What I care about is that the lower back is frozen in space and that it doesn't move. The best way to do that is to bring the ribs down, provided that they're flared, aiming for a neutral position where the ribs, diaphragm, and pelvic floor are stacked directly over each other.

Joe Jackson argues that modern powerlifting must evolve beyond a niche participant activity by prioritizing compelling storytelling and head-to-head battles that engage a wider audience. He also reflects on the mental demands of the sport, warning lifters that they cannot "out total a bad relationship" with themselves and must separate their self-worth from the numbers on the bar to survive the plateau periods following the initial "honeymoon phase" of strength gains.

The guys who laughed at online training now rely on it to pay their bills. That’s not hypocrisy — it’s evolution. If we return to the pre-Internet era, it’s the same story told through different technology.