Episode #23
Coach Ron Roberts: Form First, Failure, and Building Champions | The Platform Ep. 23
In Episode 23 of The Platform , we sit down with longtime Goodrich High School powerlifting coach and MHSPLA board member Ron Roberts . Ron shares how his daughter pulled him into coaching, why he thought he'd only last three years, and how more than a decade later the athletes still keep him coming back. The conversation covers Ron's evolution from chasing numbers to prioritizing technique, safety, and complete athlete development. He discusses the mentors who shaped him, lessons from Bruce Edwards and other old-school powerlifters, and why coaches should never program what they don't understand. The guys also talk about Michigan high school powerlifting, recruiting athletes, community support, local media, learning from failure, national and international competition, and of course, the reverse hyper . In This Episode 00:36 — Welcome to The Platform Meet Coach Ron Roberts of Goodrich High School. 02:15 — Who Is Ron Roberts? Ron talks about his career, family, and life outside powerlifting. 03:52 — How Ron Became a Coach When his daughter was told Goodrich might lose girls powerlifting because there wasn't a coach, Ron went to complain. Two days later, he had the job. 09:00 — Form Over Weight How Ron shifted from chasing numbers to prioritizing technique, safety, and long-term development. 13:29 — Joining the MHSPLA Board Ron reflects on entering the sport in 2014–15 and becoming a board member in 2019. 20:34 — Mentors & Old-School Knowledge Bruce Edwards, Joe Janica, Flint Barbell, and other veteran lifters helped shape Ron's coaching. 27:01 — How the Sport Has Changed Girls JV powerlifting, state meet changes, growing participation, and college recruiting. 29:27 — Ron's Recruiting Secret Go recruit the band kids. 35:28 — Advice for New Coaches Build the athlete, not just the competition lifts. Develop the upper back, posterior chain, and supporting musculature needed to handle heavy weight safely. 37:12 — The Reverse Hyper Effect Why the Westside-style reverse hyper became a game changer for Goodrich. 42:09 — Promote Your Athletes If your athletes are doing great things, make sure people know about it. 44:31 — Giving More Kids a Chance Ron talks about coaching athletes from schools without their own powerlifting program. 49:12 — Ron's Favorite Failure After Abby Joseph bombed out of a qualifier and missed States, they regrouped for Nationals. She later pulled 353 pounds to help deliver Ron's first national championship. “Every success I have comes from a series of failures. Going Beyond Michigan 1:05:46 — USAPL & International Competition Ron discusses national and world-level powerlifting, learning from coaches around the world, and building stronger competition between American and European lifters. 1:10:16 — Ron's Message to Coaches If you want help getting athletes into USAPL or national-level competition, reach out. Ron is willing to help coaches and athletes find a path forward. Biggest Takeaways Form beats weight. Don't coach what you don't understand. Develop the whole athlete. Promote your athletes and your program. Failure is part of the process. And finally... Buy a reverse hyper.
