The Intentional Athlete Podcast

Join host Ross Leppala in an insightful episode of The Intentional Athlete Podcast featuring Ashton Rouska, a distinguished powerlifter, and licensed psychologist, as they discuss the profound connection between strength training, personal growth, and emotional well-being. In this conversation, Ross and Ashton explore the transformative journey of training, emphasizing the importance of mindset, emotional regulation, and the interplay between life and gym experiences. Ashton shares his inspiring story, from his early days in powerlifting to overcoming significant injuries while balancing his roles as an army officer and a new father. Dive deep into the psychological aspects of lifting and learn actionable strategies for sustainable training, emotional resilience, and living with intention. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or new to the sport, this episode offers valuable insights to elevate your training and life.00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:51 Special Guest: Ashton Rouska01:30 Ashton's Powerlifting Journey04:26 Balancing Life and Lifting13:54 The Psychology of Powerlifting25:30 Handling Setbacks and Injuries35:47 Balancing Regulation and Percentage-Based Training37:44 Psychological Strategies for Effective Training39:28 The Importance of Flexibility in Training40:12 Avoiding Burnout and Emotional Maturity44:48 Navigating Injuries and Major Life Events49:30 Lessons from Personal and Family Experiences01:04:06 The Role of Patience and Grace in Training and Life01:09:05 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Welcome to the Intentional Athlete Podcast with Ross Leppala. In this episode, Ross chats with Theo Harris, a powerlifter and coach, about his transformative journey with lifting weights. Theo opens up about his battles with alcoholism, overcoming personal challenges, and how lifting became his path to sobriety and self-discovery. They discuss the importance of training with intention, how strength training helped Theo reconnect with himself and his family, and the profound life lessons that lifting has taught him. Join us as we explore how pursuing strength with purpose can lead to personal growth and lasting fulfillment.The Intentional Athlete Experience00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:52 Meet Theo Harris: A Lifter's Journey02:28 The Disciples of Steel: A Community of Strength05:18 A Life-Changing Health Scare08:35 The Transformative Power of Lifting15:13 Parenting and Personal Growth28:44 The Role of Therapy in Healing32:45 Finding Meaning and Purpose37:19 Therapy and Self-Discovery38:44 Parenting and Personal Growth41:10 Powerlifting and External Validation41:50 Balancing Life and Training47:20 The Importance of Consistency54:26 Honesty and Vulnerability in Relationships01:00:55 Failure and Success in Training01:05:25 Final Reflections and Gratitude

Join host Ross Leppala on the Intentional Athlete Podcast as he welcomes Zach Morrow, a dedicated powerlifter from Canada. Together, they explore Zach's journey in powerlifting, his experience with reactive training systems, and the transformative impact of the Intentional Athlete Experience. Learn how Zach has integrated meditation, breathwork, and intentional training to elevate not only his athletic performance but also his personal life. This conversation dives deep into how intentionality in training spills over into all aspects of life, offering valuable insights for lifters, coaches, and anyone aiming to live with purpose.

The Intentional Athlete Experience00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:52 Welcoming Zach Morrow02:26 Zach's Powerlifting Journey04:04 Training with Intention08:51 Implementing Meditation and Breath Work22:26 Decision Making in Training31:03 Overcoming Personal Challenges36:57 Seeking Validation and Its Impact on Relationships38:33 The Power of Breathing Exercises40:29 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs41:47 Applying Lessons to Daily Life43:52 Understanding and Forgiving Past Traumas45:37 Reflections on Recent Competitions51:13 The Importance of Being Present56:24 Personal Growth Through Meditation01:05:25 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Welcome to The Intentional Athlete Podcast, hosted by Ross Leppala. In this episode, Ross sits down with Gary Chupik, the founder of Elite Mindset, to discuss the transformative power of mindset in both sports and life. Gary shares his journey from being a dual citizen and a sports enthusiast to becoming a sought-after mental performance coach. They delve into Gary's experience with high-level athletes from the NFL and MLB, and how his principles apply equally to business leaders. Gary introduces the concept of the 'Mental Health Bridge Assessment' featuring four pillars: Crisis, Coping, Thriving, and Transcending, and how these help in identifying where an athlete stands and how they can progress. This episode is packed with insightful conversation, tools, and techniques aimed at helping athletes and individuals align their mindset, body, and spirit for lasting growth and performance. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion that promises to boost your athletic and personal development.

https://www.elitemindsetnation.com/00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:55 Special Guest Introduction: Gary Chic02:22 Gary's Background and Experience03:06 Mindset and Performance in Athletics and Business05:48 The Illusion of Choice and Consistency09:08 Gary's Journey and Philosophy12:32 Identity and Purpose in Coaching15:43 Mindset Equation and Personal Beliefs24:49 Understanding Variable Experiences26:33 The Pillar Analogy in Mental Health27:28 Mental Health Bridge Assessment29:03 Bridging Pillars to Improve Performance32:08 The SFO Principle: Self-Care for Better Performance33:47 Applying Mental Performance in Athletics37:14 Transcending in Athletic Performance43:20 The Importance of Community and Continuous Growth46:24 Final Thoughts and How to Connect

Navigating Life's Challenges Through Intentional Training | The Intentional Athlete PodcastIn this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Lela, a powerlifting coach and co-creator of the Intentional Athlete Experience, emphasizes the importance of training with purpose and how the discipline and skills developed in the gym can translate to handling real-life challenges. Ross shares a personal story about dealing with a major issue at his rental property and stresses the value of applying the skills of strength and resilience cultivated in powerlifting to everyday life. Learn how to align your mindset, body, and spirit to overcome difficult situations both in and out of the gym.

The Intentional Athlete Experience

00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:52 Monologue: Powerlifting and the Pursuit of Strength03:24 Real-Life Application: Handling a Crisis07:39 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala welcomes his friend and mentor Matt Gary to share his journey through powerlifting, major injuries, and the lessons learned along the way. Matt recounts his experience with a catastrophic injury in 2015 where he suffered a bilateral quad tendon rupture, multiple knee injuries, and a broken ankle while attempting a 500-pound beltless squat. He details the importance of accepting adversity, maintaining a positive mindset, and finding meaning in the pursuit beyond just numerical strength goals. The conversation delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of overcoming severe physical trauma, emphasizing gratitude, empathy, and the wisdom gained from such experiences. They also discuss how these principles extend beyond the gym, impacting personal relationships and coaching. This heartfelt discussion explores how facing and overcoming significant challenges can transform an athlete's life and offers valuable insights for anyone striving to better themselves.

The Intentional Athlete Experience

In the inaugural episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala, a powerlifting coach and co-creator of the Intentional Athlete Experience, delves into the transformative power of intentional training with his special guest Dr. Vanessa Gale. The episode discusses the origins and philosophy behind the Intentional Athlete, emphasizing the importance of training with purpose to enhance not just physical strength but also mental and emotional growth. Ross and Vanessa share their journey of integrating mindfulness, breathwork, and movement practices into training routines to improve overall life quality. They highlight the significance of shifting from using training as an escape to a tool for self-discovery and emotional development. The episode also features personal anecdotes and insights on how this intentional approach has impacted Ross's life, coaching, and parenting, encouraging listeners to elevate their own training and life experiences by embracing curiosity and presence.The Intentional Athlete Experience

Ross Leppala, host of Project Unchained Podcast, reflects on the journey since starting in 2020, advocating for mental health through personal experiences. He announces the end of Project Unchained, revealing his new focus on launching The Intentional Athlete Podcast, inspired by a recent event. The new podcast will still cover mental health and well-being, but with an emphasis on how intentional training can elevate life experiences. This final episode marks the transition to the new project that aligns more closely with Ross's current passions and vision.

Connect with your host Ross Leppala!

Instagram: ross.leppala

Facebook: Ross Leppala

Email: [email protected]

Intro and Outro music credits:

"Lost in the Woods" by Gaelynn Lea

from the album "Learning How to Stay"

Gaelynn Lea: Violin, Vocals

Dave Mehling: Guitars, Keyboards, Organ & Auxiliary Percussion

Al Church: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano & Auxiliary Percussion

Martin Dosh: Drums

Andrew Foreman: Electric Bass

Haley McCallum: Vocal Harmony

In this episode of the Project Unchained Podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses his recent busy schedule and shares his excitement about an upcoming event called the Intentional Athlete. He emphasizes the importance of deriving more than just physical gains from training, suggesting it should also benefit life beyond the platform. Ross then delves into the concept of 'the weaponization of love,' explaining how people on both sides of the political spectrum often misuse and manipulate the idea of love for their own agendas. He calls for a more genuine, inclusive expression of love that acknowledges and respects our shared humanity. Ross invites listeners to reflect on these ideas and looks forward to future episodes featuring guests sharing their stories of mental health triumphs.

Connect with your host Ross Leppala!

Instagram: ross.leppala

Facebook: Ross Leppala

Email: [email protected]

Intro and Outro music credits:

"Lost in the Woods" by Gaelynn Lea

from the album "Learning How to Stay"

Gaelynn Lea: Violin, Vocals

Dave Mehling: Guitars, Keyboards, Organ & Auxiliary Percussion

Al Church: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano & Auxiliary Percussion

Martin Dosh: Drums

Andrew Foreman: Electric Bass

Haley McCallum: Vocal Harmony

In this episode of the Project Unchained podcast, host Ross Leppala discusses the concept of self-care and personal growth through understanding and reducing levels of attachment, based on Don Miguel Ruiz Jr.'s book 'The Five Levels of Attachment.' Leppola uses sports analogies to explain the five levels: Authentic Self, Preference, Identity, Internalization, and Fanaticism. He emphasizes how high attachment levels cause disconnection and suffering in various aspects of life, including politics and religion. He encourages listeners to reduce attachment through awareness, fostering better human connection and self-authenticity. The episode concludes with a reminder to share the podcast and a thank you to Galen Lee for the intro and outro music.

Connect with your host Ross Leppala!

Instagram: ross.leppala

Facebook: Ross Leppala

Email: [email protected]

Intro and Outro music credits:

"Lost in the Woods" by Gaelynn Lea

from the album "Learning How to Stay"

Gaelynn Lea: Violin, Vocals

Dave Mehling: Guitars, Keyboards, Organ & Auxiliary Percussion

Al Church: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Piano & Auxiliary Percussion

Martin Dosh: Drums

Andrew Foreman: Electric Bass

Haley McCallum: Vocal Harmony