<p><br></p><p>This is a really common misunderstanding people have about powerlifting:<br><strong>They think it&#39;s all about &quot;maxing out&quot; and chasing medals.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>But the best powerlifters I know train to be better in <em>life</em> — not just for meets.</p><p><br></p><p>In this<strong> in-person episode of </strong><em><strong>Whiskey and Barbells</strong></em><strong>, I sat down with my own coach, Kurtis Tallaire — a national-level powerlifter </strong>who&#39;s been in the game for over a decade, both as an athlete and a coach.</p><p><br></p><p>Today, he trains athletes who are crushing international meets.</p><p><br></p><p>Kurtis and I take a deeper, practical look at powerlifting principles — <em>not</em> just for competitors, but <strong>for the everyday lifter</strong> who wants strength that supports their life, their body, and their longevity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>We get into:</strong></p><ul><li>Why powerlifting is a <em>mindset</em>, not just a sport</li><li>How <strong>a strong squat looks different from a “textbook” squat</strong></li><li>The right way (and wrong way) to use a weight belt</li><li><strong>Strength training vs. bodybuilding</strong> — and why they feel so different</li><li>Progressive overload and why it still works</li><li>How to build strength without obsessing over your 1RM</li><li>Training principles that <strong>make workouts feel easier</strong> over time</li><li>The importance of sleep and recovery for strength gains</li><li>Specific cues for improving bench, squat, and deadlift</li><li>Core strength <strong>tips to protect your back</strong></li><li>My recent competition recap — what I’d do differently</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This episode is great if you care about <strong>getting stronger for real life</strong> — whether you train for performance, health, or just to feel powerful in your body.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Find more from Kurtis on Instagram:</strong>​<br>​<a href="https://preview.convertkit-mail2.com/click/dpheh0hzhm/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9rdXJ0aXMudA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>@kurtis.t</strong></a></p><p></p>