Training Partners

In this episode of Training Partners, hosts Chris Yandle and Sean Rigsby recap an exciting week at the USAW National Championships in Colorado Springs. They break down the biggest moments from the competition, share behind-the-scenes stories from the event, and discuss the overall atmosphere, organization, and level of competition. Chris and Sean also review the performances of the Heavy Metal Bar...

On this episode of Training Partners, hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle break down everything you need to know heading into USA Weightlifting National Championships Week in Colorado Springs. They discuss what athletes, coaches, and fans can expect from one of the biggest events on the weightlifting calendar, share their thoughts on key storylines to watch, and talk about the excitement surroundin...

In this episode of Training Partners, hosts Chris Yandle and Sean Rigsby catch up on everything happening in the world of fitness and competition. They dive into the growing popularity of HYROX events, sharing observations from recent races and discussing the realities of managing hygiene and health when thousands of athletes and spectators pass through a venue in a single day. The conversation th...

In this episode of Training Partners, host Chris Yandle sits down with special guests Jordy Kumba and Nick Tavares for a deep dive into all things Hyrox. From race-day strategy and training structure to mindset, recovery, and balancing strength with endurance, the crew breaks down what it really takes to compete in one of the fastest-growing fitness sports in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned H...

In this episode of Training Partners , Chris Yandle and Sean Rigsby take a candid look at how their business has been performing lately—what’s working, what’s not, and what they’re adjusting in real time. They break down the key metrics that have actually been useful to track, from revenue trends and client retention to lead generation and overall operational efficiency, and explain how that data...

On this episode of Training Partners, host Chris Yandle sits down with special guest Nico Starcher to unpack what it really looks like to stay competitive after college sports. They dive into the challenges of balancing careers, relationships, and training—and how their mindsets have shifted since their collegiate days. Chris and Nico also break down their experience at Hyrox Miami, sharing race-d...

In this episode of Training Partners, Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle break down their recent experiences on the competition floor, diving into both HYROX and Olympic weightlifting events they attended. They recap how their team performed—highlighting standout moments, lessons learned, and areas for growth—while also analyzing the performances of some of the top athletes in each competition. Beyond t...

In this episode of Training Partners, hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle welcome special guests Tayler Harris and Elena Schorr for an engaging conversation about the growth, impact, and future of women’s sports. Together, they reflect on the excitement and inspiration from the most recent Olympic Games, highlighting standout performances and the incredible dedication shown by female athletes from...

In this episode of Training Partners , Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle break down one of fitness’s biggest buzzwords: the hybrid athlete. They explore what the term really means, why it’s become so popular, and whether combining strength and endurance is smart programming or just smart marketing. Tune in as they cut through the noise and share practical insights on how to train for performance withou...

In this episode of Training Partners , Chris Yandle is joined by special guest Sarah Hreyo to unpack Chris’s first pro Hyrox race. They break down what went well, what surprised him, how the experience compared to expectations, and the biggest lessons he’s taking into future training. The conversation also dives into Sarah’s coaching background, exploring how working across different environments...

On this episode of Training Partners , hosts Sean Rigsby and Tayler Harris sit down with special guest Siera Schuster to break down why the right training partners can make—or break—your progress. Together, they dive into what truly makes a great training partner, how you can show up as one, and the ways strong partnerships push performance, accountability, and consistency to the next level. The c...

Kick off the new year with a smarter approach to fitness tracking. In this episode, hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle dig into what’s actually worth tracking as you set your goals for the year ahead—and what’s just noise. They break down the metrics they believe matter most for real progress, from performance and consistency to recovery and habits, and explain how to use that data without letting...

Training Partners kicks off the new year with host Chris Yandle and recurring special guest Hughston Armstrong diving into the realities of fitness goals and resolutions. From the familiar rallying cry of “new year, new me” to the uncomfortable truth of why so many resolutions fade fast, they break down what actually works—and what doesn’t. Chris and Hugh explore the most common reasons people fal...

On this episode of Training Partners , Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle welcome back recurring special guest Caine Wilkes for a deeper dive into life on the Olympic stage. Caine opens up about his Olympic experience—what it took to get there, what surprised him most, and the lessons that only come from competing at the highest level. Sean and Caine also zoom out to talk about the realities of competin...

In this episode of Training Partners, host Chris Yandle sits down with Olympian Caine Wilkes for a deep dive into his journey through the world of weightlifting. Caine shares how he first discovered the sport, the pivotal moments that shaped his athletic career, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level. Along the way, he offers hard-earned advice on staying healthy, strong, and mot...

In this episode of Training Partners, host Sean Rigsby is joined by Courtney Shoemaker, Masters Head Coach, for a deep dive into Heavy Metal Barbell’s showing at the 2025 Virus Weightlifting Finals & UMWF World Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida. Together, they break down the team’s performances on the platform, highlight standout lifts and lessons learned, and share what it’s really like...

Training Partners goes on location for a special episode recorded at the 2025 Virus Weightlifting Finals & UMWF World Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida . Hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle are joined by special guests Daniel Dodd and Tony Schuster for an in-depth conversation straight from one of the biggest stages in strength sports. The crew dives into everything from gym ownership and...

This week, hosts Tayler Harris, Sean Rigsby, and Chris Yandle gather around the mic to tackle one of the most important debates of the holiday season: the definitive ranking of Thanksgiving foods . From iconic staples to controversial side dishes, each host unveils their personal list—then bravely opens it up to friendly fire from the others. Expect passionate defenses, unexpected hot takes, culin...

In this energetic new episode of Training Partners, hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle break down the latest round of standout performances from the team — including Chris’s own brand-new personal record! Sean dives into the technical takeaways, training insights, and what these recent results say about long-term progress, while Chris shares a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset, adjustments, an...

In this episode of Training Partners , hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle pull back the curtain on one of the least discussed—but most important—topics in the coaching world: the real economics of coaching . From hourly wages to expected weekly hours, from the hidden toll of unpaid labor to the structural challenges that shape the industry, Sean and Chris break down what coaches actually face behi...

In this episode of Training Partners, host Sean Rigsby welcomes back recurring guest Siera Schuster for a deep dive into the diverse world of weightlifters. From the weekend warriors who lift for fun, to the driven competitors chasing medals, to the elite athletes living and breathing the sport—Sean and Siera break down what separates each group and the traits that define them. Whether you’re pick...

In this episode of Training Partners, hosts Sean Rigsby and Chris Yandle break down all the action from the World Championships in Norway, sharing insights, standout performances, and behind-the-scenes stories from the international stage. The guys also dive into the 2025 Carolinas WSO Championships, where Heavy Metal Barbell won best overall team for the fourth year in a row! Of course, no episod...

In this episode of Training Partners , host Chris Yandle sits down with special guest Jaimerius “JJ” Williams for an inspiring and energetic conversation about strength, sports, and chasing big dreams. JJ shares his remarkable journey — from his days on the football field to discovering Olympic weightlifting. They dive into JJ’s training mindset, his goals of representing Team USA and competing in...

In this episode, Chris Yandle interviews Maria Fecik, a coach and athlete in the Hyrox community. They discuss Maria's extensive athletic background, her transition to Hyrox, and her unique training approach. Maria shares insights on mindset, race preparation, and the importance of community in sports. They also delve into Maria's coaching philosophy, the growth of her business, and her fu...

In this special episode of Training Partners , host Sean Rigsby sits down with strength coach and entrepreneur Dane Miller, the powerhouse behind Garage Strength. Recorded live at the Senior World Championships in Norway, this conversation dives deep into Dane’s journey—from his early days as an athlete, to discovering his passion for coaching, and ultimately founding one of the most influential s...