Elite Powerlifting Tactics: Insights From Sumi Singh & Lyle McDonald

This video is an interview of elite powerlifter Sumi Singh, and her coach, Lyle McDonald.

We talk about competitive powerlifting. More specifically, we discuss topics such as training longevity, strategies on meet day, technique refinement, the intricacies of Sumi’s training, and the importance of cultivating certain psychological traits. (This list isn’t exhaustive either; Sumi and Lyle were both very generous with their time and knowledge, which I’m grateful for.)

There’s something for everyone here, so as with my last interview with Lyle, I’ve included time stamps below that allow you to skip to whatever topic that interests you most. However, I think the interview is best experienced from start to finish.

Time stamps:
0:00 I introduce Sumi
2:12 Lyle clarifies just how successful Sumi is in powerlifting
3:35 I continue introducing Sumi
4:50 I introduce Lyle
6:27 Sumi and Lyle talk about how they first met
9:44 Lyle talks about how Sumi’s first powerlifting meet went in 2017
12:30 Lyle touches on his personal approach to coaching
14:40 Lyle discusses his approach to refining Sumi’s squat/bench/deadlift technique
20:30 Sumi’s longest competition deadlift in the history of powerlifting
22:36 Why Sumi and Lyle emphasized low back strength
25:00 More about Sumi’s lifting technique
27:00 Frog-stance deadlift
29:50 Why Sumi’s squat/bench/deadlift training was mainly heavy single repetitions
31:00 Some general thoughts about Sumi’s training
35:00 Why Sumi competed with weights under her established maxes
40:00 Why Sumi competed 4 times per year
42:00 How Sumi peaks for powerlifting meets
50:40 Hypertrophy and peaking blocks for powerlifting
52:20 How did Sumi handle her powerlifting workouts psychologically?
1:01:08 How can people cultivate the psychological traits that help in powerlifting?
1:10:00 What made Sumi and Lyle such a good athlete-coach team?
1:19:10 Can video games help you cultivate beneficial psychological traits? Solomon’s perspective
1:22:15 More about developing beneficial psychological traits
1:31:47 Does Sumi’s success in powerlifting contradict the notion of a ‘natty limit’?
1:42:35 Has Sumi’s ripped state posed any health risks?
1:49:25 On Sumi’s final, perfect 12/12 powerlifting meet

Sumi can be found at her website: https://shailafitness.com/
Lyle can be found at his website: https://bodyrecomposition.com/

For my consulting services:    • Solomon Nelson Now Offering Online Consult...