THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK!

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford (@frank_ford_) to the show! The two discuss being on the struggle bus during a tough training cycle, comparing musicians who lip sync live performances to weightlifters who are caught taking PEDs, the upcoming Godzilla vs. King Kong movie along with which monster would be better at snatching and which at clean and jerki...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses random thoughts he had on a Thursday including making changes when something isn’t working out, how the barbell is always trying to win, and why it’s important to write rough drafts and revise programming. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @th...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! This episode features audio from April 23rd, 2019 when James was interviewed by Jason Ackerman on The Best Hour of Their Day podcast. During the interview James discusses the 8 week coaching internship program he ran during the spring of 2019, preparing new coaches to take the CrossFit Level 1 course, and the process he uses to bring new coaches onto the Albany...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James offers some tips on being meticulous as an athlete or coach, admitting when you're wrong and correcting mistakes as a coach, and as a bonus tip: writing things down and keeping records. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @jamesam...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Jason Murphy, Frank Ford (@frank_ford_), and reigning champion Catherine Toniatti-Yanulavich (@strongcatty) to test their knowledge in the second Barbell Jeopardy competition!  Joanna Toman (@lilyv81) returns as the official score keeper. James is not a real game show host (he just plays one on the podcast) and this was...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses his first time competing in strength sports: The Monster Bench Press competition. This event was held at The Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, NY on April 7th, 2011. On the show James reads from a blog he wrote years ago recapping his experience, fills in some details that were left out of the article, and offers some lessons t...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses how he finds motivation and inspiration from Team ACBC and members of Albany CrossFit when he’s training alone or thinking about his long term goals. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @jamesamcdermott | @albanycrossfit...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! This episode features audio from April 15th, 2019 when James was interviewed by Jason Ackerman on The Best Hour of Their Day podcast. During the interview James discusses joining the Albany CrossFit coaching staff, the benefits of following CrossFit.com programming, implementing the a program with one WOD per day, strategies for coaching CrossFit classes, and p...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK!  On this episode James offers some tips on recovery through taking naps, shoulder mobility with an exercise from Dr. Kelly Starrett’s book “Becoming A Supple Leopard, and practicing re-racking the barbell when working from behind the neck.  Barbell Shoulder Smash: https://youtu.be/luXSAErp_n0 Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoye...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses the benefits of using planned max out days, online qualifiers, and practice meets to simulate competition. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @jamesamcdermott | @albanycrossfit | @albanycrossfitbarbellclub -------------...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James reflects on being a beginner weightlifter and offers advice on how athletes and coaches can figure out what works best for them through trial and error. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @jamesamcdermott | @albanycrossfit | @alb...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses the importance of taking risk and how training in the gym teaches us to not be afraid to fail. Cat’s battle with a 175 pound clean and jerk: https://www.instagram.com/p/CKCBRBrJPRz/ Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @j...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford (@frank_ford_) to the show! Frank and James discuss clean and jerking 160 kg to finish off 2020 with a lifetime PR, looking at the gap between a PR and a goal, taking time off from lifting, bringing meet lifting focus and intensity to training, thoughts on going 6 for 6 in a meet, the mindset of approaching a competitio...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James experiments with using his new cell phone to record the podcast while he discusses using drills and accessory exercises to build strength: in the body, movement positions, and confidence of the mind. Checkout Cat’s epic paused snatch: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ9d78Ip-46/ Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Jacob Hawkins of The History of Strength Sports (@historyofstrenghtsports) to the show! The History of Strength Sports is a digital museum curated by Jacob. During the episode Jacob goes into great detail on his personal lifting and how he became a strength sports historian.  He also discusses his research methods, his top th...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James gives an update on how Team ACBC member Mike Micare is doing post spinal surgery and discusses some Friday morning musings on the behind the scenes aspects of coaching and some of the inner workings of his barbell club's training sessions and coaching expectations. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show pleas...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses how he's feeling after the first few days of training on the new ACBC training program, how happy he is with the attitudes and actions of barbell club team members, and how athletes can and should be taking initiative in their training to accomplish goals. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show plea...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses the trailer for the upcoming film Desert Strike starring Mike Tyson and professional strongman Hafþór Björnsson (The Mountain). James also gives shout outs to Albany CrossFit Barbell Club team members, welcomes new athletes to the team, and talks about how paused snatches are helping his athletes build confidence when lifting whi...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James debuts a new segment of the show: Training in Pop Culture. As you no doubt already know James is a huge movie buff, and loves to read. These episodes will involve discussions on the training, exercise, coaching, and nutrition that are depicted in movies, t.v. shows, and books. This inaugural segment features a scene from the best selling b...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses the new theme song for the show: The Mandalorian Theme (Metal Version) which is performed by Artificial Fear (@artificialfear_official). James also reflects back on the lessons he learned during major events in his life that occurred throughout 2020 such as The Arnold Classic, obtaining his CrossFit Level 3 certification, gyms sh...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Frank Ford (@frank_ford_) to the show! Frank and James discuss some ACBC off-season training workouts, the 2021 CrossFit Open, the recently announced CrossFit Games season format, Frank's experience at the Christmas & Kilos meet, progressing the athlete and coach relationship, and some goals the two look to accomplish in...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Miguel Porter (@couldntbemiguel) and Michael Micare (@micare23) to the show! The trio discuss Mike's "Pre-OP" workout (listed below), different approaches CrossFitters take when completing workouts along with pros and cons to their tactics, recap Miguel and Mikes experiences at the Christmas & Kilos meet, defaulting to po...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James gives a recap on the 2020 Christmas & Kilos weightlifting meet hosted by Swagler Strength & Performance (@swaglerstrength) on Saturday, December 12 that he and the Albany CrossFit Barbell Club competed in. James gives many shout outs to lifters in the local community, his thoughts on how the meet makes him feel like a weightlifter...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Caleb Miner (@minercombatfitness) to the show! Caleb shares more knowledge on the sport of boxing by explaining what a southpaw is, how boxers earn their nicknames, and his thoughts on the recent Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. match. He and James also discuss Miner Combat benchmark workouts that have been created to honor of le...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Frank Ford (@frank_ford_) to the show! Frank and James discuss the upcoming Christmas & Kilos weightlifting meet which will be held on Saturday, December 12th 2020, finding the correct mindset for the competition, tips and tricks for preparing the week of a meet and important items to bring, determining openers and end go...