Strength Chat

#341 Ross Leppala

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with Ross Leppala, Reactive Training Systems coach and 2x Masters Powerlifting World Champion. As lifters get stronger physically, what often holds them back isn’t their body, it’s their mind. The good news is that, just like strength, mindset can be trained. And that’s exactly what we unpacked in this episode. In this conversation, we break down: 🧠 Are your limits real or self-imposed? 🔥 The impact of confidence on performance 📈 Why progress requires stepping outside your comfort zone If you’re stuck at a plateau, second guessing attempts or playing it safe in training, this one will be helpful for you. Want more insights like this every week?👉 Join the newsletter - https://mailchi.mp/c596e11d086b/vqfx9t7rgl  Follow Ross: 👉 @ross.leppala 👉 @intentionalathlete_podcast Follow me:  👉 @coach_cuthbert 👉 @strength_chat 

#340 Kyle McKee

This week I was joined by Kyle McKee, strength & powerlifting coach and Pre-Script Level 3 coach. There’s no shortage of “quick fixes” in training. Tweaks. Hacks. Adjustments. Shortcuts. Promises of faster results. But most of them don’t last. In this conversation, Kyle and I talk about something far more powerful: How to make success inevitable, without constantly changing your programme.  In this episode we break down: 🔥 Trying harder vs. changing your programme  🏋️ How to get more out of the training you’re already doing  📈 How to build a system where progress becomes unavoidable If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing a lot but not moving forward, this episode will challenge how you think about progress. Join the Built By Strength Community - https://mailchi.mp/c596e11d086b/vqfx9t7rgl Follow Kyle: 👉 @_kylemckee Follow me:  👉 @coach_cuthbert 👉 @strength_chat 

#339 Julia Hlaing

This week I was joined by Julia Hlaing, a pelvic health physio with experience competing in bodybuilding, weightlifting, CrossFit and powerlifting. When it comes to training before, during, and after pregnancy, there’s a huge amount of misinformation that creates fear, confusion, and unnecessary limitations. Julia is doing the opposite, breaking myths, sharing evidence-based practice, and helping women (and coaches) feel confident, not cautious. What makes this episode even better, is Julia is actually pregnant herself in this episode.   In this episode, we cover: 🤰 The most common myths around training & pregnancy  🏋️ What best practice actually looks like pre, during, and post pregnancy  🗣️ The role of the coach and why language & communication matter so much  If you coach women or train through pregnancy yourself, this episode is essential listening. If this episode helped shift your thinking, the newsletter is where it continues - https://mailchi.mp/ea9ee2b51d7c/built-by-strength Follow Julia: 👉 @pelvicstrong 👉 @pbphysio_olympicpark Follow me:  👉 @coach_cuthbert 👉 @strength_chat 

#338 Brandon Schultze

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brandon Schultze, a strength coach, Pre-Script educator, and someone who’s worked across both general population and professional sport. What stands out most about Brandon isn’t just what he knows, it’s how curious he’s been willing to stay. That curiosity has led him to: • seek more knowledge • sharpen his coaching language • and produce real results with both the coaches he mentors and the athletes he supports And that’s exactly what we explored in this conversation. In this episode, we chatted about: 🧠 Why so many coaches avoid curiosity 📈 The positive impact curiosity has on learning and result🗣️ How communication & language can elevate (or limit) your coaching If you coach people, this episode will challenge how you think, speak and ask questions. If this topic resonates, the newsletter is where it continues. 👉 Sign up to the newsletter via the link - https://mailchi.mp/ea9ee2b51d7c/built-by-strengthFollow Brandon: 👉 @brandon.schultze Follow me:  👉 @coach_cuthbert 👉 @strength_chat 

#337 Dr. Matt Casturo

We’re back for the first episode of 2026 and we kicked off this week with Dr. Matt Casturo, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Founder of The Movement System. Matt has a great skill of: 👉 taking complex performance topics 👉 stripping away the fluff 👉 and making them clear, practical and usable for coaches and athletes. If you’ve ever asked “Am I actually training for performance… or just getting strong?”, this episode is for you. What we break down in this episode: 🏋️‍♂️ The difference between being strong in the gym vs strong in your sport 🧠 How to make better programming decisions (without overthinking it) 📊 What information you actually need to improve athletic performance If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll love the newsletter. Each week I share: ✅ Coaching insights ✅ Training principles that actually work ✅ Lessons pulled directly from podcast conversations 👉 Sign up to the newsletterFollow Matt: 👉 @themovementsystem 👉 https://www.themovementsystem.com/  Follow me:  👉 @coach_cuthbert 👉 @strength_chat