Coaching the Athlete, Not the Program With David Shelton | Ben Thinking Podcast Ep.164
Ben sits down with David Shelton, a powerlifting coach, gym owner, and co-host of the Stacked Cast. Four years after their first conversation, they catch up on what has changed in David's coaching, his gym, and the sport itself.
They discuss why David and his co-host started a longer-form powerlifting show, the tension between short social clips and deeper training conversations, and the changing federation landscape. David explains why he adapts programming to the athlete rather than asking every lifter to fit one system. He also talks candidly about expanding Progressive Overload Dallas, balancing a gym for powerlifters and general members, and the difference between coaching athletes and operating a facility.
The conversation closes with practical thoughts on training effort, learning from other lifters, and staying open to better ideas as a coach.
Topics
- The story behind the Stacked Cast
- Powerlifting federations and meet culture
- Individualized coaching and training decisions
- Growing Progressive Overload Dallas
- Training effort, setbacks, and long-term progress
- Learning through conversation and community
Find David on Instagram: @DShell_11
Gym: Progressive Overload Dallas, Richardson, Texas
Chapters
- 0:00 Catching up with David Shelton
- 1:25 David's coaching and the Stacked Cast
- 13:40 Powerlifting's changing culture
- 19:00 Federations and meet choices
- 26:40 Coaching the athlete, not a fixed system
- 37:30 Growing Progressive Overload Dallas
- 47:40 Effort, progress, and training expectations
- 54:30 Learning from other lifters
- 63:27 Where to find David