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Dave Tate's Table Talk

Dave Tate's Table Talk

By: elitefts.com
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Are you sick of "fitness influencers," training fads, and crappy advice that barely applies inside the gym or on the field? Then sit down with elitefts CEO Dave Tate as he interviews the strongest & smartest minds across the strength sports community to talk real, hardcore training, business, life, and more. If you're looking for real, applicable information on all things training, join the crew.Copyright © 2024 elitefts Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • #426 What Powerlifting Judges See (But Never Tell You) | Valerie Smith

    #426 What Powerlifting Judges See (But Never Tell You) | Valerie Smith
    Jun 29 2026
    You aren't truly learning how to lift until someone forces you to pull the slack out of a stiff bar with an opener that's completely out of your league. For multi-time world champion Valerie Smith, transitioning from a decade in corporate HR to the elite tiers of Master's powerlifting meant trading worst-case scenario corporate risk models for the cold reality of the platform. Her evolution from a rookie who bombed out of her first meet to an international referee and state chair reveals why true strength isn't about chasing numbers on a spreadsheet, but about mastering the brutal, second-order consequences of training past forty. INSIDE THE EPISODE The Referee Advantage: How dissecting hundreds of perfect and horrible lifts from the judge's chair will instantly fix your own execution. The 40-Year-Old Engine: Why elite conditioning from CrossFit and obstacle racing allows older lifters to survive brutal trial-and-error programming. Strategic Warmups: The exact logic behind picking openers that build platform momentum instead of draining your energy before the third attempt. Overcoming Platform Fear: The psychological shift required to transition from hoping a max squat is there to obsessing over it until it becomes reality. MEET THE GUEST Valerie Smith is a Georgia-based powerlifter, USPA Meet Director, IPL International Referee, and multi-time national and world champion. Moving away from a ten-year career as a corporate HR manager, she applied her deep understanding of human performance, decision-making, and structural discipline to iron. Today, she runs Iron Beast Strength and co-leads USPA Georgia, dedicating her career to mentoring new lifters and building a resilient, high-performance lifting community. FOLLOW VALERIE Instagram @valerie_smith_powerlifter Iron Beast Strength @Iron Beast Strength Facebook Valerie Smith Become an elitefts Channel Member Get early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and other perks: ➡️ @eliteftsofficial Support Dave Tate's Table Talk FULL Crew Access https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-Selling elitefts Products Pro Resistance Training Bands https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps & Sleeves https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html Sponsors Get an Extra 10% OFF at elitefts Use Code: TABLE TALK https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Your Next Marek Health Labs Use Code: TABLETALK https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a FREE 8-Count Sample Pack of LMNT's Most Popular Drink Mix Flavors http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk ChiliPad 2.0 – Save Up to $255 Use Code: TABLETALK https://sleep.me/tabletalk Support Massenomics https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime MASS Research Review Use Code: ELITEFTS20 https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App Use Code: TABLE TALK https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app
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    2 hrs and 15 mins
  • #425 We've Broken Our Natural Hormones to Survive the Modern World | Mike Stratton

    #425 We've Broken Our Natural Hormones to Survive the Modern World | Mike Stratton
    Jun 22 2026
    Your body naturally produces testosterone, but it doesn't make the gallons of coffee you are using to survive a modern, unsustainable lifestyle. Mike Stratton built a multi-million dollar health optimization empire from the ground up, yet he nearly killed himself in the process by abandoning his own health to keep the business alive. He walked away from a successful company to rebuild his vision from scratch, a high-stakes gamble that triggered severe physical and mental burnout. INSIDE THE EPISODE The transition from underground "bro science" clinics to legitimate, data-driven telehealth infrastructure. Why an elite health founder developed dangerous blood sugar levels and how resistance training reversed it. Surviving the "Mount Everest" of psychedelic medicine to rewire chronic stress pathways. The tactical integration of bioidentical hormones, daily low-dose ancillaries, and the conjugate method. MEET THE GUEST Mike Stratton is the co-founder of Marek Health, a pioneering telehealth platform that has optimized over 50,000 clients. A college dropout who mastered high-ticket sales and organizational systems in commission-only roles, he engineered a customizable healthcare model built on personal empowerment and meticulous medical documentation. His expertise was forged through over a decade of clinical oversight, personal physical sacrifice, and an unyielding commitment to changing how high-performers manage their internal metrics. Connect with Mike Stratton: Website: https://marekhealth.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstratton13/ Become an elitefts Channel Member Get early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and other perks: ➡️ @eliteftsofficial Support Dave Tate's Table Talk FULL Crew Access https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-Selling elitefts Products Pro Resistance Training Bands https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps & Sleeves https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html Sponsors Get an Extra 10% OFF at elitefts Use Code: TABLE TALK https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Your Next Marek Health Labs Use Code: TABLETALK https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a FREE 8-Count Sample Pack of LMNT's Most Popular Drink Mix Flavors http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk ChiliPad 2.0 – Save Up to $255 Use Code: TABLETALK https://sleep.me/tabletalk Support Massenomics https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime MASS Research Review Use Code: ELITEFTS20 https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App Use Code: TABLE TALK https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app
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    1 hr and 52 mins
  • #424 You Learn More From One Loss Than 100 Wins | Phil Daru

    #424 You Learn More From One Loss Than 100 Wins | Phil Daru
    Jun 18 2026
    Most people think discipline is about pushing harder, but Phil Daru argues that real growth begins the moment failure exposes the flaws in your plan. From coaching UFC champions and elite performers to nearly destroying his body attempting a 150-mile ruck, Phil's most valuable lessons didn't come from victory—they came from painful setbacks, brutal self-audits, and the willingness to start over. As his career evolved beyond fight camps and conditioning, he discovered that the same principles that build world champions can build stronger businesses, stronger families, and a stronger sense of purpose—but only if you're willing to confront what's actually holding you back. INSIDE THE EPISODE Failure as Feedback: Why Phil believes losses reveal more than wins—and how one failed endurance challenge changed his entire approach to performance. Champion Mindset Beyond Combat: The psychological traits shared by UFC fighters, entrepreneurs, and leaders operating under pressure. Discipline vs. Motivation: Why relying on motivation is a losing strategy and how disciplined systems create freedom. Coaching the Individual: Using personality profiling, psychology, and communication to unlock performance across athletes, executives, and everyday people. The Hidden Cost of Success: How high performers unknowingly normalize burnout, stress, and poor health—and what to do before it catches up. Purpose, Leadership, and Legacy: Why Phil believes true success comes from serving others, living by your values, and continually evolving. MEET THE GUEST Phil Daru is one of the most respected performance coaches in combat sports, with more than 16 years spent helping UFC world champions, elite athletes, military operators, and high performers reach their peak. As CEO of Daru Strong Performance, Founder of Daru Strong Nutrition, and Creator of Daru Academy, Phil has built his reputation by blending world-class conditioning, leadership development, psychology, and resilience training. His work extends far beyond the gym, helping athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs develop the mindset, habits, and systems required to perform when the stakes are highest. FIND PHIL DARU ONLINE Website https://phildaru.com/ YouTube https://youtube.com/@darustrongperformance Instagram https://instagram.com/darustrong Become an elitefts Channel Member Get early access to Dave Tate's Table Talk podcast and other perks: ➡️ @eliteftsofficial Support Dave Tate's Table Talk FULL Crew Access https://www.elitefts.com/join-the-crew Limited Edition Apparel https://www.elitefts.com/shop/apparel/limited-edition.html Programs & More https://www.elitefts.com/shop/dave-tate-s-table-talk-crew.html TYAO Application https://www.elitefts.com/dave-tate-s-tyao-application Best-Selling elitefts Products Pro Resistance Training Bands https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bands.html Specialty Barbells https://www.elitefts.com/shop/bars-weights/specialty-bars.html Wraps, Straps & Sleeves https://www.elitefts.com/shop/power-gear.html Sponsors Get an Extra 10% OFF at elitefts Use Code: TABLE TALK https://www.elitefts.com/ Get 10% OFF Your Next Marek Health Labs Use Code: TABLETALK https://marekhealth.com/tabletalk Get a FREE 8-Count Sample Pack of LMNT's Most Popular Drink Mix Flavors http://www.drinklmnt.com/tabletalk ChiliPad 2.0 – Save Up to $255 Use Code: TABLETALK https://sleep.me/tabletalk Support Massenomics https://www.massenomics.com/ Save 20% on Monthly, Yearly, or Lifetime MASS Research Review Use Code: ELITEFTS20 https://massresearchreview.com/ Get 10% OFF RP Hypertrophy App Use Code: TABLE TALK https://rpstrength.com/pages/hypertrophy-app
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    2 hrs and 26 mins
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One of the best source of information for strenght coaches and atheltes. Dave is solid person who doesn't try to sell bullshit and admits if and when he isn't expert about something.

One of the greatest strenght podcasts

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