The Gus Cooke Podcast

In this episode, Gus Cooke and Sarah Rainbow open up about life after elite powerlifting — the crossroads between chasing numbers and protecting health, happiness, and longevity. Gus reflects on his first BJJ competition and how the principles of strength, mindset, and conditioning carry over from the platform to the mat. Together, they explore what it means to mature as athletes, grieve the end of an era, and rediscover purpose through new forms of competition. A raw and grounded conversation about evolution, identity, and finding joy again in the process.

Forget the quick fixes. Gus and Sarah have a candid discussion about what recovery actually means, why most people are “doing more” instead of “doing less,” and how culture, finances, and even boredom affect our ability to adapt and grow. This episode covers the fundamentals of stress vs. rest, the myth of productivity, and the dangerous extremes currently trending in the lifting world.

In this episode, Gus Cooke and Sarah Rainbow dive into the fine line between being specific enough in training to reach your goals—and going too far. From powerlifting to strongman, they unpack how training age, risk management, and exercise selection shape performance. Along the way, they share stories about chasing world records, the hidden costs of hyper-specificity, and the balancing act every athlete faces between progress and injury.

Expect practical insights on:

• Why most lifters aren’t specific enough in their training
• How velocity, direction, and duration define real carryover
• The hidden risks of heavy singles and over-specialization
• Why consistency and risk mitigation matter more as you advance
• What coaches must weigh when programming for long-term success

This is a candid conversation about pushing limits, making trade-offs, and knowing when it’s time to pull back. Perfect for lifters, coaches, and anyone aiming to understand the art—and risks—of getting stronger.

In this episode, Gus Cooke (Lifters League) and Sarah Rainbow tackle one of the most debated questions in powerlifting: Sumo vs. Conventional Deadlift.

They dive into the pros and cons of each style, the role of anatomy in choosing your stance, injury risk, and how to make smart long-term decisions as a lifter. Along the way, they share their own experiences switching between sumo and conventional, why mastery and precision become critical at higher strength levels, and how social media hype can distract lifters from what actually matters: lifting the most weight safely and sustainably.

Whether you’re new to deadlifting, an athlete chasing longevity, or just curious about why the internet can’t stop arguing about sumo, this short, sharp conversation will give you clarity on which approach might be right for you—and why the real answer is “it depends.”

In this episode, Gus Cooke (Lifters League) and Sarah Rainbow tackle one of the most debated questions in powerlifting: Sumo vs. Conventional Deadlift.

They dive into the pros and cons of each style, the role of anatomy in choosing your stance, injury risk, and how to make smart long-term decisions as a lifter. Along the way, they share their own experiences switching between sumo and conventional, why mastery and precision become critical at higher strength levels, and how social media hype can distract lifters from what actually matters: lifting the most weight safely and sustainably.

Whether you’re new to deadlifting, an athlete chasing longevity, or just curious about why the internet can’t stop arguing about sumo, this short, sharp conversation will give you clarity on which approach might be right for you—and why the real answer is “it depends.”

The best way to make weight without impacting your performance... as much. We share an insight to the strategies I developed over the last 15 years. 

n a world where PEDs are more accessible—and more misunderstood—than ever, this episode cuts through the noise. We sit down with leading voices in performance, harm reduction, and coaching to explore the real conversation around anabolic use.

You’ll learn:

• Why chasing “the best cycle” is a trap
• The harm of ignoring sleep, nutrition, and training quality
• How PED use is evolving—especially among women
• The social and economic pressures pushing early, heavy use
• How coaches can set ethical boundaries without losing trust or results
• The myth of “safe use,” and what smarter, safer use really looks like

This is the episode every athlete, coach, and aspiring lifter needs to hear. It’s not about fear. It’s about clarity, honesty, and taking responsibility for your performance decisions.

📌 Whether you’re deep in the game or just trying to make sense of it all—this one’s for you.

This is Sarah's story on why she switched to strongman, before we decide to re-break her own record all time record and title as the strongest female in the world.