#113 – Powerlifting, Pain, and Programming Smarter – With Justin Geisler

Ever wonder what happens when a physical therapist is a powerlifter?In this episode, I chat with Justin Geisler—a Doctor of Physical Therapy who’s also a strength and nutrition coach. We get into everything from managing pain during training to the benefits of heavy lifting across all ages. Justin shares his journey from hands-on therapy to virtual coaching, and we explore how real-world strength can carry over into longevity, injury resilience, and quality of life. Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone navigating pain, this episode is full of practical insight.We cover:The surprising lifestyle of a traveling physical therapistHow physical therapy often misses the mark after injuryWhy manual therapy is overrated and strength training is underutilizedHow aging adults can safely deadlift, squat, and benchThe real reason strength training reduces mortality riskThe right way to work around injuries without losing momentumWhy chasing PRs too often can backfireSimple rules to separate hypertrophy from strength-focused trainingTips for physical therapists and coaches who want to actually walk the walkJustin also shares how fatherhood shifted his training goals—and why being strong still matters more than ever.To find out more from JustinInstagram @longevity.liftingFind more from Rhyland On Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @rqtrainingnutritionTwitter: @QuallyRhyland www.RQtrainingnutrition.com