Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by Funk Roberts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Funk Roberts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

Episode 178 - Legacy Series: The Underground Strength Blueprint, Raw Training Lessons, and the Real Story Behind the Rise of Zach Even - Esh

1:21:01
 
Share
 

Manage episode 496577001 series 2480100
Content provided by Funk Roberts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Funk Roberts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Sleep deeper, recover faster, and burn fat overnight—use code FUNK10 now at https://funksupplementshop.com/

The fitness world today feels polished and perfect, but real strength was forged in garages with rusty weights and a warrior mindset. That raw, underground power is what built legends.

I sat down with Zach Even - Esh, a true icon, the founder of The Underground Strength Gym, and one of the OGs who laid the foundation for the raw, garage-style training that changed the game.

While most gyms were getting softer, Zach Even - Esh was welding the bars himself, dragging radiators through alleys, and flipping tires caked in grease, on purpose.

This episode takes us right to the raw roots of the underground strength movement. We’re talking stone-lifting, backyard beatdowns, and no-BS coaching that built unshakable toughness in athletes… and in life.

You’ll hear how Zach helped shape one of the most authentic eras in strength history, and why his style still hits harder today than ever before.

This one is for the coaches, creators, and anyone who believes hard work should hurt a little.

Enjoy the episode.

Listen to This Episode on Your Favourite Podcast Platform:

https://over40alphapodcast.com/

Subscribe and Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6LbGE6ySH5VlIQ8LosKpVG

Subscribe and Listen on iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-over-40-alpha-podcast/id1446632685

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

06:18 - The bodybuilding origin story and training in the 80s and 90s

14:02 - Transition to Underground Strength movement

18:12 - The "idiot" feedback on unconventional training methods

29:00 - Building the Underground Strength Gym

33:28 - Learning online business and creating the first eBook

38:46 - Making $1000 a day online in the golden era

45:07 - The rise and fall of affiliate marketing and ClickBank

55:14 - The value of structured programs

57:22 - His #1 program and why it still hits

1:03:47 - The "Wu-Tang Clan" of fitness

1:07:35 - Connections with Joe DeFranco and Smitty Diesel

1:14:36 - Honoring the pioneers who shaped underground fitness

This Episode Is Part of Our Legacy Series

We’re honoring the ones who did it before the hashtags.

The ones who trained before content was a thing.

Zach Even - Esh isn’t just a pioneer; he’s the underground pulse that still fuels real training today. He built strength. He built character. He built a movement.

JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD

If you're over 40 and ready to reclaim your strength, confidence, and purpose, this is your tribe.

✅ Built for men 40+

✅ Strength-based workouts + simple, flexible nutrition

✅ Real coaching. Real accountability. Real community.

Start your transformation today for just $1: https://www.over40alpha.com

Your support of the Over 40 Alpha Podcast helps change lives—one man, one rep, one transformation at a time.

Please Review and Share the Podcast:

Leave a 5-star review here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-over-40-alpha-podcast/id1446632685

Connect with Zach Even - Esh:

- Website: https://zacheven-esh.com/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZEvenEsh

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachEvenEsh

- Twitter (X): https://x.com/zevenesh

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zevenesh/

- The STRONG Life Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strong-life-podcast-with-zach-even-esh/id740235285

Connect with Funk Roberts:

- Website: https://www.over40alpha.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkrobertsfitness

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funkrobertsfitness

- Funk’s Book: www.over40meals.com

  continue reading

182 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 496577001 series 2480100
Content provided by Funk Roberts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Funk Roberts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Sleep deeper, recover faster, and burn fat overnight—use code FUNK10 now at https://funksupplementshop.com/

The fitness world today feels polished and perfect, but real strength was forged in garages with rusty weights and a warrior mindset. That raw, underground power is what built legends.

I sat down with Zach Even - Esh, a true icon, the founder of The Underground Strength Gym, and one of the OGs who laid the foundation for the raw, garage-style training that changed the game.

While most gyms were getting softer, Zach Even - Esh was welding the bars himself, dragging radiators through alleys, and flipping tires caked in grease, on purpose.

This episode takes us right to the raw roots of the underground strength movement. We’re talking stone-lifting, backyard beatdowns, and no-BS coaching that built unshakable toughness in athletes… and in life.

You’ll hear how Zach helped shape one of the most authentic eras in strength history, and why his style still hits harder today than ever before.

This one is for the coaches, creators, and anyone who believes hard work should hurt a little.

Enjoy the episode.

Listen to This Episode on Your Favourite Podcast Platform:

https://over40alphapodcast.com/

Subscribe and Listen on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6LbGE6ySH5VlIQ8LosKpVG

Subscribe and Listen on iTunes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-over-40-alpha-podcast/id1446632685

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

06:18 - The bodybuilding origin story and training in the 80s and 90s

14:02 - Transition to Underground Strength movement

18:12 - The "idiot" feedback on unconventional training methods

29:00 - Building the Underground Strength Gym

33:28 - Learning online business and creating the first eBook

38:46 - Making $1000 a day online in the golden era

45:07 - The rise and fall of affiliate marketing and ClickBank

55:14 - The value of structured programs

57:22 - His #1 program and why it still hits

1:03:47 - The "Wu-Tang Clan" of fitness

1:07:35 - Connections with Joe DeFranco and Smitty Diesel

1:14:36 - Honoring the pioneers who shaped underground fitness

This Episode Is Part of Our Legacy Series

We’re honoring the ones who did it before the hashtags.

The ones who trained before content was a thing.

Zach Even - Esh isn’t just a pioneer; he’s the underground pulse that still fuels real training today. He built strength. He built character. He built a movement.

JOIN THE BROTHERHOOD

If you're over 40 and ready to reclaim your strength, confidence, and purpose, this is your tribe.

✅ Built for men 40+

✅ Strength-based workouts + simple, flexible nutrition

✅ Real coaching. Real accountability. Real community.

Start your transformation today for just $1: https://www.over40alpha.com

Your support of the Over 40 Alpha Podcast helps change lives—one man, one rep, one transformation at a time.

Please Review and Share the Podcast:

Leave a 5-star review here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-over-40-alpha-podcast/id1446632685

Connect with Zach Even - Esh:

- Website: https://zacheven-esh.com/

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZEvenEsh

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZachEvenEsh

- Twitter (X): https://x.com/zevenesh

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zevenesh/

- The STRONG Life Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-strong-life-podcast-with-zach-even-esh/id740235285

Connect with Funk Roberts:

- Website: https://www.over40alpha.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkrobertsfitness

- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funkrobertsfitness

- Funk’s Book: www.over40meals.com

  continue reading

182 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play