In this episode, Belgian coach and athlete Jochen Strubbe shares his coaching journey in the sport, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity in training. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of training methodologies, such as high frequency SBD, and the importance of a supportive community. The coaches also discuss the role of communication and trust in athlete-coach relationships, touching upon the impact of training environments and personalized app...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 36 min
In this episode of the RTS Podcast, Coach Mike and Coach Mel talk with Thomas Lilly, founder of Zero Weakness Gyms. Known for coaching elite lifter Colton Engelbrecht, Thomas shares his approach to technique, programming, and frequency in powerlifting. They dive into biomechanical rules, RPE, velocity-based training, and more.
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 51 min
What can 20 years of powerlifting still teach you? In this episode, Coach Mike reflects on lessons from competing at the Nationals, sharing insights on competition prep, travel challenges, weight cuts, and evolving training strategies, especially for deadlifts.
Jun 02, 2025•47 min
Coach Mike and Mel sit down with 2025 Sheffield champion Kjell Bakkelund. They dive into the art of coaching, building strong coach-athlete relationships, and making smart training decisions. Kjell also shares valuable insights from his powerlifting journey. Whether you're an athlete or coach, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Don’t miss it!
May 19, 2025•1 hr 27 min
In this episode, we dive into the art of self-coaching in powerlifting with Ade Omisakin. We talk tracking progress, spotting trends, and using tools like velocity-based training to make smarter decisions in the gym.
May 05, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Coach Mike, John and our newest RTS Coach Andrew discuss gym safety, managing fatigue, and the differences between dynamic and static RPE systems. They share practical experiences and strategies for improving strength training outcomes across all levels.
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 22 min
This conversation explores powerlifting, focusing on the recent Sheffield competition, coaching strategies, and competition challenges. Kedric Kwan discusses the role of judges, grip strength, and the balance between technical execution and psychology in performance. Coach Mike, Mel and Kedric highlight the importance of communication, flexibility in training, and the need for both discipline and adaptability in coaching. They also touch on philosophical aspects, emphasizing enjoyment, epistemic...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 49 min
Mike and Gaby are joined by Kelly Mann, fresh from coaching at Sheffield, to discuss her experience as the first female coach at the event. They cover the challenges and environment of coaching at such a high level, particularly focusing on Meg Scanlon, and her remarkable performance. They also delve into coaching insights, including managing workflow, boundaries, and personal growth, and the effects of external factors on training outcomes.
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min
The excitement about Sheffield 2025 is still high. Coach Mike, Peter and Gaby reflect on the competition and strategy of the attempt selection for Thai lifter Kasemsand Senumong (also known as Opor).
Feb 24, 2025•56 min
In this episode, Mike and Ross discuss various techniques and mental strategies in powerlifting training, diving into the importance of intentional training and mental preparation. Ross shares personal stories and experiences from his powerlifting career, including his recent world championship victory. The conversation touches on diverse training approaches, decision-making in training, handling setbacks, and the importance of internal vs external motivation.
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 14 min
To share the excitement about Sheffield this year, coach Mike and Mel sit down with Kasemsand Senumong, also known as Opor Kasem, the current 66kg world champion. Opor shares his training approach leading up to the competition, talks about his powerlifting journey since joining RTS and explains his mindset towards Sheffield.
Jan 20, 2025•38 min
In this episode, coach Mike and Mel are joined by Coach Jason Tremblay from The Strength Guys to discuss various approaches to training elite powerlifters. They cover the fascinating coaching methods employed for lifters like Taylor Atwood, Joe Jordan, and Celine Crum, detailing specific strategies for strength, injury recovery, and performance optimization. Jason shares his journey into coaching, his experiences in strength and conditioning, and how these learnings shape his current practices. ...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 27 min
The RTS team celebrates a successful year, sharing highlights, key achievements, and challenges faced throughout the year. Mike, Mark, Ross, Gaby, Peter, Mel and Adam attended this roundtable discussion.
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 28 min
In this episode, Mike, Mel, and special guest Coach Pawel Jurczynski, CEO and co-founder of A-game Athletic Performance in Poland explore his journey into coaching, his innovative training approaches, and insights on coaching top-level athletes like Agata Sitko. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of managing training volume, the importance of mental preparation, and the use of advanced tools for assessing and improving performance. Tune in for in-depth discussions on tech...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 35 min
The team engages in an in-depth discussion about the diverse experiences and strategies used by competitive powerlifters. The conversation highlights Ross's journey to becoming a world champion, dealing with setbacks like injuries and travel challenges, mental preparation, and the importance of maintaining a balanced life outside of lifting. They also explore the role of athleticism and varied training, such as including plyometrics and sprints, for overall health and performance sustainability....
Dec 02, 2024•57 min
In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer and Gaby Muller welcome coach Adam Jones and special guest Elliott Sykes, 2024 IPF World Champion. Elliot shares his journey in powerlifting, from starting at age 15 to breaking multiple world records. The discussion delves into his training strategies, overcoming challenges, and the impact of social media on his lifting career. They offer their perspectives on developing effective training programs and managing the complexities of peak performance. This episode...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 2 min
Ross Leppala and Peter Lucey discuss the pivotal role of scouting reports in powerlifting. A recent experience at the Masters World Championships profoundly shifted Ross´ perspective. The discussion delves into what comprises a useful scouting report, the insights it offers, and how it can influence strategy in tight competitions. They share detailed examples of using scouting reports to make strategic decisions, emphasizing the importance of being adaptable to evolving competition dynamics. The...
Nov 04, 2024•55 min
In this episode, coaches Ross Leppala, Peter Lucy, and Adam Jones discuss essential factors for a successful powerlifting meet. They highlight the importance of having a solid plan, setting realistic goals, and staying flexible throughout the competition. The conversation also delves into the role of a handler, adapting to unexpected challenges, and using Estimated 1RM as a tool rather than a strict target. Their insights and experiences from international competitions provide valuable lessons f...
Sep 02, 2024•49 min
In this episode, Mike, Mel and Kenny delve into the diverse techniques used by powerlifters. The discussion covers the concept of self-organized technique and how lifters develop personalized approaches to their lifts. They explore the balance between giving athletes freedom to develop their technique and providing structure and guidance. This episode also highlights the challenges and strategies in adapting and perfecting form, both for novice and experienced lifters, and shares insights on coa...
Jul 22, 2024•55 min
In this episode, join Mike, Kenny and Pat Horvath as they dive into pivotal coaching strategies and the nuances of work capacity in powerlifting. Discover Pat's insights on tackling challenges like recovery and training tolerance, and learn about the art of developing coaching techniques for intentional growth. The conversation also covers the significance of metabolic fitness and broadening a coach’s expertise. Additionally, hear about the pendulum swings in training philosophies, balancing hig...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 16 min
In this episode, host Mike Tuchscherer talks with Coach Mel Kasper and Jacob Tsypkin about learning skills in powerlifting and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They compare two ideas: one that views skill as coming from how athletes interact with their environment, and another that sees skill as a mental model created through thinking. The conversation includes practical applications of these theories, emphasizing the importance of real, resisted practice and individual variation in training.
Jun 17, 2024•1 hr 28 min
In this podcast episode about game day coaching, Mike Tuchscherer discusses with coaches Gaby and Kenny the challenges and strategies of handling multiple lifters at large competitions, drawing on Kenny´s recent experience at the USAPL Collegiate Nationals. They share insights on managing group coaching scenarios, emphasizing the importance of having diverse training strategies and support systems like the RTS Training Lab to enhance coaching effectiveness and athlete performance.
Jun 03, 2024•50 min
In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer, Gaby Muller, and Mel Kasper engage in an insightful conversation with Bryce Krawczyk of Calgary Barbell. They reflect on several events that have already happened in 2024, particularly focusing on Bryce and athlete Brittany Schlater's experiences at the Sheffield competition. The discussion highlights coaching strategies, the psychological aspects of training, and the intricacies of athlete-coach relationships, including handling adversities and fostering effec...
May 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer discusses his recent powerlifting competitions, milestones, and reflections on the sport's evolution. Talking about a return to equipped lifting, he shares insights on decision-making, personal growth, and balancing raw and equipped lifting goals. Tune in for a concise yet insightful exploration of powerlifting's journey through Mike's perspective.
Apr 29, 2024•23 min
In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer and Gaby Muller welcome Dr. Nathan Dailey, a renowned physical therapist with a background in the U.S. Army, for an in-depth conversation on pain, rehabilitation, and return to sport. Dr. Dailey, known for his evidence-based approach and extensive clinical experience, discusses the complexities of pain science, the importance of an evidence-based triad model, and the need for a holistic understanding of rehabilitation and training. This episode provides valuable...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 11 min
This episode features a conversation between Mike Tuchscherer, Gaby Muller and coach and athlete Alexander Eriksson, discussing the Sheffield 2024, Alexander's powerlifting background, coaching strategies, and the preparation leading up to Gustav Hedlund´s win at Sheffield 2024. They also highlight the importance of smart, long-term training and the coach-athlete relationship.
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer and Gaby Muller sit down with Evans Nana, aka the "Ghanaian Gladiator" or "Evans The Hulk", and discuss the power of belief and positivity in sports and life. Evans shares the story of his personal journey in strongman, his past in powerlifting, and how powerlifting training impacted his performance in strongman. They touch upon the impact of a coach´s belief, the importance of paying attention, and the experience of turning around negative thoughts to achieve s...
Mar 04, 2024•51 min
Feb 26, 2024•43 min
At some point, all lifters will face some degree of adversity in their training. It's important to our long-term development that we learn how to use that adversity to empower us. This ensures we can come out the other side, successful. Coach Mike and Ross sit down and talk about how that has played out for them over the past few years in their pursuits of strength. Lifters featured in our training montage videos are lifters who we coach.
Feb 05, 2024•38 min
