The UNFVCKD Podcast welcomes, Sean Waxman, a renowned strength and conditioning coach with over 30 years of experience. Sean shares his journey in strength training, starting from his early days in the projects where his father introduced him to weightlifting.

Sean discusses how his initial motivation for strength training came from survival needs in his neighborhood, which evolved into a deeper passion for sports and physical development. He describes his methodical approach to learning, studying Soviet sports science literature and experimenting with various training programs.

The conversation explores the cultural significance of strength, with Sean emphasizing how strength training opened doors for him across different communities and cultures. He shares insights about his coaching philosophy, developed through years of experience training athletes from various backgrounds.

Sean discusses his transition from athlete to coach, highlighting the importance of understanding biomechanics and movement patterns. He emphasizes the need for coaches to help athletes become independent and self-reliant rather than dependent on instruction.

The discussion delves into the current state of physical culture, with Sean expressing concern about society's decreasing value of physicality. He advocates for a return to valuing physical capability and strength as essential components of human development.

The first chapter of Suffer Smarter and more about Sean Waxman can be found here:

https://seanwaxman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_sean_waxman/?hl=en

Chapters

Introduction to Sean Waxman and His Background 00:00:00

Michael Blevins introduces Sean Waxman as a titan in strength and conditioning, highlighting his achievements including producing top finishers at World Weightlifting Championships and multiple national champions. Sean's background as a national level Olympic weightlifter and his academic credentials in biomechanics and kinesiology are discussed.

Early Experiences with Strength Training 00:03:31

Sean shares his early experiences with weightlifting, starting in the projects where his father had a makeshift gym. He describes how his initial motivation was survival-oriented, wanting to be strong enough to either win fights or avoid them altogether.

Evolution of Training Philosophy 00:08:31

Sean details his journey of studying Soviet sports science and developing his training methodology. He emphasizes the importance of understanding movement and how his approach to strength training evolved through practical experience and academic study.

The Cultural Impact of Strength 00:26:37

The discussion explores how strength training served as a bridge between different cultures and communities in Sean's life, highlighting the universal value of physical capability across societies.

Coaching Philosophy and Development 00:41:54

Sean explains his approach to coaching, emphasizing the importance of developing athletes' independence and understanding of their training. He discusses the balance between technical instruction and allowing for personal exploration.

Modern Physical Culture and Society 02:30:22

The conversation addresses concerns about society's decreasing emphasis on physical capability and the importance of maintaining strength and fitness as cultural values.

Book Discussion - 'Suffer Smarter' 02:32:45

Sean discusses his book 'Suffer Smarter,' explaining how it encompasses his life experiences and philosophy about intelligent approaches to physical training and personal development.