Physical Strength is the Most Important Thing in Life | Starting Strength Radio #96 

People can trash talk Rip all they want. My recent 430 lb. bench press at 49 years old proves that his program works. I may not have visible abs, or a great vertical jump, but thanks to Rip and a lot of hard work, I'm the strongest S.O.B. in my entire town.

As 9 times Canada's strongest man says, abs are not a sign of power. They're a sign of you not eat enough.

I could listen to Rip talk every night. His soothing voice is like a warm blanket while trying to fall asleep

The last time I was this early, Rip was still a C cup.

"Balls are teachable" - Rip, 2021

I work in a social work setting with those who have a Developmental Disability; often, this is accompanied by frailty and weakness. I am working hard to change those we serve in this capacity. This Statement is 100% true. It is undeniably true. This very well may be the best podcast to date.

This may very well be the one of the most important podcast that the Starting Strength crew has put out

The process of getting strong changes everthing in your life. A constant application of doing very hard shit, month after month, Makes you resistant to the bullshit in life. Thanks Rip and Nick for showing me how to change my life.

Don't know why people rip on Rip. The guy spent majority of his life creating and teaching SS methods. He's a salesman now. If you went to a Ford dealer the person wouldn't say go across the street to Honda. Rip is trying to make a living selling a simple straightforward program that will benefit a majority of the ppl on this planet if they follow it or follow the general idea behind it (training primarily the barbell with a purpose and plan)

Awesome! No BS. I can relate to Rip's comments about his dad. My dad was a naturally strong dude. Even played rugby for a while. Now he's old and walking with two canes. F.... heartbreaking. He ruined his knees and back working in construction. That's why I train, to stay as strong as possible as I get older. Strength and health matter big time. Not the abs.

I could sit and have coffee with Rip and listen to him talk all day.

Rip thank you for articulating why strength is so important to me. I have failed miserably at getting my family on board. Family is ridden with anxiety, depression, and other health issues. I've tried desperately to explain the benefits of strength, but I am looked at as a strange juicehead and disregarded. Thanks for fighting for strength brother.

Rip, thank you sir!!! I love Starting Strength. Keep up the good work.

This is exactly the episode I needed to hear now! Fired up and ready to get after it!

Awesome guys! Thank you so much for spreading this!

This podcast and program is underrated.

Amazing episode. #96 , a true gem. Thanks!

Despite getting ripped on by all the people on the forum for asking my stupid question about gaining weight, I can't thank you enough for all the amazing content you put out. I recently discovered Starting Strength and I really enjoy its simplicity and application. Thanks again!

If you responded to this comment you killed the joke and take everything way too seriously

one of the best episode so far

Love this man. He's like my grand-dad.

one of the greatest shows ever. Thanks from Venezuela

My evolution to the idea was similar to Nick's. The first time I heard Rip posit that strength is the most import of the athletic attributes (I believe that is the context I first heard it), I immediately thought, "well, yeah, to powerlifters, but not all athletes." It took the better part of a year for me to realize that he was right. It hit me when I was arguing with a friend that Evander Kane (NHL) would be a more effective nuisance-player if he gained 20 lbs (not just any 20lbs but the 20lbs from a strength program, added to an already athletic body). My friend (who is 6'1 175) was arguing that the "extra" weight would cause Kane's speed and endurance to suffer. While I was shooting down all of my friend's arguments and explaining how, done properly, Kane's speed and endurance would most likely improve, it hit me: when we train for strength, we also get endurance, stamina, speed but, when we train only for the other things, we never really get strong. Fortunately, I was so drawn to the simplicity and tidiness of the Starting Strength program, I stuck around long enough for that to sink in. (I have to admit that I was also fascinated by this knowledgeable, irascible, Yosemite-Sam-Lobster-man and his no-nonsense bluntness. I felt like I could trust Rip even when I disagreed with him and that shit goes a looonng way with me.) After decades of heavy dumbbell and kettlebell-focused work, I did an NLP in my late 40's and my lifts improved every workout for about 12 weeks (my shoulders are pretty shot so I was really only focused on the squat and DL, but still). I'm sold.

Always a pleasure listening to the MAN

Rip is in RARE form in this show. Enjoy 💯💯🔥🔥

Great podcast! Keep it up!

1st 30 minutes so profound. Followed by expansion and reinforcement - awesome.

Another great one.

This is an excellent and insightful talk. Thanks a lot.

This was a really good episode! Thank you 👍

rip is a gift .please listen people

One of the best episodes!

Nice longgggg video and I listened to the whole thing. Experience is still the best teacher...... I took mental notes.....

Really enjoyed this. Got the books, gotta get them read.

You can never be TOO strong.

Good man ..great show ..let's get these moving again ..On On

I liked the last 5 minutes of the video. Very inspiring Rip, don't listen to the haters.

Great message. Started training at 17 in 1988 and was lucky enough to learn something like SS method (even though it was periodization) from Jan and Terry Todd at the University of Texas, which took me from 135 lbs to 200 lbs. Now at 49, I can say this was the most important thing I learned in college hands down. Going through that process absolutely carried over to passing professional certifications, learning foreign languages, having the guts to move overseas, etc. If the idea that physical strength is the most important thing in life offends you (as it did to me, as a stereotypical 80s nerd), I’m asking you to reconsider and give this a try.

Great episode

The last rep of the last bench press set is always a challenge. Previously, if I was unsure if I could do it, I'd rack it at 4, wait a minute and do the 5th. Now I bought safeties for my squat stand, so I can always try it with no risk of accidentally killing myself.

I can attest that strength training and doing something hard every day of my life for the past 2.5 years has made me mentally stronger. I see this every time I go to out in public with no mask on for the past 7 months in a city that has has a mask mandate in place since last August (Calgary, AB).

I'm pleased to hear what Starting Strength brings out. Cooking. Training. Health and medicine. It's been amazing the information brought out with the no bs attitude of Mark Rippitoe

I think the most important thing that you can learn from the process of becoming stronger, is that you can't get better whithout pushing yourself regularly and consistently through strenuous, very uncomfortable situations. This apllies not only to weight training but for any goal in life one want's to accomplish.

You guys are great, love the philosophy. I tell all my clients, When shit goes down, your light weight and high reps won't save you.

This is one of the better videos.

Such an epic Friaddie, isn’t it? When Rip talked about how he engineered the StartingStrength program, I immediately thought about that Rip recommended the book Engineer To Win in a video and he gave one copy to Chase, which I don’t think Chase had read it according to Rip’s expression. I think Rip was inspired by that book and practiced that idea in his career. What a wide reading man.

I have heard numerous sermons from various preachers that are less meaningful for life and well being. Thanks Rip, life is brutal and cruel. It's easier to deal if you're strong.

I just spent an hour listening to an old fat guy telling me to get strong & fat. Worth every second. Imma go drink my gallon of milk now.

I have tried Mark's system. I have gone to one of his gyms, and it actually works.

Inspiring.

My God, an amazing motivational speech and Rip was not even trying.

Somehow I missed this a year ago. Great episode, thanks Starting Strength

Nick: the disembodied voice from beyond the camera.

I don't know if I understand this Zen Rip... too calm and meditative thought this episode. Zen-Ripo!! I hope he shows up like this more often.

Hey Rip,, been preaching from the choir about SS since 2015,, I attended a seminar in Westminster Md, in 2016. I currently work at your local Ymca and have been trying ( so far unsuccessfully ) to add a barbell training class. I had an argument recently with one of the "trainers" where I proposed this very argument. Your PHYSICAL STRENGTH affects everything you do and the STRONGER you are makes everything easier to do. speed, balance, agility, ect,,,,he , of course, disagreed with me. He's an advocate for "functional training",,, were fighting a losing battle my friend,, but I will carry the mantle of STRENGTH despite the haters.

"Balls are teachable " says the new voice of the Transgender movement, never realized Ripp was such an ally.

Nice shirt Obergruppenführer Rippetoe. Lol keep up the great work guys!

I stopped ab work years ago simply because it was taking away from my limited workout time. I found that squats and deadlifts give my abs enough of a workout.

Rip’s tombstone epitaph ... RIP Rip

Mark you are the dan Pena of the strength training industry ... Facts lol you're giving us the quantum Leap advantage to strength training.

The John Bolton bit was priceless:))

The podcasts are always good, but the comments from the haters are great. The comments themselves are trash but Rip always manages to make them hilarious.

Rip, i actually dislike the 'comments from the haters' section. It is the part of your videos/podcasts that I f.f. I enjoy the discussions where you just talk about training, modalities, weight equipment etc. I dont care for any guests on your shows... Just talk. It is pertinent info you pass on and we appreciate it. Thanks Sir.

Starting Strength Podcast> Joe Rogan Experience

That was your best video. How can I buy some of your Texas chili ?

The first few minutes made me laugh harder than I have in a long time.

People accused me of being on steroids due to the amount of progress I made, I simply used the linear progression and surpassed their PRs within a few months. RIPs method is legit 👌

The suggestion for episode 100 being the “Comments from the Haters” special is brilliant! Please do it! Love the podcast Rip.

I had that experience and that’s how I found SS

For those of you who don’t like the comments part, it ends at 10:30.

This was awesome thanks. Where can I buy that coffee cup? Please.

"Balls are teachable" could be one of the greatest inspirational quotes ever documented 🤣

Rip thank you for your excellent work and for your dedication to the people. You should run for Texas governor or senate. Patriot Party 🇺🇲. Keep up the good work, the best decision I ever made relating to strength training was following your instructions in SS and then practical programming.

I've been obsessed with calisthenics for a while, and and well balanced nutrition. After watching this I only wanna Squat, Deadlift, Bench and Press, eat Steak and Eggs and sleep in a American Flag while Holding My Bible and Voting Republican.

When I'm doing fives, I always tell myself if it went up four times, surely I can complete this last one!! And then lower my ass down!! "We are Engineering Strength" .... fucking Rip has all the fucking words man!! And he can back them up with facts!! Love that phrase, "Engineering Strength", why didn't I think of it?? well, I'm NOT Rip.

No we do not need comments from the haters for a whole episode. I had to recheck the date on the upload, because I was certain they've talked about abs in 15 other videos.

I want that shirt.

I'm squatting 325# for five. That's about all you need to out lift 95% of the twenty-somethings at my gym.

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Love it! He probably deadlifts with a hex bar!🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍 Great info as always.

Great episode gentlemen. I think we may have turned a corner. My wife always used to hate when listened to this podcast because she always said Rip sounded like a conceded ass, but that bit in the middle where you talked about your experience and your making mistakes might have changed her mind. 🤣

The John Bolton bit needs to be a clip

I cant believe people get intimidated by Rip. I mean the guy used to have frosted tips...don't let the Lance Bass of weight lifting intimidate you.

Have you done a video of old time strong man lifts like the bent barbell press?

“Balls are teachable” is a tshirt worthy statement

Weaklings hate Rip. Strong guys (like me) appreciate him.

I’ve always said, the best athletes in the world don’t compete by comparing the size of their biceps, They compete by comparing the size of their balls. Degree of difficulty for the win.

Comments from the haters. Best comedy on RU-vid.

I don't know if I can do this rep. But I know I won't get stronger if I don't.

It’s Doctrine not Dogma. Doctrine changes as new shit comes to light, it adapts as required. Dogma remains rigid and will not change because we’ve always done it that way!

,,Strength is everything" ~Jiren the Grey

Mark is a natural smooth talker. I want him to read the harry potter series as an audio book.

Where I can a question for Mark Rippetoe's strength standards?

I disagree with half the things you are saying but why get offended 🤷 I find value in your perspective and experience with strength... I lift to deal with mental health issues AND Ive worked for years with those who did not have strength, encouraging them where they did to utilize it..At times I was their physical strength

I didn't do my 5th rep on my deadlifts this morning as I thought I was going to hurt my back. I wish I would have watched this first.... I know I had it, I just didn't have the balls.

Listening wise men in between reps

Hey Rip,I am doing triceps kickbacks with 5 pounds.Do you think this is enough?

“BLEEEP” (Rippetoe, 2021).

When I hear the name Delgadillo, I think of Leukadildo, which is Finnish for chindildo. That's funny to me!

Is Nick D, the Chris Moore of SS? New to channel, thought CM had jumped ship.

lmao I love the banter