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

In this episode, I interview Alex Hayes, a prominent powerlifting coach from Sydney. We discuss Alex's journey into powerlifting coaching, the evolution of the sport in Australia, and the importance of practical experience over theoretical knowledge. Alex shares insights on the value of in-person coaching, the challenges of online coaching, and the significance of game day coaching. The conversation emphasises the need for coaches to develop their intuition and understanding of athletes, as well as the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the coaching profession.

We delve into the intricacies of coaching in powerlifting, focusing on competition logistics, communication strategies, and the importance of understanding lifters' individual goals and mentalities. We discuss the evolution of their coaching philosophies, the significance of adapting communication styles to different lifters, and the common mistakes coaches make. The conversation also highlights the importance of building a community within online coaching and the need for coaches to balance pushing their athletes while supporting their personal journeys.

00:00 Introduction to Powerlifting Coaching
01:52 The Evolution of Powerlifting in Australia
04:35 Coaching Experience and Background
07:28 The Importance of In-Person Coaching
10:42 Learning Through Experience and Mentorship
13:28 The Role of Communication in Coaching
16:25 The Slow Burn of Coaching Success
19:27 Theoretical vs Practical Knowledge in Coaching
25:53 The Importance of Practical Experience in Coaching
27:51 Simplifying Coaching Metrics and Tracking
29:54 The Balance Between Data and Intuition
31:52 Finding Your Coaching Style and Recipe
37:34 The Art of Game Day Coaching
41:15 Learning from Experience and Mistakes
47:51 Communication Strategies on Game Day
53:19 Respecting Lifters' Goals and Experiences
58:33 Balancing Coaching and Performance
59:41 Understanding Lifters' Goals
01:01:22 The Cost of Commitment in Powerlifting
01:02:36 The Role of Comparison in Powerlifting
01:04:35 Adapting Communication Styles
01:07:36 The Emotional Chameleon: Coaching on Competition Day
01:10:17 Learning from Mistakes in Coaching
01:13:12 Maturity and Coaching Philosophy
01:15:50 Inspiration vs. Comparison in Coaching
01:19:10 Building Trust and Credibility as a Coach
01:22:52 The Evolution of Process Powerlifting Club

In this conversation, Jamie Smith shares his insights on coaching, the biopsychosocial model, and the importance of education in the fitness industry. He discusses his journey from personal trainer to gym owner and educator, emphasizing the need for a balance between objective data and subjective experiences in coaching. Jamie also highlights the significance of client engagement through conversations rather than forms, and how the environment can impact performance. This discussion offers valuable perspectives for coaches and fitness professionals looking to enhance their practice.
Jamie and I explore the complexities of coaching, particularly in the context of rapid growth and the balance between systems and subjectivity. We discuss the importance of individualisation in training, the role of communication, and the need for coaches to adapt to the dynamic nature of their clients. The conversation emphasises that while objective training principles are essential, the subjective experience of clients is equally crucial for long-term success. He shares insights on how to navigate these challenges, highlighting the importance of intuition and the need for coaches to listen to their clients' expectations while also providing guidance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:25 The Journey to Opening a Gym
08:54 The Shift to Education and Mentorship
12:45 Coaching Philosophy and Subjective Experience
17:32 The Interplay of Objective and Subjective in Coaching
27:28 Dynamic Systems in Powerlifting
30:24 The Role of Subjectivity in Coaching
32:50 Balancing Objective and Subjective Measures
39:31 Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Decision Making
48:58 Creating Systems for Coaching Consistency
55:51 Standardizing Coaching Approaches
57:48 The Essence of Coaching Services
01:00:01 Subjectivity vs Objectivity in Coaching
01:01:59 The Role of Intuition in Coaching
01:04:13 Engagement in Powerlifting
01:06:19 The Complexity of Powerlifting Training
01:10:03 The Importance of Enjoyment in Training
01:14:19 The Simplicity of Productive Training
01:17:12 Dynamic Systems in Coaching
01:21:56 Expectations and Beliefs in Coaching
01:24:27 Balancing Rigidity and Flexibility in Coaching
01:27:37 The Importance of Context in Coaching Decisions
01:30:24 Understanding the Value of Steps and Movement
01:33:21 The Subjectivity of Coaching and Education
01:36:28 Conclusion and Resources for Coaches

In this episode of Practical Powerlifting, I interview my wife, Billie Asprey, a seasoned powerlifting coach. We discuss Billie's journey into powerlifting, her coaching philosophy, and the importance of empathy in working with beginners. Billie shares her experiences in both online and in-person coaching, emphasizing the need for personal connection and understanding in the coaching process. The conversation also touches on the evolution of coaching practices, the significance of soft skills, and the future of coaching in the fitness industry.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
01:35 Billie's Journey into Powerlifting
04:21 Coaching Philosophy and Passion for Beginners
07:22 Breaking Down Barriers in Strength Sports
10:10 Empathy in Coaching and Relating to Beginners
13:20 The Value of Early Experiences in Sports
16:27 Navigating the Transition from Self-Taught to Coached
19:13 Evolution of Coaching Practices Over Time
22:03 The Role of Online Coaching in Modern Fitness
27:28 The Journey to Coaching
33:51 Evolution of Online Coaching
39:41 Tailoring Coaching to Individual Needs
47:02 The Role of a Coach in Motivation
47:25 Challenges of Face-to-Face Coaching
54:30 The Future of Coaching
59:51 Strengths in Working with Beginners