2 Girls 1 Bar Podcast with Mandi & Wanda

Mandi and Wanda sit down with Kelsi Reynolds, grad student, researcher, hobbyist weightlifter, assistant coach for the OSU Weightlifting Club, and certified meme queen. Kelsi opens up about her athletic journey from competitive swimming to Olympic weightlifting, the reality of balancing grad school and training, and finding joy and confidence again after burnout. The girls chat about back injuries...

It's just the girls and it was LATE when this recording happened (LOL). Mandi and Wanda dive into a real, unfiltered chat about navigating body image, weight class decisions, and the mental gymnastics that come with it all. From deciding not to cut before a meet to learning when to step away from tracking macros, this episode hits all the topics most athletes quietly wrestle with. The girls get ca...

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda chat with Tiny Tiff, a longtime powerlifter turned weightlifter and personal trainer, about her athletic roots, building confidence through lifting, and creating a community-driven gym for everyday people. Tiff shares how a chance invite to a college powerlifting club led to a decade-long love affair with the barbell — and how the gym became her second family. She...

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda yap with Krista Dornbush , a retired educator turned Masters weightlifter who proves that age is no barrier to strength, grit, or a good sense of humor. After decades in education, Krista found new passion (and humility) in Olympic weightlifting — starting the sport at 50! She talks about moving from California to Chicago, transitioning from in-person to remote coa...

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda sit down with Aleigh Moore—athlete, coach, and athletic trainer out of Atlanta, Georgia. Aleigh shares her unique journey of starting out as both a competitor and a coach at the same time, her background in sports, and how she transitioned into CrossFit and weightlifting. Aleigh dives into her role as an athletic trainer, explaining what ATs really do for athletes,...

This week, Mandi and Wanda sit down with sports psychologist Melissa Streno to talk about the mental side of strength sports, eating disorders, and the transitions athletes face in and out of competition. Mel shares her journey from lacrosse player to coach to psychologist, and why she's so passionate about supporting athletes as whole people —not just performers on the platform. The conversation...

In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar Podcast, Meagan O'Connor, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, shares her journey and insights into sports nutrition. She discusses her role as the team dietitian for USA Weightlifting, her experiences working with various sports teams, and the importance of balanced nutrition for athletes. Meagan also addresses common misc...

In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, Mandi and Wanda are joined by Joelle Emery - athlete, coach, dog mom, and so much more. Joelle shares her path to discovering weightlifting through CrossFit and why she chose to focus solely on weightlifting. They discuss the importance of redefining success in competition, the challenges faced by athletes, and the joy of coaching kids in weightlifting...

It's just the girls today for a super casual catch-up episode. Wanda is back from her presentation in Switzerland and Mandi finally doesn't have a fever. They chat about travel, Texas, Finals, and meet rituals as well as the upcoming online meetup (NEXT WEEK) on this episode! RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST . It is aboslutely F...

Mandi and Wanda welcome Kayla Cocker, weightlifter, coach, and super mom, to the podcast. Kayla shares her journey from literally every sport ever, including track and rugby, to discovering her passion for weightlifting. She discusses the transition from CrossFit to weightlifting, the importance of supportive coaching, and her experiences in competitions. Kayla also opens up about the impact of am...

Mandi is joined by the amazing Grace Jenkins discuss Grace's journey in the world of weightlifting, her role at Power and Grace, and the importance of community and support in sports. They explore Grace's background in cheerleading, her transition to weightlifting, and how competing has changed her perspective on the sport. The conversation highlights the significance of personal growth, the cultu...

Mandi and Lenka discuss Lenka's journey from being an Olympic weightlifter to becoming a coach. They explore the challenges and joys of coaching, the growth of the weightlifting community in Minnesota, and the balance between college training and national team commitments. Lenka shares her experiences with competition, the importance of community in coaching, and her passion for weightlifting that...

Mandi and Wanda are tired af. They share personal updates about their lives, including travel plans, packing challenges, and fitness goals. They discuss the importance of coaching education, mentorship, and the need for more organized support for coaches. The conversation also touches on recent competitions, research insights, and the significance of community in the coaching world. RSVP for the v...

Mandi and Wanda are joined again by the amazing Dani to recap USAPL Nationals, including her preparation, performance, and the emotional journey surrounding competition. They delve into the importance of family support, nutrition strategies during travel, and the challenges of managing breaks from training. Follow Dani on Instagram here . RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on...

Mandi and Wanda are joined by Christine Na, a seasoned weightlifter and physical therapist. Christine shares her journey from gymnastics and cheerleading to discovering her passion for weightlifting. She talks about her experiences as a competitive athlete, her transition into physical therapy, and her insights on balancing motherhood with training. Follow Christine on Instagram Apply for the Wome...

Mandi and Wanda catch up on recent escapades across the US and chat about USAW Nationals (very briefly, because neither of them were there). Apply for the Women's Scholarship for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram:  @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram:  @mandimurakami   @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - sche...

We are excited for our very first bonus episodes (aka dude episodes) with one of our favorite men in strength sports - Joshua Gibson. The girl and Josh talk about Dani's impressive performance at Nationals, the importance of training philosophy, and the upcoming Power & Strength Summit aimed at elevating coaching standards. Joshua also introduces a scholarship for female coaches to encourage more...

Summary In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, hosts Mandi and Wanda welcome Alexa Snyder, a national-level Olympic weightlifter and nutrition coach. The conversation covers Alexa's journey from competitive cheerleading to weightlifting, her experiences with injury and recovery, and her passion for empowering women in sports. They discuss the importance of coaching, the challenges of balanc...

This one is for the girls. Join Wanda and Mandi as they discuss the intricacies of pursuing higher education and career opportunities in sports biomechanics and beyond. From the challenges of grad school applications to the serendipitous moments that shape career paths, this episode offers insights and advice for anyone considering further education or a career pivot. Learn about Wanda's journey f...

Mandi and Wanda are joined by coach, mom, business owner, athlete extraordinaire - Olga Pisarskiy. Olga shares her path to gym ownership and coaching (and no, it wasn't planned). She also talks us thru when she almost quit (and we're glad she didn't). The girls dive into her transition from CrossFit to Olympic weightlifting, the importance of competition, and how she encourages her athletes, espec...

Nikki Mohnsen shares her journey from being a photography enthusiast to becoming a prominent weightlifting photographer. She discusses the challenges and joys of capturing moments in strength sports, the importance of media in the community, and how her business has evolved over time. Nikki also reflects on the balance between her photography work and her day job as a teacher, as well as her aspir...

The girls are finally joined by their Julie - the one and only Julie Jahn. Julie shares her unique upbringing in the 80s, her early experiences with physical activity, and how she eventually found her passion for athletics in high school. The conversation delves into the importance of personal invitations from coaches, the impact of media on her athletic identity, and her pursuit of a career in sp...

Welcome to another late-night episode with just the girls. In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, Mandi and Wanda catch up and chat about the importance of community women hold for each other. They explore how societal perceptions can impact female coaches and athletes, the significance of finding a supportive community, and the empowerment that comes from strength training.  Sign up for th...

Mandi and Wanda are joined by the absolute badass Meghan Scanlon, 2-time IPF World Champion, 5-time National champion, coach, and mom. They explore the evolution of women's strength sports, the impact of motherhood on athletic identity, and the nuances of training and competing in powerlifting. Meg talks about Sheffield (obviously) and her plans for future competitions as well as multiple aspects...

This week on  2 Girls 1 Bar , Mandi and Wanda go full weightlifting and yap with the one and only Suzy Sanchez, previous USA Weightlifting employee and forever weightlifting competitor. Suzy shares her passion for competing and the joy of being part of a supportive sports community, while also addressing the need for better local events and the role of technical officials in weightlifting. She als...