Strength Agenda Radio
Strength Agenda Radio: Unlock Your Potential in Strength & BusinessWelcome to Strength Agenda Radio, the official podcast from the coaches behind TheStrengthAgenda.com! Join owners and expert coaches Tom Sroka and John Ziegler as they cut through the noise to bring you the most effective and intelligent approaches to strength training, fitness, and overall well-being.But that's not all. Tom and John aren't just here to talk sets and reps. With years of experience building a successful fitness business, they'll also share invaluable industry and business insights to help you navigate the world of health, fitness, and entrepreneurship.Are you looking...
Little Rock Results & The Need for Speed: Velocity Based Training (VBT)
We’re back from the Natural State with medals and insights! In Episode 24 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John recap the highs, the lows, and the heavy lifts from the USA Masters competition in Little Rock, Arkansas.
But we aren't just talking shop about the podium—we’re diving deep into the tech that’s changing the game for masters athletes and strength junkies alike: Velocity Based Training (VBT). If you’re still training based on "how you feel" or static percentages, you’re leaving gains on the table.
TRAIN AT THE SPEED OF STR...
Warm-Ups, Favorite Shoes, and the Joys of Energy Drinks
Are you still doing two arm circles and calling it a "warm-up"? Stop it. Right now.
In Episode 23 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are breaking down the three pillars of a successful training session: Preparation, Performance Footwear, and Pure Caffeine. We’re cutting through the fluff to tell you what actually works to get your body (and brain) ready for the heavy triples.
DON'T JUST WARM UP—LEVEL UP:
Ready for a program that tells you exactly how to prep for success? Get the roadmap to your next PR.
Steel Chairs & Heavy Squats: Pro Wrestling Secrets with Craig Mitchell!
Think your leg day is tough? Try taking a powerbomb through a table and then finishing a 20-minute match. In Episode 22 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are stepping into the squared circle with a true icon of the Midwest indy scene: former Champion and professional wrestling powerhouse, Craig Mitchell.
Craig has spent years perfecting the art of "controlled chaos," and today, he’s pulling back the curtain on the brutal reality of the wrestling business. This isn't just entertainment—it's an athletic gauntlet that requires a very specific kind of strength.
TRAI...
What’s in the Bag? (And Why Does It Smell Like That?!)
Let’s be honest: your gym bag is either a well-organized toolkit or a mobile biohazard unit. In this fun and surprisingly wholesome episode of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are opening up their lockers and dumping out their bags. We’re moving away from the heavy science for a second to talk about the gear that actually makes it into our daily rotation—and more importantly, how to keep your bag from smelling like a locker room’s basement.
FILL YOUR BAG WITH THE BEST:
Now that your bag is organized, it's tim...
The "Open" Survival Guide: How to Peak When Your Body Wants to Quit!
The CrossFit Open is here, and your central nervous system is currently screaming for help. In Episode 20 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are diving into the high-stakes world of short-turnaround recovery. Whether you’re grinding through the Open, a weekend-long competition, or back-to-back meets, the secret to winning isn't "trying harder"—it's recovering smarter.
If you’re the athlete who thinks a 30-minute AMRAP on Tuesday is a good idea before an Open workout on Friday, we need to have a little talk.
In this episode, we’re breaking down:
The Quic...Garage Gym Goals: Building Your Iron Paradise!
Stop using your treadmill as a laundry rack! It’s time to turn that spare corner or dusty garage into a powerhouse. In Episode 19 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are stripping away the fancy marketing and high-tech gimmicks to give you the raw truth about building a home gym that actually gets results.
Whether you're working with a massive budget or just scrounging for change under the couch cushions, this episode is your ultimate gear guide.
TAKE YOUR HOME WORKOUTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL:
Got the gear but no pl...
Armor Up: Handling the Haters & Keyboard Warriors!
Post a video of a PR and immediately get "No Rep-ed" by a guy whose profile picture is a cartoon cat? Welcome to social media!
In Episode 18 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are diving into the digital trenches to talk about a modern athlete's biggest distraction: Social Media Haters. If you’ve ever hesitated to post your progress because you’re worried about the armchair coaches in the comments, this episode is for you.
We’re breaking down the mental game of being an online athlete:
The Anatomy of a Troll...New Year, No BS: The Goal-Setting Masterclass with Ben Tipton!
Let’s be real: Most New Year’s resolutions are dead by February. Are you tired of setting the same goals every year and getting nowhere?
In this episode of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John sit down with a heavy hitter—Coach Ben Tipton from Ironclad Performance in Naperville, IL. We’re pulling back the curtain on how elite coaches actually help their clients set, track, and crush their goals for 2026.
MAKE 2026 YOUR STRONGEST YEAR YET:
Don't just set a goal—get the program that ensures you reach it.
CTA: Sta...
Forget the Bench: Why Overhead Pressing Is the REAL King of Strength!
Sorry, chest day fans, but the truth hurts! In Episode 17 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John are diving deep into the world of pressing to settle the score: Is the bench press actually holding your total-body strength back?
We’re breaking down why putting heavy weight over your head is the ultimate test of power and how to master the art of the press. If you want a bulletproof core and shoulders like boulders, this episode is your new manual.
In this episode, we’re covering:
OHP vs. Bench Press: The cont...The Squat Spectrum: Why Your Sport Needs a Different Squat + Shutting Down the Social Media Squat Police!
STOP Squatting Like It's One Size Fits All! In Episode 15 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John give you the definitive guide to Squat Variations and call out the Social Media Squat Police!
What's Covered:
Sport-Specific Squats: Why Powerlifting needs a Low Bar, and CrossFit/Weightlifting needs High Bar/Front Squat. Learn the right squat for your sport!Ignore the Trolls: Why context matters more than the opinion of the "experts" in the comments section. Stop letting keyboard warriors ruin your confidence!The Squat Arsenal: Essential variations (Pause Squats, Tempo Squats) to fix weaknesses...Strength Agenda Radio Ep 14 - Highland Games fun, Performance Nutrition, & Weight Loss Drugs
Episode 14 of The Strength Agenda Radio is a triple threat, tackling the topics everyone is talking about—from ancient strength sports to cutting-edge weight loss tech! Coaches Tom and John are pulling no punches in this action-packed episode.
Start your FREE 7-Day Trial of The Strength Agenda Training App and check out all training and apparel resources at thestrengthagenda.com!
Strength Agenda Radio Ep 13 - Peak Performance & Business Foundations: Coaching Meets & Gym Growth
Competition day nerves? Scaling your gym a headache? Tom and John are tackling two massive topics in this double-header, Episode 13 of The Strength Agenda Radio! This episode is essential listening for both athletes preparing to compete and gym/small business owners looking to build a sustainable future.
GET THE AGENDA: Ready to level up your coaching game OR your business strategy? Get the roadmap for smart, effective strength training and check out upcoming business resources!
Start your FREE 7-Day Trial of The Strength Agenda Training App and check out all resources at thestrengthagenda.com!
Split Jerks & Soul Crushers
What’s the difference between a clean & jerk that flies and one that flops? This week on Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John introduce a brand-new segment: Technique Corner, starting with the often misunderstood Split Jerk.
Whether you’re missing lifts overhead or your footwork’s a mess, this episode breaks down the how and why of effective jerking mechanics—helping you lift bigger, safer, and more confidently.
Plus:
🔥 The coaches swap stories on the hardest workouts they’ve ever done—including one so bad it earned a nickname that can’t be said on air. <...
Strength Training Goes Skynet? Unpacking AI and Programming
Get ready for the future of your gains! In Episode 11 of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John dive into the most buzz-worthy topic in fitness: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for strength programming and athletic training.
Is your next workout going to be written by a robot? We break down the revolutionary—and sometimes risky—role of AI in crafting personalized training programs. This isn't just theory; it's a practical look at how athletes and coaches can leverage new tech to maximize performance.
Here's what the guys cover:
The AI Advantage: What are the unde...Training on Empty
Ever drag yourself to the gym feeling like a beat-up zombie? Yeah, we've been there!
In this high-energy episode of The Strength Agenda Radio, Coaches Tom and John ditch the textbook to talk real-life training. We're tackling the elephant in the weight room: what to do when you're physically, mentally, or totally fried.
Life is messy—stress hits, sleep vanishes, and sometimes your planned 5x5 feels like a 1x100. This episode is your new survival guide! We’re sharing the insider secrets on:
How to tell the difference between "suck it up" and "time to b...Vegas World's Recap
In this episode, Coaches Tom and John break down all the action from Masters Weightlifting Worlds in Las Vegas. From standout performances to behind-the-scenes strategy, they dive into what it takes to compete — and coach — at the highest level. The conversation covers athlete results, the professionalism (or lack thereof) from lifters and coaches, and the importance of holding the standard. You'll also hear their insights on game-day strategy, lift selection, and time management on the platform.
Middle of World's Thoughts
Recorded live at the 2025 Masters Worlds in Las Vegas, this special episode of The Strength Agenda Podcast captures the energy of the competition floor. Coach Tom answers real questions from the Strength Agenda community on training, recovery, and the business of strength, while sharing behind-the-scenes stories from a week that delivered 3 World Champions, 2 silver medals, 3 bronze medals, 2 PRs and a top-10 world finish.
Whether you’re chasing your own PRs or building a stronger coaching business, you’ll take away actionable insights from one of the biggest stages in Olympic weightlifting.
Coffee Preferences & Meet / Comp Prep
Grab your favorite coffee mug, pour some liquid gold in, and settle in for another episode of Strength Agenda Radio with Tom & John.
Masters Weightlifting Worlds is happening and Team SAW has a number of people competing. Prepping athletes for competition takes a lot of work to help make sure mentally and physically they are ready to perform at their peak. But when should someone peak? What if there are a lot of competitions or meets they want to take part in? Can someone realistically do 6-7 events a year while performing at a high level and...
Affiliations - Hyrox, CrossFit, & WFP
So many affiliations so little money. With Hyrox, WFP and CrossFit all offering some level of affiliate opportunity where should a gym owner invest? This week Tom and John talk about what a gym owner should consider before jumping into bed with a brand as an affiliate. Everything from money, to marketing value, community and longevity.
Still looking for a strength program that moves the needle without taking up 3 hours of your day? The Strength Agenda Everyday programs on the new app are exactly what you've been waiting for. Whether your goal is to build strength to...
Questions from the Community
Coaches Tom and John are back and this time they tackle questions from around the community.
Want to get your question into the guys? Send your question to coach@thestrengthagenda.com and the team will get to it in a future podcast (as long as it isn't too weird).
Looking to up your strength game, technique, or just build a little extra muscle? The new Strength Agenda app offers tested, proven strength training in an easy to navigate app.
CLICK HERE to sign-up for a free 7-day trial and use the code FOUNDER20...
Marketing Your Fitness Business
In this episode, coaches Tom and John tackle the crucial, and often misunderstood, world of marketing for fitness businesses. Drawing on John's extensive background in business and marketing outside the fitness industry, they provide a fresh perspective on what it truly takes to build a successful brand.
Tom and John get back to basics, defining what marketing is and, more importantly, what it is not. They pull back the curtain on common mistakes that fitness professionals make and highlight the key "must-dos" that are essential for growth. This isn't just about social media; it's about understanding the...
Baseball and the CrossFit Games
Another episode of your favorite ADHD fueled duo is back. This time Coaches Tom and John talk baseball for a little bit (because again, ADHD) and ultimately their introduction to CrossFit and thoughts on the CrossFit Games. A little trek through CrossFit Games history and some lamenting about the way things were, specifically Regionals and how much that is missed, to the way things are now and how qualifying just seems odd anymore.
Enjoy the episode. Don't forget to like and subscribe!
Oh yeah! Join us on the new app. Sign-up at thestrengthagenda.com and...
Hfpor's 505 KG Deadlift, Competition Smack Talk, & Training
Welcome back everyone to Strength Agenda Radio's revival. In episode 2 we talk about the world record deadlift from Hfpor at 505kg, Tom's smack talk during competition, strength training in CrossFit and if Tia can repeat once again (spoiler alert, she did).
Thanks for tuning in everyone. Don't forget to hit LIKE and SUBSCRIBE when listening to the episode.
Also right now we are soft launching the new Strength Agenda app! Try it FREE for 7-days AND join the Founding Members club to get 20% off your first three months. CLICK HERE to jump in now whether...
The Return of Strength Agenda Radio
Welcome back to Strength Agenda Radio from The Strength Agenda. While it has been a long time since the original podcast we are excited to bring it back!
This week we get a quick introduction to Coach Tom and John's history and how this bigger, stronger, version of Strength Agenda has come to be. With things like a new Strength Agenda app on the horizon, expanded programs, and an even stronger mission to help athletes and gym owners accomplish their goals.
Don't forget to hit the "Like" and "Subscribe" buttons. Also if you are looking...