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Scott Fike shares his journey toward the USS Masters National Strongman Competition and why this might be his last year competing at this level despite his previous success as a silver medalist.

• Training for five grueling events including a 650-pound yoke carry, 550-pound frame carries, frame deadlifts, bag throws, and log clean and press
• Working around significant shoulder injuries that doctors warn will eventually require replacement
• The importance of having a supportive community and training partners who understand your goals
• How focusing on ancillary exercises and movements can improve main competition lifts
• The mental fortitude required to continue training despite physical limitations
• Why proper programming and technique adjustments can make a significant difference for masters athletes
• The competitive advantage of registering early to go last in competition
• Balancing the desire to win with the reality of aging and physical limitations
• The value of having someone else handle programming to remove decision fatigue
• Understanding that some days will be harder than others but consistency is key

Our mantra for masters athletes pursuing challenging goals: "Don't fucking stop."

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New episodes come out every other Thursday!

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John and Scott welcome a unique guest to the podcast—an AI assistant named Hal—who shares evidence-based training, nutrition, and recovery strategies specifically designed for masters athletes.

• Nutrition recommendations for masters athletes, with specific protein targets of 1.2-1.5g per pound of body weight
• Hydration strategies, including electrolyte needs before, during, and after competition
• Competition day fueling approaches for maintaining energy through long events
• Top five evidence-based supplements for athletes over 40
• Common injuries among masters athletes and practical prevention strategies
• Warm-up protocols for those with existing joint issues
• Music's impact on performance, with recommendations for motivational classic rock
• Mental resilience techniques, including visualization and mindfulness practices
• Recovery strategies for immediately after competition
• Proper shoe selection for different training modalities

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide.

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New episodes come out every other Thursday!

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Candice Dutko, owner of Achieve Wellness and Fitness in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania, shares her remarkable journey from 220 pounds to becoming both a competitive strongwoman and ultra-marathon runner with a mindset of "just keep moving."

• From unhealthy lifestyle to fitness professional after being invited to a Spartan Race with friends
• A broken leg caused by her dog became the turning point in her fitness consistency
• Trains simultaneously for seemingly opposite disciplines: strongman competitions and ultra marathons
• Working with a mindset coach to develop mental strategies for pushing through physical barriers
• Creating a gym environment where women of all ages discover their strength, many lifting for the first time
• Hosting women-focused strongman competitions with accessible events for beginners
• Preparing for a 24-hour ultra-marathon with a goal of 120 miles
• Using "systems checks" during endurance events to assess if she can continue
• Emphasizing that "you can have excuses or you can have results, but you can't have both"
• Showing clients what's possible by leading by example in multiple fitness disciplines

@masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG

New episodes come out every other Thursday!