THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK!

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode of the podcast James welcomes back Juan Pellot (@urstrength) to the show! Juan is a coach and athlete specializing in kettlebell training and sport. He is a five time national champion and a member of Team USA. In 2017 Juan won the world championship in the long cycle event competing in the 78 kg weight class. On the show Juan discusses drawing...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Jason Murphy to the show! The two discuss the recent conclusion to the 2020 CrossFit Games going over their thoughts on strategies used by athletes, event programming, the Games season structure, the mindset of competitors, and much more! Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider le...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James launches a new on going series on the show called "Seminar Notes." Here James will share what he learned and discuss his thoughts on cues, lectures, progressions, and other topics from the countless seminars and certifications taken over the years. This episode pulls from notes taken on the jerk at the CrossFit Weightlifting seminar, the J...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Jamie Swagler (@jamieswagler), owner and head coach of Swagler Strength & Performance (@swaglerstrength), a graduate of the Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Human Performance, a personal trainer since 2006, and an active member and coach of the weightlifting community lifting in and hosting competitions. Jamie...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Albany CrossFit Barbell Club members Shaaf Syed (@taco.shaaf), Miguel Porter (@couldntbemiguel), and Frank Ford (@frank_ford_). On the show the group discuss a controversy surrounding Miguel's recent 5RM back squat PR, Shaaf's "tell" when lifting, the difference between a "mock" and "practice" meet, the psychological games pl...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Jenn Mills (@jennifer.giraudin), a veteran Albany CrossFit Barbell Club team member currently making a big comeback in the sport of weightlifting. Jenn discusses moving to Albany and joining Albany CrossFit and the barbell club, coming back from hip surgery, advice on how to make the best decisions for yourself when it comes to...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Bri Turner (@bri167), an Albany CrossFit Barbell Club team member and a badass athlete looking to accomplish big goals in the sport of weightlifting. Bri discusses getting pumped up for teammates hitting PRs and channeling that energy in her own lifting, overcoming depression and anxiety in her daily life, her sports and athleti...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford ( @frank_ford_ ) back to the show! The two discuss week one of the new Albany CrossFit Barbell Club training cycle, recent PRs set by ACBC team members, thoughts on online weightlifting and CrossFit competitions, a recap of phase one of the 2020 CrossFit Games, and their predictions going into phase two. Thank you for l...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Haley Hahn (@haleyth12), an Albany CrossFit Barbell Club team member, a new athlete to the sport of weightlifting who is making great progress in training, and a track & field coach. Haley discusses training with Team ACBC, lifting on a balcony during the NY shutdown, comparisons between weightlifting and track, competing in...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James continues his interview with Miguel Porter (@couldntbemiguel). Be sure to listen to Episode XLVIII first to be 100% in the loop on the conversation. During Part II, Miguel discusses PRing on the snatch, why he joined the barbell club, his first weightlifting meet, competing at the 2020 Arnold Classic, dealing with injuries, and his mindset...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Miguel Porter (@couldntbemiguel), an Albany CrossFit member and Barbell Club athlete who has been making great progress in CrossFit and weightlifting. Miguel discusses what it was like returning to the gym after the NY shutdown, staying motivated in training, what it's like training with the barbell club, gaining gymnastics skil...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! James is on the road in Woodbind, NJ! On this episode he discusses some thoughts on setting new PRs in the gym and competition including: superstitions surrounding new personal records, what counts, PRing in front of other people vs. on your own, and considerations when coaching. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consi...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! James is on the road in Skaneateles, NY! On this episode he discusses some thoughts on programming and the next Albany CrossFit Barbell Club training cycle which includes 3-position snatches and cleans, paused back squats, rack jerks, and heavy snatch and clean grip deadlifts! Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford ( @frank_ford_ ) back to the show! The two discuss Frank recently accomplishing a big milestone on the snatch, trusting the training process, having doubt or fear in the training process or the lifts, salvaging a training session gone bad, the benefits of training in a group, and how the coach and athlete relationship h...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James shares the story of how he started working with Coach Glenn Pendlay on the forthcoming American Weightlifting book, taking Pendlay's Learn to Train seminar, working on the manuscript, and fond memories. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrik...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses a big clean and jerk PR from a ACBC athlete, who he thinks is the fastest on the ACBC team, correcting the rhythm and tempo of the lifts, and ways to work on speed. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a review and 5-star rating. @thebarbellstrikesback | @jamesamcdermott |...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Shye Evan (@shyeevan), owner of Albany CrossFit, a Pan American weightlifting masters champion, and an experienced CrossFit athlete and coach. Shye discusses a variety of topics including the history behind the Court Club (the home of Albany CrossFit), his early experiences as a CrossFit athlete, purchasing Albany CrossFit, less...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses TEAM ACBC's progress on their current training cycle, gives an update on team member Jody Sisson, and tells stories from some weightlifting meets he has done over the years along with a few lessons he has learned while competing.  Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show please consider leaving a...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James continues his interview with Traci Meier (@traci_genevieve). Be sure to listen to Episode XXXIX first to be 100% in the loop on the conversation. During Part II, Traci shares memories from her weightlifting career, her thoughts on being a masters weightlifter, the athlete and coach relationship between her and James, and continues the conv...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Traci Meier (@traci_genevieve), owner and head coach of Inspire Fitness & CrossFit Sona, a masters weightlifter who has been competing in the sport for over five years, and an experienced trainer with 15 years of experience in the fitness industry. Traci discusses a variety of topics including the 2020 National Masters Champ...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James asks for your help in supporting 13 year old Team ACBC athlete, Jody Sisson, who was recently diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia. He also discusses recent PRs made by barbell club team members, wishes good luck to Traci who will be competing in the 2020 National Masters Championships online this weekend, talks about problems and solutions in...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James discusses something cool he noticed in one of his favorite movies, talks about the importance of moving the feet in weightlifting, gives a shout out to a dedicated Team ACBC member, dives into the benefits of Zercher squats, and chats a little bit about programming. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------- If you enjoyed the show plea...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford ( @frank_ford_ ) back to the show! First Frank announces some exciting news about CrossFit Sona. Then he and James discuss growing as a coach, the current Team ACBC training cycle, New York gyms potentially reopening soon, the new format for the upcoming CrossFit Games, and predictions on who will win it all this year....

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James shares a memory that popped up on Facebook, gives some shout outs to Team ACBC members, discusses the goal(s) of the push press in the club's current training program, talks about his training process for the club's youth athletes, and goes over the importance of reflecting on training sessions. Thank you for listening. Enjoy! ------------...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James continues his interview with Trey Goodwin. Be sure to listen to Episode XXXIII first to be fully caught up on the conversation. During Part II, Trey shares more fond memories from his time training under Coach Glenn Pendlay and major lessons that he learned along with details about his return to the sport to pursue more gold medals as a Ma...