What if getting stronger isn’t about lifting more weight—but about building a body that can move well, recover well, and keep performing for decades?
In Episode 239 of The Chris & Mike Show, we sit down with Mikael Pihlajamaa, mobility expert and holistic coach, for a fascinating conversation about strength, movement, longevity, nutrition, recovery, and why fitness should be about far more than what you can lift in the gym.
Mikael’s own journey started in powerlifting, but years of training, experimenting, learning, and listening to his body eventually changed his approach. Today, he combines strength training with mobility, calisthenics, Tai Chi, kettlebells, recovery work, nutrition, and sustainable daily habits designed to keep the body capable—not just today, but for the long haul.
One of the most interesting parts of the conversation is Mikael’s approach to building strength at the end ranges of movement. Instead of treating flexibility and strength as separate goals, he explains why developing control and strength through a greater range of motion can help create a more resilient and functional body.
And then there’s kettlebell juggling. Yes, kettlebell juggling. Mikael explains how these unconventional movements challenge strength, timing, coordination, concentration, and body awareness in completely different ways.
We also get into the mental side of health. Mikael shares how Tai Chi helps him slow down, manage stress, and balance the intensity of his other training. The conversation expands into cold showers, sauna, supplements, nutrition, locally sourced foods, recovery, and the constant process of figuring out what actually works instead of blindly following the latest fitness trend.
Mikael also talks about the holistic coaching work he is building alongside his wife, Mira, and her own remarkable journey after dealing with years of lower-disc pain. Today, she has returned to movements including squats and deadlifts—an experience that helped shape their philosophy around movement, recovery, and sustainable health.
This isn't a conversation about chasing a six-pack or setting a new one-rep max.
It's about something bigger:
Move better. Get stronger. Recover smarter. Stay capable. And build a body that continues working for you as you get older.
Whether you're an athlete, weekend warrior, fitness enthusiast, or somebody who simply wants to feel and move better, Mikael brings a different perspective to what lifelong fitness can look like.
🎙️ The Chris & Mike Show — Episode 239
Mikael Pihlajamaa: The Mobility Expert & Holistic Coach
Find Mikael on Instagram: @creative.strength
Real people. Real conversations. Real life. No limits.
#ChrisDunham #MikeMichaels #RLS8GUY #Podcast #Spotify #Riverside #MikaelPihlajamaa #MobilityTraining #HolisticHealth #StrengthTraining #ChrisDunham #MikeMichaels #RLS8GUY
Mikael Pihlajamaa, mobility expert, holistic coaching, mobility training, strength and mobility, functional fitness, Tai Chi training, kettlebell juggling, longevity fitness, The Chris and Mike Show
