What does it mean to train like a human being was built to move?
In this episode of Quality Values, I sit down with Dave Nisbet, firefighter, strength coach, and the founder of Edmonton Stones of Strength. We dive into the world of stone lifting—not just as a physical practice, but as a path to fundamental strength, breathing power, and ancient human movement.
Dave shares how lifting massive stones helped him in his role as a firefighter, how he trains breathing under heavy loads, and why stone lifting is a missing link in modern strength culture. Whether you’re a martial artist, lifter, or movement explorer, this episode will change the way you view strength training.
00:00 – Intro: Dave Nisbet & the art of stone lifting
02:00 – Stone training vs. barbell training: strengths & weaknesses
04:30 – Applying stone strength to firefighting & real-world work
07:00 – Aerobic capacity, trunk training & grappling crossover
10:15 – Transference: Why stone strength transfers to everything
13:00 – Sandbags vs. stones: which is better & why
16:00 – Where to find the right stones + how to “read” them
18:45 – Dave’s Icelandic stone-carry mission explained
20:30 – Breath training under heavy loads (literally!)
23:00 – Carryover from diaphragmatic strength to daily life
26:00 – Fundamentals over flash: timeless training principles
28:00 – History of stone lifting & its ancient global roots
31:00 – Lifting iconic stones across the world
32:40 – Edmonton Stones of Strength: building a global community
35:00 – Social media as a bridge between the old world and new
38:00 – Why stone lifting resonates in modern fitness
42:00 – Creating a timeless strength practice in the digital age
45:00 – Getting started: gear, pads, and recommended loads
48:00 – Where to find Dave, learn more, and join the movement
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🪨 “Stone lifting taught me more about breath, posture, and power than any barbell ever did.”
In this episode, I talk with Dave Nisbet about building real strength from the ground up—literally.
Watch or listen now on YouTube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. #StoneLifting #FunctionalStrength #QualityValuesPodcast
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