The Platform: a Michigan High School Powerlifting Association Podcast

Think you're ready for Nationals? Getting strong enough is only half the battle.

On Episode 31 of The Platform, Chris Whittaker and Chris Gilliam welcome Coach Ron Roberts of Goodrich High School, MHSPLA Board Member and USAPL Liaison, to explain how to prepare for the 2027 USA Powerlifting High School National Championships in Albany, New York.

With Nationals just two weeks after the MHSPLA Varsity State Championship, start planning early!

IN THIS EPISODE

• Qualifying totals, eligibility, registration deadlines and the 750-lifter cap

• USAPL memberships, fees and team entries

• Singlets, approved equipment and equipment checks

• Weigh-ins, rack heights and opening attempts

• Kilograms, squat depth, bench commands and judging differences

• Flights, warm-up rooms and staging

• Travel, lodging and budgeting

• Why athletes should try a USAPL meet before Nationals

GOODRICH USAPL QUALIFIER

January 16, 2027 at Goodrich High School. Registration details are available through the meet organizer and LiftingCast. Check USA Powerlifting's official website for current qualifying totals, rules and registration requirements.

MHSPLA HALL OF FAME: NOMINATIONS OPEN

Help recognize those who built Michigan high school powerlifting. Eligibility:

• Lifters: Graduated in 2021 or earlier

• Coaches: 10+ years of active MHSPLA coaching

• Contributors: 15+ years of active MHSPLA involvement

A committee will recommend 10 candidates; the Board will select 3-5 inductees annually. The inaugural class will be honored during Varsity State Championship weekend.

Official criteria:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CDakaiJtMPf1SMaZ4JgRK6xGd1qONDdSUCl8KDBVBIE

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Congratulations to Addie Stiverson on her commitment to Penn State University for track and field! Best wishes to Adam Stiverson and the entire Stiverson family. Your Michigan powerlifting community is behind you!

2026-27 COACHES INFORMATION

Coach registration is open on the MHSPLA website. The virtual Coaches Meeting is Saturday, December 5, 2026, covering rule changes, registration and season preparation. Follow MHSPLA social media for clinics and updates.

WEEKLY REGIONAL RECAPS

During the 2026-27 season, tune in Wednesday evenings for regional champions, outstanding performances and meet director interviews.

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM & MHSPLA

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The Platform - where the stories weigh a ton.

High school athletes don't always have an offseason. Their training programs still need a plan.

On Episode 29 of The Platform, hosts Chris Whittaker and Chris Gilliam welcome Coach Derek Shell from Napoleon High School to discuss developing stronger athletes while balancing multiple sports, limited training time, and year-round competition.

Coach Shell shares how Napoleon Powerlifting grew from just eight athletes in 2021 to approximately 50–60 lifters, becoming one of the school's largest athletic programs and awarding its first varsity letters.

The coaches dive into training blocks, linear periodization, and the conjugate method, exploring how to structure training around competition schedules, manage fatigue, and keep athletes progressing.

Derek also discusses his own experience with conjugate training, his pursuit of a

The conversation revolves around Mike's experiences in coaching powerlifting at Croslex and Ionia, highlighting the development of athletes and the camaraderie within the sport. Key themes include the evolution of powerlifting programs, memorable athletes, and the emotional connections formed through competition. The conversation delves into the evolution of powerlifting, particularly focusing on the experiences of coaches and athletes in Michigan. It highlights the growth of female participation, the transition from equipped to raw lifting, and the challenges faced in organizing meets and ensuring fair competition. The conversation delves into the accomplishments and challenges faced by Mike during his presidency in the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association, highlighting significant policy changes and the evolution of the sport.

Takeaways

• Powerlifting fosters community
• Coaching impacts athlete development Growth of female participation
• Transition from equipped to raw lifting Significant policy changes
• Challenges in board dynamics

Chapters

• 00:00 Foundations of Powerlifting at Croslex
• 02:47 Return to Croslex: A Teacher's Journey
• 06:04 Ionia: Building a Powerlifting Legacy
• 08:56 Influences and Mentorship in Powerlifting
• 12:03 Memorable Athletes and Their Journeys
• 14:54 The Emotional Side of Competition
• 17:47 Experiences at National Competitions
• 20:57 The Duality of Equipped and Raw Lifting
• 23:58 Shane Nutt: A Powerlifting Phenomenon
• 26:44 Journey to Nationals: A Powerlifting Story
• 27:00 The Impact of Coaching on Lifters
• 32:27 The Evolution of Female Powerlifting
• 44:21 Standardizing Regional Meets and Competitions
• 52:05 Leadership and Challenges in Powerlifting Governance
• 54:49 Proud Accomplishments in Powerlifting
• 57:14 Navigating Administrative Challenges
• 59:30 Future Challenges for the Board
• 01:04:15 Embracing New Hosts and Technology
• 01:07:24 Lightning Round: Quickfire Insights
• 01:10:25 Acknowledgments and Reflections

Building the Big Three: The Art of Accessory Work with Andrew Clute

Everybody loves the big lifts.

But what happens after the squat, bench and deadlift may determine how much those lifts actually improve.

On this episode of The Platform, Chris Whittaker and MHSPLA Executive Director Chris Gillum are joined by Andrew Clute, Head Powerlifting Coach at Onsted High School, for a deep dive into the role of accessory work in powerlifting and strength development.

The guys start by defining the difference between a competition lift, supplemental movement and true accessory exercise before getting into the real question: Why does accessory work matter?

From there, it's a full coaching discussion on identifying weak points and selecting movements that actually address them.

They break down common problems in the squat, bench and deadlift — knees collapsing, the chest falling forward, poor shoulder stability, weak triceps, hips shooting up during the deadlift and difficulty finishing at lockout — and discuss how accessory programming can help build stronger, more technically sound lifters.

The conversation also goes beyond high school powerlifting. The coaches discuss training age versus biological age, programming for adult lifters, managing recovery as athletes get older, training around busy schedules and why the amount of work you can recover from matters more than the amount of work you can survive.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Main lifts vs. supplemental exercises vs. accessory work
• Why accessories matter for the Big Three
• Building General Physical Preparedness
• Teaching athletes to buy into the "boring" work
• Using video to diagnose technical weaknesses
• Fixing knee cave and the "stripper squat"
• Knowing when the weight is simply too heavy
• Building the posterior chain
• Face pulls, rows and upper-back development
• Developing shoulder stability and healthy rotator cuffs
• Building triceps for a stronger bench press
• GHRs and reverse hypers
• RDLs, hip thrusts and hamstring work
• Deficit deadlifts, block pulls and rack pulls
• Fixing deadlift speed off the floor and lockout
• Bands and accommodating resistance
• Accessory programming for high school athletes
• Training age vs. biological age
• How accessory training changes as lifters get older
• Recovery, joint health and mobility
• Keeping ego out of accessory exercises
• Training to failure vs. leaving reps in the tank
• Tracking progress beyond the competition lifts
• Managing accessory work when training time is limited
• Why good reps matter more than impressive-looking weight
• And a challenge for Michigan's powerlifting coaches to get back on the platform themselves

The message is simple: your weak points don't disappear because you ignore them.

Identify them. Train them. Track them. Get stronger.

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM & MHSPLA

Enjoying The Platform? Subscribe, follow, rate, review and share the podcast. Every share helps us reach more athletes, coaches and supporters of high school powerlifting.

Support The Platform Podcast and the Michigan High School Powerlifting Association by visiting the MHSPLA Fourthwall Shop for MHSPLA and Platform gear.

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Follow the MHSPLA on social media for meet information, records, results, association updates and more.

The Platform — where the stories weigh a ton.

Flipping the Script: Chris Whittaker, Iron Dread & Building a Strength Culture

Usually he's asking the questions. This time, he's answering them.

On this episode of The Platform, regular co-host Chris Whittaker moves into the guest chair. MHSPLA Executive Director Chris Gilliam and Coach Brian Litten flip the script to learn more about the coach behind Iron Dread Strength and Conditioning, Iron Dread Powerlifting and the microphone.

Chris takes us back to his roots in Kingston, New York, and the coaches and experiences that shaped his career. He shares his journey through education and strength and conditioning, eventually landing at Dexter High School and building the Iron Dread program.

Chris explains how Dexter entered Michigan high school powerlifting in 2019 with just 13 lifters, how the program grew, his journey onto the MHSPLA Board of Directors and why he believes high school strength and conditioning and powerlifting should work together.

Then we talk training.

Chris breaks down Dexter's conjugate system, including Max Effort and Dynamic Effort training, three-week waves, bands and chains, specialty bars, deadlift programming, meet preparation and Circa-Max training leading into the S

THE PLATFORM — THE ART OF THE BENCH PRESS

How do you build a bigger bench press — and, more importantly, how do you teach it safely and effectively to high school athletes?

On this episode of The Platform, Chris Whitaker and MHSPLA Executive Director Chris Gilliam sit down with two veteran coaches and accomplished competitive bench pressers: returning guest Dennis Reinhart and former Goodrich High School powerlifting coach Bruce Edwards.

This one turns into a bench press master class.

Dennis and Bruce draw from decades of coaching and competition experience to break down the technical, physical and psychological pieces of building a successful bench press. The crew discusses everything from creating a stable setup and finding the right grip width to bar path, leg drive, weak-point training and meet-day preparation.

The conversation also goes old school.

Dennis and Bruce explain the sixes-and-threes training system, board presses, close-grip work, incline and decline pressing, floor presses and the accessory work they've used to build stronger benchers. They also discuss how training has changed as they've gotten older and why lifters and coaches shouldn't be afraid to adjust volume while keeping the objective the same.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Building a safe and effective bench press arch
• Finding the right grip width for each athlete
• Scapular retraction and creating upper-body stability
• Bench press bar path and elbow position
• Where the bar should touch the chest
• Leg drive and staying locked into the bench
• Why sinking the bar into the chest can create problems
• Finding your bench press "power zone"
• Volume vs. intensity
• The old-school sixes-and-threes training system
• Fixing weakness off the chest
• Building a stronger lockout with triceps and close-grip work
• Board presses, floor presses, incline and decline variations
• Tracking progress beyond your one-rep max
• Proper spotting and lift-off technique
• Upper-back work and structural balance
• Warming up on competition day
• Dennis and Bruce's competitive powerlifting careers
• Raw vs. equipped bench pressing
• Why experienced coaches still have something to learn

The episode finishes with a challenge to Michigan's powerlifting coaches: stop standing on the sideline and get back underneath the bar.

Whether you're an athlete chasing your next PR or a coach responsible for teaching the bench press to the next generation, this episode is packed with lessons earned through decades under the bar.

Subscribe to The Platform, leave a rating and review, and share the episode with a lifter or coach who needs to hear it.

The Platform — where the stories weigh a ton.

Longtime Lake Orion powerlifting coach and MHSPLA board member Eric Jennings joins co-hosts Chris Whittaker and Chris Gilliam, along with former Lake Orion lifter and MHSPLA board member Brian Litten, for a conversation covering more than two decades of Michigan high school powerlifting.

Coach Jennings helped build Lake Orion powerlifting from a group of just eight lifters into one of the state’s most recognizable programs, winning three straight boys varsity state championships from 2008–2010 and becoming a fixture in the growth of the MHSPLA.

In this episode: Jennings’ path from Oxford to coaching rival Lake Orion; how powerlifting gave him the opportunity to coach athletes he may never have reached through football or baseball; more than two decades serving on the MHSPLA board and his desire to make the sport cleaner, more efficient, and less subjective; the explosion of girls powerlifting and the move from equipped to raw competition; the mentors who shaped him, including high school band and choir teacher Lewis Wilson; why the lifters finishing fourth, fifth, sixth, or even tenth can be the “glue” that wins championships; building a successful girls program; teaching squat technique through video, mirrors, and repetition; his preferred four-day upper/lower training schedule; building muscle memory through multiple sets and reps; what he learned from trying to do everything himself while hosting major meets; the army of coaches, volunteers, administrators, and former athletes behind Lake Orion’s state meets; learning how to coach athletes through failure instead of teaching them to fear it; the story of a senior finally pulling the deadlift he needed to qualify for states; the infamous towel-over-the-head trick for breaking through mental barriers; the chaos of Lake Orion’s first state meet; and why Jennings still believes the deadlift may be the best overall lift for athletes.

The coaches also hit the Speed Set, where Jennings talks high-bar squatting, sumo versus conventional deadlifting, three-rep maxes, triceps work, Romanian deadlifts, and why Lake Orion will gladly take its chances against anybody when it comes time to pull.

The conversation closes with the coaches and former athletes who helped build the Lake Orion program, Jennings’ favorite lifters from over the years, the importance of continuing to learn from coaches in every sport, and the impact one coach can have on athletes long after competition ends.

A few lines that stuck with us:
“Anyone can power lift.” • “You win it with fourth, fifth, and sixth places.” • “That’s just a piece of metal. Let’s go.” • “We’re going to fail. So let’s not be afraid to.” • “Deadlift is the best lift for athletes.”

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In Episode 23 of The Platform, we sit down with longtime Goodrich High School powerlifting coach and MHSPLA board member Ron Roberts.

Ron shares how his daughter pulled him into coaching, why he thought he'd only last three years, and how more than a decade later the athletes still keep him coming back. The conversation covers Ron's evolution from chasing numbers to prioritizing technique, safety, and complete athlete development. He discusses the mentors who shaped him, lessons from Bruce Edwards and other old-school powerlifters, and why coaches should never program what they don't understand. The guys also talk about Michigan high school powerlifting, recruiting athletes, community support, local media, learning from failure, national and international competition, and of course, the reverse hyper.

In This Episode

00:36 — Welcome to The Platform
Meet Coach Ron Roberts of Goodrich High School.

02:15 — Who Is Ron Roberts?
Ron talks about his career, family, and life outside powerlifting.

03:52 — How Ron Became a Coach
When his daughter was told Goodrich might lose girls powerlifting because there wasn't a coach, Ron went to complain. Two days later, he had the job.

09:00 — Form Over Weight
How Ron shifted from chasing numbers to prioritizing technique, safety, and long-term development.

13:29 — Joining the MHSPLA Board
Ron reflects on entering the sport in 2014–15 and becoming a board member in 2019.

20:34 — Mentors & Old-School Knowledge
Bruce Edwards, Joe Janica, Flint Barbell, and other veteran lifters helped shape Ron's coaching.

27:01 — How the Sport Has Changed
Girls JV powerlifting, state meet changes, growing participation, and college recruiting.

29:27 — Ron's Recruiting Secret
Go recruit the band kids.

35:28 — Advice for New Coaches
Build the athlete, not just the competition lifts. Develop the upper back, posterior chain, and supporting musculature needed to handle heavy weight safely.

37:12 — The Reverse Hyper Effect
Why the Westside-style reverse hyper became a game changer for Goodrich.

42:09 — Promote Your Athletes
If your athletes are doing great things, make sure people know about it.

44:31 — Giving More Kids a Chance
Ron talks about coaching athletes from schools without their own powerlifting program.

49:12 — Ron's Favorite Failure
After Abby Joseph bombed out of a qualifier and missed States, they regrouped for Nationals. She later pulled 353 pounds to help deliver Ron's first national championship.

“Every success I have comes from a series of failures.

Going Beyond Michigan

1:05:46 — USAPL & International Competition
Ron discusses national and world-level powerlifting, learning from coaches around the world, and building stronger competition between American and European lifters.

1:10:16 — Ron's Message to Coaches
If you want help getting athletes into USAPL or national-level competition, reach out. Ron is willing to help coaches and athletes find a path forward.

Biggest Takeaways

Form beats weight.
Don't coach what you don't understand.
Develop the whole athlete.
Promote your athletes and your program.
Failure is part of the process.

And finally...

Buy a reverse hyper.

The Platform — Coaches Roundtable (Part 2): Nick Lundquist & Nick Lusk — Peaking, RPE & Fixing Technique — The roundtable continues as the coaches get into day-to-day autoregulation, peaking for the platform, and the cheap fixes that clean up big flaws.

In this episode: structuring the training week (Lusk's Mon/Wed/Fri lifting with Tue/Thu conditioning and mobility) and getting multi-sport kids in on the days that matter most; auto-regulating intensity when a lifter is dragging — and why the real answer is usually sleep, food, and hydration before it's programming; RPE versus straight percentages (and why brand-new lifters can't rate what they don't know yet); adjusting volume by manipulating sets rather than chasing rep ranges; peaking and tapering into the state meet with dynamic-effort waves, circa-max work, band tension, and the delayed transformation effect; rotating exercises to keep the train rolling; and budget-friendly accessories to fix common flaws — PVC pipe, reverse hypers, and banded leg-curl and tear-apart variations to strengthen weak points and coach the fault out on speed day.

A few lines that stuck with us: "Stress is stress." • "We keep the train rolling with our exercise selection." • "Strengthen the weak points and the technical flaws get coached out of it." • "We're probably gonna find a lot more common stuff than we have differences."

The Platform — Coaches Roundtable (Part 1): Nick Lundquist & Nick Lusk — Programming, Intensity & Safety — State-champion coaches Nick Lundquist (Lakeville) and Nick Lusk (Troy Athens, ret.) join co-hosts Chris Whittaker and Chris Gilliam to break down how they actually run the weight room.

In this episode: monitoring intensity and keeping form intact with big groups (three coaches per rack vs. turning your athletes into coaches when you're a one-man show); using bar speed and timers to manage practices; what "maxing out" really means (strain and good position, not by-any-means-necessary); the "five pounds is five pounds" mindset on max-effort days; speed/dynamic days and why light really means light; teaching movement from PVC pipe up regardless of grade; specialty bars and the lighten (reverse-band) method so no one feels stuck on goblet squats; walkout and setup technique; and adjusting volume for multi-sport, in-season athletes (Texas method, cutting leg accessories for kids already running a lot).

A few lines that stuck with us: "Five pounds is five pounds." • "Once form breaks, it now becomes too heavy." • "Missed reps don't help us." • "Stress is stress" — mental or physical, the CNS pays the bill.

The conversation with Jason Kaminski covers his introduction, background, and day job, followed by a discussion of his personal hobbies, interests, home remodeling, and family life. It then delves into his journey into powerlifting, coaching, and mentorship, highlighting the growth of powerlifting and its educational role. The conversation also explores powerlifting as a varsity sport, recruiting, program management, and concludes with a discussion on overcoming failure and the mental health benefits of powerlifting. The conversation delves into the impact of powerlifting on confidence, the challenges of teaching deadlift, training program structure, accessory exercises, social media use, personal anecdotes, and board of directors involvement. The discussion concludes with closing remarks and gratitude.

Takeaways

• Powerlifting as a varsity sport
• Mental health benefits of powerlifting Powerlifting builds confidence
• Teaching deadlift is challenging

Chapters

• 00:00 Introducing Jason Kaminski
• 01:41 Jason's Background and Day Job
• 02:25 Personal Hobbies and Interests
• 03:26 Home Remodeling and Family Life
• 04:41 Getting into Powerlifting
• 07:40 Coaching and Mentorship
• 17:29 Growth of Powerlifting and Educational Role
• 22:11 Powerlifting as a Varsity Sport
• 23:53 Recruiting and Program Management
• 28:55 Overcoming Failure and Mental Health Benefits
• 30:04 Building Confidence Through Powerlifting
• 31:30 Challenges of Teaching Deadlift
• 33:03 Training Program and Periodization
• 42:24 Accessory Exercises and Coaching Philosophy
• 48:19 Social Media and Personal Anecdotes
• 50:39 Board of Directors and Closing Remarks

Brian Litten — Dowagiac High School coach and MHSPLA's newest board member (Zone 6, Southwest Michigan) joins us to talk about rebuilding a program from scratch, growing girls' powerlifting, and the mindset lessons, emotional control, accountability, and extreme ownership, that turn lifters into a team.

In this episode: Brian's coaching journey and path to Dowagiac; the Lake Orion powerlifting tradition and what it taught him about building a program; rebuilding Dowagiac (and discovering a back-to-back state champ from 2011); recruiting and roster growth (11 lifters last year, ~15 this year, ~60 who showed initial interest) with wrestling as the main competition for athletes; the logistics of running open weight-room practices solo, staggered schedules, spreadsheets over the old clipboard era, and the new state-meet app; the post-COVID surge in girls' powerlifting; his biggest failure as a senior lifter; the hardest thing to teach as a coach; a rapid-fire round on his favorite lifts and accessories; and his goals as Zone 6 board member for the Southwest Michigan "sleeping giant."

A few lines that stuck with us: "Hate losing more than I like to win." • "If you show up to one meet you will be hooked for life." • "Emotional control is the hardest thing to teach." • "The only person you can control is you."

Episode 18 – Sport & Culture: Women in Powerlifting (Part 2)

Guests: Morgan Gilliam, Erin Ribic (Dickey)

Hosts: Chris Gilliam & Chris Whittaker

Release date: 7/23/26

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Picking up right where Part 1 left off, Part 2 opens with the group discussing how training changes once athletes leave the built-in structure of a high school team. Morgan and Erin talk about adjusting to training as individuals rather than as part of a hundred-plus-person program, and Morgan shares a memorable story about getting to meet legendary strength coach Dave Tate.

The conversation turns to the financial side of the sport, from covering your own gym memberships and travel to the “mind shift” of paying for something that used to be provided for free through school. Coach Gilliam, who now lives in Three Rivers, Michigan, adds some lighthearted stories along the way, including a memorable gym owner whose name (and bar) got more than a few laughs.

Morgan and Erin also compare notes on international competition, including a trip to compete in Canada that felt strikingly different from the high-energy atmosphere of a typical USAPL meet. Coach Gilliam talks about the challenge of coaching multiple athletes competing at different platforms at the same time, and the group highlights a phenomenal up-and-coming young lifter to watch. Erin shares more about the coaching and training business she now runs out of a gym in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the group reflects on how much the sport has shaped their careers and lives.

The episode closes on a personal note, with Morgan thanking her father, longtime mentor Marvin Coleman, and Flint Barbell for the role they played in getting her started, before the group wraps with their signature sign-off.

Topics covered in Part 2:

• Adjusting from a team environment to training as an individual
• Morgan meeting influential strength coach Dave Tate
• The financial realities of training post-high school
• Coach Gilliam’s move to Three Rivers, Michigan
• International competition and comparing meets in Canada to USAPL
• Coaching multiple athletes across different competition platforms
• Spotlighting a promising young lifter
• Erin’s coaching and training business in Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Reflecting on how powerlifting has shaped their careers
• Closing thank-yous to family, mentors, and Flint Barbell

Episode 17 – Sport & Culture: Women in Powerlifting (Part 1)

Guests: Morgan Gilliam, Erin Ribic (Dickey)

Hosts: Chris Gilliam & Chris Whittaker

Release date: 7/20/26

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In Part 1, we sit down with Morgan Gilliam and Erin Ribic, to trace the roots of women’s powerlifting in Michigan high schools. The conversation opens with introductions and easy banter before digging into Erin’s background running a fitness and bodybuilding business with her husband, and Morgan’s earliest memories hanging around the weight room as a kid, mimicking the athletes her dad coached.

From there, the conversation turns to the pioneering days of the sport, when girls’ powerlifting teams in Michigan were just a handful of athletes, and early competitors like Tara O’Brien helped make it “okay” for girls to compete, the camaraderie of those early meets, the logistics of spotting and loading for teammates, and a trip to USA Powerlifting women’s nationals in Fort Wayne, Indiana, alongside early Michigan lifters like Susie Hartwig and Liz Willett.

The group also discusses how much the sport has grown, from a state meet with a handful of schools to the dozens competing today, and how social media (or the lack of it) shaped the experience of competing in the earlier years, since athletes back then didn’t have the platforms lifters rely on today to build a following or find community. Erin also touches on how few college powerlifting programs existed at the time, naming Louisiana Tech and LSU as some of the only options.

Part 1 wraps up just as the conversation turns to Morgan’s transition from high school to college powerlifting, setting up the conversation continues in Part 2.

Topics covered in Part 1:

• Erin’s fitness and bodybuilding business
• Morgan’s early days in the weight room
• The pioneering era of Michigan girls’ powerlifting
• Team camaraderie and meet-day logistics
• Traveling to USA Powerlifting women’s nationals
• Growth of the sport and school participation over the years
• Social media’s role (or absence) in the earlier years of the sport
• The scarcity of collegiate powerlifting programs at the time
• Transitioning into Morgan’s college powerlifting career

Tod Miller isn't just a coach — he's a visionary who helped shape Michigan high school powerlifting from its grassroots to national prominence. This episode covers his journey, training philosophies, and the moments that define his legacy.

In this episode:

• Tod Miller's journey from football coach to powerlifting legend
• How he built championship teams across multiple Michigan schools
• The evolution of high school powerlifting, equipment, and raw vs. equipped lifting
• Training periodization, attempt selection, and mental game tactics
• The story behind the Plainwell Knights powerlifting club (ages 10 to 60+)
• Coaching experiences at USAPL National and World Championships
• Lessons from training with Westside Barbell and Russian powerlifting programs
• Recognizing young talent like Erin Dickey and Caitlin Miller

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Todd Miller, Michigan's powerlifting pioneer
• 02:24 – Todd's start in football and journey into powerlifting
• 03:52 – Building championship teams across Michigan schools
• 06:24 – The story behind the 2001 USAPL National Championship win
• 09:13 – First USAPL meet — lessons learned the hard way
• 11:22 – Differences between coaching Plainwell, Portage Northern, and Manistee
• 15:12 – The Plainwell Knights youth and senior powerlifting program
• 22:18 – Training with Louis Simmons and Westside Barbell
• 29:52 – Origin story of Michigan's powerlifting governance
• 37:41 – Lessons from coaching beginners and common mistakes
• 41:27 – Peak week and recovery strategies
• 48:54 – Attempt programming, auxiliary lifts, and bar rotation
• 62:20 – Innovative tech tools for tracking attempts
• 66:49 – International coaching trips and the Taiwan experience
• 77:47 – Vinny story and athlete behavior control
• 81:12 – Teaching confidence through tough meets
• 96:52 – The growth of women's powerlifting in Michigan
• 101:02 – Advice for new coaches
• 118:23 – Erin Dickey's rise at age 17 and international success
• 121:16 – Tod's social media and staying connected

Resources & Links: Tod Miller (Instagram), Louis Simmons & Westside Barbell, Super Training: The Bulldozer Method by Boris Sheiko, USAPL Official Website

Summary:
Prepare to be inspired by the journey of Coach Todd Miller, a foundational figure in Michigan high school powerlifting. Dive into the early days, the secrets behind building powerhouse teams, and the evolution of equipment and training philosophies that shaped the sport.

In this episode:

• Todd Miller's entry into powerlifting and early motivations
• How he built award-winning high school teams from scratch
• The significance of equipment, raw vs. equipped lifting, and program design
• Insight into elite training, attempt selection, periodization, and mental game strategies
• Early stories from international competitions (Taiwan, Germany)

Timestamps (0:00–1:10:00 only):

• 00:00 – Introduction and significance of Todd Miller's role in Michigan High School Powerlifting
• 00:20 – Todd's first steps in powerlifting and motivations behind founding teams
• 02:24 – Building winning team culture: recruitment, motivation, and program success
• 04:29 – Equipment unmasked: raw vs. equipped lifting and program adaptation
• 07:04 – National feats, team wins, and infamous international meets
• 09:13 – Lessons from international competitions: food, hygiene, and camaraderie in Taiwan and Germany
• 11:22 – Differing school environments and coaching strategies across Michigan schools
• 13:55 – Legendary team moments and the importance of perseverance in competitions
• 16:22 – The powerlifting club for all ages: community, camaraderie, and lifelong involvement
• 18:34 – The impact of equipment and the rise of raw lifting in Michigan
• 21:04 – The influence of Louie Simmons, Russian training methods, and auxiliary exercises
• 23:48 – Building joint resilience: injury prevention and joint armor strategies
• 27:02 – Contributions to Michigan High School Powerlifting governance and the sport's history
• 29:52 – Reflections on the sport, coaching joys, and lessons learned
• 31:25 – International competitions, team strategies, and iconic stories from Taiwan and Germany
• 37:54 – Common beginner mistakes and the importance of smart attempt selection
• 41:27 – Peak week and tapering tactics for high school athletes
• 45:36 – Periodization, auxiliary exercises, and keeping athletes motivated
• 48:54 – The art of attempt selection and the role of technology in coaching
• 54:35 – Insights from Westside, Russian training, and the evolution of conjugate methods
• 62:20 – Innovation in coaching tools: attempt tracking apps and their benefits
• 67:48 – The mental game: coaching athletes to handle anxiety, missed lifts, and stress

Resources & Links:

• Louis Simmons & Westside Barbell Conjugate System
• USA Powerlifting Official Website
• Russian Training Methods & SuperTraining Book
• Tod Miller on Instagram

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dennis Reinhart, USPA bench press record holder and longtime Montrose powerlifting coach, Denny picks up where he left off with even more stories from the platform. He looks back on an 80-game football winning streak and walks through Montrose powerlifting's turnaround from its early days to a perennial contender. Denny also gets into the training weeds, sharing his approach to building a bigger chest for powerlifting and how he tapers and peaks his lifters heading into a meet. He touches on the sport's growing number of female lifters, revisits the marathon that was his first major meet, and explains how drug testing works at USPA competitions.

Takeaways:

• The story behind an 80-game football winning streak
• Montrose powerlifting's turnaround from a startup effort to a statewide powerlifting force
• Denny's approach to building a bigger chest and other accessory training
• How he structures taper and peak week heading into a meet
• The growing number of female lifters joining the sport
• Memories from his first major meet and the long day it turned into
• How drug testing works at USPA-sanctioned meets

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Deezer

In Part 1 of our conversation with Dennis Reinhart, a USPA bench press record holder and one of the earliest figures in the MHSPLA, we trace his path from football into powerlifting and what it took to build Montrose's program from scratch. Denny shares the coaches and lifters who shaped him along the way, breaks down his philosophy on diagnosing a lifter's weaknesses, and explains why he preaches consistency over genetics and patience over speed. He also revisits some of his most memorable stories, from the program's toughest meets to the legends of Montrose powerlifting. Part 2 drops soon with plenty more to say.

The podcast episode features an interview with Coach Tim Furno, a renowned powerlifting coach with a remarkable career. The conversation covers Coach Furno's background, achievements, and the development of his weightlifting program. It also delves into his experiences at Northern Michigan University and his impact on the Millington community. Additionally, the discussion highlights the national record setters and athletes trained by Coach Furno. The conversation delves into the history, achievements, and impact of powerlifting, highlighting legendary athletes, the preservation of knowledge, the emergence of female lifters, the transition to strongman competitions, and the development of powerlifting federations and associations. It also explores the evolution of women's powerlifting, the Olympic Search program, platform innovation, and the significance of state meet locations and hosts. The conversation delves into the pioneers of high school powerlifting, coaching and training techniques, strongman competitions, and rapid-fire questions, concluding with closing reflections and gratitude.

Takeaways

• Coach Tim Furno's early experiences at Northern Michigan University shaped his approach to weightlifting and powerlifting.
• The development of the weightlifting program in Millington, Michigan was marked by Coach Furno's dedication to identifying and training exceptional athletes. The importance of preserving powerlifting history for future generations
• The impact of personal choices on athletic careers Pioneers' impact on high school powerlifting
• Competitive landscape of state meets
• Coaching philosophy and training methods
• Favorite lifts and accessory movements
• Strongman competitions and speed in football
• Practical jokes and mind games
• Insights into favorite lifts and accessory movements
• Gratitude and reflections

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 12:56 Discussion of York Barbell Club
• 19:16 Transition to Millington, Michigan
• 29:30 National Record Setters and Athletes
• 35:38 Pioneering Female Lifters
• 42:37 Olympic Search and Weightlifting Development
• 54:04 Powerlifting Federations and Associations
• 01:03:18 Strongman Competitions and Mind Games

The podcast episode features an interview with Coach Tim Furno, a renowned powerlifting coach with a remarkable career. The conversation covers Coach Furno's background, achievements, and the development of his weightlifting program. It also delves into his experiences at Northern Michigan University, his transition to Millington, and the athletes he coached. The discussion includes insights into the York Barbell Club and notable alumni from Northern Michigan University. The conversation delves into the powerlifting legends, the challenges and successes of women in powerlifting, and the impact of the Olympic search on athletes. It explores the significance of Trump's role in powerlifting, the national record deadlift, and the legacy of powerlifting champions. It also highlights the challenges faced by female lifters, the impact of state meets for women, and the successes of female lifters in powerlifting. Additionally, it discusses the impact of the Olympic search on weightlifting and powerlifting, the influence on recruitment and opportunities for athletes, and the influence of the Olympic search on athletes in the powerlifting community. The conversation delves into the pioneers of high school powerlifting, focusing on the impact of Lloyd Coombe and Russ Hewsted. It explores their coaching styles, the significance of state meets, talent identification, training techniques, and the importance of speed in sports. The episode concludes with acknowledgments, humorous anecdotes, and discussions about social media and podcast availability.

Takeaways

• Coach Tim Furno's early experiences and background shaped his passion for weightlifting and powerlifting.
• The development of Coach Furno's weightlifting program in Millington, Michigan led to the success of several national record setters and athletes. The powerlifting community has been shaped by legendary figures and national record achievements.
• Female lifters have overcome challenges and achieved success in powerlifting, contributing to the sport's growth and diversity.
• The Olympic search has had a significant influence on athlete recruitment, opportunities, and the development of weightlifting and powerlifting. The impact of influential coaches on the development of high school powerlifting
• The significance of talent identification and speed in athletic performance

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
• 12:56 Discussion of York Barbell Club
• 19:16 Transition to Millington, Michigan
• 29:30 National Record Setters and Athletes
• 36:08 Women in Powerlifting
• 42:37 The Olympic Search