Coach-Athlete Relationships: Quelling the Anxiety

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As I’ve befriended more lifters and had the opportunity to talk about all things gym, I’ve really learned that it’s not just me that has struggled with discussions with my coach, particularly and especially when things are not going according to plan. Through those conversations and a lot of reflection on my own personal anxiety adventures, I’ve identified four common scenarios that a lot of athletes encounter when it comes to talking to their coaches (or things that they are too worried to actually approach with their coaches).

To lend some credibility to my recommendations when it comes to working through these scenarios, I reached out to my own coach, Ryan Stinn, and asked for his feedback on each one and how he might approach handling them with an athlete.

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The Combo Rack: How to Use it in Three Easy Steps

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Is there anything more frustrating than when things that you feel should be obvious and easy, aren’t?  Have you ever taken to Google or YouTube trying to figure out how to brew coffee in your new coffee maker or put a new cartridge in your cat’s litter locker?  (If these two examples seem oddly specific, it’s definitely because I’ve done both…and YouTube bailed me out in both cases!).

The gym has its own share of mysteries.  Whether it’s all the different straight bars, or all of the specialty ones, all the different machines, or even how to execute different movements, unlocking the secrets of the gym can have newcomer and veteran alike scratching their heads.  In hopes of saving others some of the confusion I’ve experienced, today I’m going to outline the intricacies of one particular piece of equipment that tends to cause a lot of confusion:

The Combo Rack – What Can I Do With It (And How)?

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Mobility: Getting More While Paying Less

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Only some of these products are being used correctly but every single one of them was in my gym bag the day this photo was taken!

If there’s one inevitability in powerlifting, I would argue it’s that at some point, you’re going to feel sore and immobile.  If you’re anything like me, you might start looking around for products that can help with what ails you.  We’re not alone.  Mobility, prehab and rehab are big business in the sports world.  Where 10 years ago you may have rolled around a little bit on a foam roller and called it a day, we’re now in a place where companies like Rogue Fitness sell over 150 mobility products.

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ACLr AnKNEEversary: Lessons at 4 Years Post

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My ACL surgery was June 24, 2015, so today I am officially four years post!  If I’m being honest, when I first had my surgery I didn’t expect that after four years I would still be talking about it.  I knew recovery was going to be lengthy – the Glen Sather Sports Medicine Clinic (who managed the initial stages of my rehab) don’t recommend return-to-sport (RTS) until 9+ months but my knee has been a consideration in my training and a factor in the activities I do this entire time.

For the last couple of years, I’ve given a bit of a rundown of things I’ve accomplished and things that I’ve learned:

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Positive Drug Tests and Withdrawing From Worlds: Two Years, Two Responses

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Last week, one of Canada’s most well-known powerlifters announced that he had tested positive for banned substances.  His announcement came the day before he was to step onto the platform at the 2019 Classic World Championships.  Unfortunately, this is the second consecutive year that a Canadian athlete has tested positive in the lead-up to Worlds.  In 2018, it was 57kg Junior athlete Rosie Stodalka.  In 2019, 120+kg, perennial Open medal hopeful, Kelly Branton.

thermometer on medical pills

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How Did We End Up Here

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It’s been a long and winding road to this powerlifting destination.  If you had asked 13 year old me what sport I would be playing when I “grew up”, the answer would have been hockey.  The answer was always hockey.

Growing up, I found peace on the ice.  Hockey as an adult wasn’t quite the same, but it was still pretty great.  It also gave me opportunities to give back, first as a referee, and then as a league organizer.  I branched out and tried other sports – CrossFit, tackle football, strongman – but I had always figured I would play hockey forever.

My minor hockey jerseys…these are still kicking around somewhere!
Senior hockey with the Edmonton Rejects

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