#296 Overcoming Serious Health Challenges with Stevie Shanks

We are joined for the 12th time by 'friend of the show', global strength training icon & bestselling author Dan John all the way from Utah USA. We discuss Beowulf, The Odyssey, the return of Ted Lasso & training the youth athlete. We learn how Dan is seemingly de-ageing himself as he approaches 70 & how his training focus has evolved over the years. This is a warm & insightful catch up with a man who has been with us since the genesis of Health Oddity & continues to be an inspiration & friend.

We are joined by Dr. Kyle Hulsebus, a Health & Human Potential Specialist, author & third-generation chiropractor based in Northern Illinois. Kyle's work redefines health as an internal state & integrates purpose, performance & well-being for longevity & impact. We discuss travel, philosophy, ball room dancing & why purpose may be the missing health metric. An interesting & inspiring conversation with a fascinating man on a mission to spread true health far & wide.

We are joined by James Crozier from J.C Performance Coaching, a competitive Strongman & Powerlifter with 25 years of coaching experience in the world of strength sports. This is an honest & wide reaching discussion around training strength for the long haul, the importance of structure, consistency & sustainability, mental health & James' coaching philosophy informed through his vast personal experience & history of working with athletes & general population clients.

In this episode we discuss the subject of motivation & how much of a part it actually plays in success. Is motivation actually a myth? & if not, what is it & how does it factor? We discuss the importance of discipline, habit, routine, environment & community. Where does willpower fit in? & how you can "make healthy the default"

We are joined for the third time by friend of the show & force of nature Stevie Shanks from Belfast, Northern Ireland. In this episode Stevie talks about his recent heart attack & subsequent triple heart bypass (including a specially reinforced rib cage for stone lifting!) his return to drumming & using that as an unconventional rehabilitation method. We also discuss the upcoming 10th Anniversary of The Donald Dinnie Day - The Gathering & Stevie's plans for returning to strength training himself - perhaps with a slightly different focus.

In this episode we discuss the various ways you can progress your training by manipulating a number of training variables, namely - frequency, volume, intensity & density. Firstly we define each term as it relates to training, give some real world examples of how they fit within a training programme then finally, we discuss the order & manner which they should be progressed from a beginners into intermediate standpoint. A practical discussion that should be of use to many - and could spark a few disagreements or debates!

In this host catch up episode following 4 weeks of guests we discuss the recent Strongfirst Resilient course held at Unique Results, Peter's recent development of Walking Solves - Daily Meditations & the routine James adopted on a recent family holiday & how we can take elements of it even when busier life resumes.

We are joined from just outside NYC, USA by Chris Ryan from the Chris Ryan Fitness app to discuss all things Strength, Longevity & health & fitness for busy people with families & careers. Chris is a bundle of controlled energy & positivity.   We learn about his athletic career as a Division 1 track athlete (800m), his time on NBCs STRONG as one of America's Top 10 trainers, his life now as a 45 year old husband & dad to 3 children & how he developed, launched & continues to build his fitness app which serves users all around the world.   This is an inspiring, energetic & very actionable conversation with a guest that I'm sure we'll be speaking with again.      

In this episode we are joined by all the way from Los Angeles, California by Axay Shah. An avid marathon runner, a passionate poet, and a lover of music. Axay enjoys life to the fullest, & is a very happy person (as you will hear). His secret? He has followed a raw food vegetarian diet for over 16 years & it has transformed his life. At 66 years of age, Axay believes that eating uncooked, plant-based foods has been the cornerstone of his health & vitality. janHe believes that the raw food lifestyle has unlocked the true potential of his body & mind. We encourage you to listen (or watch) with an open mind & heart & enjoy getting to know Axay, he's a warm & interesting man who has found his own path to health & wellness.

We are joined for the third time by one of our most referenced guests - Steve Bush. Steve has just passed his 6th year since having gastric surgery to change his life & has also just turned 60 years old. Steve updates us on the physical challenges he has set himself for 2026, his experience running the Disney Marathon (and riding a rollercoaster on the way round). Steve also explains how he has developed his own method of training for running events by limiting his running (and saving his knees) & how his life has changed so he now has the confidence to say YES to just about anything after a lifetime of saying NO. Be inspired & enjoy.