On August 5th I take the platform for the first time in 2.5 years to compete at USAPL Regionals in Orlando.
The last time I competed was at the USAPL Alabama state meet in February 2015. At that meet and at my previous two meets, I had frustrating times. At each of those last three meets, I hit a squat PR, followed by a lackluster bench press and a disappointing deadlift. (sad trombone)
I’ve competed in six meets, including one national and one IPF-level event (2013 Raw Nationals & the 2014 Arnold).
Over the course of these meets, my squat has steadily improved.
My bench press has remained the same.
My deadlift went up and then way down.
My singlet fashion style has remained constant – impeccable.
I’m an athlete who is also a coach who is also an overthinker. So of course I have analyzed my training and performance and at times, obsessed over my meet numbers. The biggest changes I made since my last meet are with my coaching and my lifestyle.
COACHING & PROGRAMMING
When I last competed I was coached by Josh Rohr, who has a ton of experience in coaching and competing at powerlifting. But I was driving to Duluth two or three times a week, 40 minutes each way, to train for about two hours per session.
Soon I was burned out and sick of training (and driving). Big surprise.
This year, I decided to coach myself with a lot of support and advice from my training partner Chris, my life partner Jeff, and my friend/physical therapist Krystol.
Since January I’ve been following the Powerlifting templates from RP Strength. I am a big fan of Dr. Mike Israetel, Chad Wesley Smith, and everything I watch or read from RP and Juggernaut. Overall I think the templates are great, although there are definitely times I wish that I had more coaching or someone to go to with questions about the templates.
I train 4 or 5 days a week. Typically I squat 2-3 times a week, bench press 2x a week and deadlift 2x a week, along with lots of mobility and accessory work.
But Lis, if you’re a coach and you write training programs, why are you hiring someone else to write your program?
Because even coaches need a coach. I have learned a lot from Juggernaut and RP that I incorporate into coaching my own clients. They take a scientific approach to strength training that has been proven over and over. It works for some awesome lifters who I really admire (like Marisa Inda, below) and it makes sense to me.
If you’re ready to hire a coach, I recommend talking with her/him about your goals. Give feedback. Ask questions. Take an active role in your evolution as a lifter.
You deserve to have a say in the road map your coach is drafting for this journey, so to speak.
If your coach doesn’t want to share details on the process, maybe you should find another coach.
For more info about hiring me as a coach, read this or email me.
LIFESTYLE
The last time I competed I was working a few jobs and traveling A LOT.
I co-owned a business I was unhappy with.
I had several toxic relationships in my life.
I didn’t track what I ate, often under-eating and other times mowing down thousands of calories at a time.
I drank alcohol regularly, about 12-15 drinks a week.
I co-owned a business I was unhappy with.
I had several toxic relationships in my life.
I didn’t track what I ate, often under-eating and other times mowing down thousands of calories at a time.
I drank alcohol regularly, about 12-15 drinks a week.
Since then I made a lot of changes that have helped my mental game and my health tremendously.
I’m building my personal training business and it’s growing every month.
I sold the two gyms I started.
I severed ties with the most toxic people in my life.
I track my food and now eat enough to fuel my workouts and recovery.
I quit drinking alcohol.
I made changes to my life because I was tired of the nagging feeling that I can do and be so much more.
With each choice I make, I am either moving toward or away from my goals. I want to be a better partner & dog mom, a smarter coach helping my clients get better results, and a stronger & healthier athlete.
I look forward to sharing my training progress and competition prep here over the next six weeks. Please share any questions for me in the comments!
Last week’s best squat: 315#x2
Last week’s best pause bench: 135#x4
Last week’s best deadlift: 300#x3
Bodyweight: 151#
