123 - Charlie Athanassiou on whether powerlifting is special

What do we think of online powerlifting competitions? Predictions for the changing Australian competitive landscape? What changes coaching for 2.5kg and 1kg weight increments at competition? Prescribing top sets and backoffs, when and how to autoregulate? Is there a song that is so hype it is literally dangerous? How to get started as a coach?  The boys answer all of this, and more

Powerlifting coach, fitness educator, and former teacher Sam Hall of Ethos Strength joins the boys to chat about his background as a school teacher, and how it has informed his approach to both coaching athletes and conducting professional education

Mike T returns to run the boys through some of the new systems he is working on at RTS and the thought processes behind them. We talk about the role of data in decision-making, how coaches work within data-driven paradigms, what training can't be determined algorithmically, and much more. 

Steve joins the boys to talk about the situation between the USAPL and the IPF, and canvas what the future of international powerlifting looks like. He sheds some outsider's perspective on the state of Australian powerlifting, and he and Alex tee off on the Jordan/Lebron debate. 

Alex and Will return to save the Australian powerlifting scene

Charlie from Melbourne Strength Culture joins the boys to discuss whether powerlifting training is special. We talk about points of difference between general strength training and powerlifting, and get off into the weeds about motivation, longevity, taking breaks from the sport, transfer of general adaptations, and much more. Will admits to crime. 

TC joins the boys to talk about the process of gaining weight and moving up a weight class. We cover why weight gain can be important, the common sources of ambivalence towards gaining weight in athletes, the nutritional and lifestyle priorities for health and performance in doing so, and the contribution that gaining weight can make to your nutritional skillset. 

Steve, of PRS Performance, joins the boys to chat about bench press technique. Should we always be maximally retracted? Is shoulder depression where it is at? We cover the ins and outs of how the shoulder girdle has to move to facilitate function. We then dive into exercise selection in general - how can we go about choosing variations to give us the best bang for our buck?

Julia joins the boys to talk about the pelvic floor. We cover the basic anatomy and its functions, as well as how it pertains to powerlifting. We talk about pooping, and how we can learn to brace better. We also talk about collaboration between coaches and physiotherapists. 

The boys discuss 2020 and the main lessons that they took from it in lifting, coaching, and life. We talk about client communication, programming accessories, managing fatigue, top-down planning and programming updates. We also discuss the merits of slow-cooking, beers, and how much we really need to be happy in life.