In this episode of the Flex Diet Podcast, I’m joined by the always-interesting Levi Earl, who's tuning in all the way from Finland, to nerd out on all things aerobic training, grip strength , and how to make your meathead conditioning actually work for you, not against you. We dive into why strength athletes need better aerobic systems (no, it’s not just for skinny endurance types), how mountain training builds freakish capacity, and why grip training is way more than just farmer’s carries until your soul leaves your body. We also delve into sport-specific gems, such as what wrestlers, hockey players, and other power athletes can glean from these methods to enhance their performance without tiring out. Whether you’re a high-level athlete or want to stop sucking wind between sets, you’ll walk away with some highly usable intel. Give it a listen—grab your notebook, and consider bringing a pulse oximeter if you're feeling particularly curious. Sponsors: Tecton Life Ketone drink! https://tectonlife.com/ DRMIKE to save 20% LMNT electrolyte drink mix: miketnelsonlmnt.com Available now: Grab a copy of the Triphasic Training II book I co-wrote with Cal Deitz here . Episode Chapters: 05:22 Conversation with Levi Earl Begins 05:30 Grip Training Insights and Techniques 08:51 Aerobic System Benefits for Grip Athletes 10:12 Training Methods and Recovery 11:53 Grip Training Tools and Techniques 21:34 Aerobic Conditioning for Lifters 32:01 Maintaining Aerobic Base During Sports Season 39:30 The College System and Athlete Development 39:37 Isometric Training in Greco Style Wrestling 40:01 Mountain Training: Benefits and Challenges 41:12 Altitude Training: Science and Practical Insights 43:53 Mental and Physical Benefits of Mountain Training 47:26 High Altitude Training for Different Sports 52:38 Hypoxic Training and Its Applications 54:53 Weight Cutting and Altitude Training 01:01:38 Aerobic Training and Cognitive Benefits 01:10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Flex Diet Podcast Episodes You May Enjoy: Episode 177 : Training Principles from Gonzo Grip Strength with Adam Glass and Dr Mike T Nelson - https://youtu.be/u7659KqTKWQ Episode 264 : Finding Your Aerobic Sweet Spot for Peak Health with Dr Phil Batterson - https://youtu.be/AbX9VyB8Dsc Connect with Levi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leviearl/ Website: https://www.leviearl.com/ About Levi: Levi Earl is an Olympic-level Strength & Performance Coach based in Finland. With over a decade of experience coaching elite athletes in wrestling, hockey, and combat sports, he’s helped produce world champions, Olympians, and national-level talent across Europe. Known for his no-fluff, results-driven coaching style, Levi blends strength training, sports nutrition, and mindset development into a system built for real performance - on and off the field. Get In Touch with Dr Mike: Instagram : Drmiketnelson YouTube : @flexdietcert Email : Miketnelson.com/contact-us
