Louie Simmons

Date: 2016-09-30 | Duration: 1h 40m

Episode Overview

Louie Simmons, legendary strength coach and founder of Westside Barbell, joins Joe Rogan to discuss his groundbreaking training methods and lifelong dedication to powerlifting. Simmons shares the origins of his innovative conjugate system, developed in the early 1970s to overcome back injuries and improve athletic performance. He explains how his approach blends speed-strength training, accommodating resistance with bands and chains, and targeted single-joint exercises to maximize explosive power. Simmons also highlights the importance of constantly varying workouts to prevent plateaus and keep the body adapting. The conversation delves into Simmons’ personal journey overcoming severe injuries, including a fractured skull and neck problems, and how unconventional therapies like reverse hypers and stem cell treatments have played a role in his recovery. He reflects on the mental toughness required to push through pain and setbacks, emphasizing resilience as a key trait for athletes and individuals alike. Additionally, Simmons offers candid insights on the role of performance-enhancing drugs in sports, discussing their effects, controversies, and the complex realities athletes face regarding doping. Throughout the episode, Simmons’ passion for strength training and innovation shines, providing a rare glimpse into the mindset and methods behind one of the strongest gyms in the world. His stories and expertise offer valuable lessons on physical preparation, injury management, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Key Moments

– Powerlifting
– Strength Training
– Mixed Martial Arts
– Injury Rehabilitation
– Steroid Use
– Training Methodologies
– Gym Culture
– Athlete Recovery
– Neck Strengthening
– Olympic Weightlifting
– Performance Enhancement
– Grip Strength
– Training Equipment
– Drug Testing
– Mental Toughness
– Stem Cell Therapy
– Training Partners
– Biomechanics
– Sports Medicine
0:00:00 – Introduction to Louie Simmons and his gym
0:01:02 – Discussion on back injuries from training methods
0:02:17 – Use of training for grappling and MMA
0:04:01 – Explanation of speed strength and Olympic lifts
0:07:19 – Training differences between strikers and grapplers
0:10:31 – War barrels and heavy walking for conditioning
0:11:04 – Overview of gym records and training philosophy
0:12:58 – Changing bars and workout types for adaptation
0:15:03 – Discussion about opening the gym to others
0:17:07 – Louie's neck injury and its impact on training
0:20:05 – Machines designed to simulate punching movements
0:22:03 – Strengthening the neck and back with unique methods
0:24:43 – Pain tolerance and overcoming injury setbacks
0:26:34 – Motivation to return from retirement
0:28:09 – Steroid use and its role in sports debated
0:33:44 – Ethics of performance enhancement in fighting
0:38:18 – Comparison of skill games and steroid impact
0:41:53 – Steroid testing in prisons and society
0:44:18 – Behavioral effects of excessive steroid use
0:46:06 – Louie's training after severe back injury
0:48:44 – Philosophy: Pain doesn't matter in training
0:50:43 – Recovery and vitality after extreme physical trauma
0:53:47 – Strength vs. size misconceptions
0:56:42 – American weightlifters' performance critique
0:58:53 – Importance of stability in unstable environments
1:02:07 – Example of athlete Overeem and drug testing
1:04:12 – Global doping issues and Olympic records
1:07:15 – Mental toughness and childhood toughness stories
1:09:31 – Discussion on legality and personal freedom
1:13:32 – Trades and self-reliance in America
1:15:09 – Knowing oneself and personal identity
1:16:01 – Resilience and getting back up after failure
1:18:04 – Mechanical devices aiding movement without weights
1:21:18 – Avoidance of regular squats and deadlifts
1:25:32 – Therapies like cold therapy and cryotherapy discussed
1:27:30 – Stem cell therapy effects and personal experience
1:31:06 – Walking on tires as a training method
1:33:48 – Longevity of neck strength training
1:36:37 – Closing remarks and appreciation

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Joe Rogan Podcast, check it out! Starting point is 00:00:16 And I've talked to quite a few people who've worked with you Starting point is 00:00:30 that you created, I've talked about that a hundred times Starting point is 00:00:46 You invented that thing in 73? Starting point is 00:01:02 But that would kill my back. So I thought, well, if I Starting point is 00:01:24 I mean, how is it that it's not a gigantic success? Starting point is 00:01:42 Yeah, I don't remember how I heard about it. Starting point is 00:01:58 So then I started researching stuff, Starting point is 00:02:17 We use it for grappling. Starting point is 00:02:33 and then we grapple or we shadow spar or you can do anything. Starting point is 00:02:52 and that's why I've got the world's strongest gym. Starting point is 00:03:07 And then power lifted all my life. Starting point is 00:03:24 because I'd average three-tenths off 12 linemen going in the NFL. Starting point is 00:03:44 And Olympic lifting, you clean, jerk, and snatch. Starting point is 00:04:01 Speed strength is intermediate velocity. Starting point is 00:04:30 You know, they were hurting me. Starting point is 00:04:42 Somewhere around there. Starting point is 00:04:56 Holy shit. Starting point is 00:05:23 when you would take a guy like kevinman, like a stud athlete like that, Starting point is 00:05:43 and a lot of dumbbells for time. Starting point is 00:05:59 He's one of the best athletes ever in the sport. Starting point is 00:06:21 I'm sure, yeah. Starting point is 00:06:37 You know that. Starting point is 00:06:51 You have to think. Starting point is 00:07:19 Obviously, you're going to have a different need if you're a striker versus a grappler. Starting point is 00:07:45 I want to maximize the amount of work I can do in five minutes Starting point is 00:08:02 He's basically started almost really the first MMA school in America, if you think about it, Starting point is 00:08:24 And, like, if you and I would...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #854?

Louie Simmons was the guest on JRE #854. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #854?

On Joe Rogan Experience #854 with Louie Simmons, topics include Powerlifting, Strength Training, Mixed Martial Arts, and Injury Rehabilitation.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #854?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #854 with Louie Simmons is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.