Philosophical Weightlifting Podcast

Max and I once again meet in a hotel room to dicuss the finer points of weightlifting coaching. We start the podcast by breaking down the different builds and abilities of athletes we just coached at Nationals. This leads into a conversation of what each athlete needs and how we can address that from a movement and programming standpoint. It was a lot of fun catching back up with Max after a few m...

This was an episode for the books! Chris, Max, and I deep dive on the different fitness qualities necessary to maximize weightlifting performance, along with different tests you can use to measure their development. From work capacity to maximal strength to peaking, it can be hard to know how effective the program has been. This podcast will arm you with much of the knowledge you need to ask the r...

Crystal McCullough never epected to end up in strength and conditioning... She started out as a nurse, eventually moving into owing a CrossFit gym. Then, after a time coaching weightlifting and powerlifting and a sole source of work, she found strength and conditioning through a master's program at Lenoire-Rhyne University. Join us as we discuss lessons she's learned as a strength coach, what it's...

We were honored to be joined by Todd Kashdan for the second time on the podcast! For you who don't know, Todd has a PhD in clinical psychology, is the founder of the Well-Being Lab at George Mason University, and a leading educator to the public. He's written books on curiosity, negative emotions, and the art of insubordination. Join us as we discuss purpose, meaning, curiosity, and well-being (wi...

In this episode of the podcast, Max and I discuss the lessons he's learned from time spent competing and coaching in powerlifting. From programming to ways of training, we explore what weightlifters can take away from another strength sport. 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...

This was an incredibly special episode of the podcast. While the current iteration of the Philosophical Weightlifting podcast is only five years old, I've been recording podcasts for over eight years. Tune in as Max Aita and I reflect back on my year in California, the development of the podcast, what it's like having a career in weightlifting, and so so much more. Enjoy. Follow Max and get coachi...

Sergii Putsov is the definition of Theory to Practice. From coming up in the Ukranian weightlifting system to earning his PhD studying the sport of weightlifting, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more qualified to discuss the sport. In this episode of the podcast Sergii and I deep dive on the concept of "Active Rest", exploring what athletes should do in the short time immediately after a maj...

What started out as an episode to explore building muscle to improve weightlifting performance quickly turned into a discussion of regional differences in PED use, why drug tested became standardized across Olympic sports, and what weightlifting can do to improve its commercial viability. Our guest Broderick Chavez is a renowned and infamous US trainer to Olympians and IFBB Pros. He has actively w...

Alex Bellemarre recently won his first Pan American medals, snatching 166 kg for silver and totaling 354 kg for bronze. He's been competing in weightlifting for fifteen years, on Canada's national team for seven, and is as hungry as ever for the next kilo. In this episode we most discuss Alex's mindset, how he approaches training, what pushes him to continue competing after a decade and a half in...

We welcome back Max Aita, co-host of the Philosophical Weightlifting Podcast! Around this same time last year, Max and I recorded an episode wrapping up the European Weightlifting Championships. Now we are doing the same thing, but from his dining room instead of a hotel room in Vegas. In this episode we reflect back on the last year of weightlifting, Max's time commentating international meets wi...

Zach Caswell is the head coach of Optimus Barbell, a strength coach for three high schools in the state of Michigan, and a man who has been in the weightlifting and sport performance trenches for decades. In this episode of the podcast we discuss Zach's athletic background, how his ability to outwork was developed, what got him into weightlifting, and why he's relatively unknown in the sport. This...

Meredith Alwine is one of the most decorated weightlifters in the USA. She's a 3 time Pan American Champion, 2021 World Champion, Junior World silver medalist, and the list goes on. Along with being an incredible athlete, she's also an avid thinker, finding her love of philosophy at thirteen years old. Join us as we discuss Meredith's most recent performance at Pan Ams, her background in athletics...

Melanie is the Gobal B2B Sales & Partnerships Director at Virus Intl. She got her MBA from USC and decided to work in the family business after quite a bit of deliberation. Listen in as we discuss Melanie's involvement with Virus, what the brand means, and how it's grown so much since its inception. Buy our book: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/ Sup...

If I were to describe exactly what I would want this podcast to be, I think this show would sum it up nicely. With a blend of occupational psychology and sport performance, we end up with a discussion covering what creates a (winning) team identity and the underlying group/personal psychology involved. Jeremy Holt has spent the better part of his professional years understanding what it takes to d...

Mike Young continues to be prolific in the field of human performance. Along with obtaining a PhD from LSU in biomechanics, he's coached countless NCAA championship teams and athletes, along with professional soccer clubs, national-level weightlifters, and many other accomplishments. In this episode of the podcast, we discuss Mike's path to finding mastery in human performance. His story isn't muc...

In this episode of the podcast I sit down with Spencer Arnold. We discuss his background, notable mentors, day-to-day operations as a strength coach for Hebron Christian Academy, and more. Enjoy this deep dive into a topic that Spencer doesn't get to talk about often! Buy our book: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/ Support me by using my code when you ma...

In this episode of the podcast, Derek and I deep dive into long-term athlete development, specifically with high school athletes. Get the early bird pricing for Coaches Only!! https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/coaches-only-march-2023/ Buy our book: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/ Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Wei...

This was an incredibly special episode of the podcast, as I was joined by the great Steven Hayes and the show's very first co-host, Tom Newton. Steven Hayes is a Nevada Foundation Professor of Psychology in the Behavior Analysis program at the University of Nevada. He's authored 47 books and nearly 670 scientific articles, with a career focused on an analysis of the nature of human language and co...

In this episode of the podcast, Seb and I deep dive into the history of Weightlifting House. Get the early bird pricing for Coaches Only!! https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/coaches-only-march-2023/ Buy our book: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/ Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House: https://www.weightl...

Ryan Doris is someone i've looked up to for the last 10 years. For those who don't know, Ryan is a pro natural bodybuilder, has competed at a very high level in raw powerlifting, and holds two business related master's degrees. During this conversation we talk through many concepts, ideas mostly centered around philosophy, wisdom traditions, and redefining yourself. Enjoy the conversation. Max and...

Seriously, pick up a copy! Click the link to support myself, Max, and Weightlifting House: The Weightlifter’s Guide to The Snatch – W|H USA (weightliftinghouse.com) In this episode of the podcast, we were joined by Kim Ransom of Pittsburgh Barbell. We cover a lot of ground, discussing how to effective coach the lifts, utilize exercise variation, and build a successful business. Follow Kim: Pittsbu...

We wrote a book! You can pick up your copy here: The Weightlifter’s Guide to The Snatch – W|H USA (weightliftinghouse.com) Onyx: https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% off https://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/ Weightlifting House: https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% off Follow Max and get coaching! https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/ Follow me and get coachi...

I first met Johnny Franck at a CrossFit gym in Columbus around a year and a half ago. I've since been to three of his shows, lifted with him, and had hours and hours of conversation about life and success. In this episode of the podcast we explore his background, the impact music has had on his life, and how he's bridged deathcore/ambient/post-jazz from MURICA with heavy ass lifting. Johnny starte...

Ali and I go way back, attending the same high school ~13 years ago. We recently crossed paths on a plane ride to Vegas, having a four hour chat about work, success, and embracing a process orientation to life. In this episode of the podcast we revisit many of those same concepts. Ali is a certified badass, making it to the CrossFit regionals 7x, nearly qualifying for the CrossFit games. She cheer...

In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Pak (Pak Androulakis-Korakakis) and I unpack the recent paper he co-authored on deloading practices of experienced weightlifting, powerlifting, and physique coaches. We also tackle some sport science dogma, exploring the concepts of overreaching and phase potentiation. Read the paper here: Frontiers | “You can't shoot another bullet until you've reloaded the gun...