John Sheridan owner and coach at Burley Strength, Home of Strength in Canberra Australia joins us for an incredible podcast. We talk about some profound subjects around gender, life, and the idea of strength as an important thing to foster both physically and emotionally. I found this conversation to be truly moving, inspiring and gave me a lot to think about, which was exactly why I wanted to start this podcast.
Talking Points
John says "No Dickheads Allowed" at his gym, and it is one of the first things you see on his WEBSITE. We explore what that means.
John tells the story of how he got into fitness, powerlifting, and the gym game via Rugby.
He chats about breaking his hand punching someone, the punch being terrible, and the other person being fine.
He chats about his beginnings as a Personal Trainer in a commercial gym
He tells the tale of how he bought the gym he was working in far earlier than expected.
John Sheridan Openpowerlifting
His first powerlifting competition where he "didn't know what depth was."
How he fell for equipped lifting and how it "became everything."
John talks about the worst decision he made as a powerlifting athlete.
"The illusion of strength"
He talks about his goal of being the first person to squat 1000lbs in Australia and whether he achieved it.
PRs vs. PBs
The idea of never hitting a PR again (in powerlifting)
When training switches focus.
De-prioritising powerlifting
Training is therapeutic, not therapy.
Owning a gym DOES NOT mean you get to train whenever you want.
His transformative experiences via bouldering.
Re-finding the passion for human performance.
When you are defined by a hobby, when a hobby should probably just be an aspect of you.
The gym culture over at Burley.
Everything should be in moderation, even moderation.
The surprising benefits of having a partner with zero interest in training.
He talks about the profound moment he changed his Instagram handle
no talking about lifting at social events :D
Selling the myth of constant progress.
Increasing your PR variety.
Rekindling the love for the training process.
Income orientation vs outcome orientation goals.
Mountain biking.
Running.
John talks about his ONLY training goal in life.
Should training be fun? John gives his opinion.
When powerlifting is your boss and you don't want or like having a boss.
Did every meathead want to be the same meathead as John was?
Some tips for how to foster a love of training.
"You don't have to be strong all the time"
The definition of 'meathead' and being better and realizing when you're being an idiot.
The deeper meaning behind "powerlifting for everyone"
The beauty in seeing your client competing and progressing.
Dickheads in the powerlifting community.
Being the first sporting outlet in Aus to have a third gender category in their powerlifting competitions.
How toxic masculinity has shaped John's life in a positive way.
When people forget that they can make progress
Links
John Sheridan Instagram: @justsherro
Burley Strength: www.burleystrength.com
Peakspeak Podcast: @peakspeakpodcast
ZeroW: @zero_weakness
