Garrett Skurnit, Elk Rapids Powerlifting | The Platform Episode 1

Tod Miller, MHSPLA Founder, International Coach and Competitor, Pt 2 | The Platform Episode 16

Tod Miller isn't just a coach — he's a visionary who helped shape Michigan high school powerlifting from its grassroots to national prominence. This episode covers his journey, training philosophies, and the moments that define his legacy. In this episode: * Tod Miller's journey from football coach to powerlifting legend * How he built championship teams across multiple Michigan schools * The evolution of high school powerlifting, equipment, and raw vs. equipped lifting * Training periodization, attempt selection, and mental game tactics * The story behind the Plainwell Knights powerlifting club (ages 10 to 60+) * Coaching experiences at USAPL National and World Championships * Lessons from training with Westside Barbell and Russian powerlifting programs * Recognizing young talent like Erin Dickey and Caitlin Miller Timestamps: * 00:00 – Introduction to Todd Miller, Michigan's powerlifting pioneer * 02:24 – Todd's start in football and journey into powerlifting * 03:52 – Building championship teams across Michigan schools * 06:24 – The story behind the 2001 USAPL National Championship win * 09:13 – First USAPL meet — lessons learned the hard way * 11:22 – Differences between coaching Plainwell, Portage Northern, and Manistee * 15:12 – The Plainwell Knights youth and senior powerlifting program * 22:18 – Training with Louis Simmons and Westside Barbell * 29:52 – Origin story of Michigan's powerlifting governance * 37:41 – Lessons from coaching beginners and common mistakes * 41:27 – Peak week and recovery strategies * 48:54 – Attempt programming, auxiliary lifts, and bar rotation * 62:20 – Innovative tech tools for tracking attempts * 66:49 – International coaching trips and the Taiwan experience * 77:47 – Vinny story and athlete behavior control * 81:12 – Teaching confidence through tough meets * 96:52 – The growth of women's powerlifting in Michigan * 101:02 – Advice for new coaches * 118:23 – Erin Dickey's rise at age 17 and international success * 121:16 – Tod's social media and staying connected Resources & Links: Tod Miller (Instagram), Louis Simmons & Westside Barbell, Super Training: The Bulldozer Method by Boris Sheiko, USAPL Official Website

Tod Miller, MHSPLA Founder, International Coach & Competitor, Pt 1 | The Platform Episode 15

Summary: Prepare to be inspired by the journey of Coach Todd Miller, a foundational figure in Michigan high school powerlifting. Dive into the early days, the secrets behind building powerhouse teams, and the evolution of equipment and training philosophies that shaped the sport. In this episode: * Todd Miller's entry into powerlifting and early motivations * How he built award-winning high school teams from scratch * The significance of equipment, raw vs. equipped lifting, and program design * Insight into elite training, attempt selection, periodization, and mental game strategies * Early stories from international competitions (Taiwan, Germany) Timestamps (0:00–1:10:00 only): * 00:00 – Introduction and significance of Todd Miller's role in Michigan High School Powerlifting * 00:20 – Todd's first steps in powerlifting and motivations behind founding teams * 02:24 – Building winning team culture: recruitment, motivation, and program success * 04:29 – Equipment unmasked: raw vs. equipped lifting and program adaptation * 07:04 – National feats, team wins, and infamous international meets * 09:13 – Lessons from international competitions: food, hygiene, and camaraderie in Taiwan and Germany * 11:22 – Differing school environments and coaching strategies across Michigan schools * 13:55 – Legendary team moments and the importance of perseverance in competitions * 16:22 – The powerlifting club for all ages: community, camaraderie, and lifelong involvement * 18:34 – The impact of equipment and the rise of raw lifting in Michigan * 21:04 – The influence of Louie Simmons, Russian training methods, and auxiliary exercises * 23:48 – Building joint resilience: injury prevention and joint armor strategies * 27:02 – Contributions to Michigan High School Powerlifting governance and the sport's history * 29:52 – Reflections on the sport, coaching joys, and lessons learned * 31:25 – International competitions, team strategies, and iconic stories from Taiwan and Germany * 37:54 – Common beginner mistakes and the importance of smart attempt selection * 41:27 – Peak week and tapering tactics for high school athletes * 45:36 – Periodization, auxiliary exercises, and keeping athletes motivated * 48:54 – The art of attempt selection and the role of technology in coaching * 54:35 – Insights from Westside, Russian training, and the evolution of conjugate methods * 62:20 – Innovation in coaching tools: attempt tracking apps and their benefits * 67:48 – The mental game: coaching athletes to handle anxiety, missed lifts, and stress Resources & Links: * Louis Simmons & Westside Barbell Conjugate System * USA Powerlifting Official Website * Russian Training Methods & SuperTraining Book * Tod Miller on Instagram

Dennis Reinhart, USPA Record Holder & Coach, Montrose HS Pt 2| The Platform Episode 14

In Part 2 of our conversation with Dennis Reinhart, USPA bench press record holder and longtime Montrose powerlifting coach, Denny picks up where he left off with even more stories from the platform. He looks back on an 80-game football winning streak and walks through Montrose powerlifting's turnaround from its early days to a perennial contender. Denny also gets into the training weeds, sharing his approach to building a bigger chest for powerlifting and how he tapers and peaks his lifters heading into a meet. He touches on the sport's growing number of female lifters, revisits the marathon that was his first major meet, and explains how drug testing works at USPA competitions. Takeaways: * The story behind an 80-game football winning streak * Montrose powerlifting's turnaround from a startup effort to a statewide powerlifting force * Denny's approach to building a bigger chest and other accessory training * How he structures taper and peak week heading into a meet * The growing number of female lifters joining the sport * Memories from his first major meet and the long day it turned into * How drug testing works at USPA-sanctioned meets Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Deezer

Dennis Reinhart, USPA Record Holder & Coach, Montrose HS Pt 1 | The Platform Episode 13

In Part 1 of our conversation with Dennis Reinhart, a USPA bench press record holder and one of the earliest figures in the MHSPLA, we trace his path from football into powerlifting and what it took to build Montrose's program from scratch. Denny shares the coaches and lifters who shaped him along the way, breaks down his philosophy on diagnosing a lifter's weaknesses, and explains why he preaches consistency over genetics and patience over speed. He also revisits some of his most memorable stories, from the program's toughest meets to the legends of Montrose powerlifting. Part 2 drops soon with plenty more to say.

Tim Furno, MHSPLA Founder, Millington HS PT 2 | The Platform Episode 12

The podcast episode features an interview with Coach Tim Furno, a renowned powerlifting coach with a remarkable career. The conversation covers Coach Furno's background, achievements, and the development of his weightlifting program. It also delves into his experiences at Northern Michigan University and his impact on the Millington community. Additionally, the discussion highlights the national record setters and athletes trained by Coach Furno. The conversation delves into the history, achievements, and impact of powerlifting, highlighting legendary athletes, the preservation of knowledge, the emergence of female lifters, the transition to strongman competitions, and the development of powerlifting federations and associations. It also explores the evolution of women's powerlifting, the Olympic Search program, platform innovation, and the significance of state meet locations and hosts. The conversation delves into the pioneers of high school powerlifting, coaching and training techniques, strongman competitions, and rapid-fire questions, concluding with closing reflections and gratitude. Takeaways * Coach Tim Furno's early experiences at Northern Michigan University shaped his approach to weightlifting and powerlifting. * The development of the weightlifting program in Millington, Michigan was marked by Coach Furno's dedication to identifying and training exceptional athletes. The importance of preserving powerlifting history for future generations * The impact of personal choices on athletic careers Pioneers' impact on high school powerlifting * Competitive landscape of state meets * Coaching philosophy and training methods * Favorite lifts and accessory movements * Strongman competitions and speed in football * Practical jokes and mind games * Insights into favorite lifts and accessory movements * Gratitude and reflections Chapters * 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast * 12:56 Discussion of York Barbell Club * 19:16 Transition to Millington, Michigan * 29:30 National Record Setters and Athletes * 35:38 Pioneering Female Lifters * 42:37 Olympic Search and Weightlifting Development * 54:04 Powerlifting Federations and Associations * 01:03:18 Strongman Competitions and Mind Games