Fatigue in Powerlifting: Mechanisms, Practical Considerations & Productive vs. Disruptive Fatigue (ep.33)

Pain isn't always as simple as identifying what's hurting and trying to fix it.In this episode, we sit down with our go-to physical therapist to take a deeper look at pain, movement, and the systems that influence how our bodies respond to training.We explore different pain models, how multiple body systems can contribute to the pain experience, and why understanding the difference between pain drivers and pain symptoms can change the way we approach athletes and rehabilitation.We also bring the conversation back to the platform, discussing common movement patterns and considerations we see in the squat, bench press, and deadlift, and how a broader understanding of the human body can help us make better decisions as coaches and lifters.Beyond the science, we dive into the practical side of application:Understanding different frameworks and when to use them.Recognizing when to use tools versus when they're unnecessary.The art of creating buy-in with athletes.Refining your own approach by understanding other systems and perspectives.Moving beyond simply chasing symptoms to better understand the bigger picture.Whether you're a powerlifter, coach, or healthcare professional, this conversation challenges you to think beyond the movement itself and better understand the person performing it.Because better outcomes often start with asking better questions.

Jason from The Strength Guys joins us to discuss building a powerlifting coaching brand, creating demand through content, and growing the sport toward a more professional, mainstream model.We discuss the business and marketing strategies behind successful coaching brands, the role of content creation in attracting athletes and growing an audience, and what it could look like for powerlifting to adopt elements of professional sports.We also dive into the coaching side, discussing programming, fatigue management, and other considerations for developing stronger lifters.

Kyle & Pitre join us after competing at Avancus Houston 2026, where they put up PR totals despite navigating rough training, injuries, and the challenges that come with preparing for competition.We discuss longevity in powerlifting, managing stress, navigating setbacks, and avoiding burnout. We also explore the importance of disconnecting from lifting, balancing training with life outside the gym, and recognizing that long-term progress requires more than just pushing harder.

What actually happens when we get fatigued?In this episode, we break down fatigue from the cellular level all the way to practical programming—covering central vs peripheral fatigue, localized vs systemic fatigue, productive vs disruptive fatigue, fatigue vs detraining, and how to recognize when fatigue is actually interfering with performance.We also discuss why fatigue exists, why not all fatigue is bad, the relationship between fatigue and fitness, and how coaches can manage fatigue without simply trying to eliminate it.Fatigue isn't the enemy of performance. Disruptive fatigue is.

In this episode, we're joined by one of the most respected physical therapists and coaches in powerlifting for a conversation that goes far beyond injury management.We dive into the system behind his approach—from what the patient experience actually looks like, to how he evaluates athletes, prioritizes problems, and makes clinical decisions. Rather than focusing on isolated techniques or exercises, we explore the principles and frameworks that drive consistent outcomes.We also discuss how coaches and clinicians can become better thinkers by developing robust systems for processing information, avoiding common reasoning traps, and making better decisions in complex situations.Whether you're a coach, clinician, or competitive lifter, this episode is packed with insights on critical thinking, problem solving, rehabilitation, and long-term athletic development.Topics Covered:His coaching and rehabilitation systemWhat athletes can expect throughout the patient experienceAssessment and decision-making frameworksProcessing information and avoiding common thinking trapsBuilding robust systems instead of relying on rigid protocolsCoaching philosophy and practical applications for powerliftersIf you enjoyed the episode, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone looking to become a better coach, clinician, or athlete.

In this Q&A episode, we answer listener questions on SBD variations, programming troubleshooting, leverage considerations, work capacity development, and more. We discuss how to select and implement exercise variations, identify and solve common programming issues, account for individual leverages in training, and build work capacity without compromising performance. Whether you're a lifter or coach, this episode is packed with practical insights to improve your decision-making and training outcomes.

In this episode, we sit down with Steve DeNovi @prs_performance break down one of the most misunderstood variables in strength training: frequency.Rather than viewing frequency as simply “training more,” we explore it as a way of distributing workload, fatigue, and movement exposure across time. Steve joins us to discuss why high frequency has developed a reputation for excessive fatigue, where that perception comes from, and why frequency can’t be separated from variables like volume, exercise selection, load, and RPE.We dive into concepts like:intra-session vs inter-session fatigueSRA curves and preparedness fluctuationsproductive work vs junk fatigueexposure timing and movement retentionlow frequency involution vs high frequency fatigue accumulationwhen increasing frequency actually improves performanceand when reducing frequency may be the better decisionThe episode also covers the practical realities of higher frequency training, including recovery management, mental fatigue, time demands, and exercise selection considerations.If you’ve ever wondered whether frequency is actually helping your training—or just adding fatigue—this episode provides a much deeper framework for thinking about it.

In this episode, we challenge the idea of the “golden microcycle” in powerlifting—the belief that there’s a perfect weekly training split for everyone. We break down why this concept is so appealing, and where it falls apart in real-world training.From individual recovery differences to lifestyle constraints and fatigue that doesn’t reset every seven days, we explore why rigid templates often miss the mark. Instead, we make the case for flexible programming, autoregulation, and focusing on principles over “perfect” structure.

In this episode, we sit down with Skyler Holt to break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in training: the difference between strength capacity and strength expression.We dive into what each actually represents, how they’re built through programming, and why confusing the two can limit long-term progress. Skyler outlines the key qualities that underpin true strength capacity—ranging from tissue tolerance and work capacity to skill and neuromuscular efficiency—and how they show up in performance.We also discuss the KPIs coaches should be tracking to assess these qualities, how to balance short-term performance with long-term development, and why many lifters over-prioritize expression at the expense of sustainable progress.If you’re a coach or athlete looking to build strength that lasts—not just display it—this episode gives you a clear framework for thinking about programming, adaptation, and performance.

In this episode, we sit down with a Doctor of Physical Therapy and powerlifting coach Keenan Dung to discuss the intersection of performance and rehabilitation. We dive into the rehab process, how to think about asymmetries, when they matter (and when they don’t), and how to create cohesive programming that supports both recovery and strength development.Rather than separating rehab and performance into two different worlds, this conversation explores how intelligent programming integrates both — allowing lifters to continue progressing while addressing limitations.