Why Work with Me: The Right Choice for Competitive Strength Athletes
When it comes to competitive strength training, choosing the right coach is not just about finding someone with a certification or a social media presence. It’s about selecting a guide who understands the intricate balance between theory, practice, and the unique demands of your sport. With nearly 15 years of experience working with athletes at every level—from complete beginners to world champions—I bring a proven track record, an academic foundation, and a results-driven methodology to every client I coach. This article explores why I am the right choice for competitive strength athletes, highlighting the principles, methodologies, and philosophies that underpin my coaching practice.
A Proven Track Record of Excellence
Results Beyond the Podium
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with athletes across various strength sports, including Strongman, powerlifting, and general strength training. My athletes have consistently achieved personal bests, stood on podiums, broken records, and excelled in their chosen disciplines. These results are not mere coincidences; they stem from a deliberate, adaptable approach to coaching that combines evidence-based practices with innovative programming.
One of the key drivers of these successes is my ability to adapt proven methodologies, such as the Conjugate Method, to the unique demands of competitive strength sports. This includes tailoring Maximal Effort (ME), Dynamic Effort (DE), and Repetition Methods to improve not only maximal strength but also attributes like endurance, speed, and explosiveness.
For example, in "The Conjugate Method for Strongman - Rides Again" on TEAMJOSHHEZZA.com, I explore how traditional powerlifting principles can be reimagined to suit the multifaceted requirements of Strongman. By integrating event-specific training into Conjugate programming, I help athletes address the unpredictable challenges of competition, such as transitioning between maximal strength lifts and high-rep endurance events.
Real-World Applications
Whether it's helping an athlete refine their deadlift technique for a world record attempt or designing a training cycle to peak for a Strongman competition, my coaching philosophy is rooted in practicality. Articles like my two part series on how to train for (almost) all strongman events without implements (PART 1, PART 2), delve into how these principles play out in real-world settings, offering actionable advice on integrating event-specific demands into broader training cycles.
An Academic Foundation with Practical Application
In the world of strength coaching, a true expert is not just someone who can lift big weights or recite research studies—it’s someone who understands how to connect the dots between scientific knowledge and real-world application. That’s what sets my coaching apart.
With a BSc, MSc, PGDip, and ongoing PhD research, combined with WSBB Rule of Three & Special Strengths Certification, my approach is built on a deep understanding of biomechanics, physiology, and sports science—but more importantly, it’s built on how to apply that knowledge to make real athletes stronger, healthier, and more competitive.
Bridging Theory and Practice
Strength coaching has two common failures:
The Academic-Only Coach – Knows every sports science paper but has never coached a competitive athlete.
The "Bro-Science" Coach – Gets some athletes strong but relies entirely on outdated methods, guesswork, or personal experience.
I combine both academic knowledge and real-world coaching expertise, ensuring that my programming is:
✅ Backed by Science – Every decision is informed by proven training methodologies, from periodisation models to force-velocity profiling.
✅ Refined Through Experience – If a method doesn’t work in real competition settings, it gets re-evaluated.
✅ Tailored to the Athlete – No "one-size-fits-all" programs—every plan is individualised based on assessment and needs.
In "The Conjugate Method for Dummies", I break down a complex system into an accessible, actionable training method, proving that real-world application matters just as much as theory.
🔹 In-Depth Assessments & Advanced Problem Solving
A coach’s job isn’t just writing workouts—it’s solving problems. A plateau in progress, a movement deficiency, an unexplained performance drop—all of these require more than just "train harder" as a solution.
My academic background enhances my ability to pinpoint weaknesses and provide strategic solution
s.
💡 Example: An athlete consistently fails squats at lockout despite having strong quads and a solid start off the floor. A surface-level coach might say, "Just squat more."
Instead, I apply:
Biomechanical Analysis: Checking bar path, hip and knee tracking, and where force production breaks down.
Sports Science Research: Using post-activation potentiation (PAP) or accommodating resistance (bands/chains) to overload lockout.
Practical Programming: Adjusting Max Effort squat variations to include Good Mornings, Anderson Squats, and Reverse Band Squats to directly target deficiencies.
By merging academic knowledge with real-world solutions, we fix weaknesses faster and get results sooner.
🔹 Recovery, Injury Prevention, & Long-Term Progression
Longevity is the key to success in strength sports. It doesn’t matter how strong you are today—if you’re injured, fatigued, or broken down, you won’t be strong tomorrow.
Many coaches ignore recovery until their athletes get hurt. My approach prevents injuries before they happen by integrating sports science-backed recovery strategies into every program.
In "Lower Body Mobilisation for Squat Performance", I outline specific drills and methods to enhance movement efficiency, reduce injury risk, and maintain peak performance.
💡 Example: A strongman athlete struggles with knee pain under heavy yoke walks. A standard coach might say, "Just wear knee sleeves."
Instead, I apply:
✅ Mobility Assessments: Checking hip and ankle dorsiflexion to see if the issue stems from poor movement patterns.
✅ Biomechanics Adjustments: If the knee is taking too much stress, I might modify squat stance or foot positioning to redistribute load.
✅ Targeted Prehab Work: Implementing Peterson step-ups, tibialis raises, and sled drags to strengthen knee stabilisers.
✅ Programming Adjustments: Replacing back squats with SSB box squats to reduce shear force on the knee while still building leg strength.
This integrated approach ensures that athletes stay in the game longer, make consistent gains, and perform at their peak when it matters most.
🔹 Programming That Aligns with Long-Term Athlete Development
One of the biggest flaws in strength coaching is failing to account for long-term progress. Many coaches write workouts, but few design comprehensive training plans that balance:
✅ Short-Term Gains – Hitting PRs within a training cycle.
✅ Mid-Term Development – Structuring progressive overload across months.
✅ Long-Term Career Progression – Ensuring athletes can stay competitive for years, not just one season.
By using periodisation strategies rooted in sports science, I ensure my athletes develop continually, without burning out or plateauing.
🔹 Example:
In "Programming the Squat for Strongman", I outline how to structure squat training not just for immediate strength, but for long-term progression.
Rather than maxing out every week (which leads to CNS fatigue and regression), I use:
✅ Wave Loading & Undulating Periodisation – Alternating heavy, moderate, and speed days to avoid stagnation.
✅ Block Structure for Strength & Conditioning – Adjusting Max Effort, Dynamic Effort, and Repetition work based on competition schedules.
✅ Deload & Restoration Phases – To ensure athletes peak at the right time without accumulating fatigue.
This method allows athletes to build strength sustainably, ensuring they’re strong not just now, but years from now.
Why This Matters: Real Coaching, Real Results
💡 Here’s the difference between what I do and what most coaches do:
🚫 Other Coaches: Write generic "strength programs" with no long-term strategy.
✅ Me: Design customised training cycles that ensure peak performance without burnout.
🚫 Other Coaches: Guess at injury solutions or tell athletes to "push through pain."
✅ Me: Use biomechanics, movement analysis, and sports science research to fix weaknesses before they become injuries.
🚫 Other Coaches: Rely on outdated methods or personal experience only.
✅ Me: Merge academic knowledge with practical expertise, ensuring every method is backed by science and proven in competition.
Customised Training for Every Athlete: A Precision-Based Approach
No two athletes are the same. That’s why every programme I design starts with a comprehensive assessment, ensuring training is structured around individual strengths, weaknesses, and competition demands. Cookie-cutter programming doesn’t work in strength sports—what works for one athlete might completely fail another. My job as a coach is to bridge that gap with targeted training solutions that build strong, well-rounded competitors who peak at the right time.
Comprehensive Assessments: Laying the Foundation for Success
Before an athlete even touches a barbell under my guidance, we start with a deep dive analysis into their abilities, movement patterns, and injury history. Without this foundation, programming is just guesswork.
Key Areas of Assessment:
🔹 Strengths & Weaknesses Analysis: Where are you dominant? Where are you lagging? A strong deadlift doesn’t mean your squat is equally powerful. If an athlete is leaking energy in specific positions—whether it's off the floor in a deadlift, the midpoint of a press, or during a stone load—my job is to find the problem and fix it. Articles like "Assistance and Accessory Work in Strongman" explore how targeted accessories can eliminate these weak points, ensuring no lift or event suffers due to an overlooked deficiency.
🔹 Mobility & Movement Screening: Mobility isn’t just about flexibility—it’s about functional range of motion under load. A lifter with tight hips isn’t just going to struggle with squats, they’ll also have a compromised yoke walk and stone loading ability. Using insights from "Lower Body Mobilisation for Squat Performance", I evaluate an athlete’s hip, ankle, and thoracic mobility to prevent these common pitfalls.
🔹 Injury History & Structural Integrity: A history of biceps tears? We need to modify deadlift and stone-loading mechanics. Lower back pain? That changes our approach to squatting variations. This is where practical experience matters—an assessment isn’t just about what you can lift today, but how we keep you progressing without breaking down. Articles like "Reducing and Preventing Bicep Injuries in Strongman" guide my process in structuring movements that build durability alongside strength.
With this assessment completed, we move to programme design—where the real work begins.
Tailored Programming: Every Session Has a Purpose
Once an athlete’s individual needs are clear, programming shifts from generalised strongman training to a precise blueprint for their success. There’s no wasted effort—every exercise, every session is designed to make them stronger, faster, and more efficient in their competition lifts and events.
Key Features of My Customised Programming:
🔹 Event-Specific Training: Strongman is More Than Just Gym Lifts
A strong squat means nothing if you fold under a yoke. A heavy log press doesn’t guarantee a smooth axle clean. The key to strongman success is blending static strength with dynamic power, and I program accordingly.
In "Building the Squat for Strongman and Powerlifting", I break down how specialty bars, box squats, and accommodating resistance build strength that carries over to strongman events. For my athletes, this means:
✅ Box squats to improve yoke walk positioning and speed under load.
✅ Front squats to reinforce stone loading mechanics.
✅ Axle bar work to build grip and pressing endurance.
And it’s not just lower body training—overhead pressing is a core component of strongman. My coaching integrates log press, axle press, and sandbag work directly into the programme rather than as an afterthought. Instead of hoping gym lifts transfer to competition, we train event performance directly.
🔹 Dynamic Feedback Loops: Adjusting in Real-Time
Strength training isn’t linear. Some weeks an athlete feels indestructible, others they struggle under loads that should be easy. That’s why my coaching isn’t just a programme—it’s a process.
Athletes check in daily or weekly, updating me on:
✅ Fatigue Levels – Are we pushing too hard? Do we need a deload or recovery week?
✅ Technique Adjustments – Did last week’s speed yoke feel off? We might tweak foot placement or stance.
✅ Pain or Discomfort – If something feels off, we adjust—before it turns into a setback.
Programming That Evolves With the Athlete
Whether you’re prepping for a novice comp, a national qualifier, or aiming for World’s Strongest Man, the key is strategic adaptation. A programme that worked 6 months ago won’t necessarily work now. My approach ensures that training evolves alongside the athlete, keeping progress consistent, sustainable, and tailored to their competitive goals.
✅ Building explosive power? We modify dynamic effort training with speed yoke and banded squats.
✅ Peak for a comp in 10 weeks? We adjust the conjugate framework to align with event priorities.
✅ Returning from injury? We tailor volume, intensity, and movement selection to rebuild confidence and strength.
Stronger, Smarter, Injury-Free Training
If you want to compete at the highest level, you need programming that’s built for your individual strengths, weaknesses, and competition demands. That’s what I do.
Every programme I design isn’t just about getting strong—it’s about getting competition-ready, staying injury-free, and building a career in strength sports that lasts.
A Holistic Approach to Athlete Development
Beyond Physical Strength
Success in competitive strength sports requires more than just lifting heavy weights. It demands:
Mental Toughness: My coaching includes strategies to develop resilience, focus, and confidence under pressure.
Recovery Optimisation: Joint health, mobility, and active recovery are cornerstones of my approach, as explored in "Lower Body Mobilisation for Squat Performance".
General Physical Preparedness (GPP): Building a robust base to support high-intensity training while minimising injury risk.
Long-Term Athlete Development
Rather than chasing short-term results, my coaching focuses on sustainable progress. By prioritising longevity and comprehensive development, I help athletes build careers that last.
The Conjugate Method: A Pillar of My Coaching
When it comes to programming for strength sports, the Conjugate Method is unmatched in versatility and effectiveness. It’s not just a powerlifting system—it’s a framework that allows for the concurrent development of maximal strength, explosive power, endurance, and technical proficiency. This makes it perfectly suited for sports like Strongman, where success depends on more than just brute strength.
Unlike linear periodisation, which builds towards a single peak and often leaves athletes feeling flat outside of competition, Conjugate keeps strength levels high year-round. It ensures progress without stagnation, longevity without burnout, and peak performance when it matters most.
Versatility in Application: More Than Just Powerlifting
Many mistakenly believe that Conjugate is only for powerlifters. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Strongman, powerlifting, hybrid athletes, and even team sports athletes all benefit from the system’s flexibility. As I outlined in "The Conjugate Method for Dummies", the method is built around:
✅ Rotating exercises weekly or biweekly to avoid accommodation.
✅ Max Effort (ME) work to build absolute strength.
✅ Dynamic Effort (DE) work to develop speed and power.
✅ Accessory & repetition work to eliminate weak points.
This structure allows athletes to constantly improve without the plateaus that traditional training often causes.
In Strongman, the Conjugate Method needs slight adjustments to account for event specificity, endurance demands, and odd-object lifting. In "The Conjugate Method for Strongman – Rides Again", I break down how traditional powerlifting principles can be reworked for strongman success.
For example:
Log Press Max Effort Work rotates with traditional bench max effort days.
Yoke Walks on Dynamic Effort Lower Days develop foot speed and stability.
Stone Loading as an Accessory Movement reinforces explosive hip drive.
This approach ensures every aspect of strength is being developed simultaneously, leading to faster progression and more well-rounded athletes.
Tailored for Strength Sports: Specific Adjustments for Strongman & Powerlifting
One of the biggest strengths of the Conjugate Method is that it isn’t rigid—it’s adaptable to the athlete, the sport, and the competitive calendar.
🔹 Rotating Exercises to Address Weaknesses
Athletes often get stuck at specific points in a lift or event. Maybe they can clean the log easily, but their overhead press stalls out. Maybe their deadlift off the floor is fast, but their lockout is weak.
Conjugate fixes this by constantly varying the stimulus.
💥 Example: Log Press Plateau Fix A strongman athlete struggling with their log press lockout might cycle through:
Week 1: Log Press with Chains (accommodating resistance).
Week 2: Paused Close Grip Incline Bench Press (targeting triceps weakness).
Week 3: Seated Overhead Pin Press (improving starting power).
Week 4: Return to Log Press to test improvements.
Instead of hitting a wall, this prevents stagnation by training the exact weak points that hold an athlete back.
🔹 Prioritising Recovery to Prevent Overtraining
Strongman isn’t just about strength—it’s about durability. The unforgiving nature of strongman events means overtraining leads to injury fast.
Conjugate’s built-in recovery mechanisms allow athletes to train at high intensities without burning out. In "Lower Body Mobilisation for Squat Performance", I detail how strategic mobility work, dynamic effort sessions, and active recovery prevent breakdowns.
🔹 Example:
After a heavy yoke session, instead of grinding through another brutal lower-body day, an athlete might:
✅ Do box squats instead of back squats (less spinal compression).
✅ Use reverse hypers instead of heavy deadlifts (spinal decompression).
✅ Reduce Max Effort squat intensity but add banded good mornings for recovery.
This ensures consistent progress without wrecking joints, tendons, and CNS function.
🔹 Integrating Event-Specific Drills Seamlessly
In Strongman, gym strength must translate to competition success. If an athlete can squat 300kg but struggles with a 250kg yoke walk, their training hasn’t addressed real-world demands.
Conjugate fixes this by merging gym lifts with event work, as covered in "Programming the Squat for Strongman".
🔹 Example: Instead of treating yoke walks and farmers carries as an afterthought, they’re:
Integrated into Dynamic Effort Lower Days (speed work under load).
Used as Max Effort Variations (heavy yoke for distance instead of a max squat).
Paired with GPP Circuits to improve endurance.
This means event training isn’t separate from gym work—it’s part of the system.
Results-Driven Coaching with a Personal Touch
At the core of my coaching philosophy is one simple goal: getting athletes to win. Whether it’s a podium finish, a record-breaking lift, or a first-place strongman title, every programme is structured for results.
🔹 Individualised Attention: No Cookie-Cutter Plans
Every athlete I coach gets a custom-tailored plan. I don’t believe in "one-size-fits-all" because every competitor has different strengths and weaknesses.
Using key performance indicators, I track what’s actually working and adjust in real time.
🔹 Building Relationships Based on Trust & Open Communication
Coaching isn’t just programming—it’s partnership. I make sure my athletes feel supported, and I provide:
✅ Regular check-ins to tweak their plan.
✅ Direct communication for form feedback & questions.
✅ Long-term career planning for sustained progress.
Many athletes I coach stay with me for years—because the results speak for themselves.
🔹 Long-Term Success Over Short-Term Gains
Strength isn’t built overnight. I prioritise career longevity over short-term peaks that wreck the body.
✅ Strategic deloads prevent burnout.
✅ Joint-friendly training keeps athletes competing longer.
✅ GPP & conditioning ensure endurance for Strongman comps.
The Conjugate Method isn’t just a system—it’s a philosophy of continual progression. Whether you’re a novice looking to break into Strongman or an elite-level lifter chasing a world title, my approach ensures you:
💪 Stay strong year-round without plateaus.
🏆 Peak at the right time for competition.
🚀 Develop the explosive power & endurance needed to dominate.
Why Choose Me?
Proven Expertise: With nearly 15 years of coaching experience, I have worked with a diverse range of athletes, from those entering their first competition to world-class competitors. My track record includes guiding clients to personal bests, podium finishes, and record-breaking performances, always prioritising long-term success over quick fixes.
Innovative Methodologies: I combine academic rigour with practical application, offering training programmes that are evidence-based and tailored to meet real-world demands. My ability to adapt methodologies like the Conjugate Method to suit the specific challenges of strength sports has been instrumental in delivering results. This innovative approach ensures that every programme is both cutting-edge and effective.
Customised Programmes: Every athlete is unique, and so are their training needs. I design bespoke plans that take into account individual strengths, weaknesses, goals, and competition schedules. This includes event-specific training for Strongman, where exercises and strategies are carefully selected to prepare athletes for the unpredictable nature of competition.
Holistic Development: Physical strength is only part of the equation. My coaching philosophy encompasses mental resilience, recovery optimisation, and injury prevention, ensuring athletes are well-rounded and prepared for the rigours of competition. From improving joint health to developing mental toughness, I focus on building athletes who can perform consistently at their best.
A Track Record of Success: The results speak for themselves. My athletes have excelled across a range of strength sports, achieving consistent progress and exceptional outcomes. Whether it’s hitting a new personal best, excelling in a specific event, or standing on a podium, my coaching delivers tangible results that align with each athlete’s goals.
Personalised Support and Feedback: Coaching is more than just writing a programme. I prioritise regular communication, providing feedback, support, and adjustments as needed to ensure my athletes remain on track. This collaborative approach fosters trust and ensures that every programme evolves alongside the athlete’s progress.
A Commitment to Education: Beyond coaching, I aim to empower my athletes with the knowledge they need to understand their training. By explaining the principles behind each exercise, programme adjustment, and recovery strategy, I ensure that my clients are not just following instructions but actively engaging with their own development.
The Business Side: Mentoring Coaches Who Want to Succeed
If you’re a coach looking to build your business the right way, I offer mentorship that teaches real programming, business strategy, and athlete development.
I cover:
✔ How to actually program for athletes.
✔ Building a sustainable coaching business.
✔ Avoiding the gimmicks and BS mentorships. ✔ Leveraging AI & content marketing for business growth.
You don’t have to pay £999 for an "elite certification" or thousands for a scam course. Learn how to actually coach from someone who has done it at the highest level.
A Partnership for Success
Choosing the right coach is one of the most important decisions a competitive strength athlete can make. It’s about finding someone who understands the demands of your sport, who can push you to achieve your best, and who genuinely cares about your success. With a proven track record, a deep academic foundation, and a commitment to individualised, results-driven coaching, I am confident that I am the right choice for athletes who are serious about excelling in strength sports.
To take your training to the next level, explore my Diamond Package at TEAMJOSHHEZZA.com. This comprehensive coaching programme offers tailored training plans, regular feedback, and dedicated support to help you achieve your goals.
For more insights, updates, and training tips, follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Let’s continue to push the boundaries of strength sports together, one lift and one event at a time.
If full coaching isn’t the right fit for you—whether it’s not in your budget or you prefer to train independently—you don’t have to miss out on high-level programming. My ebook programmes offer the same proven training methodologies I use with my athletes, designed for strength, performance, and real-world results. These structured plans provide clear progressions, event-specific strategies, and expert guidance, all at a fraction of the cost of coaching. Whether you’re a strongman, powerlifter, or just looking to build serious strength, there’s a programme tailored for you. Check them out and take control of your training today.
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