We wrote a book! You can pick up your copy here: Weightlifter's Guide to the Clean and Jerk Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/drchristaber/ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christopher-Taber Follow me and get coaching: https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/ Weightlifting House: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWL for 10% off O…

Ambrose Serrano is currently the Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Winter Olympic athletes training at the Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Lake Placid, NY. In this episode, we discuss the OTC's S&C structure, Ambrose's day-to-day responsibilities, advice for new S&C professionals, and what Ambrose looks for when hiring new coache…

Alex Long is a recent graduate of ETSU, earning his PhD in Sport Physiology studying the physiological adaptations following a strength endurance block performed with accentuated eccentric loading or traditional resistance training. In this episode, we discuss Alex's research line, particularly training-induced morphological adaptations in skeletal…

Meg Stone is a titan in athletics; going to two Olympic Games and becoming the NCAA's first female D1 head strength coach. In this episode, we discuss Meg's background as an athlete and a coach and her experiences as a female in the strength and conditioning profession - particularly with D1 football in the 1980s. Follow the ETSU Center of Excellen…

Christian Carter received his PhD from East Tennessee State University, where he studied accentuated eccentric loading and assisted with the weightlifting team, women's soccer, and men's and women's golf teams. He is currently the Director of Strength and Conditioning for Olympic Sports at James Madison University. Very infrequently do you come acr…

It's Nationals week and what better way to kick it off than a podcast discussing Max's new business! Coachlogik is a coaching platform that will revolutionize how we write and communicate training. In this episode, Max explains Coachlogik and then we answer a handful of questions of the Weightlifting.ai discord. Enjoy. Sign up for the Coachlogik wa…

As coaches, sport scientists, and athletes, we love intellectualizing our sport. There is an attempt to understand as much as possible so we can prescribe training to maximize performance. Behind all of this, the person carrying out this training can get lost amidst a myriad labels. In this episode, I sit down with Newton Cheng, National champion p…

There are many questions coaches and athletes knowingly (or unknowingly) want the answers to. We have research at our fingertips that may be able to inform our coaching practice, but how do we translate it? In this episode, I sit down with Wanda Sihanath, a PhD student studying under Dr. Kristof Kipp at Marquette, to discuss why weightlifters miss …

There are a lot of unspoken, even unrecognized, assumptions when we think about how individuals respond to training. Regarding gender, we think we know how females will adapt to training compared to males, but are these assumptions valid? Lauren Colenso-Semple, a PhD in muscle physiology, sits down to chat about her work and the larger body of lite…

The ability to effectively stack together productive training blocks is the hallmark of great programming. It sounds simple, but it can be challenging to do, let alone do well across long stretches of time. In this episode, I sit down with Chris Taber, PhD, to discuss exercise variation, peridization, and the ins and outs of long-term planning. Enj…

Researchers in lab across the world are trying to better understanding the biomechanics of weightlifting. Why isn't that information accessible to coaches and why is it so difficult to translate to practice? In this episode, I sit down with Kristof Kipp, a Doctor PhD and associate professor, to discuss all things related to biomechanics and weightl…

Why isn't science straightforward? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Ray, a Doctor of Chiropractic medicine and assistant professor, to discuss the bridge between pain science and its communication and application. We examine how we know what we know, pain science and physical activity, and academia. Enjoy. Follow Michael: https://www.instag…

Have you ever wondered what bats, zombies, and epistemology have to do with weightlifting? If so, that's odd... But if you haven't, let's change that. In this episode of the podcast, Max and I sit down with Declan Smithies, who has a PhD in philosophy, to discuss the bridge between the mind and weightlifting. We discuss the blow up with Rahmat in T…

This could be an all-time episode! Danny and Cory detail exactly what is going on in Florida, a place where weightlifting is a high school sport. Listen in on how you can bring high school weightlifting to your state and change the landscape of the sport forever. Enjoy. Follow Danny and Email Cory: https://www.instagram.com/olyconcepts/ https://www…

David Puder, MD, runs an outpatient psychiatry practice for patients, where he looks holistically at diet, exercise, lifestyle, traditional psychiatric medication needs, and also psychotherapy needs. He also hosts one of the foremost podcasts on mental health, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy podcast. This episode should act as a resource for all coach…

Max Aita joins me to recap the first few days of the IWF World Cup. By its end, this could be one of the greatest competitions since the 1984 Friendship Cup. Don't miss any more of it. Subscribe to Weightlifting House TV here: https://weightliftinghouse.tv Enjoy. Sign up for our coaching mentorship group -- our next call is 4/5 at 12 pm EDT! https:…

For the few of you who don't know Keith Davids, he is a PhD and Professor of Motor Learning at Sheffield Hallam University and one of the foremost experts on skill acquisition. This episode may go down as one of the most thorough examinations of skill acquisition and sport science that you'll find! Along the way, we touched on other topics, includi…

Jim Schmitz is a bit of an unknown legend in the sport. You won't generally hear his name casually tossed around in conversations about the sport, but that shouldn't be the case. Jim has an unmatched track record and more time in the sport than nearly any other person in USAW. Professionally, he's coached at three Olympic games, including coaching …

Virus Intl was previously a household name in the weightlifting world, but late last year they ran into some difficulties that forced the USA branch to cease operations. Now they are back and, according to Melanie, better than ever! Listen in as we discuss Melanie's involvement with Virus Intl, her move to CEO, what caused them to cease operations …

From the moment we started recording, I knew this would be an incredible resource for coaches, athletes, and researchers. Eric, Max, and I deep dive into the topic of Individualization, specifically what coaches and researchers know and where the field is headed. If you want to learn more, sign up for Coaches Only on March 16th and 17th where Eric …

Max Aita, honorary co-host of the Philosophical Weightlifting Podcast, joins me to wrap up the European Weightlifting Championships. Max will join us on the Coaches Only roundtable on March 16th and 17th. Sign up today! Sign up here: Coaches Only – WH USA (weightliftinghouse.com) Follow Max and Team Aita: Max Aita (@max_aita) • Instagram photos and…

I was joined again by the one and only Quinn Hench and it did not disappoint! Quinn will be giving a presentation at the Coaches Only event on March 16th and 17th discussing all things exercise selection and you don't want to miss it!! Sign up here: Coaches Only – WH USA (weightliftinghouse.com) Follow Quinn and Clinical Athlete: Quinn Henoch, DPT,…

Olivia will be speaking at the upcoming Coaches Only event!! The dates are March 16th and 17th. This year's lineup is insane, including previous podcast guests (Zac Robinson, Quinn Henoch, Dr. Aaron Cunanan, and more). Don't miss out: Coaches Only – WH USA (weightliftinghouse.com) Follow Olivia: Oliviareeves.71 on Instagram Subscribe to my Patreon …

Jake Remmert is an absolute legend. His knowledge of hypertrophy training, coaching background, and personal experience make him an unmatched resource. In this episode, we discuss many great topics. The show starts with a bit of personal deep diving into our own personal experiences, worldviews, and shared perspectives. It eventually turns into an …

This may be one of my favorite podcasts I've recorded about programming. In this episode, we discuss individual differences, how accurately lifters can gauge RPE, and the role of proximity to failure in strength and hypertrophy outcomes. Follow Josh and DDS: Josh Pelland, MS, CSCS (@josh.datadrivenstrength) • Instagram photos and videos Team Data D…

"What was the point in your life where looking back now you see it as a splitting of the road. One path led you this way and the other... who knows. Had you taken the other path, where might you be now?" This question, and many more, were submitted to the Philosophical Weightlifting Patreon. Click the link below to join the conversation, and tune i…

Most of the ideas in strength and conditioning can quickly overcomplicate training. Is sport specificity necessary? What matters most (and when), movements or load? How important is maximal strength? In this podcast episode, Dr. Paul Comfort gives us his insight from the 17 years he's spent in the trenches researching, coaching, and thinking about …

Weightlifting coaching isn't a one-size-fits-all profession. There are many different approaches, as evidenced by the variety we see in the sport of weightlifting. In this episode of the podcast, Max, Zach, and I single in on the good, bad, and ugly of coaching with a focus on American Open Finals. Subscribe to my Patreon to support the show!!! Phi…

If you do the same style of training, but get coached by two very different people then what's the result? In this episode of the podcast, we dig into the concept of psychological fatigue and explore what it means from both a coach's and an athlete's perspective. Is it just a reduction in motivation to train? How can it be augmented to optimize per…

On this week’s episode of the podcast, I was joined by former weightlifter, current coach, founder of East Coast Gold, and lifelong student, Leo Totten. This was an incredible show and I have nothing but respect for Leo, including his commitment to being a world-class coach. Through his efforts, he's continued to elevate the sport, something made o…

This podcast will go down in the history books... I don't think I've recorded such a unique and comprehensive podcast about programming, particularly understanding proximity to failure, individual response to training, and communicating that information to a wider audience. Enjoy part two of the best damn programming podcast to date. Follow Zac: Za…

This podcast will go down in the history books... I don't think I've recorded such a unique and comprehensive podcast about programming, particularly understanding proximity to failure, individual response to training, and communicating that information to a wider audience. Enjoy part one of the best damn programming podcast to date. Follow Zac: Za…

Aaron has been on the podcast multiple times, discussing his research on barbell kinetics and kinematics in elite weightlifters to technology in sport. There aren't many people as experienced and qualified as Aaron, which makes his perspective incredibly insightful. Listen in as we discuss his journey through the weightlifting ranks to eventually b…

Chris Taber, PhD in Sport Physiology, joins me yet again to tackle training questions through a science-informed lens. During this episode of the podcast, we discuss the potential benefit of accentuated eccentric loading (AEL) for developing maximal strength. Follow Chris: Chris Taber (@drchristaber) | Instagram Christopher Taber (researchgate.net)…

Jacob Tsypkin is a man after my own heart. We share very similar interests, including philosophy, weightlifting, critical thinking, training theory, and plenty more. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss how he managed to center his life around training. Now the co-owner of Framework BJJ, he's found himself in the same position he's been in fo…

223 episodes, 200,000 downloads, and six years later... There's no better person to have on this very special episode of the podcast than Max Aita. Max and I sat down in the new Weightlifting.ai office to discuss fast and slow thinking, having a meaningful impact on other people's lives, and the process of improving over time. Enjoy. Follow Max and…

Solfrid has seen an unheard-of rise to the top. From competing at Norweigan Nationals to becoming World Champion in two years, she's quickly solidifying herself as the best in the sport. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss her athletic background, what her journey in the sport has been like, and how she's managing the expectations resulting …

We have finally done it. There is an episode discussing the role of strength training for endurance athletes. Although not the central focus, we primarily explored Dr. Ryan's athletic, coaching, and academic careers, there was an emphasis on the place of the weight room in sport. Enjoy the conversation with Dr. Ryan, a critical part of our Master's…

In one of the most inspiring podcasts to date, I caught up with Dylan Suarez, a PhD from ETSU and a sport scientist for the San Francisco Giants. We cover a range of topics, looking at Dylan's time in academia, including research he's done on block periodization and how that changes a weightlifter's physiology. We then shifted focus, exploring his …

Olivia Reeves can't be human. With a 210kg back squat at 71kg, she's arguably the strongest female American weightlifter. Surprisingly, this is Olivia's first podcast appearance, which made for a great episode. We get to know her, including her background in the sport, how she can make it to the Olympics, and what she plans on doing professionally …

Jo Ann Aita is back on the podcast! In this episode, she recounts her time at Worlds, discusses what it's like to be in strength sports for over two decades, and why Max's Gym moving locations is a BIG DEAL. Attend the Team Aita Seminar at Palm Beach Weightlifting: Max Aita Seminar Palm Beach Weightlifting, Oct 15th (pike13.com) Onyx: https://www.o…

The smoke has started to settle from the 2023 World Championships. In the aftermath, Wil Fleming has started to rethink his coaching approach. In this episode of the podcast, Wil discusses what he's changed as a coach, observations made at worlds, and why he's no longer in the sports performance industry. Follow Wil: Wil Fleming (@wilfleming) • Ins…

What happens when two pracademics (coach + scientist) chat about weightlifting? An EPIC podcast. In this episode, Shyam and I discuss weightlifting in a variety of contexts, including sports performance, the use of lift ratios, how force development at different positions in the pull can change programming needs, and more! Athletes, coaches, resear…

In this podcast episode, Dr. Mike Israetel and I dive deep into critical thinking, academia and teaching, and how to become a successful content creator. Follow Dr. Mike & RP: Michael Israetel (@drmikeisraetel) • Instagram photos and videos Renaissance Periodization - YouTube Onyx: https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% off https://ww…

In this episode of the podcast, Seb and I discuss the three most influential people in our lives. Each person played a tremendous role in helping us get to where we are today. As we really are standing on the shoulders of giants. Follow Seb: Seb Ostrowicz (@seb_ostrowicz) • Instagram photos and videos Watch Worlds with Seb and Max commentating: Wei…

In this episode of the podcast we discuss the role of trial and error, why coaches need long-term athlete retention, and how programs can evolve over time. Follow Max and get coaching! https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/ Home (teamaita.com) Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWL VIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.…

Aaron Williams is currently flying undert the radar, but not for long... Days after snatching 182kg/400lbs and cleaning 223kg/490lbs, we welcome him onto the podcast to discuss his backstory, bringing attention to his unbelievable abilities. He started, like most kids, playing high school sports with enough talent to make it to the next level. But …

Keiser Witte is living proof that swimmers can be dominant strength athletes. What started with years and years in the pool, became the same time and dedication on the platform. Since his time at Arizona State, he's worked closely with Alex Lee and Shahin Nasarinia to become an unmatched powerhouse. His most recent performance at USA Weightlifting …

What started as an honest question about coaching turned into one of the most fruitful coach-athlete relationships I've had. Dani and I have been working together for ~3.5 years, along the way she's qualified for her first Nationals (placing 7th), set a USAPL Ohio state record, and is now in position to podium in September at USAPL Raw Nationals. L…

Sean Waxman has been flying under the radar since shutting down his gym in Los Angeles and moving to the mountains of Utah. Now, you can find him running the strength and conditioning program for the football team at Bingham High School. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss his time in strength and conditioning 32 years ago, including why he …