Why Strength & Conditioning Isn’t Just for Athletes (And Why You Should Start Now)

February 14, 2024

Featuring Guest: Coach Jason Curtis

Ex-Army Physical Training Instructor, Author of 20 Books, Creator of The Deadly Dozen Fitness Race

You might hear "strength and conditioning" and immediately think of elite athletes crushing weights and sprinting through agility ladders. But according to Coach Jason Curtis—a UK-based strength coach with a military background and two decades of fitness education under his belt—everyone is an athlete in their own right.

In this episode of Nacho Fitness Coach, Sara and Caleigh talk to Coach Curtis about what strength and conditioning really means, why it’s not just for pros, and how everyday people (yes, you!) can use it to feel stronger, healthier, and more confident.

Who Is Coach Jason Curtis?

Before diving into fitness for the masses, Coach Curtis was a physical training instructor in the British Army, training soldiers for peak performance. Now, he’s turned his focus to civilians and has made a name by simplifying complex strength concepts for everyday people. He’s the author of 20+ books and the founder of a strength and conditioning academy—and yes, he’s also the mastermind behind the brutal (yet accessible) Deadly Dozen fitness race.

Making Fitness Simple—But Not Easy

Let’s get something straight: simple doesn’t mean easy. One of Coach Curtis’s biggest messages is that you don’t need to overcomplicate things to get results.

"The higher the level of athlete, the simpler the program."

Crazy, right? Turns out Olympic-level programs often revolve around a few basics: squats, presses, and pulls. It's not about flashy exercises—it’s about consistency and mastering fundamentals.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

You don’t need to be an athlete to train like one. Everyday people are doing 5Ks, Tough Mudders, and lifting weights. Strength training is for everyone.
Simple works. Squats, deadlifts, pushups—done consistently and with proper form—are incredibly effective.
Avoid the fluff. Skip the Bosu ball squats and the Instagram workouts that look cool but serve little purpose.
Try things out. Don’t be afraid to experiment. If it’s safe and it works for you, that’s what matters.
Strength isn’t just physical. Training builds confidence, resilience, and mental toughness.
Your personal trainer should act like a strength coach. They should be applying performance-based principles to your goals, no matter your fitness level.

The Deadly Dozen: A Fitness Race for Everyone (and Yes, It’s Intense)

Coach Curtis’s brainchild, The Deadly Dozen, is a brutal-yet-accessible fitness race designed for anyone with access to dumbbells, kettlebells, and a bit of floor space. Inspired by track intervals and strength circuits, this race combines 400-meter runs with strength-based "labors"—12 exercises like kettlebell deadlifts, dumbbell snatches, plate carries, and devil presses.

And yes, there’s a whole training manual on how to crush it.

"It’s ne of the world’s hardest, yet most accessible, fitness races."

This isn’t just about competition. It’s about pushing yourself in a format that builds endurance, strength, and grit—all without the technical complexity of Olympic lifting or the mud pits of obstacle races.

So Where Does Caleigh Fit In?

Caleigh, our beginner co-host, admits she’s been overwhelmed in the past by too much fitness info. She just wants a plan that tells her what muscles she's working and what weights to pick. Sound familiar?

Coach Curtis gets it—and that’s why his approach clicks for people like her. Strip away the jargon, make it approachable, and help people take action.

Final Thoughts: Strength Is for You

You don’t need a six-pack, fancy gym equipment, or a sports background to benefit from strength and conditioning. What you need is a commitment to the basics, a willingness to try, and the confidence to ignore fitness fads that don’t serve you.

Whether you’re training for a 5K, trying to feel better in your body, or simply want to be strong enough to carry your groceries without breaking a sweat—strength and conditioning can help you get there.

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