Strength is Everything with Mike De La Pava

Mike De La Pava went from competing in Muay Thai to building Battleaxe Gym, Miami's strongman gym, over 13 years. In this episode we talk about what drew him to strongman, why he calls strongman the most practical strength training there is, and the philosophy running Battleaxe Gym is built on. ⏱ CHAPTERS 0:00 Intro: Mike De La Pava, owner of Battleaxe Gym 0:18 From Street Fighter to Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai 2:24 Fighting, rugby, strongman, Highland games, bodybuilding 4:00 His last fight and the hole it left 6:06 Finding strongman 7:27 What strongman is 9:05 How to train for strongman 11:00 Why strongman is the most practical strength 14:51 The primal side of strength 16:29 Strongman's rules: do the thing 18:59 Opening Battleaxe Gym at 28 20:50 The first years 23:36 Never in the red 26:23 Doing it for love, not money 27:57 Where strength is everything 34:06 Everything ends 34:44 There is no balance, only seasons 40:43 Being true to yourself 44:34 Running a gym, competing and coaching 51:25 You are your own ecosystem 52:01 Where to find Mike and Battleaxe Gym 📌 ABOUT MIKE DE LA PAVA Mike De La Pava is the owner and head coach of Battleaxe Gym in Miami. A former Muay Thai fighter, he has competed in strongman, powerlifting, Highland games and bodybuilding, opened the gym at 28 after working as a social worker, and coaches athletes in person and remotely. ▶ SUBSCRIBE for more on building, scaling, and exiting service businesses 📌 ABOUT THIS CHANNEL Chris Barrientos is a multi-venture entrepreneur, investor, musician, and podcast host. He loves business, and he loves people - this channel is the intersection of that. #BuiltToExit #Entrepreneur #BusinessOwner #Strongman #MartialArts #MuayThai #GymOwner #BattleaxeGym #StrengthTraining #PracticalStrength #ScalingUp