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THIRST For More PodcastStrength coach Brandon Smitley sits down and talks with industry respected professionals in the strength and conditioning, sports performance, personal training, online training, health and fitness, and gym ownership community to discuss how you can... Author: Brandon Smitley Terre Haute Intensity Resistance and Sports Training
The THIRST For More Podcast is designed to help provide insight and knowledge for the strength and conditioning, sports performance, personal training, online training, gym ownership, and health and fitness professionals. Host, Brandon Smitley, reaches out to various professionals in the industry and sits down with them to chat about becoming a better coach, how to improve athletic performance, improving communication, ideas for marketing and brand recognition, and general information on just accelerating your career and life. Brandon is the co-owner of Terre Haute Intensity Resistance and Sports Training (THIRST), a locally owned gym in Terre Haute, Indiana. He trains and works with youth athletes, personal training clients, and strength sport athletes. Brandon's goal is to "Build Better People Through Strength". Connect with Brandon and the THIRST For More Podcast below. Instagram: @team.thirst Instagram: @bsmitley Website: http://thirstgym.com Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Sports Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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E 71 | Strength Training's Entire History in 45 Minutes (And Where It's Going Next)
Episode 71
Monday, 4 May, 2026
Episode SummaryMost of the cutting edge strength training methods being sold on social media right now were invented 30, 50, even 2,500 years ago. In this episode of the THIRST For More Podcast, Brandon traces the full evolution of strength training. From Milo of Croton carrying a bull in ancient Greece, to Eugen Sandow and Bob Hoffman building American strength culture, to Arthur Jones and the Nautilus HIT wars, to the Soviet sport science revolution, to the evidence based era led by Brad Schoenfeld and Eric Helms, and finally to where we are going: AI assisted programming, continuous biometric data, and genetically individualized training.If you are a strength coach, personal trainer, or gym owner who wants to stop chasing trends and start building real professional expertise, this is the historical framework you have been missing.WHAT WE COVER IN THIS EPISODEThe 2,500 year old origin of progressive overloadHow Eugen Sandow invented the modern fitness industry in 1895The HIT versus volume training war and what the research actually saysWhy Eastern European sport science still underpins modern programmingThe specific researchers and coaches defining the evidence based eraFour trends that will shape coaching over the next 10 yearsThe uncomfortable truth about why most gyms still train like it is 1985RESEARCHERS AND COACHES MENTIONEDBrad Schoenfeld, Eric Helms, Mike Israetel, Greg Nuckols, Stuart Phillips, Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Mel Siff, Tudor Bompa, Leonid Matveyev, Yuri Verkhoshansky, Arthur Jones, Bob Hoffman, Eugen Sandow, Mike Mentzer, Dorian Yates, Ellington Darden, Joe and Ben WeiderDISCLAIMERThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, fitness, or professional advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare and fitness professionals before making changes to your training, supplementation, nutrition, or health practices. Individual results may vary. The host and producers are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any information, suggestions, or procedures discussed in this podcast.Subscribe & Review:If this episode added value to your training knowledge, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Your feedback helps us reach more fitness enthusiasts, coaches, lifters, athletes or anyone who can benefit from quality training information.About Brandon SmitleyInstagram: @bsmitley @team.thirstSubscribe On YouTube!Website: THIRSTgym.comBrandon Smitley is a world renowned strength coach and athlete for over a decade. He and his wife, Adrian, own Terre Haute Intensity Resistance and Sports Training (THIRST) where they work with youth athletes and personal training clients of all ages. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in Health and Fitness, and his Master’s degree from Indiana State University in Physical Education and Coaching. Brandon has been awarded Personal Trainer of the Year Awards from Purdue University and Indiana State University as well is the 2020 Reader's Choice for Best Personal Trainer in Terre Haute, IN and the Wabash Valley.Brandon is a sponsored athlete with Elitefts and NutraBio where as a competitive powerlifter he currently holds the all-time world record squat in the 132 pound weight class, with a 567 pound squat. He also holds a 330 pound bench press, and 510 pound deadlift in that weight class, totaling 1377 pounds, ranking 4th all-time. He provides online coaching and programming around the world, and has personally worked with over 200 athletes in the US, UK, France, Italy, Mexico, Canada, and other countries. Brandon’s been published at Elitefts, Muscle and Performance, and Muscle and Fitness magazine.He holds his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Level One Sports Performance (USAW), Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certifications, and is educated in PRI for Fitness and Performance.
