Powerlifting America Podcast

Quick check in with US National Team coach Austin Brown. Austin is the 105kg equipped bench press national champion and two weeks out from the Bench Press World Championships in Sun City, South Africa. He talked about his experience coaching on the biggest stages in powerlifting at the World Games and the Open World Championships in 2022. He tells his backstory, recaps some of his notable performa...

World Champion Meghan Scanlon 6 weeks out from worlds in Malta. We talked about her big year in 2022 where her total went up 42.5 kilos in 8 months, how she won worlds without her biggest weapon, competing sick at nationals and a lot more. Meg has an amazing story that inspires everyone who hears it so please enjoy this one and be sure to cheer her on at the world championships on June 13.   You c...

The back to back National Champ, Dayna Mcneal talks about her life in Japan, what it’s like being in one of the most competitive and most watched weight classes in the world, competing against her idol and GOAT Kimberly Walford and so much more. Dayna is in the US Military stationed in Japan, so even competing at Powerlifting America Nationals is an international event for her. She has two nationa...

Anthony McNaughton the 105kg Junior National Champion and Junior Worlds silver medalist, talking about his rise in powerlifting, life after college, the bad taste in his mouth from Worlds 2022, and his redemption arc for 2023. Anthony is a rising star, who has already put up a 900kg total in 2023 and has big plans for nationals, worlds and beyond. He’s got a great team and supportive community beh...

Zen McCollum, the reigning equipped +120kg National Champion talking about his big year in 2022, and a mini-preview for PA Equipped Nationals 2023. Zen was 6 weeks out from Equipped Nationals when we recorded this. He tells about his harrowing experiences on bench at two world championships in 2022 and all the big things coming for the equipped side of Powerlifting America.   You can find Zen McCo...

Matt Gary on his new book the Game Day Coaching Manual and his breakdown of some key performances at Sheffield. Matt and his wife Sioux-z are game day coaching legends. His new book should be essential reading for anyone involved in powerlifting. We talk about the core tenets of Matt’s gameday approach and get into Sheffield, which we all agree is the most important competition in powerlifting his...

Interview with superstar athlete Natalie Richards, the first 57kg athlete to break the 500kg barrier. Natalie is hilarious! Subscribe to her Youtube!! She put up a crazy huge total at Powerlifting America Nationals in Austin, with a lot left in the tank for IPF Worlds. We talk about overcoming adversity, coaching, Sheffield and look forward to IPF Worlds in Malta.   You can watch or re-watch Natal...

Interview with John Burford and Julia Williams. John Burford is the head coach of the Junior and Sub-Junior US National Team. We talked about his background, the results of Powerlifting America High School Nationals in Scranton PA, the current standings for the US National Team, and look ahead to Junior and Sub-Junior Nationals in Scottsdale this June 2-4 and IPF Junior and Sub-Junior worlds in Ro...

Sheffield recap episode with Heather Connor and Julia Williams. The 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Championships was the most important competition in powerlifting history. The team at SBD pulled off something truly special with this event, and it will surely do more than any other competition to elevate our sport to the next level. Thank you to everyone at SBD for all that you do for powerlifting. S...

Quick check in with two time super heavyweight champion of the world, Jesus Olivares, who was 10 days out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. Jesus has big goals for Sheffield and beyond, chasing the heaviest total of all time across all federations. We talked about his prep, worlds 2022 and what it means to represent the USA. He’s a young man, wise beyond his years, and he was very gene...

Quick check in with 3x world champion powerlifter Amanda Lawrence, who was 12 days out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. Amanda is fired up and ready to reclaim her throne! Her lifts are going off this prep and she is due for some world records at Sheffield. We talked about her prep, her performance at worlds 2022, and her dominance in the 84kg class. Don’t miss this one, you’ve probab...

Interview with Mike Z, the executive director of Powerlifting America and head coach of the Classic Open US National Teams headed to IPF worlds in Malta and the NAPF regional championships in the Cayman Islands. We talked about the current standings for these two National teams, who’s clinched a spot, who’s still in the hunt, and how the 8 American athletes going to Sheffield factor into the mix....

Quick check in with 11x world champion Bonica Brown, who was 13 days out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. Bonica is ready to tear it up at Sheffield, shatter some world records and win some money. We also talked about her dominance in 2022, breaking the raw and equipped squat world records in a matter of a month, and how she’s dealt with her heartbreaking loss at the World Games 2022....

Quick check in with 83kg world champion Delaney Wallace, who was 13 days out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. Delaney is ready to go for Sheffield, his prep is going great and he’s very excited to show the world his full potential. We also discussed his world championship winning performance at IPF Worlds in 2022 and a bunch of other fun stuff about the World's Strongest Account. Make...

Quick check in with world champion Jonathan Cayco. Jonathan was 2 weeks out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. We discussed how he’s approaching Sheffield, his rare miss at IPF Worlds 2022 and how he’s let it fuel his comeback, and a bunch of fun things you probably didn’t know. Don’t miss this one from one of the best powerlifters in the world.   The 2023 Sheffield Powerlifting Champio...

Quick check in with the 93kg junior world champion, Gavin Adin. Gavin was 2 weeks out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. We discussed his prep and goals for Sheffield, his gritty performance at IPF Worlds 2022, and his mental approach to the game and life. Gavin puts on a show whether it’s a podcast or a major competition, so you definitely don’t want to miss this one!   The 2023 Sheffi...

Quick check in with Michael Davis the 105kg Powerlifting America national champion and IPF world’s silver medalist in 2022. Michael was 2.5 weeks out from Sheffield when we recorded this episode. We discussed his prep and goals for Sheffield, his battle with Emil Norling at IPF Worlds 2022, how he transitioned from equipped to raw powerlifting and a bunch of fun questions to help you get to know M...

Recap show for Powerlifting America Classic Open Nationals Part 3. PA Nats featured epic battles, historic performances and legendary figures that made for an amazing weekend of powerlifting, with every session offering exciting storylines. We’re joined by 63kg open lifter Julia Williams, 105kg junior Sam Sikora, and 83kg sub-junior Marcus McFadden, who give their analysis on each weight class and...

Recap show for Powerlifting America Classic Open Nationals Part 2. PA Nats featured epic battles, historic performances and legendary figures that made for an amazing weekend of powerlifting, with every session offering exciting storylines. We’re joined by 63kg open lifter Julia Williams, 105kg junior Sam Sikora, and 83kg sub-junior Marcus McFadden, who give their analysis on each weight class and...

Recap show for Powerlifting America Classic Open Nationals Part 1. PA Nats featured epic battles, historic performances and legendary figures that made for an amazing weekend of powerlifting, with every session offering exciting storylines. We’re joined by 63kg open lifter Julia Williams, 105kg junior Sam Sikora, and 83kg sub-junior Marcus McFadden, who give their analysis on each weight class and...

Quick check in with rising star in the 66kg weight class, Brian Le. Brian was 5 days out from Powerlifting America Nationals when we recorded and he gives us the full scoop on his recent training and the possibly monstrous total he could put up at PA nats if he has to. We go through some of Brian’s backstory, how he got into lifting, how he coaches himself, and his big plans for 2023.   You can fi...

Quick check in with the King of Powerlifting, Taylor Atwood. Spoiler, he’s coming to Powerlifting America Nationals to handle business, secure his spot on the US National team, before taking his talents to Sheffield a month later for the biggest money meet in drug tested powerlifting history. This is a fun, quick episode with Taylor. We talk about mindset, what it means to be on the US National te...

Full interview with 47kg rising star Jessica Espinal just days out from Powerlifting America Nationals. Jessica had a monster year in 2022 and she has even bigger plans for 2023, starting with PA Nats and qualifying for the US National team. We talk about Jessica's meteoric rise in the sport, coaching changes, her relationship with the other 47s and much more!   You can find Jessica on Instagram h...

Preview show for Powerlifting America Open Classic Nationals Part 2. We’re joined by 63kg open lifter Julia Williams, 105kg junior Sam Sikora, and 83kg sub-junior Marcus McFadden, who give their picks and analysis on each weight class and a session by session preview. PA Nats is stacked with elite talent in every session but also offers deeper storylines with a diverse talent pool ranging from sub...

Preview show for Powerlifting America Open Classic Nationals Part 1. We’re joined by 63kg open lifter Julia Williams, 105kg junior Sam Sikora, and 83kg sub-junior Marcus McFadden, who give their picks and analysis on each weight class and a session by session preview. PA Nats is stacked with elite talent in every session but also offers deeper storylines with a diverse talent pool ranging from sub...