Individualizing a Strength Program- how to make a strength program that works for you!
Nitty Gritty Training
While it can be argued that there is a general recipe for strength training (warm-up, main lifts, accessory lifts, supplementary work), the skill and art of putting together an effective program comes in the individualization of each element. There are infinite combinations of exercises, sets, reps, loads, and rests, and manipulating any parameter will yield different results. On this weeks episode we dive into different considerations when creating a strength program for an individual (or yourself!). Want to dive deeper? Check out our blog: The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted...
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Strength Training For Runners and OCR Athletes: The WHY and HOW
Nitty Gritty Training
Runners, OCR athletes, and hybrid athletes alike all benefit from strength training (though their programs look much different!) Putting together an effective strength program is a mix of art and science, and we aim to convince you how important it is for optimal run and OCR performance as well as teach you the components of a great routine. In our latest episode you will: Discover how effective programming can lead to better run and ocr/hybrid performance and prevent injuries Learn how to craft a personalized strength program that fits your lifestyle and goals. ...
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Fitness for Life - Maintain a Sustainable Fitness Routine Amid Life's Chaos
Nitty Gritty Training
We all go through times in our lives where there just isn't the time we once had to dedicate to ourselves and fitness. Unlike many of our other episodes, this episode is geared towards training to be fit for life not training for a specific event or race. We hope you walk away from this one with tips and tools so you can adjust your training when time, resources, and energy just aren't on your side. No time to listen to the full episode then check out our blog: The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coaches...
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Talking Hyrox with Kayti Simonson
Nitty Gritty Training
Today we are joined by Kayti Simonson, a 34 year old lawyer and pro hybrid athlete based in Calgary, Canada. Kayti has a massive sporting background - she ran 400m hurdles and played soccer in the NCAA, played semi-pro soccer in Florida, England, and Texas who impressively earned an undergrad and three post-grad degrees along the way! Kayti shares how she's dived head-first into the world of Hyrox, how her training has shifted as she's embraced endurance training (which is no joke coming from a speed-power/crossfit background!), and how she balances it all while practicing as a lawyer. This...
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5 tips to excel in OCR from Coach and former Spartan Pro Faye Stenning
Nitty Gritty Training
On this week's episode Grit Coaching's very own Strength Coach and former Spartan Pro Faye Stenning shares 5 tips to take your OCR racing to the next level. With a bronze medal at the Spartan World Championships and her record of the most Spartan podium finishes over the past decade, Faye has years of insight and has tested many different training approaches. This episode she goes through what she believes has worked and what hasn't. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coaches at We offer custom...
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Pre Race Planning and Post Race Debriefs
Nitty Gritty Training
You’ve done the work, and now it’s time to put it all together! We all know that consistent training is essential for great race day performance, but races are chaotic and wrought with unknowns. An underappreciated challenge of race day is “performing on demand” , or competing at your physical capacity in an uncontrolled environment, harnessing the work you’ve done into great race-day performance. To help, a bit of pre-emptive planning goes a LONG way! Spending some time thinking about logistics, setting goals, and creating an execution plan (or several) will provide direction...
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Running shoe development and biomechanics research for FEMALE runners with Lindsay Housman, Founder and CEO of Hettas
Nitty Gritty Training
Today we are joined by Lindsay Housman, founder and CEO of Hettas, a company creating running shoes optimized for female biomechanics. The majority of athletic shoes have been designed, researched and tested on men and the Hettas fundamentally believe that design shouldn't be unisex: if you consider design from a female perspective, you’ll end up with a better product for women — one that will positively impact performance and longevity. We are delighted to have LIndsay here to share about the research and innovation Hettas is working on in female biomechanics and physiology as well...
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Gwendolyn Bounds - The Power of Pushing Limits at Any Age
Nitty Gritty Training
On this episode we are joined by Gwendolyn (Wendy) Bounds, an award winning journalist and author as well as a multi-time AG champ in spartan racing. Wendy is an absolute powerhouse, and we’ve had the pleasure of coaching her since 2019. Wendy recently wrote a book called Not Too Late which details her journey into obstacle racing and the power of pushing limits at any age. Obstacle racer or not, this is such an inspiring episode with lots of insightful takeaways. The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coaches...
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Joe De Sena
Nitty Gritty Training
With a ton of our listeners being avid Spartan racers we thought it was about time we had Joe De Sena on! As the founder of Spartan and endurance junkie himself, Joe De Sena joins us to talk about how Spartan was started, how it has evolved over the years including navigating the challenges covid brought, and shares some exciting news about the future of the sport (hint- Olympics! ). Joe also shares some tips on how he makes time for fitness while managing everything else he has going on- we all can relate to this one! The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted by Jessica...
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How to conquer mountain races without access to them!
Nitty Gritty Training
City folks this one's for you! Coach Faye spent the majority of her Spartan Race career training for some big mountain races in the middle of Manhattan so she knows a thing or two about getting mountain fit without any access to elevation. So whether you’re heading to the mountains for the last stops at the Spartan USNS or trying to nail an epic trail race with a ton of vert- you're not going to want to miss this one! The Nitty Gritty Training Podcast is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coaches at We offer custom run and...
info_outlineHyrox is a fitness competition that's been popular in Europe for a while and is now taking North America by storm. Hyrox involves eight standardized fitness stations alternated with 1000m of running. The 8km of total running in the event makes it appealing to OCR athletes and runners alike! (though the strength stations are no joke!)
A few years ago, Faye decided to train for and compete in Hyrox. In this re-released episode, she details how she prepared for the event by focusing on raw strength, strength endurance, and the challenge of running quick on very very tired legs.
Hyrox is a unique event to train for, and you're sure to learn a lot! (Spoiler alert: she ended up winning the pro division!)
This episode is hosted by Jessica O'Connell, MSc, CSEP-CEP, OLY, and Faye Stenning, BKin, and coaches at Grit Coaching!