#435 Michael Mash - I’d Rather Be Strong and In Pain Than Weak and In Pain
Lift Free And Diet Hard with Andrew Coates
Earning the right to use a barbell
Michael criticizes the 'earn the barbell' idea and promotes early, graded barbell exposure when appropriate.
Michael Mash is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Barbell Rehab. Known for bridging the gap between rehabilitation and strength training, Michael returns to challenge some of the most common fears surrounding injuries, barbells, and lifting heavy.
In this episode, Michael joins Andrew Coates to explain what he really means when he says “I’d rather be strong and in pain than weak and in pain” — and why avoiding load, stress, and barbells often creates more problems than it solves.
Rather than promoting recklessness, this conversation centers on intelligent load management, graded exposure, and the reality that strength is one of the most protective qualities we can build over a lifetime.
THIS EPISODE COVERS:
What Michael means by “I’d rather be strong and in pain than weak and in pain”
Whether barbells are inherently riskier to train with
Why many older lifters move away from barbells
How improper loading and barbell use can create problems
Pushback against the idea that barbells are not for beginners
Why the risk of injury from lifting is small compared to the risks of a sedentary lifestyle
Why load management and graded exposure matter most in injury rehab
Why stress is not the enemy and acts as a stimulus for durability
And much more
Instagram: @barbellrehab
CHAPTERS
00:29 The Barbell Rehab Philosophy
01:20 Debunking Barbell Myths
02:44 Load Management and Injury Prevention
04:13 Adapting Training for Individual Needs
05:17 The Role of Barbells in Strength Training
06:45 The Importance of Strength Training
13:17 Sponsor Break – Train Heroic
14:39 Barbells for Beginners
17:58 Injury Risks and Strength Training
22:48 Managing Stress and Injury Risk
25:18 Obesity and Injury Risk
25:45 Load Management and Client Communication
26:33 King Kong Backpacks Promo
27:43 Rest vs Load for Injuries
32:35 Cross-Education Training
37:01 Rehab Principles Across Professions
42:53 The Body as a Garden, Not a Car
50:22 Barbell Rehab Courses and Final Thoughts
SUPPORT THE SHOW
If this episode helped reframe how you think about pain, strength, or injury, you can support the show by:
Subscribing and checking out more episodes
Sharing it on social media (tag me — I will respond)
Sending it to someone who is afraid to lift because of pain or injury
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