Starting Strength Gyms Library

In this powerful episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo is joined by UK-based client and father James Collinge to discuss how strength training has transformed his life—not just in the gym, but in parenting a disabled child.

James shares how barbell training prepared him physically and mentally for the unpredictable demands of caring for his autistic son, and how strength offers freedom, control, and peace of mind in even the most chaotic moments. Whether you’re a parent, a coach, or someone seeking a deeper reason to train, this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 – Intro: Meet James Collinge
01:45 – Training overview and coaching relationship
06:00 – Programming simplicity and advanced progress
09:00 – Current lifts and Dinnie Stones goal
13:20 – Grip work and unconventional lifting prep
18:56 – Specialization vs tradeoffs in strength
21:00 – Daily life with recovery, food, and structure
27:30 – How strength helps parenting a disabled child
30:30 – Real-life travel and care challenges
33:45 – Physical freedom and reduced anxiety
36:30 – Strength makes things easier—not just possible
38:11 – Strength changes social dynamics and confidence
40:40 – Controlling physical situations safely
43:41 – The emotional toll of high-stress parenting
46:00 – A message to parents of disabled children
48:33 – Capability = lower life stress
50:45 – Capability for the long haul: aging with responsibility
53:08 – It’s your responsibility to stay strong
55:00 – Final reflections and future of Starting Strength Gyms

In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo shares a talk he delivered at the Starting Strength Cincinnati Member event in August 2025.

This talk dives deep into the consequences of modern comfort, the transformative value of hard physical effort, and the role of barbell training in reclaiming your physical existence. Nick outlines how stress, recovery, and adaptation aren’t just for strength gains — they’re foundational to becoming a better human.

He also explores the three dimensions of capability: intelligence, connection with others, and connection with your physical body — and how barbell training uniquely activates all three.

If you’re looking for meaning in your training — or need a reminder of why it matters — this is the episode to watch.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: The power of community at SS Cincinnati
02:00 – Why strength training is still underrated
05:00 – Better people through hard physical things
07:00 – Stress–Recovery–Adaptation and the S.A.I.D. principle
10:20 – Why lifting gets harder, and why that’s the point
13:00 – Accumulated stress and managing recovery
16:00 – Why performance is non-negotiable
18:00 – The “Three Capabilities” model: Mind, connection, body
21:00 – Why physical capability is a human-level multiplier
25:00 – Strength training as a humbling and clarifying process
28:00 – The law of diminishing returns in real time
30:00 – Why you don’t need to quit lifting for cardio
33:00 – Understanding the physical spectrum
36:00 – Bigger muscles = health, longevity, and looking better
40:00 – Why barbells are the most disruptive and accessible tool
43:00 – Three ingredients for happiness (from Matt Larsen)
46:30 – “The lust for comfort murders the passion of the soul”
48:00 – Final thoughts and closing quote from Rip

In this episode, Nick Delgadillo and Ray Gillenwater revisit one of the most important topics in barbell training: the Starting Strength Novice Linear Progression (NLP). Originally recorded in 2021, this conversation outlines everything you need to know about the NLP — from day one in the gym to transitioning into intermediate programming.

Whether you’re brand new to strength training or getting back under the bar after a layoff, this episode will help you understand how to approach programming with confidence.

Topics covered:
• What actually makes someone a “novice” lifter
• Why you should not overcomplicate your early training
• Programming for each lift: squat, press, bench, and deadlift
• How to know when to adjust your program — and how
• Why most people change things too early (and fail)
• How NLP builds confidence and transforms lives

Key quote:
“The change that you actually need to make is probably much smaller than the one you will want to make. So make the small change and then keep progress going.”

📚 Read Rip’s article: “The First Three Questions”: https://startingstrength.com/article/the_first_three_questions
📩 Questions or suggestions? Email us: podcast@ssgyms.com

00:00 – Intro: Why this episode matters
01:08 – What is the Starting Strength NLP?
06:45 – Basic structure: MWF training, lift rotation
12:58 – Deadlift: When & how to adjust
31:38 – Consistency, recovery, and form checklist
34:24 – Press progression strategies
47:00 – Bench press variants based on lifter profile
50:00 – Squat as the program driver
55:00 – Top set + backoffs, then one weekly PR
59:39 – Avoiding failure and staying consistent
01:05:55 – Final mindset & success advice

On this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick talks with David “Ghost” Phillips, a retired Navy veteran, mountaineer, and member at Starting Strength San Antonio. David shares his journey from the Appalachian Trail to summiting Mount Everest, his battle with frostbite, and his ambitious “Project 327”—the pursuit of the Triple Crown of hiking and the Explorers Grand Slam.

We dive into:
• Why strength training was the key to his success on Everest
• The dangers of high-altitude mountaineering, from avalanches to frostbite
• How strength provides the foundation for endurance, longevity, and survival in extreme environments
• David’s mission to support Disabled American Veterans through his expeditions

Follow David’s journey and support his project: https://www.grandexplorerscrown.com/

00:00 Intro – Welcome + guest intro
00:43 Who is David “Ghost” Phillips?
01:14 Navy career, trail name & Starting Strength San Antonio
01:45 Why barbell training for Everest
02:51 Becoming a climber & mountaineer
03:53 The Triple Crown of Hiking explained
05:27 Appalachian Trail experience after Navy retirement
07:43 Continental Divide reality & challenges
08:48 Hiking solo vs. trail family
10:20 Pack weight, food & survival tradeoffs
12:23 Mountaineering vs. climbing
15:07 Why Everest required more preparation
16:53 Building a bigger chassis + overcoming hip injury
18:31 Endurance vs. strength on big mountains
22:05 Surviving Everest & making it down
23:42 Dangers of Everest – fatalities, team responsibility
25:20 The Khumbu Icefall
28:08 Avalanches & rockfall hazards
29:48 Frostbite & altitude risks
31:20 Everest vs. South America & Alaska expeditions
32:57 Expedition logistics, videographer & documentary
34:42 Training at Starting Strength San Antonio
36:56 TRT & recovery
37:28 Barbell progression – squat & deadlift
39:37 Combining lifting & trail running
41:22 Re-baselining strength for longevity
44:12 Trail running performance after lifting
46:30 Running heavier – 185 lbs vs. 155 lbs
47:41 Training phases – barbell, Everest plan, altitude work
50:56 Confidence & health from strength
52:28 The summit experience on Everest
54:38 Team effort & Sherpa support
01:01:23 Frostbite & helicopter medevac
01:05:30 Hyperbaric recovery & losing toes
01:09:11 Project 327 – Triple Crown + Seven Summits + Poles
01:12:55 Upcoming goals – Antarctica, PCT, documentary
01:15:04 Returning to barbells post-frostbite
01:17:53 Supporting Disabled American Veterans
01:19:28 Outro & website plug – grandexplorerscrown.com

🔗 Brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms
🎧 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify
📩 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com

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 integrity, effective learning methods, and how to build sustainable skills that actually work under stress.

John also shares details about the upcoming Combatives Summit (October 24–26 in D’Iberville, MS), plus the launch of the Combatives coaching platform.

Whether you’re a coach, martial artist, or someone interested in personal protection, this episode will help you think more clearly about what training really prepares you for.

🔗 Learn more about the Combatives Summit: combativesummit.com

⸻

00:00 – Introduction and guest background
02:00 – The origin of the Combatives Association
04:30 – Building an honest community around fighting and training
09:00 – Why fighting is simple but training often overcomplicates it
12:00 – Core truths of stand-up clinch, striking, and grappling
16:30 – Positions that matter: parallel vs. perpendicular fighting
18:20 – Weapons considerations and the limits of BJJ
21:00 – Why pressure testing matters more than techniques
24:00 – Wrestling as the foundation of fighting
26:30 – Jiu-Jitsu as the best entry point for most people
28:30 – Has BJJ abandoned self-defense to Krav Maga?
33:30 – Striking, clinching, grappling, and weapons: it’s always “yes”
35:00 – Legal aftermath and what martial arts don’t teach
37:00 – Self-defense vs. fitness classes
39:00 – Why BJJ “on accident” builds fighting ability better than most systems
43:00 – The role of coaching and integrity in self-defense training
46:30 – How most training preserves systems, not effectiveness
48:30 – Why information isn’t the problem — coaching is
51:00 – The dangers of repackaging combatives material
55:00 – Skipping the process gets people hurt
56:00 – Drilling vs. ecological/constraints-based learning
01:00:00 – Good coaching vs. bad teaching in martial arts
01:04:30 – Anecdotes, authority, and developing skill
01:06:50 – Suggested path to becoming self-reliant in self-defense
01:10:30 – John’s advice for beginners starting martial arts
01:13:30 – Situational awareness and reducing vulnerability
01:14:30 – Legal education and concealed carry training
01:15:30 – Combatives Summit 2025 details (Oct 24–26)
01:18:45 – Coaching platform and professional community launch
01:21:20 – Sponsors and community support for the Summit
01:22:30 – The value of surrounding yourself with high-level people
01:23:30 – Closing thoughts and takeaways