Rebuild Stronger

John and Wyatt get into the most overlooked driver of getting strong: your brain learning movement as a skill. Not biomechanics-in-isolation, not better cueing — the neurological prediction model your brain builds every rep. They break down why variations like heavy good mornings make you stronger and harder to fail , why intensity and years-of-training are non-negotiable prerequisites, when a "sq...

It’s “Quitters Day” (two weeks into the year), and we’re calling out the truth: a lot of gyms don’t make money when you train—they make money when you pay and disappear . We break down the business math behind cheap memberships, the “amenities trap,” and why community + coaching beats motivation every time. If a gym is selling you “judgment-free” isolation and making cancellation feel like an IRS...

In this episode, John and Wyatt break down the newly announced IPF rule changes—and why the internet promptly lost its damn mind. What starts as a discussion about updated squat, bench, and deadlift rules quickly turns into a larger rant on etiquette, culture, bad coaching, and why powerlifting keeps tripping over dumb problems instead of fixing real ones. They cover what the rules actually say, w...

This week, John and Wyatt delve into the current challenges and changes in the powerlifting community, focusing on the splintering of federations, the prohibitive cost of competition, and the evolving demands of athletes. It highlights the need for more engaging events like Sheffield to revitalize the sport. Takeaways The splintering of federations is a major issue. Competition costs are becoming...

This quick-hit episode tackles one spicy claim: if you stay in the strength game long enough, you will end up running some version of conjugate training — whether you meant to or not. John breaks down why lifters naturally migrate toward variation, speed work, top singles with back-offs, and modified movements as they age, chase longevity, or just get bored doing the same block periodization loops...

In this episode of Rebuild Stronger , John and Wyatt dig into one of the most misunderstood parts of powerlifting: how often you should actually compete — and why most lifters are unintentionally holding themselves back. From perfect-day fantasies to over-serious twenty-somethings white-knuckling their training, the guys break down how competing more often builds skill, resilience, confidence, and...

n this episode of Rebuild Stronger, John and Wyatt dive deep into the often-overlooked skill of self-handling at powerlifting meets. They argue that while having a handler can be valuable, every lifter should experience managing themselves at competitions to truly develop as an athlete. Key Topics Discussed: Why Self-Handling Matters Learn to advocate for yourself in the warm-up room Understand me...

Firefighter, strongman competitor, and Supp Dawg founder Chris Northern joins the show to talk about staying in the game for 10+ years, how strongman made his bench stronger, and why he formulates supplements with “everything that works and nothing that doesn’t.” What you’ll learn From PL to Strongman: Why Chris moved from a decade of powerlifting to three years of strongman—and how pressing event...

In this episode, we dive into the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of strength training: the basics. John and Wyatt discuss how many lifters, both beginners and those with some experience, tend to overcomplicate their routines by chasing advanced techniques and creating unnecessary problems. They emphasize the importance of sticking to fundamental exercises and consistent hard work, rather than...

In this episode, we dive into the heated debate surrounding the USAPL's drug testing policies. We explore the implications of testing at local meets versus national events, the cost challenges, and the evolving culture of drug testing in powerlifting. Join us as we discuss the integrity of the sport and the need for strategic testing.

After years of building Rebuild Stronger together, John and Jared sit down for a raw, honest conversation about their decision to part ways professionally. But this isn’t a breakup—it’s an evolution. In this episode, they unpack the why behind the decision, what it means for their athletes and businesses, and the personal growth that led them here. You’ll hear how an ICU coma, powerlifting nationa...

Welcome! John and Jared dive into Jared’s weightlifting journey, influenced by fitness gurus like Omar Isuf and Alan Thrall. They laugh about getting older and spotting grey hairs in their beards. Jared wishes he’d focused more on the fundamentals instead of trying to stay lean back in the day. They also emphasize sticking to the basics for beginners in powerlifting and the difference good coachin...

Welcome back, today we dive into all things powerlifting, strength, sport, business, and life. In today’s episode, Jared and John shake the foundation of their friendship… From there, they transition into a deeper discussion about navigating comebacks in strength sports, especially after significant breaks or injuries. Drawing from personal experience, Jared shares insights on how to manage expect...

Hey there, listeners! Welcome back to another episode of the Rebuild Stronger podcast. Today, John and Jared are diving into the nitty-gritty of powerlifting and strength training, starting off with John’s hilarious yet painful story about his recent training session that left him sore all over. From there, they chat about the temptation of “new” workout methods and how easy it is to get distracte...

Hey friends, today we explore persistence through gaming and real-life challenges. We connect how playing the video game God of War creates persistence needed for success, whether in video games, training, or overcoming injuries. Throughout this episode we broadens to real-life applications, emphasizing the importance of balancing persistence with enjoyment to avoid frustration and stress. Jared t...

Welcome back to another episode! We dive deep into the realms of personal responsibility, self-care, and leadership. Tune in to hear John’s tale of a significant mistake and his thoughts on the hollow nature of apology posts. Meanwhile, Jared recounts his amusing experience with Starlink’s roof overhang obstruction and brings the conversation full circle by noting the importance of humility and fe...

In this episode, we discover the common pitfalls that powerlifters encounter when it comes to programming their strength training. Hear about the dangers of tinkering too much with programming, the risks of focusing too heavily on specific aspects of training like volume and intensity, and the importance of keeping an open mind to trying new exercises and approaches. Join us as we discuss our expe...

On today’s episode of the Rebuild Stronger podcast, Jared and John discuss their experiences with imposter syndrome, the lessons learned from overcoming challenges, and the power of consistency to small victories in powerlifting and life. They share personal stories of self-doubt, perseverance, and growth, providing valuable insights into the mindset and approach needed to succeed in the sport and...

On this episode of the Rebuild Stronger Podcast, we dive into the complex topic of weight gain and its impact on performance in strength sports like powerlifting. Jared and John share their experiences and insights on the relationship between weight gain, muscle growth, and performance, providing a personal perspective on the often-debated subject. From discussing the challenges of maintaining a p...

On this episode of the Rebuild Stronger Podcast, John and Jared dive into the importance of finding the right coach and the value of seeking guidance in powerlifting and life. They discuss their personal experiences with coaching and reflect on how having the right support can make all the difference. Offering insights into their coaching styles, they emphasize the significance of finding the perf...

Today, Jared and John, along with our guest, strength enthusiast Wyatt Christiansen, peel back the layers of elite lifting. Dive into the psyche of a lifter, explore the nuances of compensatory acceleration training, and understand why speed, technique, and the right mindset are essential to transcending limits. We reflect on childhood movies like ‘Land Before Time’ and ‘American Tale,’ and commen...

Welcome to the podcast, Nick Licameli, a Physical Therapist in New Jersey and pro natural bodybuilder who is now helping athletes. Nick reflects on his experiences as a physical therapist, clinic owner, and father, stressing the importance of timing and a growth mindset in creating strong communities. We touch on various topics, from the evolution of coaching and patient interaction to pop culture...

*Trigger warning: we discussed some graphic content. Today, we discover that long lashes on men are a status symbol. We deep dive into Jared, starting from ground zero, the frustrations of new challenges, how powerful self-talk is, and going from metalcore to Disney lore. The ultimate question: NSYNE or Backstreet Boys? Time Stamps Into: Long Lashes on Men 2:55: Jared Adjusting to a New Reality 16...

Johns is looking for a smoker's jacket for anyone listening. Jared asks for all the tea in today's episode, and John is spilling. We get an inside look into John's 2k lifting day, how he adapts to imperfect conditions, prioritizes enjoyment, and overcame his squat drought. Time Stamps Intro: Smoking jacket request 2:00: John's 2K total day 10:34: Adapting to unperfected conditions 12:23 Prioritizi...

Surprise, Jared, and John are BACK; this time, it’s FOR REAL. In today’s episode, Jared and John talk about how Gen Z doesn’t know the pre-workout struggle back in their day ( no, they aren’t dinosaurs), their powerlifting why, and ultimately ask, what is your discomfort level? Time Stamps Intro: Genz pre-workout 3:25 We’re back :) 4:50 Why Jared started lifting 8:36 Why John started lifting 11:50...