2 Girls 1 Bar Podcast

Mandi and Wanda welcome Kayla Cocker, weightlifter, coach, and super mom, to the podcast. Kayla shares her journey from literally every sport ever, including track and rugby, to discovering her passion for weightlifting. She discusses the transition from CrossFit to weightlifting, the importance of supportive coaching, and her experiences in competitions. Kayla also opens up about the impact of amazing coaches on her desire to coach, including her very first CrossFit/weightlifting coach Katrina - who we want to shout out for being the original inspo for Kayla (and who is now also a full-on weightlifting coach). Follow Kayla on Instagram here RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi is joined by the amazing Grace Jenkins discuss Grace's journey in the world of weightlifting, her role at Power and Grace, and the importance of community and support in sports. They explore Grace's background in cheerleading, her transition to weightlifting, and how competing has changed her perspective on the sport. The conversation highlights the significance of personal growth, the culture within Power and Grace, and the future goals for the team and its athletes. Follow Grace on IG here Follow Power & Grace Performance on IG here RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Lenka discuss Lenka's journey from being an Olympic weightlifter to becoming a coach. They explore the challenges and joys of coaching, the growth of the weightlifting community in Minnesota, and the balance between college training and national team commitments. Lenka shares her experiences with competition, the importance of community in coaching, and her passion for weightlifting that blossomed during the COVID pandemic. Lenka also reflects on her journey towards becoming a nurse while balancing her weightlifting goals, emphasizing the significance of having a life outside of sports. Follow Lenka on Instagram here. RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda are tired af. They share personal updates about their lives, including travel plans, packing challenges, and fitness goals. They discuss the importance of coaching education, mentorship, and the need for more organized support for coaches. The conversation also touches on recent competitions, research insights, and the significance of community in the coaching world. RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! *HABITUÉ: Being a regular somewhere, a regular or loyal patron. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda are joined again by the amazing Dani to recap USAPL Nationals, including her preparation, performance, and the emotional journey surrounding competition. They delve into the importance of family support, nutrition strategies during travel, and the challenges of managing breaks from training. Follow Dani on Instagram here. RSVP for the very first Ladies of Strength Online Meetup on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm EST/7pm CST. It is aboslutely FREE to attend, but we want to get everyone registered so we can send out updates via Eventbrite and make sure everyone has the link to join. This is for ALL LADIES who are interested in strength sports, from athletes to coaches to spectators to someone wondering if they want to start lifting. Join us to chat and ask questions. We'll have a featured guest with Mandi and Wanda each time, the first one being the one and only Dani Glynn Myers. Join from your gym. Join from your car. Join from your couch. Apply for the Women's Scholarship for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! *HABITUÉ: Being a regular somewhere, a regular or loyal patron. Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda are joined by Christine Na, a seasoned weightlifter and physical therapist. Christine shares her journey from gymnastics and cheerleading to discovering her passion for weightlifting. She talks about her experiences as a competitive athlete, her transition into physical therapy, and her insights on balancing motherhood with training. Follow Christine on Instagram Apply for the Women's Scholarship for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda catch up on recent escapades across the US and chat about USAW Nationals (very briefly, because neither of them were there). Apply for the Women's Scholarship for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

We are excited for our very first bonus episodes (aka dude episodes) with one of our favorite men in strength sports - Joshua Gibson. The girl and Josh talk about Dani's impressive performance at Nationals, the importance of training philosophy, and the upcoming Power & Strength Summit aimed at elevating coaching standards. Joshua also introduces a scholarship for female coaches to encourage more women to enter the strength sports field. Apply for the Women's Scholarship for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Summary In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, hosts Mandi and Wanda welcome Alexa Snyder, a national-level Olympic weightlifter and nutrition coach. The conversation covers Alexa's journey from competitive cheerleading to weightlifting, her experiences with injury and recovery, and her passion for empowering women in sports. They discuss the importance of coaching, the challenges of balancing online and in-person training, and the creative outlet of vlogging. Alexa shares her insights on motivation during recovery and her goals for the future, all while maintaining a positive outlook on her journey. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

This one is for the girls. Join Wanda and Mandi as they discuss the intricacies of pursuing higher education and career opportunities in sports biomechanics and beyond. From the challenges of grad school applications to the serendipitous moments that shape career paths, this episode offers insights and advice for anyone considering further education or a career pivot. Learn about Wanda's journey from undergrad to PhD in sports biomechanics and the role of luck and preparation in career opportunities. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon in Louisville on June 28th Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda are joined by coach, mom, business owner, athlete extraordinaire - Olga Pisarskiy. Olga shares her path to gym ownership and coaching (and no, it wasn't planned). She also talks us thru when she almost quit (and we're glad she didn't). The girls dive into her transition from CrossFit to Olympic weightlifting, the importance of competition, and how she encourages her athletes, especially masters athletes, to find joy in the sport. Follow Olga on Instagram. Follow North Augusta Barbell on Instagram. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit: August 2-3 ONLINE! Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon in Louisville on June 28th Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Nikki Mohnsen shares her journey from being a photography enthusiast to becoming a prominent weightlifting photographer. She discusses the challenges and joys of capturing moments in strength sports, the importance of media in the community, and how her business has evolved over time. Nikki also reflects on the balance between her photography work and her day job as a teacher, as well as her aspirations for the future. Follow Nikki on Instagram and hire her for Nationals! Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

The girls are finally joined by their Julie - the one and only Julie Jahn. Julie shares her unique upbringing in the 80s, her early experiences with physical activity, and how she eventually found her passion for athletics in high school. The conversation delves into the importance of personal invitations from coaches, the impact of media on her athletic identity, and her pursuit of a career in sports education. They also discuss the challenges of burnout and mental health in the sports industry, emphasizing the importance of redefining one's identity beyond athletics. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Welcome to another late-night episode with just the girls. In this episode of the 2 Girls 1 Bar podcast, Mandi and Wanda catch up and chat about the importance of community women hold for each other. They explore how societal perceptions can impact female coaches and athletes, the significance of finding a supportive community, and the empowerment that comes from strength training.  Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit - Early Bird Registration available until May 1 Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda

Mandi and Wanda are joined by the absolute badass Meghan Scanlon, 2-time IPF World Champion, 5-time National champion, coach, and mom. They explore the evolution of women's strength sports, the impact of motherhood on athletic identity, and the nuances of training and competing in powerlifting. Meg talks about Sheffield (obviously) and her plans for future competitions as well as multiple aspects of coaching. Follow Meg on Instagram here. Sign up for the Power & Strength Summit - Early Bird Registration available until May 1 Sign up for The Lift Off at HomeGymCon Follow the podcast on Instagram: @2girls1barpod Follow Mandi on Instagram: @mandimurakami @meetweekco Get coached by Mandi - schedule an athlete interview!  Follow Wanda on Instagram: @wl.wanda