What Does “Training Hard” Really Mean for Strength Training?

Pain Tolerance & Mental Resilience: Tolerate Pain, Manage Emotions, and Navigate Highs and Lows

Develop the mental toughness to push through pain, discomfort, and internal struggles—even during complacent moments when overconfidence keeps you from facing adversity and fighting to improve.

Demonstrating Mental Toughness in My Powerlifting Coaching Approach

• Powerlifting Volume Peaks with Fixed Loads: 5×5 at 200 kg, 4×4, 6×3, etc.
  
• High-Rep Accessory Sets: Perform 15–20 reps or continuous 1-minute work intervals to build muscular endurance and support your main lifts.

Avoid Distractions: Stay Focused on Your Powerlifting Goals

Learn to laser-focus on the essential tasks that drive your powerlifting performance. For example, don’t get sidetracked by small talk with your training partner during your core lifts—if you’re chatting about the latest Ibai video while hitting an RPE 9 single, you won’t be able to express your true strength.

How to Demonstrate This in My Coaching Approach

• Prescribed Rest-Interval Sets
  
• Complete a specified number of sets within a time limit—for example, execute a 4×4 powerlifting block in under 20 minutes to boost work capacity and maintain training intensity.

Ego Management: Cultivating Humility, Respect & Self-Control in Powerlifting

Learn to rein in the urge to chase heavier loads and instead embrace sessions that are tougher in technique, tempo, or intensity—so you stay on track toward your long-term powerlifting goals. Humility and self-control are critical: recognize when your objectives require focusing on limiting-variant work (e.g., technique drills or accessory strength) before pushing for new PRs.

Short-term gratification must never derail your long-term strength progression—respect the process, keep your ego in check, and let strategic discipline drive your powerlifting success.

How to Demonstrate This in My Coaching Approach

• Weak-Point Targeting Variations (e.g., Long Paused Bench Press) Incorporate exercise variations that directly address your sticking points. If you struggle to drive the bar off your chest in the bench press, use long pause reps (2–5 seconds) at the bottom to build explosive power and improve your lockout—key for breaking through plateaus.
  
• Opposing-Variation Training for Competition Lifts. Incorporate complementary variations to boost your competitive performance: if you pull sumo deadlifts, program conventional pulls; if you squat with a narrow stance, include wide-stance squats. This antagonistic approach balances muscular development, enhances joint resilience, and directly transfers strength to your primary lifts.

Patience in Progress: Time, Discipline & Authentic Growth

Steady progress demands time and consistent effort. My training philosophy centers on sustainable, long-term athlete development—enhancing your technical foundation, strengthening your mindset, and addressing both your strengths and weaknesses.

That’s why “Discipline” is at the heart of my brand: committing to relentless work through every phase of your progression. Sometimes gains come quickly, other times they’re more gradual, but embracing this journey builds true power and resilience.

Authenticity and self-honesty are essential—only by acknowledging and confronting your weak points can you push beyond them and achieve lasting improvement.