(Note: Alex's origin story ends around ~35:00. After that, we start discussing more applied coaching and sport science topics.)

Alex Borgs joins the podcast to discuss an unconventional journey that took him from Germany to Wyoming football, military service, coaching, and ultimately a PhD in Sport Physiology and Performance at East Tennessee State University.

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of athletic identity, the role of stoicism in navigating adversity, what makes coaches effective, and why human connection may be more important than any training program. Alex also shares insights from his doctoral research on specificity, morphological adaptations, block periodization, and long-term athlete development.

Topics include:

• Alex's legendary background• Coaching philosophy and athlete buy-in• Block periodization and specificity of training• Strength-endurance vs strength-power adaptations• Research, critical thinking, and sport science

Enjoy!

Follow Alex:

https://www.instagram.com/alexander_borgs/

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/philosophicalweightlifting/

Weightlifting House: code JOSH to support the pod:

http://www.weightliftinghouse.com/josh

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.onyxstraps.com/⁠

The podcast welcomes back one of its most beloved guests, Max Aita!

In this episode, we discuss the Enhanced Games! We deep dive into Max's commentary, the structure of the event, its future, and why this is a great situation for the sport of weightlifting.

Enjoy.

Follow Max and CoachLogik:

https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/

https://www.coachlogik.com/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/philosophicalweightlifting/

Weightlifting House: code JOSH to support the pod:

http://www.weightliftinghouse.com/josh

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

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The podcast is back! After finishing up nearly all of my school work and research, I have time to dedicate to the podcast again. What other way to reintroduce the show than with an episode featuring the Voice of the People, Seb Ostrowicz!

In this episode, we recap the continental championships, including Euros, Pan Ams, and Asians, covering the most impressive performances, categories, and the implications on weightlifting writ large.

Enjoy.

Follow Seb and WH:

https://www.instagram.com/seb_ostrowicz/

https://www.instagram.com/weightlifting_house/

Follow me and get coaching:

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https://www.instagram.com/philosophicalweightlifting/

Weightlifting House: code JOSH to support the pod:

http://www.weightliftinghouse.com/josh

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

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Miranda Ulrey has competed with and beaten the best of the best. She's a junior world champ, Pan Am champ, and plans on making a statement at the Olympic Games in 2028.

Even with a huge social media following, no other podcasts or interviews exist that deep dive into her background as a competitive weightlifter.

In this episode, we discuss her introduction to the sport, what's kept her competing at the highest level, and a few of her favorite variations (hint: she's very good at them).

Enjoy.

Follow Miranda:

https://www.instagram.com/miranda_ulrey/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

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This goes down as one of my favorite episodes of the podcast! I had the honor of speaking with Celia Gold about her journey from an obsessive CrossFit competitor to a weightlifter who is competing on the international stage for Israel.

We discuss competing at the Arnold on the Rogue Strength stage, sharing the platform with some of the best athletes in the world. We talk about the chaos of competition environments and what it takes to stay focused when the stakes are high.

We also dive into her journey into the sport — from CrossFit and the CrossFit Games to committing fully to weightlifting, training with coaches like Bo Sandoval and Bob Morris, and representing Israel internationally.

Along the way, we discuss training philosophy, learning to compete with patience and intention, managing injuries, and how athletes evolve mentally as their careers progress.

Enjoy.

Follow Celia:

https://www.instagram.com/celiagold/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

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There is a growing popularity in high frequency SBD (squat, bench, deadlift) training. Is it a fad or something worth incorporating into your program?

In this episode of the podcast, Max and I discuss:

• High frequency SBD
• Testing vs training
• Skill development, as it relates to strength
• How coaches can improve their own philosophies and skill sets

Follow Max and sign up for CoachLogik:

https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/

https://app.coachlogik.com/signup

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.onyxstraps.com/⁠

Everyone loves a classic podcast episode.

That's exactly what Seb and I delivered: discussing a recent 215kg squat "controversy", USAW's finest athletes, and how Weightlifting House is breaking the clothing game!

Follow Seb and WH:

https://www.instagram.com/seb_ostrowicz/

https://www.instagram.com/weightlifting_house/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.instagram.com/philosophicalweightlifting/

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

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Caden Cahoy isn’t “new”— he’s been lifting since he was 8. But the last year made something obvious to the whole world: he’s not just talented… he’s one of the best in the world.

We talk legacy, pressure, and the long game:

• Florida’s weightlifting pipeline and growing up in the sport

• Why strength isn’t always the first superpower—and how he’s building it now

• The 85kg move: maturity, mass, and the runway to LA 2028

• How elite lifters think when the bar feels impossibly heavy, but they lift it anyway

• Bahrain, Worlds, and the mindset behind taking world-record-level attempts

• The difference between being scared of the moment vs. loving it

If you want a look behind the totals and inside the mindset of an athlete aiming at Olympic greatness, this one’s for you.

Follow Caden:

https://www.instagram.com/cadencahoy/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.onyxstraps.com/⁠

In this episode, I’m joined by Max Aita for a wide-ranging coaching conversation sparked by our trip to Seoul, South Korea for IDFPA Worlds. We talk peaking and tactics, why the best programs often look “boring,” and how better execution beats better programming for real lifters with real lives.

We also dig into:

• Principle-based training vs. chasing optimization

• How coaches get “less wrong” over time

• Volume ceilings, intensity trade-offs, and distribution

• Why speed of implementation matters more than perfect ideas

• How to sequence sessions and variations for better transfer

If you’re a coach or lifter trying to cut through noise and get more from the work you’re already doing—this one’s for you.

Follow Max and sign up for CoachLogik:

https://www.instagram.com/max_aita/

https://app.coachlogik.com/signup

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.onyxstraps.com/⁠

This week, I was joined by Brandon Victorian — Team USA weightlifter and one of the most physically imposing athletes in American weightlifting — to talk about the journey from garage to world stage.

Brandon walks through how he found weightlifting through football, bodybuilding forums, CrossFit, and eventually a weightlifting club that changed everything. We trace his rise from local meets to national podiums, international competitions, Pan Am Games, and Worlds — and what it takes to compete in one of the most stacked weight classes in the world.

If you’re an athlete trying to see how far commitment, patience, and belief can really take you, this episode is for you.

Enjoy.

Follow Brandon:

https://www.instagram.com/mrvic27/

Follow me and get coaching:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/josh_philwl/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

https://www.philosophicalweightlifting.com

Weightlifting House: code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.weightliftinghouse.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Onyx: with code PHILWL for 10% off

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.onyxstraps.com/⁠