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Travel can wreck your meet week long before you touch a barbell. We want you showing up calm, fueled, and ready to hit your attempts, so we walk through the unglamorous, simple and powerful details of powerlifting meet travel. 

We start with the big choice: driving vs flying. Driving gives you freedom and fewer moving parts, but long hours in a car can leave you tight and tired. Flying is faster, yet it comes with potential delays, layovers, and baggage drama so we talk about building simple backup plans that keep you in control. Then Liz gets into how she books lodging, why an Airbnbs can be a game changer for meal prep, and weight cuts, and how staying close to the venue removes a stressor you do not need.

Next, we get practical. Liz shares her packing checklist system and the rule we wish every lifter followed: if you need it for meet day and you cannot replace it easily, it goes in your carry-on. We also dig into food, hydration, and making weight while traveling, including why skipping water during travel is never a win and how to keep your routine steady when your schedule is not. Once you arrive, we cover setting up a “home base,” grocery runs, meal prep containers, not overbuying, and why staying lightly active beats sitting around feeling stiff and anxious.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a training partner, and leave a review so more lifters can travel smarter and compete better.

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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
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@nateribaudo_fortis

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One missed rep can hijack an entire peak if you let it. We sit down and get practical about the moment training stops matching the plan, especially when you’re close to a powerlifting meet. We talk about how to tell the difference between a random off day and a predictable readiness issue and give you practical tips on what to do when a lift doesn't go as planned. 

There are many externals that can negatively effect your training such as stress outside the gym, disrupted nutrition, the beach day that turns into dehydration, and of course sleep and hydration. We explain why you should communicate with your coach right away, why trying the same weight over and over is a trap, and how to pivot during the session to still get meaningful stimulus without digging a deeper hole. 

You’ll also hear our mindset rules for salvaging confidence: drop the weight enough to move well, stack high-quality reps, and stop feeding the spiral. We even share why deleting videos of failed lift can be the right move when your brain won’t let go. 

Whether you’re in a peaking block, chasing meet PRs, or just tired of bad days ruining good training cycles, this one gives you a clear reset plan. Subscribe, share this with a training partner, and leave a review telling us what helps you bounce back after a miss.

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Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
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HOSTED BY
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@nateribaudo_fortis

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The final block of training. This is where meet prep gets real honest. 

The strength is already built, but the outcome on the platform depends on whether your goals match your effort and execution, and whether your daily habits can actually support what you say you want. Nate and Liz kick off a 4 part mini-series called Prepare for the Platform with a practical framework for powerlifting goals that keeps you motivated without setting you up for an emotional crash on meet day.

We walk through a simple three-stage “rocket” system for goal setting: Stage 1 is the goal that is within reach all you have to do is execute, Stage 2 is a strong, potentially PR performance you can realistically chase, and Stage 3 is the perfect day target that sits on the edge of your current human potential. We also share our own Nationals goals and the mindset behind them.

Then we talk about treating key top singles like practice for the platform, building confidence through visualization, and respecting every rep so the bar speed and technique hold up as the weights climb. We talk recovery and performance basics that matter most in the final month, like consistent sleep, enough food and carbs, hydration and electrolytes, mobility, and managing stress so training stress does not pile up with life stress. We also hit a big competitive lesson: if you want your best day, stop spending mental energy on what others are doing and lock in on what you are doing and what you can control.

Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, watch the full video on YouTube, and share your Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 goals with us on our socials.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
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HOSTED BY
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@nateribaudo_fortis

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The last few weeks feel like someone hit fast-forward on our calendar. Fortis is growing, we’re traveling more than ever, and we’ve had some routine shifts as our dog Toby battles dementia. We share the behind-the-scenes of what that actually looks like for strength coaches and competitive lifters: planning attempts, managing warm-up rooms, staying calm when schedules get messy, and keeping our own powerlifting training on track with PLU Nationals coming up.

We discuss our recent competitions over the past couple weeks before giving y'all an in depth update on Toby. He has epilepsy that’s well controlled, and now he’s dealing with canine cognitive dysfunction with sundowning symptoms that hit hard at night. We share what the nights looked like when he wouldn’t sleep, what medications didn’t help, and the routine changes that finally made a difference, including sleeping with dimmable lights on while we wear sleep masks. 

If you enjoy the show, subscribe on YouTube, share this with a friend in the strength community, and leave a review. 

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

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Skipping warm-ups is the fastest way to turn a good training day into a frustrating one. We want you to have a repeatable warm-up plan you can use for the big compound lifts, whether you train for powerlifting or you just want your squat, bench press, and deadlift to feel smoother and stronger.

We map out a clear path to warm up jumps for the Squat, Bench and Deadlift so that you can be on point and ready for those top sets.

Subscribe for more strength training and powerlifting coaching conversations, share this with a training partner who skips warm-ups, and leave a review if it helps your next session. 

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

Send us Fan Mail

Ever felt a rock-solid set turn sketchy in a blink? We’ve been there and that’s why we’re unpacking the real reasons spotting should be a priority when you’re moving meaningful weight. Safety is the first objective, but the bigger story is how the right spotter crew sharpens focus, frees your mind, and actually helps your squat and bench move faster and cleaner.

If you’re lifting at loads where real consequences exist, grab a spotter, set clear roles, and let the energy of a good crew lift with you.

 Enjoyed this one? Subscribe, share it with a training partner, and leave a review to help more lifters train safer and stronger.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

Send us Fan Mail

Chasing strength isn’t about guessing the heaviest plate math you can survive today. It’s about picking the right load for the right stimulus so you stack clean reps, build confidence, and show up stronger next week. We dig into the three big ways Powerlifting coaches like to load training: percentages, ranges, and RPE. We break down each method and share where it shines, and where it falls apart.

If you want steady strength gains, fewer misses, and cleaner reps that carry to the platform, this conversation gives you the framework: use percentages for basic structure and beginners, ranges for a more tailored approach, and RPE for intelligent auto-regulation. 

If this helped, follow the show, share it with a training partner, and leave a quick review so more lifters can find it. Thanks for being a part of the Fortis community!

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
-
You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
-
Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

Send us Fan Mail

What does it really take to run a gym with your spouse, coach each other, and still want to train together tomorrow? We give you an insight into our day-to-day, where structure meets spontaneity and turned from chaos into forward momentum.

We start with the shift from separate careers to full-time partners and the messiness that came with it: unclear roles, scattered tasks, and no real plan. The breakthrough happened when we found our strengths. One of us thrives in building systems and timelines; the other brings creative energy and big moves. Once we stopped working against the grain and started working with it, everything from programming to billing found a home. Media, branding, and team highlights got easier too, thanks to simple briefs and asset checklists that let creative work flow without bottlenecks.

Coaching each other was much more difficult. Early on, we tangled personal partner feelings with coach feedback and tried to talk our way through moments that needed silence. Over time we learned the value of space, patience, and treating failure as data instead of drama. Now we co‑coach: we set targets together, keep each other honest on load selection, and accept that long-term progress isn’t linear. The result is steadier training, fewer ego-lifts, and more sessions that actually move the needle.

The take away from our story is this: Real progress and strength is only amplified when you surround yourself with others that are like minded. Our community proves strong isn’t a single look.  A 72‑year‑old member cheering for a lifetime PR triple from a national‑level lifter reminds us why we built this place: So everyone has a space to find their strong.

If this resonates with your training, your team, or your relationships, tap play and ride along. Then share it with someone who lifts you up, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a review so we can keep building a stronger, smarter community together.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
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You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
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Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

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Ever wonder what we use for continued success? Today we unpack our favorite things that keep our training consistent and productive: the clothes that match meet-day feel, the shoes that stabilize your base, the pre-workout strategy that fuels hard sets, and the accessories that build muscle where it counts. 

We start with the foundation: outfits and footwear that make lifts feel the same in training and competition. Then we tackle pre-workout and carbs, comparing coffee and stim-free formulas to Gorilla Mode, and sharing quick carbs like honey, dates, and applesauce that turn sluggish sessions into strong volume. We also talk warm-ups like thoracic openers, hip circle activation, and rotator cuff work that respect your time while preparing the body for success.

We also share honest gear favorites Pioneer belts, Friction Labs chalk, Obsidian ammonia and more. Recovery stays simple, a whey protein shake or a protein bar you’ll actually eat, deep-tissue bodywork or a guided stretching routine, and as much quality sleep as you can manage.

If you’re serious about powerlifting and or your fitness and are ready for  practical, repeatable steps that help you reach your goals and take your strength to the next level, this one’s for you. Thanks for listening and be sure to follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube to catch the video version and help us hit our 500-subscriber push. 

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
-
You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
-
Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis

Send us Fan Mail

When life throws the unexpected at you, most people ditch the plan. We took the opposite route. Facing months of broken sleep and the emotional weight of a Toby's cognitive decline, we stuck to our routines amongst the chaos, without giving up on training, coaching, or big goals on the calendar.

We walk through the real choices that kept us consistent: shifting expectations so the plan bends instead of breaks, using simple systems to remove decisions on tired mornings, and protecting training time as a clean mental space. You’ll hear the difference between predictable chaos and true unknowns, why a set routine matters when you can have it, and how to pivot when you can’t. We also get into practical tactics like repeatable meals, hydration habits that run themselves, and focus cues like headphones and warm-up rituals that flip the switch from scattered to locked in.

On the performance side, we unpack what to do when top-end strength disappears. The theme is resilience over perfection: show up, assess honestly, and execute what the day allows. Over time, that steady, adaptable approach beats the all-or-nothing cycle and keeps you moving toward PRs, fat loss, or whatever your fitness goal may be.

If this season finds you stretched thin, this conversation gives you a blueprint: fewer decisions, better focus, and training that fits the real day you’re living. If it resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find us.

Support the show

Thanks for listening! Please remember to subscribe to the podcast, leave us a rating and share it with your friends so we can continue to grow!
-
You can now become a Fortis After Hours Supporter by using the link below! This will help support the podcast as we continue to grow and we will give you a shoutout on the next episode after you subscribe as well as give you top priority for different topics or discussions you'd like us to have on the podcast. Thank you for your support!
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1369834/support
-
Follow us on social media for daily fitness and powerlifting content including workouts, helpful tips and client success stories!
@fortisfitnessstudio
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HOSTED BY
@lizribaudo_fortis
@nateribaudo_fortis