S2 Q&A #2: Feeling Burned Out After a Meet? + Training Through Life’s Seasons
Release Date: 04/12/2025
S2 Q&A #3 - Why Barbell Training Is Essential for Adults 50–80: A Rehab Case Study That Inspires
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. John Petrizzo break down how strength training allowed a 75-year-old barbell trainee to avoid inpatient rehab after fracturing both her hip and wrist. Her story is a testament to how barbell training preserves function, independence, and quality of life—even after serious injury. “The stronger you go into these sorts of situations, the better off you're going to be—because you're going to have more lean body mass, more muscle mass, more bone mineral density… So that if you lose some of it,...
info_outline
S2 Q&A #2: Feeling Burned Out After a Meet? + Training Through Life’s Seasons
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this candid and insightful listener Q&A episode, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson of Progressive Rehab & Strength dive deep into two thought-provoking questions submitted by a competitive powerlifter navigating the post-meet blues and nutrition challenges. They unpack the psychological and physical impacts of taking extended time off from training after powerlifting competitions, explore ways to manage training stress, and discuss how to realign your training goals during life transitions. Plus, they address the complex question of when to transition to maintenance...
info_outline
S2 Inspirational Interview #2: Strength Training Through Chaos | How One Barbell Athlete Stays Consistent With Barbell Training While Raising & Homeschooling 5 Kids
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast Inspirational Interview Series, Dr. Rori Alter sat down with Anna Marie Oakes-Joudy, an athlete who faces life’s toughest challenges and emerges stronger every day. Anna Marie shares her personal journey through the hardships of raising and homeschooling 5 children, demonstrating resilience, and the transformative power of strength training. As a mother of five—including a set of twins—she balances her role as a dedicated parent while excelling as a barbell coach, homeschooling her children, and running a successful...
info_outline
S2E7 - Strength Training for New Parents (or Very Busy People) | Time-Efficient Strategies for Progress
Progressive Rehab & Strength
Barbell strength training or powerlifting training after having kids is HARD. Finding the time and energy to powerlift after having babies has its challenges for all parents, but, most of all, time to train and the ability to recover is most affected. In this episode of the PRS Podcast, hosts Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. John Petrizzo continue their New Parent Training series, discussing how to adapt strength training when time and recovery resources are limited—a challenge that applies not only to new parents but to anyone with a demanding schedule. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ...
info_outline
S2E6 - Postpartum Strength Training for New Parents: Managing Training Expectations and Adapting to Life After Having A Baby
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this episode of The Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, new parents and Clinical Coaches, Drs Rori Alter and John Petrizzo, dive into the challenges of maintaining a strength training program, specifically powerlifting and barbell training, after having a baby for the first and second time. From sleep deprivation to time constraints, they explore how your approach to training must shift in the postpartum period. If you're a parent, or soon-to-be parent, they talk about the differences in training expectations before and after having kids, and how to avoid the common pitfalls that lead...
info_outline
S2 Q&A #1: How Tight Should Your Belt Be? How to Handle a Drifting Deadlift, and How to Do More Pull-ups
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In today's episode, Dr. Rori and two other Clinical Coaches at PRS, Alyssa Haveson and Dr. John Petrizzo, answer your questions! In this first installment of Q&A, the team answers the following questions: How tight should your lifting belt be? How do deal with deadlift drifting away from your legs when using a mixed grip? How can I increase the number of pull-ups I can do? Resources mentioned in this episode: Got a question you would like the PRS team to answer on the show? Submit it here! If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review...
info_outline
S2 Inspirational Interview #1: Powerlifting Through Pain | Stephanie Tracy’s Journey to the Pan American Bench Press Championships
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this episode of Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, we sit down with PRS client and competitive powerlifter, Stephanie Tracy. We dive into her incredible journey from competing at Powerlifting America’s Bench Press National Championships to representing the USA at the Pan American Championships. Along the way, we discuss the mental and physical challenges that come with injuries, how Steph found the strength to push through, and what it takes to keep competing at the highest level, even when your body may be working against you. Get our FREE Powerlifting Meet Day Bundle HERE...
info_outline
S2E5 - Injuries and Powerlifting Competitions: Managing Setbacks and Navigating Meets
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In the powerlifting world, injuries are an unfortunate reality. Whether it's a tweak in training leading into a competition or something more significant happening during the powerlifting meet itself, injuries will happen. However, it's how we reduce our risk for them and manage them so they don't get worse leading into or during the competition. Prepping for a Powerlifting Meet? Download our FREE Powerlifting Meet Day Bundle HERE! In this episode of the Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast, we dive into the complex dynamics of injuries in powerlifting competitions, from...
info_outline
S2E4 - Powerlifting Game Day Strategy (Pt 2): Advanced Powerlifting Game Day Strategies for Coaches & Competitors at Regional, Pro, National & International Meets
Progressive Rehab & Strength
In this episode of Progressive Rehab & Strength Podcast we continue our discussion on Powerlifting Game Day Strategy. We focus on the nuances of managing and competing at the highest levels of powerlifting, with a particular emphasis on coaching advanced athletes through regional, pro, national, and international powerlifting competitions. This episode is designed for advanced lifters and new lifters entering the higher competition circuit, and their coaches who are preparing for national and international competitions, offering actionable strategies to optimize performance when every...
info_outline
S2E3 - Powerlifting Game Day Strategy (Part 1): Planning for a 9-for-9 Performance
Progressive Rehab & Strength
Having a game day strategy for a powerlifting meet is essential to making sure you have fun and the outcome of the competition meets your expectations. Whether you are a first time powerlifting competitor or a seasoned lifter, you should do all you can to ensure you go 9-for-9 as completing all possible attempts in a powerlifting competition ensures you have the best outcome possible. In this episode of the PRS Podcast Drs Rori Alter and Alyssa Haveson continue their discussion on powerlifting competition by dedicating Part 3 and 4 of this Powerlifting Competition Series to planning...
info_outlineIn this candid and insightful listener Q&A episode, Dr. Rori Alter and Dr. Alyssa Haveson of Progressive Rehab & Strength dive deep into two thought-provoking questions submitted by a competitive powerlifter navigating the post-meet blues and nutrition challenges.
They unpack the psychological and physical impacts of taking extended time off from training after powerlifting competitions, explore ways to manage training stress, and discuss how to realign your training goals during life transitions. Plus, they address the complex question of when to transition to maintenance calories after bulking or cutting.
From athlete burnout and life balance to nutrition periodization and sport crossover (hello BJJ!), this episode is full of real talk, actionable advice, and behind-the-scenes coaching strategy.
Key Topics Discussed:
-
When and how to take intentional time off after a powerlifting competition
-
Psychological burnout vs. strategic off-season programming
-
Communicating openly with your coach to optimize your program
-
Training through lifestyle transitions like busy work seasons, family obligations, and other hobbies
-
Adjusting expectations and recovery strategies in your 30s and 40s
-
How to maintain strength without a meet on the horizon
-
Pros and cons of adding high-stress sports (like BJJ) to your training in-season
-
When to transition from a caloric deficit to maintenance
-
Body composition discomfort vs. performance trade-offs
-
Sustainable strength strategies and nutrition for competitive lifters
Listener Takeaways:
-
You don’t have to earn your time off — you need to plan it intentionally.
-
Your training should adapt to your life, not the other way around.
-
Weight gain doesn’t always mean strength gain — and that’s okay.
-
Lifters in their 30s and 40s need smarter recovery strategies and realistic expectations.
-
If you’re feeling something — mentally or physically — say something to your coach.
Resources Mentioned:
Previous episode on weight classes & cutting
- #24 - Danny Lennon, MSc - Cutting & Confining to a Powerlifting Weight Class | A Decision Hierarchy
- Season 2, #2 - Choosing Your Powerlifting Weight Class | When to Cut, Bulk, And Compete
Got a question you would like the PRS team to answer on the show? Submit it here! https://forms.gle/7Vu2HmgHoeQY9xM59
If you’re enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review on Apple or Spotify.
Free Resources!
Need help with an injury or programming? Book a free consultation call with one of the PRS Clinical Coaches here!
Interested in attending some of the free PRS community events and getting early access to PRS Podcast episodes? Sign up for our weekly newsletter here!
Join our Facebook Community for free form checks, live Q&As & more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PRS.Barbell.Mastery
Get in touch with the show!
-
Email: [email protected]
-
Rori IG: @rorimegan_prs
-
Alyssa IG: @alyssahope_prs