2 Girls 1 Bar Podcast with Mandi & Wanda

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda chat with Tiny Tiff, a longtime powerlifter turned weightlifter and personal trainer, about her athletic roots, building confidence through lifting, and creating a community-driven gym for everyday people. Tiff shares how a chance invite to a college powerlifting club led to a decade-long love affair with the barbell — and how the gym became her second family. She opens up about the transition from soccer to powerlifting, discovering Olympic weightlifting, and how competing gives her purpose even after 12+ years in the sport.

Links & Resources

• Follow Tiny Tiff on Instagram here

Support Dani's trip to WORLDS!!!

Use the code 2G1B at Virus USA to save 10% off everything and support the podcast!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda yap with Krista Dornbush, a retired educator turned Masters weightlifter who proves that age is no barrier to strength, grit, or a good sense of humor. After decades in education, Krista found new passion (and humility) in Olympic weightlifting — starting the sport at 50! She talks about moving from California to Chicago, transitioning from in-person to remote coaching, and finding her groove again after the SoCal Weightlifting gym fire.

The conversation dives into finding balance between competitiveness and fun, how to manage meet anxiety, and what it's really like starting a new sport later in life. Krista's warmth, humor, and wisdom make this one an episode for every athlete—especially those who've ever thought, "Am I too old to start?" Spoiler: You're not.

• Follow Krista on Instagram: ➤ Lifting account: @oldladyhoist ➤ Personal account: @curlinginthesquatrack

• Mentioned Apps: LiftOracle & MeetCal

Support Dani's trip to WORLDS!!!

Use the code 2G1B at Virus USA to save 10% off everything and support the podcast!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

In this episode, Mandi and Wanda sit down with Aleigh Moore—athlete, coach, and athletic trainer out of Atlanta, Georgia. Aleigh shares her unique journey of starting out as both a competitor and a coach at the same time, her background in sports, and how she transitioned into CrossFit and weightlifting.

Aleigh dives into her role as an athletic trainer, explaining what ATs really do for athletes, and shares insight on injury prevention, rehab, and how coaches can better support lifters working through setbacks. She also opens up about her own injury journey, rehabbing a torn UCL, and the mental and physical process of returning to the platform.

• Follow Aleigh on Instagram

Support Dani's trip to WORLDS!!!

Use the code 2G1B at Virus USA to save 10% off everything and support the podcast!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

This week, Mandi and Wanda sit down with sports psychologist Melissa Streno to talk about the mental side of strength sports, eating disorders, and the transitions athletes face in and out of competition. Mel shares her journey from lacrosse player to coach to psychologist, and why she's so passionate about supporting athletes as whole people—not just performers on the platform.

The conversation covers big topics like how to spot disordered eating, what to do if you think a friend might be struggling, how athletes can prepare for life after sport, and why mental health support is just as important as your coach or nutritionist. Whether you're an elite athlete, a weekend lifter, or just curious about how psychology connects with performance, Mel drops a ton of insight that you'll want to hear.

• Follow Mel and her practice on Instagram: @lanternpsychdenver

• Learn more about her private practice: Lantern Psych Denver – lanternpsychdenver.com

Support Dani's trip to WORLDS!!!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar Podcast, Meagan O'Connor, a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, shares her journey and insights into sports nutrition. She discusses her role as the team dietitian for USA Weightlifting, her experiences working with various sports teams, and the importance of balanced nutrition for athletes. Meagan also addresses common misconceptions about nutrition, the significance of networking in her career, and her personal fitness goals.

Follow Megan on Instagram

Support Dani's trip to WORLDS!!!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, Mandi and Wanda are joined by Joelle Emery - athlete, coach, dog mom, and so much more. Joelle shares her path to discovering weightlifting through CrossFit and why she chose to focus solely on weightlifting. They discuss the importance of redefining success in competition, the challenges faced by athletes, and the joy of coaching kids in weightlifting. Joelle emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment for young athletes and shares insights on addressing safety concerns with parents.

Follow Joelle on Instagram Listen to Joelle's lifting playlist

Resources from Joelle on lifting for youth

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

It's just the girls today for a super casual catch-up episode. Wanda is back from her presentation in Switzerland and Mandi finally doesn't have a fever. They chat about travel, Texas, Finals, and meet rituals as well as the upcoming online meetup (NEXT WEEK) on this episode!

RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch.

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda welcome Kayla Cocker, weightlifter, coach, and super mom, to the podcast. Kayla shares her journey from literally every sport ever, including track and rugby, to discovering her passion for weightlifting. She discusses the transition from CrossFit to weightlifting, the importance of supportive coaching, and her experiences in competitions. Kayla also opens up about the impact of amazing coaches on her desire to coach, including her very first CrossFit/weightlifting coach Katrina - who we want to shout out for being the original inspo for Kayla (and who is now also a full-on weightlifting coach).

Follow Kayla on Instagram here

RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch.

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi is joined by the amazing Grace Jenkins discuss Grace's journey in the world of weightlifting, her role at Power and Grace, and the importance of community and support in sports. They explore Grace's background in cheerleading, her transition to weightlifting, and how competing has changed her perspective on the sport. The conversation highlights the significance of personal growth, the culture within Power and Grace, and the future goals for the team and its athletes.

Follow Grace on IG here Follow Power & Grace Performance on IG here

RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch.

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Lenka discuss Lenka's journey from being an Olympic weightlifter to becoming a coach. They explore the challenges and joys of coaching, the growth of the weightlifting community in Minnesota, and the balance between college training and national team commitments. Lenka shares her experiences with competition, the importance of community in coaching, and her passion for weightlifting that blossomed during the COVID pandemic. Lenka also reflects on her journey towards becoming a nurse while balancing her weightlifting goals, emphasizing the significance of having a life outside of sports.

Follow Lenka on Instagram here.

RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch.

Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE!

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview! Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda