Becoming Ronin Podcast By Brian "OB" Oberther Jim "Smitty" Smith cover art

Becoming Ronin

Becoming Ronin

By: Brian "OB" Oberther Jim "Smitty" Smith
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The Wandering Man's Journey to Self-Mastery. Economics Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • #147 OB Get’s His Purple Belt, Programming for Challenges, Building Your Glutes
    Jun 7 2025

    🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

    Episode Overview

    In this episode of Becoming Ronin, OB and Smitty dive deep into the worlds of Jiu-Jitsu and strength training, sharing hard-earned lessons and practical insights for coaches and athletes alike. They discuss the significance of earning milestones in martial arts, how training methods have evolved, and why coaching with integrity and intention is more important than ever—especially when it comes to popular challenges like the Murph.

    The conversation shifts into technical training strategies, with a focus on improving grip strength, dialing in proper push-up form, and understanding the nuances of deadlift technique—especially how to identify and fix hip shifts to prevent injury. OB and Smitty break down how to get more out of your Romanian Deadlifts (RDLs), how to choose the right footwear as a coach who’s on their feet all day, and how to address and correct strength imbalances by programming for your weaker side.

    Whether you're on the mat or under the barbell, this episode delivers powerful tools to refine your craft and lead with purpose.

    Timestamps

    [00:00] OB Gets His Purple Belt

    [05:50] The Current Status of Jiu-Jitsu

    [12:01] Programming Techniques for Challenges

    [18:13] Correcting Push-Up Form for Better Results

    [25:50] How to Feel Your Glutes With RDLs

    [32:57] Innovative Techniques for RDLs

    [41:28] Addressing Imbalances in Strength Training

    Stay Connected

    💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

    📲 Follow us on Instagram:

    • @oberther
    • @smittydiesel

    🌐 Visit Our Website:
    www.becomingroninpodcast.com

    🛠 Share Your Journey:
    Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

    👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

    Sponsors

    💪 Jocko Fuel
    Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

    🛡 Iron Neck
    Improve neck strength and save 10%!

    💧 LMNT Electrolytes
    Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

    ❄️ The Plunge
    Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

    Support the Show

    Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

    #BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • #146 Trapped In The Inferno: The Modern Sins Holding You Back
    May 31 2025

    🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

    Episode Overview

    In this introspective and thought-provoking episode, OB and Smitty take listeners on a guided descent through the symbolic layers of Dante’s Inferno—not as passive tourists, but as directors of a modern reimagining that reflects the traps we face in everyday life. Drawing from the powerful allegory of Dante’s journey through hell, they illuminate how subtle sins—like gluttony, greed, wrath, and deceit—can slowly erode your character and pull you further into a personal hell of stagnation, regret, and disconnection.

    Each circle of Inferno becomes a metaphor for self-inflicted suffering, revealing how we often sabotage our growth through emotional indulgence, broken trust, and spiritual neglect. OB and Smitty explore how these behaviors manifest in both personal and societal contexts, making the case that unchecked habits and disordered values can keep us trapped in cycles of pain and avoidance.

    But this isn't a message of doom—it's a call to awareness. The episode highlights how faith, integrity, and personal responsibility can serve as guideposts back to the surface. By identifying where you may be sliding and understanding the emotional and spiritual consequences of sin, you can begin the climb toward redemption, purpose, and peace.

    Whether you're battling internal demons or looking to strengthen your moral compass, this episode offers hard truths, timeless insights, and a path forward for those willing to face their own inferno.

    Timestamps

    [00:00] Exploring Dante's Inferno: A Journey Through Hell

    [07:43] Self-Mastery and Personal Reflection

    [14:56] The Layers of Hell: Understanding Sin and Consequence

    [22:34] The Path to Redemption: Faith and Spiritual Truth

    [31:31] The Consequences of Gluttony and Greed

    [44:54] Building a Bigger Table: The Dangers of Greed

    [54:01] Exploring Heresy: The Cost of Denying Spiritual Truths

    [01:01:55] The Nature of Violence: Inner and Outer Conflicts

    [01:12:53] The Sin of Fraud: Authenticity in Relationships

    [01:19:07] Treachery: The Deepest Betrayal

    [01:27:15] Closing Thoughts: Awareness and Reflection

    Stay Connected

    💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

    📲 Follow us on Instagram:

    • @oberther
    • @smittydiesel

    🌐 Visit Our Website:
    www.becomingroninpodcast.com

    🛠 Share Your Journey:
    Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

    👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

    Sponsors

    💪 Jocko Fuel
    Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

    🛡 Iron Neck
    Improve neck strength and save 10%!

    💧 LMNT Electrolytes
    Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

    Support the Show

    Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

    #BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • #145 Low Back Pain Circuits and How to Choose the Right Exercises
    May 10 2025


    🔗 Subscribe on YouTube

    Episode Overview

    In this episode of Becoming Ronin, OB and Smitty kick things off by tackling the viral gorilla vs. 100 men challenge — a hypothetical debate lighting up social media. They break down their thoughts on how the fight might play out.

    From there, the conversation takes a serious turn as OB shares the low back pain circuit he uses with real-life clients, offering a practical, multi-faceted approach to treatment and rehab. The hosts explain why successful recovery isn’t about chasing quick fixes but addressing the underlying patterns that lead to chronic pain.

    The episode then dives into the heart of what makes great coaching: the power of effective exercise selection, the art of simplifying cues, and most importantly, building trust by genuinely caring for your clients. OB and Smitty also discuss controversial coaching practices and explore how parenting influences a child’s relationship with fitness, highlighting the fine line between encouragement and pressure.

    Packed with humor, coaching wisdom, and actionable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for trainers, parents, and anyone passionate about growth and mastery in fitness and life.

    Timestamps

    [00:00] Gorilla vs. 100 Men

    [04:47] Breaking Down Back Pain: A Multi-Faceted Approach

    [28:41] The Art of Effective Cueing

    [33:51] The Foundation of Great Coaching

    [39:17] Making Cues Clear and Actionable

    [45:01] Why Caring for Clients Comes First

    [51:08] Controversial Coaching Practices: What Works, What Doesn’t

    [57:18] Parenting & Fitness: Finding the Balance Between Encouragement and Pressure

    Stay Connected

    💡 Join the Ronin community for weekly insights, tips, and motivation!

    📲 Follow us on Instagram:

    • @oberther
    • @smittydiesel

    🌐 Visit Our Website:
    www.becomingroninpodcast.com

    🛠 Share Your Journey:
    Tag us with #BecomingRonin100 and let us know how you’re taking control of your fitness and personal growth journey!

    👍 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone ready to level up their life!

    Sponsors

    💪 Jocko Fuel
    Shop now and save with code RONIN10!

    🛡 Iron Neck
    Improve neck strength and save 10%!

    💧 LMNT Electrolytes
    Get FREE LMNT with your first order!

    ❄️ The Plunge
    Save $150 on the ultimate cold plunge tank!

    Support the Show

    Every like, review, and share helps us inspire more people on their self-mastery journey. Together, we can grow stronger, more disciplined, and live better lives.

    #BecomingRonin #FitnessJourney #SelfMastery #WorkoutTips #Empowerment #FitnessProgramming #GrowthMindset #Podcast

    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 8 mins
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