The Reactive Training Systems Podcast

Coach Mike Tuchscherer, Gaby Muller and nutritionist Pia Marangoni discuss the role of environment in shaping behavior for better training and nutrition outcomes. They also talk about how well-designed systems, accountability, and supportive environments make good decisions easier.

How do you turn injury and setbacks into lifetime personal bests on the platform? In this episode, Coach Mike, Coach John and Dr. Nathan Dailey break down the training strategies, recovery methods, and psychological tools that fueled his recent squat, deadlift, and total PRs. Their conversation offers practical insights on velocity testing, environmental factors, and experimentation for anyone preparing for high-level powerlifting competition.

How much should a coach shape an athlete's technique, and how much should be left to self-discovery? In this episode, Coach Mike and Coach Andrew unpack the balance between guidance and individuality in powerlifting, exploring how movement variability, light-load training, and experiential learning help lifters find their strongest, most natural form.

Equipped powerlifting isn't just about putting on tighter gear—it's about pressure, trust, and problem-solving when it matters most. In this episode, Coach Mike, Coach Mel sit down with Hugo Duarte and Dominic Wetekam to uncover what really happens behind the scenes. They explore weight management, training logistics, and why equipped lifting feels more like a true team sport than anything else. If you've ever wondered why equipped lifters can't do it alone, how handlers make or break a meet, or what makes this discipline so demanding, this deep dive is for you. It's not just lifting weights—it's mastering skill, trust, and teamwork under pressure.

In this episode of Reactive Training Systems, Coach Ross Leppala and John Garafano discuss John's journey back to competitive powerlifting after a significant hiatus due to injuries and life circumstances. They delve into their training strategies, the importance of environmental factors, and the role of emerging strategies in achieving optimal performance. John shares his inspiring story of overcoming a severe neck injury, weight loss during a move, and the impact of a supportive community.

In this episode of the RTS Podcast, Coach Mike and Coach Mel talk with Thomas Lilly, founder of Zero Weakness Gyms. Known for coaching elite lifter Colton Engelbrecht, Thomas shares his approach to technique, programming, and frequency in powerlifting. They dive into biomechanical rules, RPE, velocity-based training, and more.

Coach Mike and Mel sit down with 2025 Sheffield champion Kjell Bakkelund. They dive into the art of coaching, building strong coach-athlete relationships, and making smart training decisions. Kjell also shares valuable insights from his powerlifting journey. Whether you're an athlete or coach, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Don't miss it!

Coach Mike, John and our newest RTS Coach Andrew discuss gym safety, managing fatigue, and the differences between dynamic and static RPE systems. They share practical experiences and strategies for improving strength training outcomes across all levels.

Mike and Gaby are joined by Kelly Mann, fresh from coaching at Sheffield, to discuss her experience as the first female coach at the event. They cover the challenges and environment of coaching at such a high level, particularly focusing on Meg Scanlon, and her remarkable performance. They also delve into coaching insights, including managing workflow, boundaries, and personal growth, and the effects of external factors on training outcomes.

In this episode, Mike and Ross discuss various techniques and mental strategies in powerlifting training, diving into the importance of intentional training and mental preparation. Ross shares personal stories and experiences from his powerlifting career, including his recent world championship victory. The conversation touches on diverse training approaches, decision-making in training, handling setbacks, and the importance of internal vs external motivation.

In this episode, coach Mike and Mel are joined by Coach Jason Tremblay from The Strength Guys to discuss various approaches to training elite powerlifters. They cover the fascinating coaching methods employed for lifters like Taylor Atwood, Joe Jordan, and Celine Crum, detailing specific strategies for strength, injury recovery, and performance optimization. Jason shares his journey into coaching, his experiences in strength and conditioning, and how these learnings shape his current practices. This engaging conversation provides a deep dive into the intricacies of powerlifting coaching and the collaborative efforts required for high-level athlete development.

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.