Barbell and Beyond Podcast

Kjell Bakkelund returns to Barbell & Beyond following his stunning second-place finish at Sheffield 2026 — complete with a world record deadlift and a weight class reveal nobody saw coming. In this episode, Kjell pulls back the curtain on the months-long plan to return to the 66kg class, the mental and nutritional adjustments that made it work, and how nearly 20 years of competition experience gives him edges that don't show up on a leaderboard.We also get into his coaching philosophy, his approach to autoregulation, why he prefers percentages over RPE, and what he's building toward for the rest of 2026.Hosted by Carli Dillen & Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching? Visit us at www.barbellandbeyond.online/(00:00) Introduction(00:14) Training Frequency: From Six Days a Week to Three(02:56) Post-Sheffield Recovery — What Happens the Week After a Big Meet(05:10) Mental Flexibility: Why Elite Athletes Don't Panic When Plans Fall Apart(09:24) The Sheffield Strategy: Why He Opened Heavy and Stayed Focused on Himself(11:47) The F1 Movie That Changed Everything — Deciding to Return to 66kg(15:18) The Weight Class Deception: How He Convinced Everyone He Was Going 74kg(22:16) The Weight Cut That Actually Worked — More Calories, Better Sleep, Fewer Mistakes(26:46) Inside His Coaching Team: Nutrition, Mental Coach, and Head Coach(34:53) The Sheffield Experience Advantage — What 20 Years at the Same Meet Gives You(38:54) Attempt-by-Attempt Breakdown: Squat, Bench, and the World Record Deadlift(47:24) Meet Day Mentality — PRs at 37, Stoicism, and Why Satisfaction Matters(53:19) What the Prize Money Goes Toward (And Why the Family Is Always First)(57:47) Coaching Philosophy: How Kjell Teaches Autoregulation to His Athletes(01:03:56) RPE vs Percentages — Why He Trusts the Numbers Over Feel(01:11:41) Pre-Lift Routines and the Mental Cues That Unlock His Best Lifts(01:13:15) What's Next: Worlds, November Sheffield, and Staying at 66kg(01:20:50) The Future of Powerlifting — What the Sport Needs to Keep Growing

Tim Konertz is the president of the German Powerlifting Federation (BVDK), creator of the DOTS formula, and the man who filed a formal complaint against the IPF after new rules were announced via WhatsApp on January 1st with no prior notice.In this episode, Carli and Luke get into how the 2026 IPF rule changes actually happened, why the process was the problem as much as the rules themselves, and what needs to change for powerlifting governance to catch up with the sport's growth.We also cover the origin and methodology behind the DOTS formula, the stiff sleeve controversy, the commercial pressures the IPF faces, and what to expect heading into the General Assembly in Dubai and the 2027 executive elections.If you compete in IPF-affiliated powerlifting, this episode is essential listening.Topics covered:The January 2026 IPF rule changes and Tim's formal complaintLow bar squat, bench press heaving, and elbow depth rules explainedWhy IPF rule language is so consistently vagueHow the DOTS formula was built and whether it needs updatingThe stiff sleeve problem: quality, specifications, and commercial realityWhat the Dubai General Assembly could changeIPF executive elections in 2027 and the future of the federationHosted by Carli Dillen & Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching? Visit us at www.barbellandbeyond.online/00:00 – Introduction00:14 – Meet Tim Konertz: IPF Powerlifting's Most Vocal Advocate00:49 – Tim's Powerlifting Journey: From Beginner to 3x World Championships02:47 – Aerospace Engineer, Army Captain, and Federation President: How Does He Do It All?04:21 – How Big Is Powerlifting in Germany? The Numbers Behind the Growth07:38 – How Engineering Meets Powerlifting: The Birth of the DOTS Formula08:12 – The Problem With the Wilks Formula (And Why Something Had to Change)14:10 – How DOTS Was Built: The Data Methodology Behind the Formula16:41 – Does the DOTS Formula Need an Update? Tim Gives His Honest Assessment20:08 – The January 2026 IPF Rule Changes: Announced via WhatsApp on New Year's Day21:01 – The Stiff Sleeve Controversy and Gaston Parage Resignation: The Context You Need22:16 – Tim's Push for Democratic, Transparent IPF Governance24:25 – Why Tim Filed a Formal Complaint Against the IPF31:43 – Breaking Down the New IPF Rules: What Actually Changed?32:10 – Questionable Safety Justifications: Necklaces, Low Bar Squats & Bench Press Heaving35:20 – The Low Bar Squat Rule: An Enforcement Problem for Referees37:00 – The Elbow Depth Rule, the Heaving Bench, and Stacking Rules on Rules40:18 – Why the IPF's Rule Language Is Always So Vague (And What to Do About It)47:30 – Tim's Upcoming Competition: Running It on DOTS, No Weight Classes48:46 – The New Sleeve Assistance Rule: More Logical Than Most People Think?49:23 – The Stiff Sleeve Problem: Quality, Specifications, and What an Engineer Would Do53:00 – The Commercial Reality: Why the IPF Can't Just Ban Stiff Sleeves54:43 – The IPF General Assembly in Dubai: What Tim Plans to Propose55:09 – IPF Approved Should Mean Highest Quality — Why That Matters to Every Lifter56:49 – The Power of Athlete Feedback: How New Zealand's Survey Changed Things58:28 – What to Expect Before the March 2026 Rule Implementation59:40 – IPF Executive Elections in 2027: The Bigger Picture1:01:23 – Will There Be Further Rule Clarification Before March?1:03:12 – Should Tim Run for IPF President? His Answer1:05:23 – Closing Thoughts: Why Every Lifter Has More Power Than They Think

Luke and Carli talk to 2025 World Games Champion, World Champion and Maori Sportsperson of the year, Dr. Karlina Tongotea. They discuss her reaction to the proposed IPF rule changes, cultural implications and sensitivity. Karlina shares more about her incredible 2025 year in Powerlifting, how her culture, family and team culture have helped her get to where she is, and her views on life balance and preventing burnout. Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching? Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/(00:00) Powerlifting, sport & high-performance mindset(03:25) Early athletic background and discovering the weight room(07:40) Why powerlifting hooks athletes(12:15) The dark side of chasing performance(16:05) Fast progress, big lifts & rising expectations(19:55) Athletic transfer & building a strength base(24:05) Beginner vs advanced lifter realities(27:55) Coaching quality, trust & training environments(31:55) Long-term development vs short-term results(36:00) Identity, self-worth & excellence in sport(40:05) High-performance culture across sports(44:00) Injury, burnout & physical breakdown(47:25) Rebuilding after injury or burnout(51:25) Sports science, research & real-world coaching(55:00) Advice for lifters and strength coaches(58:00) Final thoughts on longevity in strength sports

In this episode, Carli & Luke talk to multiple-time Classic and Equipped World Champion, 2025 Sheffield Champion, Kjell Bakkelund. They go behind the scenes to understand his coaching and support team, family life, highest priorities, mindset and more. Kjell shares his secrets to a long and successful career in Powerlifting. Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching?Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online(00:00) Why Kjell Bakkelund Is Different(01:40) From Normal Lifter to World-Class Numbers(07:50) Talent vs Hard Work: What Actually Matters(15:30) How Champions Think About Big Weights(24:10) Winning on the World Stage(33:40) The Pressure Nobody Sees(42:20) When Winning Stops Being Enough(50:50) Fatherhood, Balance & Changing Priorities(1:00:30) Training for Longevity, Not Just PRs(1:10:40) Advice for Lifters Who Want to Go Far(1:22:40) What Comes Next for Kjell

In this episode, Lukas Shaw and Dr Hayden Pritchard share what it’s really like trying to train when you’re a new dad. Lukas reflects on his first few months of balancing fatherhood and strength, and we unpack the obstacles, mindset shifts, and unexpected lessons that come with it. From finding time and motivation to adapting training plans and your expectations, we explore how parenting reshapes priorities and what “progress” means. We also discuss why regular movement and health habits matter more than ever during this time, and ponder when “dad strength” might actually kick in… For more science-backed training tactics on training during busy seasons, check out our ”Strategies to Keep Training and Progressing During Busy Life Seasons” episode. Want to know more about coaching? Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/ ⁠

In this episode, Luke interviews Barbell and Beyond coach, Lauren Macmillan. Lauren shares about her training and coaching background, her recent workshop with fellow coach Emma, and her transition from in-person to online coaching. She also dives into her passion for lifting as a form of empowerment and how strength training can help build confidence both inside and outside of the gym. Host: Luke SelwayGuest: Lauren MacmillanWant to know more about coaching? Contact us on our website - www.barbellandbeyond.online/

In this episode Dr. Hayden Pritchard, Carli Dillen and Lauren Macmillan discuss the continuum of training options including everything between no training at all, and completely optimised training. They review some of the literature on training at maintenance or minimum effective training dose and provide a range of personal as well as client experiences. They discuss programming, practical strategies as well as psychology for being able to maintain some level of training during busy seasons to help lifters who will inevitably experience something like this in their powerlifting career. Listeners may be surprised how little training is required to maintain strength, what the minimum effective training dose is to make progress and how quickly you can regain strength after a short break. For an overview article including sample programming:Effective Strength Training for the Time-Poor • Stronger by ScienceWant to know more about coaching?Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/⁠ ⁠Click here⁠ to subscribe to our podcast email announcements.

Today, Carli and Luke interview the newest coach and member of the Barbell and Beyond team, Lukas Shaw.Lukas shares about his background in football, how he managed training while struggling with chronic illness and his journey to finding the Conjugate Method as his go-to strategy for his training.Hosts: Carli Dillen and Luke SelwayGuest: Lukas ShawWant to know more about coaching? Contact us on our website - www.barbellandbeyond.online/Click here to subscribe to our podcast email announcements.

In this episode, Carli talks with Pei Boccanfuso, founder of PB Physio and widely known as The Powerlifting Physio. Pei shares her inspiring journey from becoming a physiotherapist to building a thriving, multi-location practice and growing a strong online presence long before it became the norm. She has worked with countless powerlifting athletes, including many preparing for Sheffield and the IPF World Championships, and has become a go-to expert in injury prevention and rehab for strength athletes around the world.We dive into her insights on effective programming strategies to prevent injury, avoid over-specialization, and break through training plateaus—practical advice that coaches and lifters alike will find invaluable. As Barbell and Beyond’s preferred physiotherapy partner, we’re proud to recommend PB Physio for anyone needing expert support. To connect with Pei, follow her on Instagram at @powerlifting_physio and @pbphysioHost: Carli DillenGet online coaching and more at ⁠⁠barbellandbeyond.online⁠

In this episode of the Barbell and Beyond podcast, we sit down with coach Emma — one of the most thoughtful and skilled coaches you’ll ever meet. From her first powerlifting comp in Invercargill to becoming a cornerstone of our coaching team, Emma’s journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. We dive into her lifting background, her deeply individualised approach to coaching, and how she’s navigated chronic illness while building a reputation for excellence. This is your chance to meet one of powerlifting’s best-kept secrets.Show Hosts: - ⁠Carli Dillen⁠- Emma DixonGet online coaching and more at ⁠barbellandbeyond.online⁠

The man himself, Mike Tuchscherer, joins us for an interview to discuss his thoughts on the use of VBT (velocity-based training) in modern powerlifting, how to be successful as a self-coached athlete, coaching and training as a parent and spouse, and a preview of his seminar in Tübingen later this month.Click Here to sign-up, or get full details, of the Mike Tuchscherer Seminar in Tübingen on the 28th of June.Learn more about the Stance velocity tool by clicking here.Show Hosts: - Carli Dillen- Luke Selway- Dr. Hayden PritchardGet online coaching and more at barbellandbeyond.online

In this, our inaugural episode, we have the full team on board to reminisce and discuss their experience of competing in powerlifting for the first time. We share our stories as well as takeaways to help set you up for success for your first time competing.Your hosts on this episode are Carli Dillen, Luke Selway, Dr. Hayden Pritchard, Emma Dixon, and Lauren MacMillan. Be sure to follow our Instagram @barbell_and_beyondContact us for online coaching and more at barbellandbeyond.onlineGet our Competition Resource Package by clicking here!