The Intentional Athlete Podcast

From the Barbell to the ICU: Jared Maynard on Identity, Recovery, and Training with Purpose Host Ross Leppala introduces the Intentional Athlete Podcast’s focus on purposeful training and welcomes physical therapist, powerlifter, and coach Jared Maynard of Unbreakable Strength. Jared shares how childhood bullying, isolation, and finding acceptance through kung fu and later lifting shaped his ident...

Host Ross Leppala welcomes Pia Marangoni to the Intentional Athlete Podcast to discuss how strength training and intentional living shaped her life. Pia shares her path from studying journalism and wanting to be a war photographer, to taking a copywriting contract that led to a long banking career, financial success, and declining health marked by smoking, poor diet, and a pre-diabetes diagnosis....

In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala is joined by Nigerian Paralympic high jumper, creative performer, and inspirational speaker Abraham Amon. They delve into the concept of training with purpose, the power of visualization, and overcoming deep-rooted limitations like fear and self-doubt. Abraham shares his journey from facing physical and emotional challenges to b...

In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala speaks with special guest John LaFlamme, a veteran powerlifter who has been competing since 1978. At 75 years old, John remains one of the top-ranked powerlifters in his age group, demonstrating remarkable longevity and resilience. He discusses his journey in the sport, the importance of intentional training, and how aligning mi...

Join Ross Leppala on the Intentional Athlete Podcast as he sits down with Cashton Benge, a BMX racer, to discuss the transformation and intentional living both on and off the track. Cashton shares his journey from competing on a global stage to finding purpose beyond BMX through mental health awareness, shifting priorities, and a newfound relationship with faith. They dive deep into the importance...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast! In this episode, hosted by Ross Leppala, we delve deep into the transformational journey of Steve Celi, better known as Energy Steve. A special guest and an extraordinary energy coach, Steve shares his insights on cultivating energy, pursuing passions, and mastering the art of presence. From his beginnings as a passionate dun...

Navigating the Void: A Deep Dive into Purpose Beyond PowerliftingIn this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala welcomes powerlifting enthusiasts Mark Robb and Newton Cheng for a profound conversation about the evolution of their relationship with the sport. The trio explores the disorientation of reaching significant milestones, the ensuing 'what's next?' phase,...

In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala is joined by powerlifting legend Sioux-z Hartwig-Gary. Sioux-z shares her journey from her early days of training to becoming a decorated champion with multiple world records. The episode dives into the importance of training with intentionality, embracing life's ups and downs, and the spiritual aspect of strength training....

Persistent Progress: Nathaniel Hancock on Balancing Powerlifting, Family, and FaithIn this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Lela welcomes Nathaniel Hancock, a seasoned powerlifter with an extensive background in lifting, bodybuilding, and running. Nathaniel shares his journey from fitness modeling to achieving remarkable feats in powerlifting, all while balancing family, faith...

Overcoming Adversity & Embracing Change: Insights from Paul Oneid on Strength and MindsetWelcome to the Intentional Athlete Podcast, hosted by Ross Leppala, where we dive deep into how strength transcends the gym and impacts our lives. In this insightful episode, Ross invites Paul Oneid—strength and conditioning coach, powerlifter, and bodybuilding champion—who shares his journey from competin...

Join host Ross Leppala in an insightful episode of The Intentional Athlete Podcast featuring Ashton Rouska, a distinguished powerlifter, and licensed psychologist, as they discuss the profound connection between strength training, personal growth, and emotional well-being. In this conversation, Ross and Ashton explore the transformative journey of training, emphasizing the importance of mindset, e...

Welcome to the Intentional Athlete Podcast with Ross Leppala. In this episode, Ross chats with Theo Harris, a powerlifter and coach, about his transformative journey with lifting weights. Theo opens up about his battles with alcoholism, overcoming personal challenges, and how lifting became his path to sobriety and self-discovery. They discuss the importance of training with intention, how strengt...

Join host Ross Leppala on the Intentional Athlete Podcast as he welcomes Zach Morrow, a dedicated powerlifter from Canada. Together, they explore Zach's journey in powerlifting, his experience with reactive training systems, and the transformative impact of the Intentional Athlete Experience. Learn how Zach has integrated meditation, breathwork, and intentional training to elevate not only his...

Welcome to The Intentional Athlete Podcast, hosted by Ross Leppala. In this episode, Ross sits down with Gary Chupik, the founder of Elite Mindset, to discuss the transformative power of mindset in both sports and life. Gary shares his journey from being a dual citizen and a sports enthusiast to becoming a sought-after mental performance coach. They delve into Gary's experience with high-level...

Navigating Life's Challenges Through Intentional Training | The Intentional Athlete PodcastIn this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Lela, a powerlifting coach and co-creator of the Intentional Athlete Experience, emphasizes the importance of training with purpose and how the discipline and skills developed in the gym can translate to handling real-life challenges. Ross sha...

In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala welcomes his friend and mentor Matt Gary to share his journey through powerlifting, major injuries, and the lessons learned along the way. Matt recounts his experience with a catastrophic injury in 2015 where he suffered a bilateral quad tendon rupture, multiple knee injuries, and a broken ankle while attempting a 500-pound belt...

In the inaugural episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala, a powerlifting coach and co-creator of the Intentional Athlete Experience, delves into the transformative power of intentional training with his special guest Dr. Vanessa Gale. The episode discusses the origins and philosophy behind the Intentional Athlete, emphasizing the importance of training with purpose to enhance...

Ross Leppala, host of Project Unchained Podcast, reflects on the journey since starting in 2020, advocating for mental health through personal experiences. He announces the end of Project Unchained, revealing his new focus on launching The Intentional Athlete Podcast, inspired by a recent event. The new podcast will still cover mental health and well-being, but with an emphasis on how intentional...

In this episode of the Project Unchained Podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses his recent busy schedule and shares his excitement about an upcoming event called the Intentional Athlete. He emphasizes the importance of deriving more than just physical gains from training, suggesting it should also benefit life beyond the platform. Ross then delves into the concept of 'the weaponization of love,&...

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses the concept of self-care and personal growth through understanding and reducing levels of attachment, based on Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.'s book 'The Five Levels of Attachment.' Leppola uses sports analogies to explain the five levels: Authentic Self, Preference, Identity, Internalization, and Fanaticism. He emphasi...

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala shares his journey of breaking free from self-limiting beliefs through self-care and intentional living. He emphasizes the importance of having a purposeful self-care regimen to improve life experiences. Ross discusses the definition of intention and how being intentional can lead to a life of joy, peace, and freedom. He highlight...

In this New Year's episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala emphasizes the importance of setting intentional New Year's resolutions. He discusses how procrastination can lead to failure and the significance of having a strong 'why' behind each goal to push through hardships. Ross shares his personal experience of setting goals with his family, aiming for greater situational acce...

In this episode of the Project UnchainED podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses the importance of navigating difficult conversations for mental health and wellbeing. Ross shares insights into managing emotions, emphasizing the need to own one's feelings rather than projecting them onto others. He references Don Miguel Ruiz's 'The Four Agreements' to highlight the value of not taking things personall...

Every 4-years our community at large experiences this mass divide during the presidential election. In this episode, i talk about what i think influences this and how we can navigate it forward, in a more healthy manner. Spoiler alert, I don't even talk about political view points. Politics has little to do with this! Politics is the trigger, not the problem. Popular Vote Statistics: ttps://en.wik...

We have a unique episode here for you. Host Ross Leppala joined Pia Marangoni on her podcast, Fiercely Fueled. This was a conversation following Ross's recent performance to become a Master World Champion of powerlifting. I thought it would be cool to share that episode here with you all as well. Guest host: Pia Marangoni IG: pia_marangoni Fiercelyfuelednutrition Podcast link: https://open.spotify...