
Philosophical Weightlifting Podcast
I (Joshua Gibson) interview elite level weightlifters, coaches, and experts in the field of strength and power development.
Latest episodes

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 27min
Ep. 208: What is Good Coaching? | Dr. David Puder
This was one of my favorite podcasts in recent memory. David Puder is an M.D., working in psychiatry as his area of specialty. Dr. Puder was also a rower, and loves strength training.In the episode we cover many topics, most of them being psychologically minded. From the qualities that make great relationships to stoicism to micro expressions, we navigated a lot of ground.Enjoy this deep dive on the work of psychology and psychotherpy. Follow Dr. Puder:David Puder M.D. |Psychiatrist (@dr.davidpuder) | InstagramDavid Puder M.D. (@DavidPuder) / TwitterFollow me and get coaching:https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 4min
Ep. 207: Alex Lee | ALee Athletics
In this episode of the podcast I sit down with 4-time world team member, 4-time Pan Am team member, and 2010 University World Champion, Alex Lee.We dicuss Alex's background, the struggles he faces as a coach and business owner, and how he's been influenced by all of the coaches and Nationals teams he has trained with.Follow Alex:Alex Lee (@alee_weightlifting) | InstagramAlee Athletics (@alee_athletics) | InstagramALEE ATHLETICSFollow me and get coaching:https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jul 7, 2023 • 1h 18min
Ep. 206: Training Talks w/Max Aita | Does the Perfect Program Exist?
You'll have to excuse the audio quality. This was recorded on my end in a coffee shop, so there's a bit of background noiseIn this episode of the podcast we discuss the coach's journey, why training strategies vary from place to place, and hypothetically, if everything could be known, would we get an optimal program for an athlete...Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Home (teamaita.com)Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jul 2, 2023 • 1h 11min
Ep. 205: Athlete Case Studies | Live from Nationals w/Max Aita
Max and I once again meet in a hotel room to dicuss the finer points of weightlifting coaching.We start the podcast by breaking down the different builds and abilities of athletes we just coached at Nationals. This leads into a conversation of what each athlete needs and how we can address that from a movement and programming standpoint. It was a lot of fun catching back up with Max after a few months on separate sides of the country. So enjoy our deep dive on identifying and correcting athlete faults. Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Home (teamaita.com)Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jun 22, 2023 • 1h 17min
Ep. 204: Are You Actually Stronger?! | Max Aita & Chris Taber, PhD
This was an episode for the books! Chris, Max, and I deep dive on the different fitness qualities necessary to maximize weightlifting performance, along with different tests you can use to measure their development.From work capacity to maximal strength to peaking, it can be hard to know how effective the program has been. This podcast will arm you with much of the knowledge you need to ask the right questions and provide the correct answers. Follow Chris:Chris Taber (@drchristaber) | InstagramChristopher Taber (researchgate.net)Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Home (teamaita.com)Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jun 15, 2023 • 1h 5min
Ep. 203: Women in S&C | Crystal McCullough
Crystal McCullough never epected to end up in strength and conditioning... She started out as a nurse, eventually moving into owing a CrossFit gym. Then, after a time coaching weightlifting and powerlifting and a sole source of work, she found strength and conditioning through a master's program at Lenoire-Rhyne University. Join us as we discuss lessons she's learned as a strength coach, what it's like being a female in strength and conditioning, and where she sees herself in 3-5 years. Follow Crystal and LRU:Crystal McCullough (@coach_crystalmac) | InstagramLenoir-Rhyne S&C (@lrstrength) | InstagramSave 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jun 8, 2023 • 1h 23min
Ep. 202: Purpose and Meaning in Life | Todd Kashdan, PhD
We were honored to be joined by Todd Kashdan for the second time on the podcast! For you who don't know, Todd has a PhD in clinical psychology, is the founder of the Well-Being Lab at George Mason University, and a leading educator to the public. He's written books on curiosity, negative emotions, and the art of insubordination. Join us as we discuss purpose, meaning, curiosity, and well-being (with a little weightlifting thrown in).Enjoy.Follow Todd (and buy his stuff!):Articles: www.toddkashdan.comNewsletter: https://toddkashdan.substack.com/aboutTwitter/Instagram/LinkedIn:Todd Kashdan (@toddkashdan) / TwitterTodd B. Kashdan (@toddkashdan) | InstagramTodd Kashdan - Professor of Psychology - George Mason University | LinkedInBook on insubordination: The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent & Defy EffectivelySave 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

Jun 2, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 201: Lessons Learned from Powerlifting | Max Aita
In this episode of the podcast, Max and I discuss the lessons he's learned from time spent competing and coaching in powerlifting. From programming to ways of training, we explore what weightlifters can take away from another strength sport. Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Home (teamaita.com)Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

May 25, 2023 • 1h 49min
Ep. 200: The 5 Year Special | Max Aita
This was an incredibly special episode of the podcast. While the current iteration of the Philosophical Weightlifting podcast is only five years old, I've been recording podcasts for over eight years.Tune in as Max Aita and I reflect back on my year in California, the development of the podcast, what it's like having a career in weightlifting, and so so much more.Enjoy.Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Home (teamaita.com)Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Follow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/

May 19, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 199: What to do After You Compete | Sergii Putsov, PhD
Sergii Putsov is the definition of Theory to Practice. From coming up in the Ukranian weightlifting system to earning his PhD studying the sport of weightlifting, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more qualified to discuss the sport.In this episode of the podcast Sergii and I deep dive on the concept of "Active Rest", exploring what athletes should do in the short time immediately after a major competition. We also discuss Europeans and, what seems to be a very hot topic, how to grow the sport of weightlifting. Follow Sergii:SERGII PUTSOV 🇺🇦 🏋🏻♂️ (@putsoff) | InstagramOleksiy TOROKHTIY (UKR🇺🇦) (@torokhtiy) | InstagramSeminars:WEIGHTLIFTING SEMINARS by Oleksiy Torokhtiy – Torokhtiy WeightliftingFollow me and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/Follow Max and get coaching!https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/Save 10% on all Virus products using the code PHILWLVIRUS // Performance - Official Online Store (virusintl.com)Onyx:https://www.onyxstraps.com/ with code PHILWL for 10% offhttps://www.instagram.com/onyx_straps/Buy our book:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/shopusa/weightlifters-guide-to-the-snatch/Support me by using my code when you make a purchase through Weightlifting House:https://www.weightliftinghouse.com/ code PHILWLEarth Fed Muscle:https://www.earthfedmuscle.com/Check out the AI:https://weightlifting.ai/