Episode 53: Strength as a Skill with Michael Kurkowski
05/12/25 • 49 min
What if the key to lasting fitness success isn’t found in the latest workout trend, but in understanding your identity? In this episode, Michael Kurkowski—strength coach with 15 years of experience and host of The Strength Connection podcast—shares powerful insights into the psychology behind sustainable progress. After a hip injury as a teenager led him down a path of rehabilitation and movement quality, Michael discovered the transformative power of proper assessment and mindset work. He explains how the pandemic revealed a widespread struggle with autonomy in training and how true change stems not just from tactics, but from a deep belief in one’s ability to grow. Through stories of elite athletes, the power of fundamentals, and his own evolution from structured training to earned autonomy, Michael offers practical wisdom for coaches and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike. This conversation dives deep into building confidence through mastery, creating habits that stick, and connecting physical strength to every other part of life.
Connect with Michael:
The ONE Day Strength Challenge
Strength Connection Podcast (Apple)
Strength Connection Podcast (Spotify)
PRIMAL FOUNDATIONS PODCAST-
Instagram: @Tony_PrimalFoundations
Website: Primalfoundations.com
The Strength Kollective:
Download Kettlebell Programs (Click Here)
Book a free 30 minutes consultation (Click Here)
What if the key to lasting fitness success isn’t found in the latest workout trend, but in understanding your identity? In this episode, Michael Kurkowski—strength coach with 15 years of experience and host of The Strength Connection podcast—shares powerful insights into the psychology behind sustainable progress. After a hip injury as a teenager led him down a path of rehabilitation and movement quality, Michael discovered the transformative power of proper assessment and mindset work. He explains how the pandemic revealed a widespread struggle with autonomy in training and how true change stems not just from tactics, but from a deep belief in one’s ability to grow. Through stories of elite athletes, the power of fundamentals, and his own evolution from structured training to earned autonomy, Michael offers practical wisdom for coaches and everyday fitness enthusiasts alike. This conversation dives deep into building confidence through mastery, creating habits that stick, and connecting physical strength to every other part of life.
Connect with Michael:
The ONE Day Strength Challenge
Strength Connection Podcast (Apple)
Strength Connection Podcast (Spotify)
PRIMAL FOUNDATIONS PODCAST-
Instagram: @Tony_PrimalFoundations
Website: Primalfoundations.com
The Strength Kollective:
Download Kettlebell Programs (Click Here)
Book a free 30 minutes consultation (Click Here)
Previous Episode
Bonus Episode: The Next Four Years: Compete, Win & Thrive in College Sports w/ Angelo Gingerelli
Angelo Gingerelli brings 20 years of collegiate strength coaching wisdom to our first-ever guest episode, offering hard-earned lessons from his time at Seton Hall and beyond. He challenges the constant job-hopping in the industry, emphasizing the value of building roots, relationships, and revenue streams. We dive into early sport specialization, with Angelo dropping gems like, "Everybody wants to sell a single-arm dumbbell bench press on a physio ball to people who can't do push-ups yet." He shares how strength programs should be structured, the role of tech in training, and advice from his book The Next Four Years to help athletes transition to college sports. This episode is packed with insight for coaches, parents, and athletes alike.
Connect with Angelo:
Book: The Next Four Years: Compete, Win & Thrive in College Sports
PRIMAL FOUNDATIONS PODCAST-
Instagram: @Tony_PrimalFoundations
Website: Primalfoundations.com
The Strength Kollective:
Download Kettlebell Programs (Click Here)
Book a free 30 minutes consultation (Click Here)
Next Episode
Episode 54: No Gimmicks, Just Gains with Jim Wendler 5/3/1
The search for the perfect strength training program often leads to over-complication, but Jim Wendler—creator of the iconic 5-3-1 program and former elite powerlifter who once squatted 1,000 pounds—makes a compelling case for simplicity. In this episode, Wendler shares how his lifelong commitment to consistent, basic training transformed him from an average athlete into a multi-sport standout and shaped his no-nonsense coaching philosophy. We dive into his current work revamping a small-town high school football program, where his simple, repeatable training approach has turned a struggling team into playoff regulars and state finalists—all without flashy equipment or complex programming.
Wendler explains why executing simple movements with perfect form, building muscle methodically, and fostering belief in young athletes leads to outsized results. He also challenges traditional strength dogma—favoring light weights, extended time at consistent loads, and assistance work—proving that “more isn’t better, better is better.” Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or just looking to get stronger, this conversation will reframe how you think about training. Follow Jim on Instagram @jimwendler and catch his Friday live Q&As on YouTube.
Connect with Jim:
Book: 5/3/1 - The Simplest and Most Effective Training System for Raw Strength
PRIMAL FOUNDATIONS PODCAST-
Instagram: @Tony_PrimalFoundations
Website: Primalfoundations.com
The Strength Kollective:
Download Kettlebell Programs (Click Here)
Book a free 30 minutes consultation (Click Here)
Primal Foundations Podcast - Episode 53: Strength as a Skill with Michael Kurkowski
Transcript
On today's episode of the Primal Foundations podcast , I'm joined with Michael Krakowski , strength coach , educator , host of the Strength Connection podcast . With over 15 years of strength and conditioning and training , michael has trained elite athletes , everyday adults and even kettlebell instructors . Michael is on a mission to help everybody connect to strength on a deeper level .
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