Ambitious Strength: Powerlifter's Playground

Amber Verrill

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Health & Fitness
Updated Semiweekly

This is where powerlifter's come to have fun, explore, and excel. Our playground is dedicated to learning and growing in all aspects of life but exploring these lessons through powerlifting as a sport. We only get one life, so might as well have fun too. Hence, playground. This is your playground. What you do with it could make you unstoppable.

Mar 12

Understanding "Feeling a Muscle"

The conversation delves into the concept of 'find and feel' in fitness, exploring the impact of muscle tension and the difference between compound and isolated movements. It also discusses the various feelings experienced during lifting and the importance of understanding them in different types of movements. Takeaways Find and feel in fitnessUnderstanding muscle tension Chapters 00:00 The Find and Feel Epidemic
12/29/2025

The Art of Emotional Regulation in the Gym

The conversation explores the emotional reactions to missed lifts in the gym and the impact it has on performance. It emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation as a performance skill and provides practical tools for reframing and recovery after a miss. Takeaways Emotional regulation is a performance skillA miss is information, not a verdict Chapters 00:00 Understanding Emotional Reactions to Missed Lifts
08/15/2025

Every Move Counts: Transform Your Day with Simple Activities

In this episode, we delve into the transformative effects of integrating movement into your daily routine. Discover practical tips and strategies to seamlessly incorporate physical activities into your busy schedule, enhancing your overall health and well-being. From simple desk exercises to creative ways to stay active throughout the day, learn how these small changes can lead to significant improvements in your physical and mental health. Tune in to unlock the secrets of a more dynamic and healthier lifestyle.
08/13/2025

The Power of a Pause: Transforming Your Food Choices

In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of pausing before making food choices. Discover how a moment of mindfulness can lead to healthier decisions, enhance your relationship with food, and promote overall well-being. Join us as we explore practical tips and insights to help you cultivate a more intentional approach to eating. Tune in to learn how a simple pause can make a significant impact on your health journey.
08/12/2025

Fatigue or Just Low Motivation? How to Tell When to Rest vs Push Through

Every lifter has those days — low motivation, low energy, and the barbell feels heavier than usual. But how do you know if you should grind through it or take a step back? In this episode of The Powerlifter’s Playground, I break down the three key areas fatigue shows up beyond the barbell and how you can assess them using my simple Stop Light System. You’ll learn how to track trends, spot patterns, and make informed decisions about training, so you don’t waste progress or push into burnout. Key takeaways: The difference between lack of motivation and true fatigue How to use the Stop Light System to track your training readiness When a “rest day” is the smartest move for long-term gains Call to Action:Taking a day off isn’t soft, it’s strategic. Let’s work together to help you gamble one mediocre day for a string of great ones. Sign up for 1:1 coaching! Email ambitious.strength9@gmail.com to start today!
08/08/2025

The Myth of Perfect Form: What Matters More?

In this episode of the Powerlifters Playground, host Amber Verrill challenges the conventional wisdom of "perfect form" in lifting. Discover why chasing textbook perfection might be holding you back and how embracing efficient form can lead to better performance and longevity in your lifting journey. Amber shares practical tips on auditing your technique, using video as a tool, and finding cues that work for you. Tune in to redefine your approach to lifting and unlock your true potential.
08/04/2025

Niggles - You don't need to figure them out today

You felt a twinge. A weird ache. Something just… off. Before you spiral into self-diagnosis or scrap your entire training plan, let’s slow down and walk through a simple process: Assess. Adapt. Execute. In this 5-minute episode, I’ll guide you through how to respond to small pains or discomforts in training without panic, overcorrection, or losing momentum. You don’t need to have all the answers today, you just need a plan. Let’s build it together. What you’ll learn: How to assess a new pain or sensation without catastrophizing Smart ways to adapt training in real time What “execution” looks like when you’re unsure but still showing up This one’s for the lifter who’s tired of feeling like every tweak is a setback. Listen in. Let it land. Then get back to work.
10/30/2024

Addressing the Monotony of Training as a Powerlifter

In this episode I discuss: The three lens' in which I view and prescribe training plans for powerlifters (Skill, sub-task, structure) What is skill, how do we use it, when do we prescribe training relevant to it, and examples for both beginners and intermediate/advanced lifters. What is a sub-task, how do we use it, when do we prescribe training relevant to it, and examples of how we integrate it into the skill adaptation What is a structural adaptation, how do we use it, when do we prescribe it, and how do we integrate it to be meaningful to the skill required.

This is where powerlifter's come to have fun, explore, and excel. Our playground is dedicated to learning and growing in all aspects of life but exploring these lessons through powerlifting as a sport. We only get one life, so might as well have fun too. Hence, playground. This is your playground. What you do with it could make you unstoppable.

Creator

Amber Verrill
Years Active

2022 - 2026
Episodes

35
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Amber Verrill
Show Website

Ambitious Strength: Powerlifter's Playground