The Masters Athlete Survival Guide

We explore thriving as an athlete after 40. Each episode, we’ll dive into tips, hacks, and inspiring stories from seasoned athletes and our personal experience. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a competitive pro, this podcast is your playbook for staying fit, strong, and motivated

The Masters Athlete Survival Guide is a health podcast hosted by John Katalinas and Scott Fike, with 74 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

John Katalinas and Scott Fike hosts The Masters Athlete Survival Guide, a health show with 74 episodes published.

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  Episode #63

  Ten Simple Movement Tests For Stronger Aging

  Oct 1, 202647 min

  Send us Fan Mail We turn a goofy smelling-salts moment into a serious question about aging: what should an active person over 40 be able to do, right now, to stay independent and athletic. We build a simple baseline using real-life movements that expose mobility limits, weak balance, low work capacity, and the habits that lead to falls. • moving well with clean air squats and controlled reps • getting off the floor without using hands as a strength and mobility check • standing up from a hard chair without grabbing support • single-leg balance and the eyes-closed reality check • why falls are so dangerous and how grip strength helps you catch yourself • carrying something heavy as functional strength training and a no-gym option • reaction time tests using a tennis ball or a ruler • the 10-minute walk talk test plus heart-rate recovery after one minute • tracking blood pressure at home for trends and better doctor conversations • stairs as a daily readiness test and why people become homebound • jumping and landing as a simple power and joint-capacity screen If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

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  Episode #62

  Willie Wessels: USS Strongman Behind the Scenes

  Sep 17, 20261h 8m

  Send us Fan Mail We sit down with USS Strongman owner Willie Wessels and get the behind-the-scenes truth about what it takes to build a fair federation, run better contests, and keep masters athletes competing longer. Willie shares how community and service keep the sport alive, plus a raw survival story from his leukemia diagnosis that reframes what “no excuses” really means. • Willie’s path from a sports-obsessed kid to leading USS Strongman • How benefit shows like Love Like Ben raise real money and build real community • What Willie actually does when he travels to events, from media to judging • Why consistent national judging matters for records and trust • The reality of chemo, fatigue, and rebuilding strength from zero • How masters divisions and weight classes make the sport more sustainable • Why efficient show flow, enough staff, and taking care of loaders changes everything • Best advice for masters athletes, recovery first and compete against yourself If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

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  The Masters Athlete Survival Guide

  Grit After 60 with Ed Shore III

  Sep 3, 20261h 14m

  Send us Fan Mail We sit down with 60-plus strongman Ed Shore to talk about the mix of technique, conditioning, and stubborn grit that keeps him competing at a high level. We trade stories on multi-sport athletic development, adapting when events change, and why masters athletes often outshine younger lifters on mindset and community. • Ed’s athletic family background and how he defines his own edge through motor, technique, and analysis • Why multi-sport training builds better balance, agility, and long-term durability than early specialization • How youth sports economics pushes year-round play and what parents can do instead • Coaching methods that keep kids moving, learning skills, and building confidence without quitting • Old-school toughness stories that shape standards for effort and follow-through • Coming back from serious injuries including Achilles rupture and shoulder damage through rehab and prehab • Competition tactics for stones, sandbag carries, breathing, bracing, and fast resets under pressure • Training for failure points like heat, equipment changes, no-tacky rules, and forgotten gear • Why we keep competing after 40 and 60 for fun, memories, and the people around the platform If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

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  Episode #60

  How To Run A Safe Sports Competition After 40

  Aug 20, 202645 min

  Send us Fan Mail We break down what it really takes to run a competition that feels fun, tight, and safe, using our strongman charity event as the template. We talk through the decisions we make as athletic directors so athletes, volunteers, sponsors, and spectators all leave wanting to come back. • treating safety as the first job, not a footnote • choosing controllable events and building in physical safeguards • managing crowds, kids, and spectator flow in a small space • using cleanliness and layout as part of risk reduction • building a reputation that grows entries without begging • recruiting and organizing volunteers so the day runs smoothly • planning for costs, seed money, weather pivots, and delays • using insurance and registration platforms to protect the event • delivering sponsor value and thinking about ROI • showing where charity dollars go through grants and community support • creating community connections that keep rippling outward Please comment. Comment below. Donate to the LovelikeBen9.com. If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

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  Episode #59

  Athletic Legacy: What Do You Want to Be Proud of in 20 Years?

  Aug 6, 20261h 9m

  Send us Fan Mail We ask what masters athletes should chase as they age, then realize the proudest moments often have nothing to do with medals. We lay out how we pick competitions that fit our bodies, build community, and keep the sport fun for the long haul. • redefining pride as a memory and a milestone • why masters athletes compete for benchmarks, learning and joy • experiences versus medals as the main driver after 40 • choosing events that match your body and recovery • why cherry-picking easy wins poisons the culture • local competitions as the fastest way to build community • travel, time zones, money and schedule as real filters • competing for camaraderie and shared venues like the Arnold • avoiding poorly run meets and managing long competition days • volunteering and helping as a shortcut to belonging • lightning-round preferences on PRs, max distance and bucket-list venues • what “hard” means with overhead, joints, health and aging reality If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others, post it on your social media, or leave a review. To catch all the latest from us, you can follow us on Instagram at Masters Athlete Survival Guide. @masters_athlete_survival_guide on IG New podcast episodes come out every other Thursday! Masters Mindset Minutes should be your new performance habit every Sunday night

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