Luke and Carli talk to 2025 World Games Champion, World Champion and Maori Sportsperson of the year, Dr. Karlina Tongotea. They discuss her reaction to the proposed IPF rule changes, cultural implications and sensitivity. Karlina shares more about her incredible 2025 year in Powerlifting, how her culture, family and team culture have helped her get to where she is, and her views on life balance and preventing burnout.

Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke Selway

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Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/

(00:00) Powerlifting, sport & high-performance mindset
(03:25) Early athletic background and discovering the weight room
(07:40) Why powerlifting hooks athletes
(12:15) The dark side of chasing performance
(16:05) Fast progress, big lifts & rising expectations
(19:55) Athletic transfer & building a strength base
(24:05) Beginner vs advanced lifter realities
(27:55) Coaching quality, trust & training environments
(31:55) Long-term development vs short-term results
(36:00) Identity, self-worth & excellence in sport
(40:05) High-performance culture across sports
(44:00) Injury, burnout & physical breakdown
(47:25) Rebuilding after injury or burnout
(51:25) Sports science, research & real-world coaching
(55:00) Advice for lifters and strength coaches
(58:00) Final thoughts on longevity in strength sports

In this episode, Carli & Luke talk to multiple-time Classic and Equipped World Champion, 2025 Sheffield Champion, Kjell Bakkelund. They go behind the scenes to understand his coaching and support team, family life, highest priorities, mindset and more. Kjell shares his secrets to a long and successful career in Powerlifting.

Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching?

Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online

(00:00) Why Kjell Bakkelund Is Different
(01:40) From Normal Lifter to World-Class Numbers
(07:50) Talent vs Hard Work: What Actually Matters
(15:30) How Champions Think About Big Weights
(24:10) Winning on the World Stage
(33:40) The Pressure Nobody Sees
(42:20) When Winning Stops Being Enough
(50:50) Fatherhood, Balance & Changing Priorities
(1:00:30) Training for Longevity, Not Just PRs
(1:10:40) Advice for Lifters Who Want to Go Far
(1:22:40) What Comes Next for Kjell

In this episode, Lukas Shaw and Dr Hayden Pritchard share what it’s really like trying to train when you’re a new dad. Lukas reflects on his first few months of balancing fatherhood and strength, and we unpack the obstacles, mindset shifts, and unexpected lessons that come with it. From finding time and motivation to adapting training plans and your expectations, we explore how parenting reshapes priorities and what “progress” means. We also discuss why regular movement and health habits matter more than ever during this time, and ponder when “dad strength” might actually kick in…

For more science-backed training tactics on training during busy seasons, check out our ”Strategies to Keep Training and Progressing During Busy Life Seasons” episode.

Want to know more about coaching?
Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/ ⁠

In this episode, Luke interviews Barbell and Beyond coach, Lauren Macmillan.
Lauren shares about her training and coaching background, her recent workshop with fellow coach Emma, and her transition from in-person to online coaching. She also dives into her passion for lifting as a form of empowerment and how strength training can help build confidence both inside and outside of the gym.
Host: Luke Selway
Guest: Lauren Macmillan

Want to know more about coaching?
Contact us on our website - www.barbellandbeyond.online/

In this episode Dr. Hayden Pritchard, Carli Dillen and Lauren Macmillan discuss the continuum of training options including everything between no training at all, and completely optimised training.

They review some of the literature on training at maintenance or minimum effective training dose and provide a range of personal as well as client experiences. They discuss programming, practical strategies as well as psychology for being able to maintain some level of training during busy seasons to help lifters who will inevitably experience something like this in their powerlifting career. Listeners may be surprised how little training is required to maintain strength, what the minimum effective training dose is to make progress and how quickly you can regain strength after a short break. 

For an overview article including sample programming:

Effective Strength Training for the Time-Poor • Stronger by Science

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Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/⁠

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Today, Carli and Luke interview the newest coach and member of the Barbell and Beyond team, Lukas Shaw.

Lukas shares about his background in football, how he managed training while struggling with chronic illness and his journey to finding the Conjugate Method as his go-to strategy for his training.

Hosts: Carli Dillen and Luke Selway

Guest: Lukas Shaw

Want to know more about coaching?

Contact us on our website - www.barbellandbeyond.online/

Click here to subscribe to our podcast email announcements.

In this episode, Carli talks with Pei Boccanfuso, founder of PB Physio and widely known as The Powerlifting Physio. Pei shares her inspiring journey from becoming a physiotherapist to building a thriving, multi-location practice and growing a strong online presence long before it became the norm. She has worked with countless powerlifting athletes, including many preparing for Sheffield and the IPF World Championships, and has become a go-to expert in injury prevention and rehab for strength athletes around the world.

We dive into her insights on effective programming strategies to prevent injury, avoid over-specialization, and break through training plateaus—practical advice that coaches and lifters alike will find invaluable.

As Barbell and Beyond’s preferred physiotherapy partner, we’re proud to recommend PB Physio for anyone needing expert support. To connect with Pei, follow her on Instagram at @powerlifting_physio and @pbphysio

Host: Carli Dillen

Get online coaching and more at ⁠⁠barbellandbeyond.online⁠

In this episode of the Barbell and Beyond podcast, we sit down with coach Emma — one of the most thoughtful and skilled coaches you’ll ever meet. From her first powerlifting comp in Invercargill to becoming a cornerstone of our coaching team, Emma’s journey is as inspiring as it is impressive.

We dive into her lifting background, her deeply individualised approach to coaching, and how she’s navigated chronic illness while building a reputation for excellence. This is your chance to meet one of powerlifting’s best-kept secrets.

Show Hosts:

- ⁠Carli Dillen⁠

- Emma Dixon

Get online coaching and more at ⁠barbellandbeyond.online⁠

The man himself, Mike Tuchscherer, joins us for an interview to discuss his thoughts on the use of VBT (velocity-based training) in modern powerlifting, how to be successful as a self-coached athlete, coaching and training as a parent and spouse, and a preview of his seminar in Tübingen later this month.

Click Here to sign-up, or get full details, of the Mike Tuchscherer Seminar in Tübingen on the 28th of June.

Learn more about the Stance velocity tool by clicking here.

Show Hosts:

- Carli Dillen

- Luke Selway

- Dr. Hayden Pritchard

Get online coaching and more at barbellandbeyond.online

In this, our inaugural episode, we have the full team on board to reminisce and discuss their experience of competing in powerlifting for the first time. We share our stories as well as takeaways to help set you up for success for your first time competing.

Your hosts on this episode are Carli Dillen, Luke Selway, Dr. Hayden Pritchard, Emma Dixon, and Lauren MacMillan.

Be sure to follow our Instagram @barbell_and_beyond

Contact us for online coaching and more at barbellandbeyond.online

Get our Competition Resource Package by clicking here!