The Best Experience

INSIDE UPDATE: Nick Best’s Double Hip Replacement Recovery (Hospital Live) | Casein Protein + Rehab Goals

Nick Best and his co-host return live after missing a week due to Nick’s surgery, broadcasting from Encompass Health rehab hospital as Nick deals with persistent post-intubation hiccups. They promote their Patreon tiers and answer fan questions, including how to choose between different interpretations of a situation (judge by what works and results) and thoughts on casein protein before bed (if recovery improves, keep it; co-host explains casein digests slower than whey and can feed muscles overnight). Nick explains the exact moment he couldn’t delay surgery—loss of basic function and feeling his hip move in the socket during heavy leg press—and describes daily pain and limping fans didn’t see. He compares World’s Strongest Man prep to planning a double hip replacement, notes unexpected bone density and extra bone growths that extended surgery to 5:45, shares rehab progress and next goal of walking without a walker, praises the facility and Dr. Michael Bradford, and thanks supporters. 00:00 Back Live From Hospital 01:12 Patreon And Fan Questions 01:44 Finding The Right Perspective  03:11 Casein Protein Before Bed 05:46 Why Hip Surgery Was Needed 07:11 Pain Behind The Scenes 08:15 Worlds Prep Vs Surgery Prep 10:25 Surgery Details And Early Days 12:54 Rehab Wins And Next Goals 18:25 Facility Care And Mobility Gains 22:53 Thanks And Sign Off  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong [https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong] Nick Best https://lnk.bio/NickBest [https://lnk.bio/NickBest] Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com  Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best  Invigor Medical (Code NickBest10) https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman [https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman] U.S LawShield (Code BestNV) https://lp.uslawshield.com/new-member-sign-up-usls-2022/?promo=gunslingersfl&utm_source=facility%20&utm_medium=qr [https://lp.uslawshield.com/new-member-sign-up-usls-2022/?promo=gunslingersfl&utm_source=facility%20&utm_medium=qr] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SHOCKING Regrets + Biggest Strongman Mindsets: Shaw vs Hall Docs & Hip Replacements

Nick Best and his co-host welcome a new Patreon member and answer questions about what Nick would redo in his World’s Strongest Man career, citing three key moments: pushing too hard in a qualifying keg carry then being too conservative in a rock-bag medley, taking bad squat warmup advice in 2013 China that put his back out after travel delays, and playing conservative on the 2017 elephant carry despite having more distance. They discuss the value and pitfalls of modern coaching and the importance of knowing rules and recording event testing. Nick compares Brian Shaw’s and Eddie Hall’s documentaries, emphasizing their relentless competitive mindsets, and argues Eddie’s 1,041 axle deadlift is more impressive than the 1,100 deadlift-bar pull. Nick then explains his upcoming bilateral hip replacements, detailing bone spurs, recovery expectations, and his goal to return to heavy lifting without pain. 00:00 Show Intro and Patreon 01:19 Welcome New Member 01:46 WSM Do-Over Events 05:44 Coaching and Competing 11:29 Shaw vs Hall Docs 17:28 Deadlift Bar Rant 20:41 Hip Replacement Update 26:03 Rehab Plan and Mindset 33:22 Closing Thoughts  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong [https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong] Nick Best https://lnk.bio/NickBest [https://lnk.bio/NickBest] Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com  Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best  Invigor Medical (Code NickBest10) https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman [https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Nick Best WSM 2026 Recap

Nick Best and co-host discuss Patreon perks, then answer questions about sponsorship and prize money at World’s Strongest Man, arguing sponsorships are still strong but limited by small grandstands and suggesting more seating and general admission to boost local revenue and sponsors. They explain bodybuilding can direct more money to athletes because it isn’t produced as a major TV show, while WSM has massive broadcast costs and staffing. They recap this year’s WSM in Myrtle Beach, noting improved athlete treatment, venues, and facilities versus past years, while criticizing some event setup choices (stage/platform issues and a box flip causing Austin a concussion). They highlight a tight finish between Hooper and Rayo on stones, Trey earning a podium spot, Martin announcing he’ll return next year, and praise several athletes while emphasizing competition-day details and strategy. 00:00 Show Kickoff 00:51 Patreon Welcome 01:33 Sponsorship Question 02:31 Fixing Crowd Revenue 05:42 Athlete Safety Upgrades 07:50 Strongman vs Bodybuilding 11:13 Whats Different Now 13:58 Coaching And Prep Tips 16:44 Reno vs Hooper Recap 18:45 Log Lift Turning Point 21:29 Stones Finale Breakdown 23:24 Trey Secures Podium 24:04 Training Tweaks Ahead 24:50 Dangerous Box Flip 25:32 Austin Concussion Withdrawal 27:14 Finals Highlights Recap 29:16 Evan Mental Game 31:45 Qualifier Scoring Changes 35:00 Stone Medley Chaos 36:38 Crowd Moments And Shirts 37:14 Wrap Up And Thanks 38:41 Pavlo Fourth Place Praise 40:21 Closing Thoughts And Signoff  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong [https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong] Nick Best https://lnk.bio/NickBest [https://lnk.bio/NickBest] Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com [https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com] Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best  Invigor Medical (Code NickBest10) https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman [https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

INSANE Worlds Strongest Man 2026 Predictions + Calf Strain Recovery Tips

Nick Best hosts a live episode of The Best Experience, welcomes new Patreon members, and answers a listener question about a month-long calf injury after extensive hiking and a massage. He suggests icing in ice water to reduce inflammation, restoring range of motion with light stretching, delaying deep massage until later healing, gradually strengthening with light calf raises, and allowing 6–8 weeks before heavier loading, while also emphasizing hydration, sodium, and potassium to prevent cramps and tears. The conversation then shifts to what fans underestimate about performing at World’s Strongest Man across multiple days, focusing on mental shutdown, sleep, timed fueling and fluids, rest between events, and recovery routines. Nick and Ben give detailed group-by-group heat predictions and discuss finals events, ultimately leaning toward Mitchell Hooper as the likely winner while noting Tom Stoltman, Trey Mitchell, and Evan Singleton as major factors and stressing that contest day can change everything. 00:00 Show Kickoff Live 00:50 Patreon Shoutouts 01:42 Calf Pain Recovery Tips 05:42 Hydration Electrolytes Fuel 07:01 Worlds Strongest Man Prep 13:36 WSM Group One Breakdown 20:08 WSM Group Two Breakdown 26:52 WSM Group Three Breakdown 32:42 Dark Horse Eddie 33:31 Group Four Breakdown 39:52 Group Five Rivalries 40:26 Group Five Event Picks 48:23 Who Makes Finals 49:48 Finals Events Preview 52:45 Deadlift Strategy Talk 56:42 Max Log And Stones 59:53 Overall Winner Predictions  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong [https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong] Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest [https://lnk.bio/NickBest] Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com [https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com] Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8 [https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8] Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best  Invigor Medical (code NickBest10) https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman [https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

SHOCKING Strongman Secrets: Nick Best & Big James on Granite Stones, Supplements, and Deadlift Controversy

Nick Best hosts a live episode with longtime training partner “Big James,” discussing their strongman history since 2009, James’s 200kg granite stone world record at FIBO, and Nick’s recent 700lb squat PR at age 42. They answer a fan question about strength training for bone density and the benefits and cautions of vitamin D3, zinc, and selenium, emphasizing tracking variables and bloodwork. James recounts starting strongman in 2003, qualifying for Giants Live, and competing at events like Fit Expo and Sin City Strongman. They preview World’s Strongest Man contenders, discuss the Enhanced Games deadlift and how flexible bars affect deadlift integrity, and touch on supportive gear for longevity. James plugs Tactical Night Vision Company and Task Force 70 and shares his Instagram handle. James Rude Instagram https://www.instagram.com/real_strong_tactical/ [https://www.instagram.com/real_strong_tactical/] Tactical Night Vision https://tnvc.com/shop/category/training-classes/ [https://tnvc.com/shop/category/training-classes/] Task force 70 https://www.tf70.org/ [https://www.tf70.org/] 00:00 Show Kickoff 00:54 Meet Big James 02:03 Granite Stone Grip 02:27 Fan Question Space Lifting 04:14 Supplements And Doctors 06:40 Track Variables Carefully 07:47 Vitamin D And Selenium Safety 09:10 Nick Squat PR 10:57 Conjugate Training Explained 12:15 How James Met Nick 15:24 Strongman Career Highlights 17:40 Firearms Instructor Life 20:21 Worlds Strongest Man Plans 22:21 Fit Expo Yoke Medley 23:18 Event Win Breakdown 24:59 Worlds Contenders Talk 25:40 Martins Training Memories 27:28 Attic Water Heater Chaos 29:35 FIBO Stone Record Prep 32:35 Highland Games And Loss 33:31 Travel Plans And Deadlift Hype 36:19 Bendy Bars Debate 39:11 Gear Longevity Tips 44:47 Night Vision Shoutouts 47:55 Final Thanks And Wrap  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong [https://www.patreon.com/c/BestStrong] Nick Best  https://lnk.bio/NickBest [https://lnk.bio/NickBest] Nick Best Merch https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com [https://nickbeststrongman.myshopify.com] Evolution Athletics https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8 [https://shawstrength.com/pages/evolution-athletics%20/?aff=8] Barbell Apparel http://barbellapparel.com/best  Invigor Medical https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman [https://influencer.invigormedical.com/nickbeststrongman] Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-best-experience--5779077/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].