THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK!

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Renée Mihail (@rmmihail), a member of Albany CrossFit, female service member and Army Engineer officer, and barbell club team member. Renée discusses taking on the U.S. Army Fitness: Online Qualifier, joining and training in the military, her competitive swimming career, how to be a more disciplined individual, prioritizing task...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Frank Ford (@frank_ford_) to the show! Frank and James discuss building a training playlist as a team, listening to music while training, what it means to be a "Firebreather," riding The Struggle Bus, bouncing back from tough training, creating a for fun training cycle as a team, and doing a Super Total competition. Thank you for...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Mike Micare (@micare23), a member of Albany CrossFit and a badass athlete! Mike discusses joining Albany CrossFit, accomplishing goals in the gym, his recent snatch PR, signing up for his first weightlifting meet, how he has found success while training with a spinal condition, and an upcoming surgery to straighten his spine. Th...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Jeremy Reither (@wodwellcf), co-owner and founder of www. WODwell.com which is the world's largest database of benchmark workouts and a truly fantastic resource for athletes and coaches alike.  Jeremy discusses experiences from being a member of the CrossFit community for over a decade, relationships between athletes and co...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Aileen Wu (@wu.lift), founder and head coach of WuLift. Aileen has years of experience in the CrossFit and weightlifting communities both as an athlete and a coach. Her mission is to guide and empower athletes to reach their potential through weightlifting.  On the show Aileen discusses her lifting background, her mentors i...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes Danny Casey (@Danny_Casey) back to the show! Danny is the owner and Head Coach of the New York Weightlifting Academy (@NY_Weightlifting_Academy) and a USA Weightlifting National Level Coach. On the show Danny discusses reopening his gym after the lockdown, programming for his athletes pre- and post-reopening, judging in weightlift...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James welcomes back Shaaf Syed (@taco.shaaf), Miguel Porter (@couldntbemiguel), and Catherine Toniatti-Yanulavich (@strongcatty) to test their knowledge in the very first Barbell Jeopardy competition! Joanna Toman (@lilyv81) makes an appearance as the official score keeper. This event was put on to honor the host of real Jeopardy, Alex Trebek, w...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James interviews Caleb Miner (@minercombatfitness), co-owner and head coach of Miner Combat. Caleb discusses his gym, Miner Combat (located in North Adams, Massachusettes), using Focusmaster Fitness equipment to bring boxing training to a wide range of clients, training for the sport of boxing, his single career boxing match, the mental aspect o...

Welcome to THE BARBELL STRIKES BACK! On this episode James continues his Seminar Notes series by sharing some insights into coaching different aspects of weightlifting. Seminar notes is where James shares knowledge on coaching, programming, and human movement that he has learned from taking seminars over the last 10+ years. Use these notes to be a better athlete, coach, or both. Find these seminar...

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 |...