100th Post 🥳
BEAST TAMER [Videos]
I started StrengthAxis to document my career as a strength coach. Writing helps me to focus my thoughts and ideas into actionable steps using an MED framework. Now 100 posts in, I wish to share one of my greatest accomplishment: the BEAST TAMER.
It took me several years to attain these videos. StrongFirst does not allow students to share segments of teaching/examples from their seminars. I get it, but I worked too damn hard on the BEAST TAMER to not see the fruition of my extended pursuit.
It took me two years of diligent training to own the 48kg Military Press. I had always been able to complete the Pull Up and Pistol. The MP was elusive. Once I believed I could do it, I knew I would just need to continue my practice to build MP strength.
If you don’t know what the BEAST TAMER & IRON MAIDEN challenges are, check out this link. These are a unique contest as they don’t necessarily reward one’s size. The athlete needs high amounts of general strength to accomplish all three lifts.
Three years after my successful completion, I have continued to help my students in their BT/IM attempts while developing unique ideas to hone generalist strength. I am grateful to my readers, without you, I wouldn’t have the drive that I owe my life to.
Please enjoy the videos below. I have left them unlisted to ensure that I don’t get in trouble for posting them. If anything, I hope they inspire you on your own strength journey and to get you out of your comfort zone. If I can do it, you can too. Let’s go!!!
John Parker
May 15, 2025
Maximize The Military Press
ATTENTION PAID SUBSCRIBERS! November’s Kettlebell Program Design will be available on 11/01/2022. It will come straight to your inbox. Thanks for subscribing!
After the BT in January, 2022, I published Maximize the Military Press to document the training protocol that I used to go from a 44kg to 48kg Military Press.
Military Press: 48kg
During the attempt, my focus was on exploding out of the rack with speed. Nailed it. I chose this as my first lift as I wanted to use as much of my available energy as possible.
Pull Up: 48kg
I knew the energy of the crowd would allow me to crush the Pull Up. Unlike the other students, I used my body’s stretch reflex to get this lift to my lower neck. You can see that I step off a box into a stretched hanging position before the “pull” command.
The Pistol Squat: 48kg
I’ve always thought that if you can squat two plates, you should be able to Pistol Squat the Beast. The only challenge of the PS is balance. Notice how I position the kettlebell over my knee during the descent.
What would you like to see on this year’s posts? I would love to help with any nutrition/lifestyle pursuits, fitness and instructional videos, or any esoteric topics like the personal training business. Thanks again. I’ll post again in two weeks.
John Parker
May 15, 2025
John can you explain your current 5/3/1 plan and if you are integrating kettlebells? Also, I am trying hard to combine, BB lifts, KB and Calisthenics. But I want KB C&P, and DBFS to serve as primary lifts as well as BB deadlifts, bench, pull ups and dips. Accessory lifts would be curls, tri-extensions and ab work. Trying to program this is driving me crazy. Any ideas?