Peak Week is Here🚂
Heres what Im Focusing On
This week, I start peak week for the WPPL Arnold Pro in Columbus, OH.
This is my 32nd powerlifting meet (feels crazy typing that out loud)
And every time I get here, I’m reminded of the same thing:
Most people mess this week up.
Not because they didn’t work hard.
Not because they aren’t strong enough.
But because they start worrying about things that no longer matter.
So as I head into peak week myself… here’s what I’m actually focused on.
If you’re competing soon, this will help you too👇
I’m Not Trying to Get Stronger This Week
The strength is already built.
This week is about putting myself in position to EXPRESS IT.
No straining.
No extra volume because I “feel good.”
No squeezing in one more hard session.
I’ve done that before earlier in my career… and it never did me much good.
This week is about reducing fatigue and simply staying sharp.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Im Getting My Mental Reps In
By this time all the heavy training is done, and so are my physical practice reps for the most part.
But with that, I spend much of this week rehearsing MENTALLY for what’s to come and visualizing precise execution:
✔️Foot placement on deadlift
✔️Bar position on squat
✔️Digging my traps in on bench
✔️Commands
By the time I get to the platform…its already been done 100s of times in my head.
That’s something I preach inside the Powertrain Method, and this is where it matters most.
Keeping Nutrition Structured:
Unless Im trying to make weight for a big meet, Im keeping calories, hydration and sodium pretty consistent throughout the week.
Any last minute changes can and WILL affect performance.
If you are manipulating bodyweight in the final days, be safe, be smart and make sure you have a robust recomp strategy post weigh in.
I’m Protecting My Nervous System
This week I’m HEAVILY guarding:
My sleep window
My energy
My attention
No unnecessary stress.
No arguing online.
Minimum scrolling on social media.
This level of calm is going to prime my nervous system to be as fresh as I need it for the rigor of meet day.
Finalizing Attempt Selection
Attempts Are a Strategy… Not a Statement
Your opener should be automatic.
Something you could hit on a slightly off day.
Second attempt locks in a total or maybe a small PR
Third attempt is where you COMPETE
Too many lifters treat the opener like it’s what people are there to see.
That’s not how you win meets.
Ill be blunt, no one gives a F how heavy you open if you miss your next 2 attempts. Open light, finish heavy and have a STRATEGY for how youll pick attempts on game day. By this point, this should be locked in.
What Actually Matters This Week
For me, it’s simple:
-Rest/Recover
-Sharpen technique
-Take mental reps
-Visualize success
No overhyping myself days out.
Not last-minute adjustments.
Not overanalyzing one slightly slow rep.
If you’ve put in the work, this week is about putting yourself in position to show it on meet day.
If You’re Heading Into Peak Week Too (Or the next time you do one)
Take a breath.
Zoom out.
Trust your preparation.
Stay structured.
This is not the time for magic tricks.
All you need to be the most disciplined version of who you’ve been for the last 12–16 weeks and let the work show itself on game day.
If you’re reading this and realizing you’ve never actually been taught how to peak…
That’s why I built Peak Like a Pro.
This is the exact 8-week strength structure I used to set 3 American Records at the American Pro 3.
It’s built to take you to a new 1RM in:
Squat
Bench Press
Deadlift
You can run it into a full meet prep or as a dedicated strength phase.
Structure:
5 days per week (5th day optional)
2x Bench
2x Squat
1x Deadlift
Targeted accessories
But more importantly.. it teaches you how to express strength.
Bonus:
Demo videos + exercise instruction
My full Squat, Bench & Deadlift resource library
Sample meal plan
Access to our private community forum
Strong is built in the off-season.
Totals are earned in peak week.
If you’re serious about adding size, strength, and executing when it counts —
Peak Like a Pro is where you start.
Grab it here →Peak Like a Pro
