Persistent Progress: Nathaniel Hancock on Balancing Powerlifting, Family, and FaithIn this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Lela welcomes Nathaniel Hancock, a seasoned powerlifter with an extensive background in lifting, bodybuilding, and running. Nathaniel shares his journey from fitness modeling to achieving remarkable feats in powerlifting, all while balancing family, faith, and a full-time job. They discuss the importance of aligning one's mindset, body, and spirit, the transformative power of persistence, and the value of focusing on presence and community over competitive outcomes. Dive into this enriching conversation that explores how to channel the pursuit of strength into something deeper and more meaningful.Website: tiaexp.com/home00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:51 Special Guest: Nathaniel Hancock01:58 Nathaniel's Fitness Journey05:26 The Importance of Persistence and Balance08:01 Navigating Motivation and Values13:35 Powerlifting and Family Life26:10 The Role of Influencers and Mentors35:35 The Long Win: Redefining Success38:13 Introduction to Alfred Adler's Philosophy38:51 Shifting Personal Narratives39:30 Sense of Belonging and Competition40:54 Inspiration from Fellow Lifters42:21 The Importance of Self-Belief45:34 Powerlifting as a Journey of Self-Discovery01:02:29 The Role of Faith in Fitness01:13:27 Gratitude and Personal Triumphs

Overcoming Adversity & Embracing Change: Insights from Paul Oneid on Strength and MindsetWelcome to the Intentional Athlete Podcast, hosted by Ross Leppala, where we dive deep into how strength transcends the gym and impacts our lives. In this insightful episode, Ross invites Paul Oneid—strength and conditioning coach, powerlifter, and bodybuilding champion—who shares his journey from competing at an elite level in powerlifting to overcoming a traumatic injury. Paulo discusses how he pivoted to bodybuilding post-injury, the importance of aligning actions with core values, and maintaining a resilient mindset through life's challenges. This episode emphasizes the significance of intentionality, alignment of thoughts, feelings, and actions, and the enduring impact of overcoming adversity.00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:51 Welcoming Paul Lo: A Journey of Strength and Recovery03:29 Paul's Powerlifting Pedigree and Injury08:37 The Road to Recovery: Overcoming Adversity13:30 Mindset Shift: From Setback to Opportunity23:24 Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Motivation in Recovery33:29 Defining Personal Identity Beyond Roles34:04 The Importance of Core Values35:46 Personal Experiences and Realizations37:32 The Intentional Athlete39:25 Challenges and Adaptations in Training43:30 Long-Term Success in Powerlifting57:23 Transition to Bodybuilding58:56 Controlling the Controllables01:02:33 Reflections on Personal Growth01:07:04 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Join host Ross Leppala in an insightful episode of The Intentional Athlete Podcast featuring Ashton Rouska, a distinguished powerlifter, and licensed psychologist, as they discuss the profound connection between strength training, personal growth, and emotional well-being. In this conversation, Ross and Ashton explore the transformative journey of training, emphasizing the importance of mindset, emotional regulation, and the interplay between life and gym experiences. Ashton shares his inspiring story, from his early days in powerlifting to overcoming significant injuries while balancing his roles as an army officer and a new father. Dive deep into the psychological aspects of lifting and learn actionable strategies for sustainable training, emotional resilience, and living with intention. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or new to the sport, this episode offers valuable insights to elevate your training and life.00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:51 Special Guest: Ashton Rouska01:30 Ashton's Powerlifting Journey04:26 Balancing Life and Lifting13:54 The Psychology of Powerlifting25:30 Handling Setbacks and Injuries35:47 Balancing Regulation and Percentage-Based Training37:44 Psychological Strategies for Effective Training39:28 The Importance of Flexibility in Training40:12 Avoiding Burnout and Emotional Maturity44:48 Navigating Injuries and Major Life Events49:30 Lessons from Personal and Family Experiences01:04:06 The Role of Patience and Grace in Training and Life01:09:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information