Last December, Stuart Locke, the coach and mind behind Kodiak Barbell, nearly didn't come home. An allergic reaction to anesthetic left him fighting for his life, and his wife facing decisions no spouse should ever have to make. He made it through. And he believes he knows exactly why.

In this episode of Truth Serum Podcast, Stuart opens up about the experience that tested everything: his body, his identity, and his faith. We get into how it has reshaped the way he thinks about coaching, strength, and what it means to truly show up for the people in your corner.

We also go deep on what makes Kodiak Barbell different. Stuart's coaching philosophy, how he builds athletes who are mentally and physically tough, his approach to powerlifting programming, and the culture he has built around the barbell.

If you train, compete, or coach, or if you have ever faced something that made you question what you are really made of, this one is for you.

In this episode:

Stuart's near-death experience and the role his Christian faith played in his survival

The Kodiak Barbell philosophy and what it demands of athletes

How Stuart programs for strength and powerlifting performance

Coaching identity and what it means to develop athletes, not just build numbers.

Follow Stuart & Kodiak Barbell

https://www.instagram.com/stu_kodiakbarbell/?hl=en

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Follow Truth Serum Podcast

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en

Podcast IG:

https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en

TikTok:

@TruthSerumPod

Website:

https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/

Newsletter:

https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

Gavin Corbe is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete and the owner of BlackBox Jiu Jitsu in Virginia Beach.

In this episode, Gavin breaks down his approach to jiu jitsu and why he believes most people are training the wrong way.

Instead of relying on traditional drilling, Gavin teaches through games. A method designed to build athletes who can think, adapt, and perform under pressure.

We also get into the foundation behind BlackBox, why he calls it a club instead of an academy, and how building it alongside his brother has shaped the culture and system.

Gavin shares his background in high school wrestling, including the reality of cutting weight and how those experiences influenced the way he trains and coaches today.

We cover:

• Why Gavin teaches through games instead of drills
• The philosophy behind BlackBox as a club
• His wrestling background and weight cutting stories
• How he builds athletes that last in the sport
• What separates people who improve from those who quit

This is a conversation about doing jiu jitsu differently and building something that holds up over time.

✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products

Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.

👉 http://protekt.com/truth

✅ Train Longer, Recover Faster – Vitargo -- Use code TRUTH15

When the work gets real, your fuel matters. Vitargo delivers rapid carbs to keep you going and ready for the next session.

👉 https://vitargousa.com

✅ Upgrade Your Recovery – Valo Red Light -- Use code TRUTH20

More than recovery. Daily red light therapy to help you stay consistent, reduce fatigue, and perform better over time.

👉 https://www.valoredlight.com/

Gavin's Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/gavinsanity_/

BlackBox Grappling Club Website

https://blackboxgrapplingclub.com/

Follow Truth Serum Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en

Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en

TikTok: @TruthSerumPod

Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/

Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

On this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Scott Benson, founder of Benson Sports Training and one of the most respected performance coaches in the country.

Scott also hosts the Building the Athlete Podcast.

Scott’s journey in sport started long before he became a coach. He is the South Dakota high jump record holder and one of the most accomplished track and field athletes the state has ever produced. His impact in Rapid City is so significant that he became the first person ever inducted into the Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame twice. Once as an athlete and once as a coach.

Today, Scott runs one of the most impressive private training facilities in the country. At times his gym is working with up to 600 athletes, supported by a large team of coaches, training athletes from seven years old all the way into their seventies.

In this conversation we talk about the truth behind kids lifting weights and why strength training, when coached properly, can be one of the best tools for developing young athletes.

Scott and I also dive into the reality of youth sports today. Many young athletes are operating on packed schedules filled with travel teams, year round competition, and constant pressure to specialize early. Scott shares why this approach can backfire and why balance, smart training, and longevity need to be part of the conversation.

We also talk about something that often gets overlooked in performance training. The relationship between coach and athlete. Scott believes connecting with athletes and understanding them as people is just as important as the training itself.

If you are a parent, coach, or athlete trying to navigate the modern youth sports world, this episode offers a powerful perspective on building strong athletes for the long run.

✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products

Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.

👉 http://protekt.com/truth

#TruthSerumPodcast #bensonsportstraining

Scott's Website

https://bensonsportstraining.com/

Scott's Podcast

https://bensonsportstraining.com/building-the-athlete-podcast/

Follow Truth Serum Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en

Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en

TikTok: @TruthSerumPod

Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/

Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/