I don’t train people the way most coaches do: And I definitely don’t train myself that way either.
The biggest reason? I’ve lived both extremes:
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I’ve run marathons.
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I’ve pulled over 1,000 pounds.
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And I’ve gone from 225 pounds to World’s Strongest Man without constantly being sore or broken.
That journey — and my background in kinesiology and exercise science — gave me a different lens on what it actually takes to build elite-level strength.
Strength Isn’t a Muscle Quality — It’s a Skill
Most people think of strength as something you “build” like muscle. But true strength is a neurological adaptation. It’s about teaching your body how to:
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Fire motor units efficiently
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Coordinate force production
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Move loads without leaking energy
This means the nervous system needs just as much attention as your muscles. And that changes everything about how you train.
If you’re still following the same program as a bodybuilder — 3x10, 5x5, crushing yourself with volume — you’re missing the mark.
What That Looks Like in My Coaching
In my approach, everything revolves around:
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Block periodization that separates skill, volume, and intensity phases
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Lower frequency of failure sets to protect the nervous system
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Intentional progression that accounts for CNS fatigue, not just muscle damage
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And a recovery-first mindset that keeps you training hard, week after week
I’ve put on over 100 pounds of lean muscle and added 300 pounds to my deadlift in just a few years — and I did it with almost zero DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
That’s not luck. That’s science-backed, structured training that works with your body instead of beating it into the ground.
Why It Works for Everyone — Not Just Pros
You don’t have to be a strongman to benefit from this style of training. If you:
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Want to get stronger without always being sore
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Are tired of programs that push you but don’t teach you
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Care about why things work, not just what to do
Then it’s time to shift your mindset.
That’s exactly what I built the commercial gym strongman Program and Pain-Free Fitness Program around — the idea that strength should feel better, not worse, as you get stronger.
Final Thought
If you train strength like a skill, you’ll go further — with fewer setbacks.
That’s the secret.
– Mitchell