Michael, Mark and new host/contributor Nikki Sterlacci catch up and very informally discuss new goals, a new vision and new direction. Michael discusses his process for recovery from hip surgery, training for the Boston marathon and his new career. Mark discusses balancing his promotion, his short-but-sweet foray into powerlifting, and how his passion for running far and competing has been reignited. Additionally, the team introduces Nikki Sterlacci, a certified strength and conditioning coach, owner of North Dallas Strength, an ICU heart care nurse, and Next Level Strength. Mark and Nikki also briefly discuss a collaborative project called Hybrid Strong which will be available 2/1!

Finding Strong

Season 2, Episode 01: Back At it

Mark and Michael sit down with Mark's new coach, Ryan Miller. On the episode they discuss his journey as a professional runner and his coaching philosophy. At the end of the episode they discuss Ryan's thoughts on Mark's potential and his vision for him.As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 052: Ryan Miller

Easy runs? Yes. Long runs? Of course. Quality sessions? What!? Mark and Michael take a deep dive into the anatomy of a Training Week including rest days, recovery, easy runs, long runs and quality sessions. They also briefly dive into the mindset required to execute a training week properly. As always you can find Pat @patxgates, Michael @sonofragingjoe and Mark @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 051: Anatomy of a Training Week

Pat, Mark, and Michael sit down to discuss the Summer Stampede race. Mark goes into detail on what what well and some obstacles he had along the way leading up to the race. Mark teases something he is going to announce soon.&nbsp;As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 050: Race Recap: Summer Stampede

Mark and Pat sit down and dive into the physiological factors of training in the heat. Many endurance athletes are feeling the extra strain of the heat, Mark and Pat talk about some tips and strategy to overcome both the physical and mental battle of the summer in order to thrive and find the strongest version of yourselfThey also talk about the importance of not giving the self doubt a platform in your mind. As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 049: Beat the Heat

Pat, Mark and special guest Benjamin Saah talk about the importance of harnessing your mindset to break through self-imposed limitations. Ben's journey and experience in fitness allow him to silence his own self doubts.&nbsp;You can find him at @benjamin_saah&nbsp;As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 048: Master Your Mind with Ben Saah

In this very casual conversation, Mark and Pat breakvdown their idea of an outlier mentality; what it takes to seperate yourself from the pack. They speak about vulnerable moments in their personal journey and Mark even breaks into a long-winded rant about the dangers of pitying yourself.As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 047: Outlier

Pat and Mark sit down to discuss questions asked by users over social media. They go over a wide range of topics such as recovering faster, fueling during long runs/races, and gaining and maintaining muscle mass with high volume training.&nbsp;As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 046: Q & A pt II

Mark and Pat dive into some tactics they've used to sharpen their mental strength and resilience. The Co Hosts also demonstrate how Mark implements these into training and sharpening his athlete's for battle come race day or competition time. They discuss topics such as meditation, reframing, mantras, alter egos, personal contracts and more.As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 045: All In

Periodization, training structure, key workouts? All of this might sound intimidating, but it's the ultimate blueprint for success in endurance sports. Patrick and Mark jump on the podcast to talk about Mark's methods for building his athlete's programs, some explanation behind the methods, and a deep dive into what's required physiologically to find the strongest version of yourself.As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 044: Run Strong Blue Print

Mark and Pat sit down with a very special guest, Brian - ultra endurance athlete, animal rights activist and host of the Flytrap Coalition Podcast. The trio discuss sustainability, podcasting, nutrition and planetary health as well as Brian's background in animal activism and why he chooses a cruelty free lifestyle. Brian is a dear friend of Patrick and Mark and the Finding Strong Community as well as one of Mark's inspirations in taking a kinder nutritional approach. You can find Brian as @flytrapcoalition on Instagram. His podcast is available on Spotify and all major streaming networksAs always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 043: Brian Akers

Pat and Mark discuss the quarantine protocol for optimizing your home quarters and daily routine into a bustling and fruitful environment for bringing out the best version of yourself. If you want to train like a maniac, no stress - we want you to push your limits and materialize your wildest dreams. But we also know that we are only as strong as our weakest link. If you create an environment that fosters hard training, recovery and reduces stress you will be bulletproof. In the right environment you are primed to rise to the occasion. As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 042: Rise To The Occasion

130 miles in the last 11 days!? Mark, Pat and Michael analyze Mark's base training phase, purpose behind scheduling and the ins and outs of his runs. Pat is undertaking a new challenge to ward off those quarantine blues. Michael discusses his disappointment around Boston and world marathon major cancelations while being open the possible new opportunities that will come as a result. The boys of the Finding Strong Podcast offer up a challenge.This episode is brought to you by Prevail Botanicals.As always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Pat: @PatxgatesMichael: @SonofragingjoeMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 041: Base Week Breakdown

On today's episode, Pat and Mark discuss ways to optimize your environment to foster performance, wellness and creativity. It may not seem like it at face value but joy, creativity, purposeful intent and good habits make us better athletes.Pat and Mark talk about their methods for developing positive habits, removing poisonous habits and planting the seeds that will lead to a bountiful harvest when social distancing measures are lifted. How can we optimize our time? Our nutrition? How can we add more joy? How can we feel better?"Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief, and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake up and live!" - Bob MarleyAs always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Michael: @SonofragingjoePat: @PatxgatesMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 040: Thrive: Quarantine Edition

It is clear that people with underlying chronic illness are having worse outcomes associated with Covid 19. It's important to control any factors you can that could potentially limit the development of chronic disease. Patrick and Mark discuss the latest happenings and social distancing developments. During the episode Mark and Pat talk about how the pandemic has made them reflect on their personal health, lifestyle choices and contemplate their potential role in impacting others. This episode also contains some thoughts about changing habits to improve the overall quality of your life and health. This podcast has some strong wording, and is merely an exploratory conversation - not designed as a substitute for medical advice."I understand there is a guy inside of me who wants to lay in bed all day, smoke weed all day, and watch cartoons and old movies. My whole life is a series of stratagems to avoid, and outwit, that guy." - Anthony BourdainAs always, if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes, share and drop us a comment or message.You can find the hosts of the Finding Strong Podcast:Michael: @SonofragingjoePat: @PatxgatesMark: @bottenhornrunning and <a href="http://www.markbottenhorn.com/">www.markbottenhorn.com</a>Opinions, comments and feedback are always welcomed and appreciated. If you found enjoyment in this episode we ask that you rate it and share.*While we have made every attempt to refrain from inappropriate language, the occasional curse word may have found its way into the recording.

Episode 039: Spread Love, Not Fear

Ultra endurance athlete and coach, Mark Bottenhorn, Running Nerd Michael Benvenuto, and Strength and Conditioning Coach Nikki Sterlacci, are on a mission to find the strongest version of themselves. Episodes touch on topics including, performance, fitness, nutrition, mental health, and mindset.

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Finding Strong

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