In this episode of Practical Powerlifting, I speak with Jack Dunn who shares his journey from a general fitness trainer to a successful powerlifting coach in Tasmania. He discusses the evolution of his coaching brand, Compound Training and Nutrition, and the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent in the sport. Jack reflects on his experiences at the recent Open IPF Worlds, Junior Worlds and his team's success at TSF Team Champs. We discuss the challenges of coaching at high levels and balancing individual lifter goals with team objectives.

He also introduces the Southern Showdown, a new competition aimed at fostering community and competition among lifters in Tasmania and Victoria. Throughout the discussion, Jack emphasizes the significance of building a supportive environment for athletes and the impact of shared experiences in enhancing performance and resilience. He discusses his coaching philosophy and experiences in powerlifting, emphasizing the importance of recognizing potential in athletes, building strong relationships, and nurturing their passion for the sport. He shares insights on managing expectations, avoiding burnout, and the significance of communication in coaching. Jack also reflects on his personal journey with a brain tumor and how it shaped his approach to coaching and understanding athletes' unique starting points. He highlights the role of a supportive training culture and the balance between genetic potential and coaching influence in athlete success.

In this episode of Practical Powerlifting, I speak with Alex Dellaportas, a prominent figure in the Melbourne powerlifting scene and founder of Groove Lifting Club. We discuss Alex's journey into coaching, the importance of community and enjoyment in training, and the challenges of avoiding burnout in powerlifting. Alex shares insights on how to navigate individual needs in coaching, the concept of the 'washed up' powerlifter, and the significance of creating a positive experience in competitions. Our conversation emphasizes the balance between competition and enjoyment, the role of communication in coaching, and reflections on powerlifting culture.

In this episode of Practical Powerlifting, Victor Liu discusses the complexities of coaching in powerlifting, emphasising the importance of navigating uncertainty, fostering an athletic mindset, and the role of psychology in coaching. He shares insights from his experiences at international competitions and outlines his coaching philosophy, which is built on three pillars: being a tactician, teacher, and supporter.

The discussion also touches on the significance of effective communication, managing athlete expectations, and the need for proactive coaching strategies to instill hope and motivation in athletes. Victor discusses his evolution as a coach, transitioning from a load-based approach to utilizing RPE in training and now something in between. He emphasizes the importance of tinkering with training variables, particularly secondary and tertiary lifts, to optimize performance on primaries, what he calls "weekly peaking". He also shares insights on preparing athletes for competition, including the significance of aligning training with competition days and implementing a back-end deload strategy. He highlights the balance between subjective experiences and objective measures in training, and reflects on how his experience in bodybuilding has influenced his coaching philosophy in powerlifting.

00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Coaching
04:26 The Reality of Coaching Challenges
07:39 Experiences at International Competitions
10:32 Coaching Philosophy: The Three Pillars
13:16 Fostering an Athletic Mindset
16:23 Teaching Athletes to Communicate Effectively
19:26 Managing Athlete Expectations and Mindsets
32:37 Communicating with Athletes: The Power of Words
33:28 Understanding Athlete Psychology: Beyond Mechanics
35:46 Creating the Right Conditions for Growth
37:25 Navigating Coach-Athlete Relationships
40:17 The Role of Emotional Support in Coaching
43:13 Instilling Hope During Difficult Times
45:46 Proactive vs. Reactive Coaching Strategies
48:40 Evolving Training Approaches: From Load to RPE
55:45 Tinkering with Training: Finding What Works
01:03:51 Setting Up for Competition: Timing and Strategy
01:04:49 Optimizing Deadlift Training for Competitions
01:13:08 The Importance of Perception in Lifting Performance
01:18:15 Transitioning from Bodybuilding to Powerlifting
01:28:19 Personal Experiences in Strength Training