The Reactive Training Systems Podcast

How should women adapt their training around the menstrual cycle without overcomplicating it? Coach Gaby and Coach Mel sit down with Bobbie Butters to explore what women really need to know about the menstrual cycle, training, and health. From challenging popular fitness advice to discussing how to better listen to your body, they unpack the science, the myths, and why a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the answer.

Coach Mike, Peter and Gaby recap their experience at the 2026 IPF Worlds in Lithuania from three roles: Peter handling many sessions, Gaby competing, and Mike cheering from the audience. Learn how we write programming: https://essteps.reactivetrainingsystems.com/ Interested in being coached by us: https://coaching.reactivetrainingsystems.com/

What actually causes lifting injuries, and how should you train around pain? In this episode, Mel Kasper is joined by Dr. Nathan Dailey and Nathan Baxter to discuss how most lifting injuries develop gradually from a mismatch between training stress and recovery, and why the location of pain is not always the true source of the problem. Learn how we write programming: https://essteps.reactivetrainingsystems.com/ Interested in being coached by us: https://coaching.reactivetrainingsystems.com/

What really drives a coach to keep reinventing how athletes train and peak? In this conversation, Mike Tuchscherer explains how his obsession with powerlifting led him to develop practical systems like RPE and reps-in-reserve to help athletes better interpret their own performance signals and train more intelligently. He also discusses the constant experimentation behind elite coaching—from stress index and velocity tracking to individualized peaking and taper strategies—showing how solving failures and unpredictable performance drops continues to shape his methods. Learn how we write programming: https://essteps.reactivetrainingsystems.com/ Interested in being coached by us: https://coaching.reactivetrainingsystems.com/

How do you prepare athletes for the toughest standards and longest days at Collegiate Nationals? Coach John, Andrew and Kenny share key lessons on stricter judging, meet-day strategy, coaching endurance, warmup-room tactics, and attempt selection in a four-day, high-energy competition. Learn how we write programming: https://essteps.reactivetrainingsystems.com/ Interested in being coached by us: https://coaching.reactivetrainingsystems.com/

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 often should you really be training—and when does more become too much? In this episode, Mike Tuchscherer, Gaby Muller and Andrew Jessop break down reactive training systems, exploring how to manage frequency, volume, and intensity while staying mentally engaged and progressing long term. From high-frequency lifting to accessory work and cardio for work capacity, this conversation offers practical insights for both athletes and coaches looking to optimize their programming.

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.

Coach Mike, Coach Mel and Pawel Jurczynski dive into high-frequency training systems, sharing insights from the European Powerlifting Conference and Pawel's gym in Poland. They break down program structure, polarization, recovery, and innovative BFR applications—offering practical, actionable guidance for lifters at any level.

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.

How can lifters and coaches apply the latest research to train smarter and perform better? In this podcast, Coach Mike and Andrew talk with Zac and Josh from Data-Driven Strength about evidence-based practices, sports psychology, and the evolving strategies in powerlifting. They explore key topics like proximity to failure, training volume and frequency, and how to bridge the gap between research and real-world coaching.

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.

Dr. Nathan Dailey returns to the RTS Podcast to talk with Coaches John Garafano and Ross Leppala about powerlifting rehab, competition stress, and high-level performance. Dr. Nathan's first powerlifting experience, what it taught him about lifters' needs, and his role in supporting athletes at IPF Worlds. The conversation dives into his individualized rehab strategies - focused on helping lifters become pain-free, rebuild momentum, and return to competition. For support or consultation with Dr. Nathan, visit the RTS Training Lab or book a consultation through our store.

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, Belgian coach and athlete Jochen Strubbe shares his coaching journey in the sport, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity in training. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of training methodologies, such as high frequency SBD, and the importance of a supportive community. The coaches also discuss the role of communication and trust in athlete-coach relationships, touching upon the impact of training environments and personalized approaches to coaching.

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.

What can 20 years of powerlifting still teach you? In this episode, Coach Mike reflects on lessons from competing at the Nationals, sharing insights on competition prep, travel challenges, weight cuts, and evolving training strategies, especially for deadlifts.

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!

In this episode, we dive into the art of self-coaching in powerlifting with Ade Omisakin. We talk tracking progress, spotting trends, and using tools like velocity-based training to make smarter decisions in the gym.

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.