Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast

Send us Fan Mail This episode covered the announcement of the 2026 USA Powerlifting regional competitions and the revival of the Battle of the Regions event at the Arnold, where top lifters from this year's regionals will compete. Quayla Hardwick, a 75KG powerlifter from Alabama, shared her journey from WRPF to USA Powerlifting, discussing her training routine, recent competition successes, a...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed upcoming powerlifting meets in Georgia, including registration details and early registration importance for the USA Powerlifting Georgia State Championship. They shared personal stories and discussed recent Cleveland Browns games while touching on Josh's plans to record more episodes. Joined by Victoria Howell, Gwen Cook and Stacie Metcalfe, they revi...

Send us Fan Mail In this long-awaited episode (recorded back in February 2023), legendary coach Sherman Ledford joins Josh Rohr to break down the Top 10 things to look for when selecting a powerlifting coach. With decades of combined experience, Sherman and Josh dive deep into what truly makes a great coach — from communication and trust to technical knowledge and athlete development. Along the wa...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed resuming their podcast after a break and shared updates about Team Rohr's recent weekend activities, including social events and training sessions. They reviewed results from recent lifting competitions and pro card achievements across different regions, while also discussing upcoming powerlifting meets and events. The conversation concluded with discu...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed their podcast milestone and future episode naming conventions while reflecting on their editing process. They covered various powerlifting topics including coaching certifications, regional competitions, and training considerations, emphasizing the importance of learning from experienced lifters and adapting to schedule changes. The pair announced upcoming...

Send us Fan Mail This episode featured Dr. Michael Hafenbrack, a physical therapist and powerlifting coach, who discussed his competitive lifting experience, including his Junior National title win and affiliation with various teams. The conversation covered various aspects of equipped lifting, including declining meet attendance, training approaches, and the importance of community support for ne...

Send us Fan Mail Josh & Lara discussed the success of their lifters at national competitions and highlighted achievements in various categories, including qualification for the World Championships in Seoul. The conversation concluded with guidance on following coach-prescribed programs for optimal performance, along with nutrition tips for maintaining strength during meets and encouragement to...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed the upcoming Youth, Bench, Equipped and EmpowerID  nationals, including details about various divisions, qualifying totals, and specific competitors. They explored potential improvements to competition tracking systems and shared personal anecdotes related to work-life balance and home security. The conversation also covered Josh's ongoing battle with...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed Lara's recent birthday celebration and climbing adventure on Mount Shasta. They reviewed upcoming powerlifting competitions and debated the drug testing policies between USA Powerlifting and Powerlifting America. The conversation concluded with discussions about the IDFPA World Championships in Seoul and various pest control methods, including a cautio...

Send us Fan Mail Lara and Josh discussed their personal lives and upcoming plans, including a Fourth of July mountain summit attempt. They reviewed the performance of their team at various lifting competitions, including Raw Nationals and other meets, where several athletes achieved notable placements and personal records despite some technical mistakes. The conversation concluded with discussions...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed the upcoming Raw Nationals competition, including logistics, prize money, and the training hall setup at the Georgia International Convention Center. They reviewed the competition schedule, confirmed participant details, and outlined the event's amenities including food concessions, cash bar, and training facilities. The conversation ended with discuss...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara catch up on recent events and discuss various topics related to powerlifting, including competition results, upcoming elections, and registration numbers for regional events. They share personal experiences, with Lara recounting a beekeeping incident and recommending a Yacht Rock documentary. The conversation concludes with technical issues and plans for future recor...

Send us Fan Mail Larry Maile, the outgoing president of USA Powerlifting, reflected on his tenure, discussing the organization's mission, challenges, and future direction. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a drug-free platform, navigating legal issues, and preserving the organization's integrity while adapting to change. The conversation also touched on the split from their pre...

Send us Fan Mail Heather Faas, Executive Director of USA Powerlifting, shared her journey with the organization and discussed her goals, including financial management, streamlining operations, and enhancing member experiences. She outlined plans for upcoming events, such as the Arnold platform event and the integration of Empower ID athletes, as well as changes to divisions and partnerships with...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Join our GroupMe ! Follow/Direct Message us @PLBalladsPodcast on Instagram & Facebook E mail us at PLBalladsPodcast@gmail.com More Information about the Podcast: https://solo.to/plballadspodcast The Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast is co-hosted by Josh Rohr and Lara Sturm and sponsored by Team Rohr Powerlifting - for all of your powerlifting coaching a...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Join our GroupMe ! Follow/Direct Message us @PLBalladsPodcast on Instagram & Facebook E mail us at PLBalladsPodcast@gmail.com More Information about the Podcast: https://solo.to/plballadspodcast The Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast is co-hosted by Josh Rohr and Lara Sturm and sponsored by Team Rohr Powerlifting - for all of your powerlifting coaching a...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Join our GroupMe ! Follow/Direct Message us @PLBalladsPodcast on Instagram & Facebook E mail us at PLBalladsPodcast@gmail.com More Information about the Podcast: https://solo.to/plballadspodcast The Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast is co-hosted by Josh Rohr and Lara Sturm and sponsored by Team Rohr Powerlifting - for all of your powerlifting coaching a...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Join our GroupMe ! Follow/Direct Message us @PLBalladsPodcast on Instagram & Facebook E mail us at PLBalladsPodcast@gmail.com More Information about the Podcast: https://solo.to/plballadspodcast The Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast is co-hosted by Josh Rohr and Lara Sturm and sponsored by Team Rohr Powerlifting - for all of your powerlifting coaching a...

Send us Fan Mail Support the show Join our GroupMe ! Follow/Direct Message us @PLBalladsPodcast on Instagram & Facebook E mail us at PLBalladsPodcast@gmail.com More Information about the Podcast: https://solo.to/plballadspodcast The Powerlifting & Power Ballads Podcast is co-hosted by Josh Rohr and Lara Sturm and sponsored by Team Rohr Powerlifting - for all of your powerlifting coaching a...

Send us Fan Mail Josh provided updates on presidential interviews and upcoming events for USA Powerlifting, including deadlines for nominations and new meet additions to the calendar. He and Lara discussed weight cutting strategies for competitions and the importance of knowing and following competition rules to avoid disqualification. The conversation also covered personal anecdotes, leadership t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode focused on powerlifting experiences, with team members discussing recent competitions, training setups, and strategies for handling anxiety and unexpected situations during events. They also covered upcoming competitions, including the Raw Nationals in Atlanta, and emphasized the importance of attending national events for experience and growth. The team shared person...

Send us Fan Mail This episode featured guest co-hosts Molly Walker and Jo House discussing their experiences at the Masters invitational in Chattanooga and their powerlifting backgrounds. The conversation covered notable performances at the event, including Jo House's impressive showing, and touched on the supportive atmosphere in the powerlifting community. The hosts also discussed upcoming...

Send us Fan Mail Lara and Josh reminisce about their past experiences and share news about the passing of Bill Helmich, a well-known figure in the powerlifting community. They also discuss the upcoming Master's Invitational powerlifting meet and the appointment of Heather Faas as the new executive director of USA Powerlifting. Additionally, they provide tips for mental recovery from bombing o...

Send us Fan Mail Josh and Lara discussed their podcast "Balance" and various powerlifting events, including upcoming competitions and rule violations. They also covered topics such as the U.S.A. Powerlifting elections, strategies for dealing with pre-competition injuries, and the life cycle of honeybees. The conversation ended with a lighthearted conversation about the mating habits of q...

Send us Fan Mail This Episode covered various aspects of powerlifting, including the results from Collegiate Nationals, controversial performances, and ideas for improving the sport's entertainment value. Discussions ranged from analyzing top teams and individual lifters to addressing unusual lifting techniques and their impact on the sport. The discussions explored ways to make powerlifting...