Arnold Pro 2026: Lessons Learned and What’s Next
Last weekend I stepped onto the platform at the Arnold Pro and put together one of the strongest meets of my career on one of the biggest stages in the world.
722 squat
380 bench
672 deadlift
That gave me a 1775 total, tying my second-best total ever.
It was also one inch away from an 1800 total.
My final deadlift was 700lb. I locked it out, but it bobbled just enough at the top that the judges couldn’t give it to me.
That’s the brutal reality of powerlifting at a high level.
When the weights get big enough, strength alone isn’t enough.
Execution matters just as much.
And that’s probably the biggest lesson this meet reinforced.
Lesson #1: Strength and Execution Are Different Skills
From a strength standpoint, I KNOW I was capable of pulling the weight.
I stood up with it.
But at this level, the lift doesn’t count unless it’s controlled, stable, and unmistakably locked out.
When you’re fatigued after a long meet day and handling near-max weights, even small positional changes can create movement in the bar.
That’s the difference between a lift that counts and one that doesn’t.
It’s a good reminder that to be great you cant just train to be strong, you also have to train to execute perfect under pressure.
Ive had a lot of these moments go my way over the years, but sometimes you need a punch in the mouth to remind you to perfect the fundamentals.
Lesson #2: The Margins Get Smaller as You Get Stronger
Early in a lifting career, progress is obvious.
You add weight to the bar often.
You hit new PRs.
Totals climb quickly.
As you get stronger though..the margins tighten.
A few pounds here.
A small technical improvement there.
Better timing, better stability, better execution.
Those small details become the difference between a good meet and a GREAT one.
This meet was a perfect example of that.
Lesson #3: You Can Be Proud of the Work Without Being Satisfied
Even though the last lift didn’t go on the board, I’m proud of the performance overall.
An 8/9 performance with a 722 squat, 380 bench and 672lb deadlift on the Arnold stage is something I’m grateful for and proud of.
At the same time, I’m not satisfied yet.
Champion competitors understand this balance.
You respect the work you’ve done, but you’re always looking for ways to improve.
That mindset is what keeps you progressing over time.
What Went Right
A lot of things worked well this prep and on meet day.
✔️My squat and bench execution were solid.
✔️My training leading into the meet put me in a good position to perform.
✔️I handled the environment and pressure of a big stage well.
Those are important signals that the overall direction of training is working.
What Needs to Improve
When you get this close to a milestone total, the next step is usually about refining the details.
For me, that means continuing to improve:
✔️Deadlift finish stability
✔️Execution under fatigue
✔️Precision on third attempts
At this level, those small improvements can make a big difference.
What’s Next
I don’t have the next meet on the calendar yet.
Right now the focus is on:
Recovering from the meet
Reviewing the prep and performance
Getting back to productive training
Bench and deadlift have been trending upward recently, and once everything lines up on the same day, the total moves with it.
That’s the nature of high-level lifting.
Sometimes you’re closer to the breakthrough than the results sheet shows.
Final Thoughts
Powerlifting is a sport where inches matter.
Sometimes those inches go your way, and sometimes they don’t.
But every meet gives you information you can use to improve.
This weekend reinforced something I already believed:
The strongest lifters aren’t just the ones who build strength.
They’re the ones who learn to execute when it matters.
That’s the work ahead.
And I’m looking forward to getting back to it.
If you’re serious about getting stronger, competing, or pushing toward bigger totals, this is the same process I use with the athletes I coach.
I currently offer a few different ways to work with me depending on where you are in your lifting journey:
• 1-on-1 Online Coaching – individualized programming, feedback, and meet preparation
• GDC Programs – structured training systems designed to build strength and performance
• Grab N’ Go Programs – ready-to-run programs you can start immediately
You can explore all coaching and training options here👇