4/25/2016
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This podcast explores the fascinating world of Steve Maxwell, a renowned fitness coach, physical educator, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Maxwell shares his unique minimalist lifestyle, his approach to fitness, and his deep knowledge of martial arts history. Provocative topics include his controversial stance on Olympic weightlifting, his thoughts on bare-knuckle MMA, and his intriguing belief in astrology and vibrational medicine. Underlying themes explore the importance of basic fundamentals in fitness and martial arts, the power of mental discipline, and the value of learning from experienced mentors.
- Steve Maxwell’s Minimalist Lifestyle:
- Maxwell travels the world with only a backpack and a small man purse, carrying everything he owns.
- He emphasizes the liberating feeling of owning less and the practicality of this lifestyle for frequent travelers.
- Maxwell advocates for “one bag” travel, highlighting resources like onebag.com for tips and bag recommendations.
- He shares his minimalist packing list, demonstrating how to prioritize essential items and downsize belongings.
- Maxwell’s Travel-Friendly Workout Routine:
- Maxwell carries a portable gym consisting of a resistance band, jump rope, and a suspension device he made himself.
- He emphasizes the effectiveness of isometrics, showcasing how to perform exercises like good mornings and deadlifts using only bodyweight and a resistance band.
- Maxwell highlights the benefits of isometrics, emphasizing their metabolic efficiency and ability to engage muscles from head to toe in a short amount of time.
- He references historical figures like Bruce Lee, Charles Atlas, and Alexander Zass, who all employed isometrics in their training regimes.
- The History of Catch Wrestling and Submission Holds:
- Maxwell delves into the history of catch wrestling, discussing pioneers like Farmer Burns, known for his incredible neck strength and submission holds.
- He highlights the relevance of old-school catch wrestling techniques in modern martial arts, citing examples of their effectiveness in UFC matches.
- Maxwell explores the bulldog choke, a submission hold often overlooked in modern jiu-jitsu, showcasing its effectiveness and emphasizing the importance of practicing older techniques.
- He connects the bulldog choke to Bruce Lee’s iconic crucifix choke in the movie “Game of Death,” highlighting Lee’s foresight in combining martial arts.
- The Evolution of Martial Arts and the Value of Learning from Masters:
- Maxwell criticizes the trend of specialization in martial arts, arguing that students should cross-train and learn from various disciplines.
- He discusses the challenges of training no-gi jiu-jitsu, highlighting the limitations of gi-based techniques and the importance of adapting to a different grappling style.
- Maxwell emphasizes the value of learning from older, more experienced mentors, citing the importance of their long-term perspective and wisdom in health and fitness.
- He highlights the contrasting styles of the Gracie family, discussing the rivalry between Helio Gracie and Carlson Gracie and the impact their different approaches had on the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- The Power of Fundamentals in Jiu-Jitsu and the Importance of Tapping:
- Maxwell highlights the importance of mastering basic jiu-jitsu techniques, emphasizing the effectiveness of simple moves when executed well.
- He discusses the importance of tapping early and often in jiu-jitsu, arguing that ego can lead to unnecessary injuries.
- Maxwell addresses the misconception that higher belts shouldn’t tap to lower belts, emphasizing the importance of respecting the skill of all training partners.
- He shares a story about a black belt who was humbled by a blue belt, highlighting the importance of always staying on guard and learning from everyone.
- The Rise of No-Gi Competitions and Eddie Bravo’s EBI:
- Maxwell discusses the growing popularity of no-gi competitions, highlighting the exciting and skill-focused nature of these events.
- He praises Eddie Bravo’s Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) format, emphasizing its unique approach to showcasing submission grappling skills.
- Maxwell explains the rules of EBI, highlighting its emphasis on escaping compromised positions and rewarding quick submissions.
- He argues that EBI’s format creates more exciting matches by forcing competitors to engage in dangerous situations.
- The History and Popularity of Wrestling:
- Maxwell discusses the forgotten history of wrestling’s popularity in America, highlighting its dominance before the rise of baseball and basketball.
- He laments the lack of a professional wrestling league, arguing that it’s a unique and challenging sport that deserves more recognition.
- Maxwell explores the origins of Turkish oil wrestling, a traditional sport that emphasizes slippery grappling techniques and heat tolerance.
- He shares his personal experience with oil wrestling, demonstrating its difficulty and the respect he has for the sport.
- The Dangers of Headgear in Contact Sports:
- Maxwell expresses his strong opposition to headgear in contact sports, arguing that it can actually increase the risk of concussion.
- He discusses the evolution of MMA gloves, highlighting the original UFC’s lack of gloves and the subsequent shift towards heavier gloves, which he believes are detrimental to the sport.
- Maxwell believes that bare-knuckle MMA would create a more tactical and skill-based style of fighting, reducing the likelihood of reckless punching.
- He compares the impact of kicks to punches, arguing that kicks can be significantly more powerful and emphasizes the inconsistency of allowing shin kicks to the head while prohibiting bare-knuckle punches.
- The Importance of Maintaining Mobility and Joint Health:
- Maxwell emphasizes the importance of daily mobility exercises, differentiating it from flexibility and highlighting the need to move through a full range of motion with strength.
- He advocates for brachial hangs as a powerful exercise for shoulder health, particularly for those with shoulder pain or injuries.
- Maxwell recommends Dr. John M. Kirsch’s book “Shoulder Pain: Its Solution and Its Prevention,” which advocates for brachial hangs as a treatment for shoulder ailments.
- He discusses the importance of using the body consistently to maintain its health and the dangers of overtraining.
- The Power of the Mind and the Role of Placebo:
- Maxwell explores the concept of mental science, highlighting the idea that thoughts and emotions can influence reality.
- He discusses the use of an astrologer, Robert Koch, who claims to predict events and advise clients based on their birth charts and the collective consciousness.
- Maxwell shares his personal experiences with Koch’s advice, acknowledging its apparent effectiveness while remaining skeptical of its validity.
- He connects the astrologer’s approach to the placebo effect, emphasizing the role of belief and positive thinking in influencing outcomes.
- The Importance of Sleep and the Dangers of Chronic Stress:
- Maxwell emphasizes the importance of sleep, arguing that it’s more important than diet for maintaining weight and overall health.
- He discusses the impact of stress on the immune system and the tendency to hold onto water and body fat when sleep deprived.
- Maxwell highlights the benefits of surrounding oneself with positive people and the detrimental effects of chronic negativity.
- He connects negative thinking to attracting negative events and emphasizes the importance of being aware of and rejecting negative thoughts.
- The Importance of Strength Training and the Risks of Olympic Weightlifting:
- Maxwell expresses his skepticism towards Olympic weightlifting, arguing that it’s a specialized sport that doesn’t necessarily translate to improved performance in other sports.
- He discusses the dangers of Olympic weightlifting, highlighting the increased risk of injury and the potential for motor learning confusion.
- Maxwell advocates for a more general strength training approach, focusing on basic movements like squats, hinges, and pushes/pulls.
- He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sport-specific training and minimizing the risk of injury in strength training programs.
- The Importance of Grip Strength and the Benefits of Slow Training:
- Maxwell highlights the importance of grip strength, emphasizing its relevance in grappling sports and showcasing his own dedication to grip training.
- He discusses the benefits of slow, high-tension repetitions, particularly for older individuals with injuries.
- Maxwell references Mike Menzer, a renowned bodybuilder and proponent of high-intensity training, who advocated for slow negatives and isometrics.
- He emphasizes the importance of time under tension and the dangers of using momentum and poor technique in strength training.
- The Controversial Nature of Crossfit and the Importance of Safe Training:
- Maxwell expresses his skepticism towards Crossfit, highlighting the potential for injury and the emphasis on high-intensity training.
- He emphasizes the importance of safe and effective training, arguing that strength training should prevent injuries rather than cause them.
- Maxwell highlights his own history of training injuries and his commitment to finding safe and sustainable methods for maintaining fitness.
- He advocates for a more balanced approach to training, incorporating elements of isometrics, slow negatives, and high-tension repetitions.
- The Benefits of Hindu Pushups and the Importance of Spinal Mobility:
- Maxwell discusses the benefits of Hindu pushups, emphasizing their wide range of motion and effectiveness for spinal mobility.
- He argues that Hindu pushups could potentially be the only pushup a person needs for fitness, highlighting their versatility and effectiveness.
- Maxwell advocates for incorporating time under tension into Hindu pushups, suggesting slow repetitions for increased effectiveness.
- He emphasizes the importance of understanding time under tension and its role in maximizing muscle fatigue and promoting strength gains.
- The Importance of Neck Training and the Controversy Surrounding Neck Harnesses:
- Maxwell discusses the importance of neck training, citing examples of historical figures who emphasized neck strength.
- He highlights the benefits of neck isometrics, emphasizing their safety and effectiveness in developing neck stability.
- Maxwell acknowledges the controversy surrounding neck harnesses, recognizing their potential for injury if used improperly.
- He advocates for cautious use of neck harnesses, emphasizing the importance of proper technique and form.
- Maxwell’s Belief in Astrology and the Limits of Scientific Understanding:
- Maxwell shares his belief in astrology, discussing his experiences with an astrologer who claims to predict events and provide personalized advice.
- He emphasizes the astrologer’s focus on mental science and the idea that thoughts and vibrations influence reality.
- Maxwell acknowledges the lack of scientific evidence for astrology, but highlights his personal experiences and the potential for a placebo effect.
- He connects the astrologer’s beliefs to the concept of vibrational medicine and the growing field of exploring the mind-body connection.
- Maxwell’s Approach to Diet and Nutrition:
- Maxwell discusses his approach to diet while traveling, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing quality food when possible.
- He emphasizes the role of mental discipline in mitigating the negative effects of occasional unhealthy food choices.
- Maxwell shares a story about his friend who taught him to neutralize the effects of cigarette smoke by controlling his emotional response.
- He applies this principle to food choices, highlighting the importance of not letting unhealthy foods negatively affect his mindset.
- The Challenges of Traveling with Food and the Absurdity of TSA Regulations:
- Maxwell discusses the challenges of traveling with food, highlighting the inconsistent and often illogical regulations of TSA.
- He shares a story about having his salad confiscated at an airport, highlighting the absurdity of TSA rules and the lack of explanation for their enforcement.
- Maxwell discusses the inconsistency of TSA regulations across different countries, showcasing the arbitrary nature of airport security procedures.
- He highlights the increasing scrutiny of passengers and the heightened security measures in airports, referencing the recent incident of a woman boarding a plane without a boarding pass.
- Maxwell’s Future Plans and His Vision for Fitness:
- Maxwell discusses his plans to establish a home base in Maryland and potentially offer seminars and online training programs.
- He plans to incorporate more old-school training modalities like club swinging, recognizing their effectiveness for mobility and joint health.
- Maxwell emphasizes the importance of safe and effective training, arguing that strength training should prioritize preventing injuries rather than causing them.
- He advocates for a balanced approach to training, incorporating elements of isometrics, slow negatives, and high-tension repetitions.
5 Memorable Quotes:
- “I never felt more liberated than when I got rid of all my stuff.” – Maxwell highlights the liberating feeling of owning less.
- “I’m really into isometrics these days. It’s isolation-type movements. I can do deadlifts. Just absolutely incredible. What kind of work you can get, like, 15, 20 minutes.” – Maxwell emphasizes the efficiency and effectiveness of isometrics.
- “If you can develop that kind of defense, then you’re if you’re safe from there, you’re safe from everywhere.” – Maxwell highlights the importance of mastering defense in jiu-jitsu.
- “I always tell people if you wanna learn jujitsu properly, learn it from a little guy. Learn it from like a Barrett Yoshida or a Hoylor Gracie or an Eddie Bravo.” – Maxwell emphasizes the value of learning from smaller, more technical jiu-jitsu practitioners.
- “I don’t wanna listen to these young guys. They have no fucking idea, man. I didn’t.” – Maxwell criticizes the lack of long-term experience in younger fitness trainers.
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