LIFTALK

Alex, Kelvin and Claudia are back on LIFTALK to discuss the upcoming Team Champs competition hosted by The Strength Fortress in Victoria. Defending their title, our three hosts will represent Process Powerlifting Club in the premier bracket on day 2.  Find the full competition information on @tsfteamchamps on Instagram.

In episode 80 of LIFTALK, Kelvin and Alex are joined by Zach Torrevillas (@zt_output). Zach brings his coaching and comp experience to this episode and talks about how to stay positive in powerlifting, creating wins and "locking-in".

Alex and Kelvin are back on LIFTALK to discuss why everyone is rushing in powerlifting and how comparison might be affecting your progress. Remember to subscribe to stay up to date with LIFTALK episodes and follow us @citystrength_hq!

LIFTALK is back with another special guest! This week, we are joined by Jack Hamilton @compoundtn. Alex and Jack discuss what powerlifters can learn from nutrition, how to have fun while competing and what has changed in their training over the years.

LIFTALK is back this week with special guest Bec Chambers. Bec is a powerlifting coach and part-owner of Paragon Strength & Performance. On this episode, Alex and Bec discuss the topic of Quitting Powerlifting, Failing Lifts and Avoiding Burnout.   You can find Bec's socials at @becchambersfit & @paragon.sp

Are you in a training slump? Well... this week on LIFTALK, Alex and Kelvin have you covered as they dive into some of the reasons why your training sucks right now.

Kelvin and Claudia take the reins of episode 75 of LIFTALK. They dive into navigating your twenties as a powerlifter and how they juggle competing, working, running a small business, and still having time to enjoy their twenties.

This week, Alex is joined by repeat special guest Jason Clarke (@jasonvclarke_nsbb) - NZ Powerlifting Head Coach and owner of North Shore Barbell. The two discuss the differences in how various nations approach Powerlifting training and share their thoughts on what’s underrated or overrated in the sport.

We are back to regular programming here at LIFTALK with the gang back together! Kelvin takes the host chair this week and has 3 questions to ask...  - What exercise would they do for the rest of their life (and what would they never do again)?  - Have they ever thought about quitting powerlifting?  - What do they still struggle with as a coach and lifter? Chapters: Intro // 00:00 One exercise they would do for the rest of their life? // 00:50 One exercise they would never do again? // 07:57 Have they ever considered quitting powerlifting? // 10:32 What do they still struggle with in powerlifting? // 28:40

The chalk has settled on the platform! The APA 2026 Open National Championships are officially in the books, and we are breaking it all down. This week on LIFTALK, Alex is rejoined by JP to recap the biggest moments, standout totals, and the outcomes of the competition. Plus, we’re mixing things up this episode! JP puts Alex’s powerlifting knowledge to the ultimate test with a memory challenge. Stick around to the end to see if Alex can actually remember the exact numbers from the weekend. (Spoiler alert: his memory is freakishly good...).

It's that time of year again... It's APA Nationals time! This week, Alex sits down for a quick... chat with JP to preview the upcoming APA 2026 Open Classic National Championship.  We have everything in this episode: female predictions, male predictions, jokes, powerlifting chat, and the list goes on. Chapters Female Lineup // 00:00 Male Lineup // 1:05:22

Today on LIFTALK, Alex and Kelvin sit down with Luseane Lafaele to discuss her journey through powerlifting. Tune in to hear everything from friendships and rivalries on the international stage to working during a prison riot.  Chapters Intro // 00:00 Luseane's Introduction to Powerlifting // 01:06 Who Luseane Looked Up To // 07:44 Ambitions Since Nat Retired // 13:33 The Importance of Family // 14:41 Alex's Ammonia // 18:32 Can Family Be Distracting At Comps // 19:30 Balancing Work and Training As A Corrections Officer // 20:46 Approaching High Pressure Situations // 31:20 Competing Internationally  // 33:47 What Success Means // 36:12 Rapid Fire Questions // 38:09 Closing Advice and Outro // 41:03

This weeks episode of LIFTALK is a big one! Alex and Kelvin were lucky to sit down with two members of the IPF Executive Committee - Pjotr van den Hoek and Dietmar Wolf. Pjotr is the Male Athlete Speaker and Dietmar is the Vice President. Tune in to hear all things powerlifting and the IPF, how the sport has changed and what they have learnt from decades of coaching. We also find out how rules are made, the recent IPF rule controversy and what is in store for the future... Olympics/IOC recognition... Chapters Intro // 00:00 Pjotr & Dietmar Outside of Powerlifting // 07:16 Pjotr's First Experience Powerlifting // 10:38 Dietmar's Transition From Weightlifting // 13:40 Dietmar 's Coaching Perspective // 18:24 Norwegian Volume Project // 21:02 Pjotr's Coaching Experience  // 26:36 Dietmar On Making Mistakes // 33:57 How Powerlifting Has Changed // 38:55 How Rules Are Changed In The IPF // 47:25 Insane IPF Rule Change Suggestions  // 50:36 Kelvin Thanking the Guests // 52:54 The IPF's Stance on Olympic (IOC) Recognition // 53:58 What Could Olympic Powerlifting Look Like // 55:42 Future IPF Plans // 57:01 The Recent IPF Rule Changes // 58:36 The Politics of the IOC, Committees, Developing Regions And Anti-Doping Compliance  // 1:00:53 What Excites Dietmar For The Future Of The IPF // 1:03:36 Advice For Young Coaches & Athletes // 1:04:53 Outro // 1:08:18 Follow Us: https://www.instagram.com/citystrength www.citystrength.com.au #SBD #Powerlifting #ipfpowerlifting #ipf

LIFTALK is back for 2026! This week Alex (coach), Claudia (international athlete) and Greta (APA Technical Manager) sit down to discuss the possible IPF rule changes and what they mean to the sport. 

Merry Christmas! Another year has gone by and our hosts Alex, Claudia and Kelvin are here to recap their years. So gather round and open our gift to you with this special Christmas episode of LIFTALK. Stay tuned until the end for a special look into how filming normally starts...

We are approaching the holiday season, as the drinks start flowing and the food starts being served we thought it best that the City Strength HQ coaching team sits down to discuss training over this period of the year. Should you drink and eat to your hearts content? What's the right way of training? And is Bench Only lame? Find out these answers and more on LIFTALK EP 66. Chapters Preview // 00:00 Intro // 00:16 Hot Take (Bench only) // 02:49 Training Over The Holiday Period // 07:42 Outro // 32:43

This week we are back with City Strength HQ's own Alex and Claudia as they tackle and give their opinions on some common/fan submitted powerlifting Myths. Do you agree with their take or have your own thoughts? Chapters Preview // 00:00 Intro // 00:17 Myth #1 // 01:10 Myth #2 // 05:53 Myth #3 // 10:25 Myth #4 // 15:06 Myth #5 // 20:17 Myth #6 // 27:14 Myth #7 // 31:45 Outro // 36:21

LIFTALK is joined this week by special guest Isabella von Weissenberg! Join us as Alex and Isabella discuss her rise to one of the top athletes in powerlifting, what it was like when she started in the sport vs now and a short dive into sports psychology.  Chapters Intro // 00:00  SBD Cup & Returning to Powerlifting // 00:25 IPF Worlds Weight cut  // 06:59 First Memories Of The Physical Culture Space // 12:50 Broken Ribs // 17:45  Going All In // 18:45 Sports Psychology // 22:03  Falling Out Of Love With Powerlifting // 34:16  Moving Forward // 39:41  Outro // 42:50

This weeks episode of LIFTALK went in a different direction than normal... Join Kelvin and John as they take on the topic of "hustle culture" both in and out of the gym.  Does John regret missing his 20's... Is pulling back ok... Can you rest without guilt... How to ask for help... Find out the answers to these questions and more! Chapters 0:00 // Intro 0:46 // Hustle Culture 9:45 // Pulling Back 20:57 // Resting Without Guilt 41:53 // Asking For Help 56:46 // Letting Go 1:04:28 // Outro Editor note - We have been trying produce a more polished video podcast for everyone to enjoy and each week adding to it. Feel free to let us know in the comments/DMs how you have been liking the past 8 episodes and any feedback you have.

LIFTALK returns for another week with another special guest in Brittany Romas. This week Alex and Brittany sit down to discuss everything from her recent SBD Australia Cup performance to self coaching and common powerlifting injuries. Watch till the end to hear a special segment of GRITTALK where we find out Alex's thoughts on making content and clickbait.

This week on LIFTALK Alex and Claudia sit down with special guest Shania Radke to talk about all things being a woman in powerlifting. Stay tuned to hear about what Shania and Claudia's first comps were like, what its like training in gyms and how the sport is changing for women. (Excuse Alex getting the episode number wrong, this episode was filmed prior to the SBD Australia Cup Recap!)

We are back from SBD Australia Cup coverage this week with a more regular episode. Join our hosts Alex, John and Kelvin as they sit down to discuss gym culture, whether or not powerlifting should be in the Olympics and stay tuned until the end to hear some powerlifting gym gossip...

Today on LIFTALK Alex and special guest John Paul 'JP' Cauchi sit down down again to give their thoughts and share the results from the second SBD Australia Cup. This video rounds out our 3 part coverage on the event and we will be back to regular episodes next week.

On this special episode of LIFTALK we join Alex and special guest John Paul 'JP' Cauchi as they sit down to discuss the upcoming SBD Australia Cup. Part 2 will focus on the male athletes competing, tune in to find out our hosts predictions, perspectives and insights into what is shaping up to be a fierce competition. SBD Australia Cup Event Details: Doors open: 3pm Capacity is limited Tickets: https://www.citystrengthhq.com.au/sbd-australia-cup-2025 Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/zzNAspwL1SQ?feature=share Official media partner: Thirds.co

On this special episode of LIFTALK we join Alex and special guest John Paul 'JP' Cauchi as they sit down to discuss the upcoming SBD Australia Cup. Part 1 will focus on the female athletes competing, tune in to find out our hosts predictions, perspectives and insights into what is shaping up to be a fierce competition. SBD Australia Cup Event Details: Doors open: 3pm Capacity is limited Tickets: https://www.citystrengthhq.com.au/sbd-australia-cup-2025 Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/zzNAspwL1SQ?feature=share Official media partner: Thirds.co

Alex, John and Claudia sit down to discuss how to be the best training partner for your mates. Claudia opens up the episode with a scorching hot take.

The boys sit down and discuss the keys to a long powerlifting career.

The boys sit down and talk about who has influenced their powerlifting journeys.

Kelvin gets the episode number right and the boys talk comp day psychology, specifically arousal.

Kelvin talks about his coaching endeavour and Alex looks forward to Power Pals.

Recorded on Sydney's wettest day of the year, The boys sit down and introduce the lifters competing at the 2025 SBD Australia Cup, Alex gets the episode number wrong again

The boys are back with some life and lifting updates, and Alex gets the episode number wrong.

Kelvin sits down with Alex and John to discuss tips for your first comp and get the number of the episode wrong

Alex sits down with Kelvin and John to talk about the upcoming Mega Nats, then discuss what powerlifting can learn from other sports

Alex sits down with Kelvin and John to discuss all the things you need to consider when deciding what weightclass to compete in.

Alex sits down with Groove Lifting Club Head Coach, Alexander Dellaportas, to share some hot takes, discuss the importance of adherence and question if there’s more to powerlifting than just competitive endeavours.

Alex and Matt sit down and recap 2025 Australian Powerlifting Alliance Open Nationals.

Alex sits down with Joe Stanek to discuss what powerlifters should do post competition.

Alex and Matt sit down and preview 2025 Australian Powerlifting Alliance Open Nationals. Who will bring home the hardware? Will their predictions suck?

Alex, John and Kelvin sit down to talk about Sheffield 2025. They discuss their most memorable moments from the meet, some of the questionable refereeing, and whether or not commentary can be improved in powerlifting. We also take your questions about John Tran himself.

Alex and Kelvin give their best tips for your New Year’s resolutions. Kelvin talks about becoming a Zelda master and Alex explains his decision to go back to the 83kg class. They also give their Sheffield picks ahead of the weekend

Kelvin sits down with Alex Hayes to discuss his almost decade in powerlifting.

Alex sits down with Nick Papastamatis to talk about the biopsychosocial model and the psychology of pain.

Alex sits down with Matt Bartholomew and Kelvin Tran to recap the first SBD Australia Cup.

Alex sits down with Jacob Sofianos to talk about how Australian powerlifting is growing with invitational meets like Night of Champions and SBD Australia Cup. They also share some unique stories from World Championships in Lithuania.

Alex sits down with Evie Corrigan to discuss her many acheivements in powerlifting, her plans for 2025 and her favourite snacks.    

Alex sits down with Matt Bartholomew to preview the SBD Australia Cup. Who will break records? Who will stand on the top of the podium?

Alex sits down with John Tran and, new City Strength HQ Coach, Kelvin Tran to talk about some of the errors they’ve made in their coaching over the years.

Alex sits down with James Le to discuss how to elevate your powerlifting content.

Alex sits down with Ben and Kelvin to talk about their recent experience as part of the Australian Bench Press World Championships coaching team.