Lift & Load

Gym Etiquette

How not to be a D-bag in the gym 101. Are your habits secretly irking your gym owners? Do you have a reputation of being "that guy"? Alan and Christina dive into all things gym etiquette this week: the do's, the don'ts, and the wtfs. 

When the Heavy Things Don't Move

Raw. Real. Recap. This week's Lift & Load went on the go, right to 10pm at Team Iron House's Airbnb for an immediate recap of Official Strongman Games 2025. Christina and Alan reflect on the weekend and discuss the thing no athlete wants to talk about... what happens when things don't go well on game day?
 

Is Bigger Really Better? Ft Rey Cunha

Professional Strongman Rey Cunha rose through the ranks as an Open Class athlete, but at what cost? Tune in this week as Alan and Christina talk about his decision to lose weight, move out of the Open class, and rewrite his career on his own terms as a Mid weight athlete.
Leaner, meaner, stronger? This week we tackle the question so many strength athletes ask themselves - Do I REALLY have to gain mass to reach my fullest potential?

Are You Ready for a Big Show?

In a sport that has local, regional, national, and international-level events, how do you know which you should compete in? This week Alan and Christina dig into what it takes to do the "Big" Show, and is it the right move for you and your goals. Think you are ready for the next level? Tune in to see what questions you should probably be asking yourself first.

Does the Lift Count? When to use gear in strength training

Knee sleeves, elbow sleeves, deadlift suits, oh my. With so many different options for protection and assistance in lifting, when do you make the investment? And when do you use them? SHOULD you use them? This week, Alan and Christina dig in to that what, when, how and why of geared lifting. Notable brands mentioned:
 
CERBERUS STRENGTH (Code "SMI" for 10% off)
https://cerberus-strength.us/
Triple Ply Deadlift Belt
https://cerberus-strength.us/products/triple-ply-deadlift-belt
 
SBD Apparel
https://us.sbdapparel.com/
 
Inzer Advanced Designs
https://inzer.com/

Unleashing the T-Rex: Evan Singleton on Strength, Scars, and Comebacks

This week we go prehistoric with Evan “T-Rex” Singleton — one of the most electric personalities and fiercest competitors in the world of strongman. From WWE to World’s Strongest Man podiums, Evan’s story is one of raw power, grit, and relentless comeback energy.
After tearing his bicep completely off the bone at World’s Strongest Man, Evan refused surgery, rebuilt himself through pure determination, and returned stronger than ever to dominate the Royal Albert Hall. In this episode, he opens up about:
💥 Overcoming major injuries and rebuilding confidence🧠 The mental toll of elite competition and learning to block out the noise🏋️‍♂️ Training in 100° Tennessee heat and prepping for the season ahead🔥 How belief, discipline, and experience shape a true champion
You’ll also hear hilarious behind-the-scenes stories — from his dinosaur obsession 🦖 and “T-Rex” nickname to the viral headbutt that had fans accusing him of using blood capsules on stage.
If you’re an athlete, coach, or fan of strongman culture, this is a must-listen deep dive into what it really takes to chase the title of World’s Strongest Man.

Cut it Off: Turning Tragedy Into Strength - Cody George's Strongman Story

What happens when a U.S. Marine veteran, adaptive athlete, and one-legged strongman decides to defy every limitation ever placed on him? You get Cody George — IG @legloess69 — (because of course it is) a true example of redefining what’s possible in strength sports.
In this episode, hosts Christina Arthur and Alan Colley sit down with Cody to talk about:
💪 His journey from military service and injury to becoming a competitive strongman
🦾 The mental battles of recovery, resilience, and finding purpose after amputation 🏋️ How adaptive strength training is growing — and what needs to happen next
🔥 The mindset that led him to compete (and crush it) at Orlando’s Strongest against able-bodied athletes
🤝 His mission to expand Adaptive Strongman and create opportunities for others to rise
Tune in this week to learn that the limits we put on ourselves are usually much more restrictive than what is actually possible. Watch exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and athlete stories on the Lift & Load Show, presented by Strongman Institute.

The Greatest of All Time - Žydrūnas Savickas

Widely considered the greatest strongman to have ever lived, Žydrūnas Savickas has a list of accomplishments that pales everything in comparison. Setting over 70 world records in his strongman career, "Big Z"'s rap sheet includes:
World's Strongest Man
4× Winner: 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014
6× Runner-up (record for most 2nd-place finishes)
Arnold Strongman Classic
8× Champion (2003–2008, 2014, 2016)
Holds the record for the most wins at this event
Europe’s Strongest Man:
3× Winner (2010, 2012, 2013)
Lithuania’s Strongest Man:
16× Champion (1998–2005, 2007–2014)
And the list goes on. We had the opportunity to talk to the GOAT himself and learn some of the ways he approaches competing and his ultimate goal. Turns out it is the most simple thing... just win.

The StrongWoman - Inez Carrasquillo

They say champions are born, not made. In the case of Inez Carrasquillo, it is both. This week we dive into how she became one of the strongest woman in the world, holding multiple world titles including the Arnold Strongwoman Classic Champion, North America's Strongest Woman, and the Rogue Invitational Champion. A mother, coach, and athlete, Inez shows that the road to the top is never the easiest one, but the legacy and example that we leave behind makes it all worth it.

The Iron Chronicles - Alan Colley

Coach, Professional Strongman, Gym Owner, and now... Lift & Load new cohost?! For the past 12+ years Alan Colley and Iron House Gym have been institutions in Florida strength sports, helping hundreds of athletes across the country reach their ultimate potential. So it is only right to start season two by running it back to basics and learn more about the man behind the Iron. Before the gym, before he was even a coach, join us this week as we kick off this new era and learn about the foundation of the Strongest Gym in Florida.