Luke and Carli talk to 2025 World Games Champion, World Champion and Maori Sportsperson of the year, Dr. Karlina Tongotea. They discuss her reaction to the proposed IPF rule changes, cultural implications and sensitivity. Karlina shares more about her incredible 2025 year in Powerlifting, how her culture, family and team culture have helped her get to where she is, and her views on life balance and preventing burnout.

Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke Selway

Want to know more about coaching?

Contact us on our website – ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online/

(00:00) Powerlifting, sport & high-performance mindset
(03:25) Early athletic background and discovering the weight room
(07:40) Why powerlifting hooks athletes
(12:15) The dark side of chasing performance
(16:05) Fast progress, big lifts & rising expectations
(19:55) Athletic transfer & building a strength base
(24:05) Beginner vs advanced lifter realities
(27:55) Coaching quality, trust & training environments
(31:55) Long-term development vs short-term results
(36:00) Identity, self-worth & excellence in sport
(40:05) High-performance culture across sports
(44:00) Injury, burnout & physical breakdown
(47:25) Rebuilding after injury or burnout
(51:25) Sports science, research & real-world coaching
(55:00) Advice for lifters and strength coaches
(58:00) Final thoughts on longevity in strength sports