[31:31] The Consequences of Gluttony and Greed

[44:54] Building a Bigger Table: The Dangers of Greed

[54:01] Exploring Heresy: The Cost of Denying Spiritual Truths

[01:01:55] The Nature of Violence: Inner and Outer Conflicts

[01:12:53] The Sin of Fraud: Authenticity in Relationships

[01:19:07] Treachery: The Deepest Betrayal

[01:27:15] Closing Thoughts: Awareness and Reflection

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this episode of Becoming Ronin, OB and Smitty kick things off by tackling the viral gorilla vs. 100 men challenge — a hypothetical debate lighting up social media. They break down their thoughts on how the fight might play out.

From there, the conversation takes a serious turn as OB shares the low back pain circuit he uses with real-life clients, offering a practical, multi-faceted approach to treatment and rehab. The hosts explain why successful recovery isn’t about chasing quick fixes but addressing the underlying patterns that lead to chronic pain.

The episode then dives into the heart of what makes great coaching: the power of effective exercise selection, the art of simplifying cues, and most importantly, building trust by genuinely caring for your clients. OB and Smitty also discuss controversial coaching practices and explore how parenting influences a child’s relationship with fitness, highlighting the fine line between encouragement and pressure.

Packed with humor, coaching wisdom, and actionable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for trainers, parents, and anyone passionate about growth and mastery in fitness and life.

Timestamps

[00:00] Gorilla vs. 100 Men

[04:47] Breaking Down Back Pain: A Multi-Faceted Approach

[28:41] The Art of Effective Cueing

[33:51] The Foundation of Great Coaching

[39:17] Making Cues Clear and Actionable

[45:01] Why Caring for Clients Comes First

[51:08] Controversial Coaching Practices: What Works, What Doesn’t

[57:18] Parenting & Fitness: Finding the Balance Between Encouragement and Pressure

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this deeply introspective episode, OB and Smitty dive into the raw and transformative journey of personal awakening. Through candid stories and philosophical reflections, they unpack the subtle yet powerful differences between perception and perspective—and how both shape the way we experience the world.

This conversation explores the lies we tell ourselves, the importance of stillness and meditation, and the emotional toll of unacknowledged trauma. They shed light on the impact of early caregivers, the necessity of emotional empathy, and the role of honesty in personal growth.

OB and Smitty challenge listeners to confront self-deception, carry their burdens with grace, and lean into life with authenticity and playfulness. Above all, they emphasize that by facing the truth within ourselves, we open the door to genuine transformation and freedom.

Timestamps

[00:28] Moments of Awakening and Personal Transformation

[02:55] Perception vs. Perspective: How We Shape Our Reality

[05:18] Caregivers, Trauma, and the Path to Growth

[10:28] The Role of Self-Awareness and Emotional Maturity

[20:16] Truthfulness and How It Changes Perception

[25:34] Facing the Lies We Tell Ourselves

[28:53] Stillness, Meditation, and the Inner World

[31:48] What Is Reality? Exploring Our Filters and Beliefs

[36:02] Waking Up to the Truth Within

[39:41] The Weight We Carry: Burdens, Responsibility, and Grace

[43:28] Playfulness, Authenticity, and Living Fully

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

Hashtags for SEO

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this episode of Becoming Ronin, OB and Smitty reflect on their experiences with the Ronin Challenge and how structured challenges can reignite motivation and foster community. The conversation transitions into a Q&A format covering diverse training strategies such as ramp-up sets, pre-exhaust techniques, and effective core training. They explore the evolution of core exercises, highlighting the Turkish Get-Up and lessons from RKC certification. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of adaptability, longevity, and mindset in both training and life. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of programming, core functionality, and how to stay motivated through personal and professional challenges.

Timestamps

[00:25] Ronin Challenge Progress Update

[08:21] Listener Q&A

[21:01] Pre-Exhaust Techniques in Training

[33:20] Real Core Training

[39:53] RKC Certification and Application

[46:52] Understanding Core Functionality

[52:17] Building the "Wedge"

[59:30] Overcoming Roadblocks and Lack of Motivation

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

Hashtags for SEO

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

Episode Overview

In this episode, OB and Smitty dive deep into the power of isometric training, breaking down its role in strength development, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. They explore the science behind isometrics, highlighting its benefits for joint stability, muscle activation, and injury recovery. The conversation sheds light on common mistakes people make when implementing isometric exercises and how these errors can lead to suboptimal results. With practical insights, they discuss how to properly integrate isometrics into training programs, whether for breaking through strength plateaus, improving athletic performance, or accelerating recovery from injuries.

Beyond technique, OB and Smitty emphasize the importance of setting high standards in training and understanding the psychology behind pain and movement. They challenge common misconceptions about injury management and stress the need for individualized approaches to training and recovery. By the end of the episode, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for isometric training and walk away with actionable strategies to enhance their own fitness journey, whether as athletes, coaches, or fitness enthusiasts.

Timestamps

[01:10] The Power of Isometrics

[04:07] Common Mistakes in Isometric Training

[06:56] Understanding Isometric Variations

[10:12] The Science Behind Isometrics

[13:07] Practical Applications of Isometrics

[16:22] Isometrics in Rehabilitation

[19:13] Advanced Isometric Techniques

[22:17] Integrating Isometrics into Training

[25:12] Contrast Training and Isometrics

[28:00] The Future of Isometric Training

[47:39] Setting Standards in Training

[50:54] Understanding Injury and Recovery

[57:24] The Power of Isometrics

[01:03:01] Implementing Isometrics for Performance

[01:11:10] Breaking Down Isometric Techniques

[01:20:25] Isometrics in Rehab and Warmups

[01:30:22] The Future of Isometric Training

Stay Connected

💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

📲 Follow us on Instagram:

• @oberther
• @smittydiesel

🌐 Visit Our Website:
www.becomingroninpodcast.com

🛠 Share Your Journey:
Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

Sponsors

💪 Jocko Fuel
Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

🛡 Iron Neck
Improve neck strength and save 10%!

💧 LMNT Electrolytes
Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

❄️ The Plunge
Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

Support the Show

Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

Hashtags for SEO

#BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast