The Reactive Training Systems Podcast

The RTS team celebrates a successful year, sharing highlights, key achievements, and challenges faced throughout the year. Mike, Mark, Ross, Gaby, Peter, Mel and Adam attended this roundtable discussion. 

In this episode, Mike, Mel, and special guest Coach Pawel Jurczynski, CEO and co-founder of A-game Athletic Performance in Poland explore his journey into coaching, his innovative training approaches, and insights on coaching top-level athletes like Agata Sitko. The conversation delves into the challenges and strategies of managing training volume, the importance of mental preparation, and the use of advanced tools for assessing and improving performance. Tune in for in-depth discussions on technique, volume auto-regulation, and curated training tips for both athletes and aspiring coaches.

The team engages in an in-depth discussion about the diverse experiences and strategies used by competitive powerlifters. The conversation highlights Ross's journey to becoming a world champion, dealing with setbacks like injuries and travel challenges, mental preparation, and the importance of maintaining a balanced life outside of lifting. They also explore the role of athleticism and varied training, such as including plyometrics and sprints, for overall health and performance sustainability. Additionally, the episode delves into the psychological aspects of competition, the importance of process execution over chasing PRs, and strategies for young and seasoned lifters to manage off-seasons and maintain a long-term competitive edge.

In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer and Gaby Muller welcome coach Adam Jones and special guest Elliott Sykes, 2024 IPF World Champion. Elliot shares his journey in powerlifting, from starting at age 15 to breaking multiple world records. The discussion delves into his training strategies, overcoming challenges, and the impact of social media on his lifting career. They offer their perspectives on developing effective training programs and managing the complexities of peak performance. This episode is a deep dive into the nuanced world of competitive powerlifting, the importance of adaptability, and the value of strong coach-athlete relationships.

Ross Leppala and Peter Lucey discuss the pivotal role of scouting reports in powerlifting. A recent experience at the Masters World Championships profoundly shifted Ross´ perspective. The discussion delves into what comprises a useful scouting report, the insights it offers, and how it can influence strategy in tight competitions. They share detailed examples of using scouting reports to make strategic decisions, emphasizing the importance of being adaptable to evolving competition dynamics. The episode highlights how strategic planning, combined with real-time adjustments, can lead to victory in competitive meets.

In this episode, coaches Ross Leppala, Peter Lucy, and Adam Jones discuss essential factors for a successful powerlifting meet. They highlight the importance of having a solid plan, setting realistic goals, and staying flexible throughout the competition. The conversation also delves into the role of a handler, adapting to unexpected challenges, and using Estimated 1RM as a tool rather than a strict target. Their insights and experiences from international competitions provide valuable lessons for both athletes and coaches aiming to optimize performance.

In this episode, Mike, Mel and Kenny delve into the diverse techniques used by powerlifters. The discussion covers the concept of self-organized technique and how lifters develop personalized approaches to their lifts. They explore the balance between giving athletes freedom to develop their technique and providing structure and guidance. This episode also highlights the challenges and strategies in adapting and perfecting form, both for novice and experienced lifters, and shares insights on coaching approaches for optimal performance.

In this episode, join Mike, Kenny and Pat Horvath as they dive into pivotal coaching strategies and the nuances of work capacity in powerlifting. Discover Pat's insights on tackling challenges like recovery and training tolerance, and learn about the art of developing coaching techniques for intentional growth. The conversation also covers the significance of metabolic fitness and broadening a coach’s expertise. Additionally, hear about the pendulum swings in training philosophies, balancing high-frequency, high-intensity approaches with essential accessory movements.

In this episode, host Mike Tuchscherer talks with Coach Mel Kasper and Jacob Tsypkin about learning skills in powerlifting and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. They compare two ideas: one that views skill as coming from how athletes interact with their environment, and another that sees skill as a mental model created through thinking. The conversation includes practical applications of these theories, emphasizing the importance of real, resisted practice and individual variation in training.

In this podcast episode about game day coaching, Mike Tuchscherer discusses with coaches Gaby and Kenny the challenges and strategies of handling multiple lifters at large competitions, drawing on Kenny´s recent experience at the USAPL Collegiate Nationals. They share insights on managing group coaching scenarios, emphasizing the importance of having diverse training strategies and support systems like the RTS Training Lab to enhance coaching effectiveness and athlete performance.