Hosting the Best Powerlifting Meets & Raising Kids

In this episode I sit down once again with Sarah and Francesco Catalano. They are the powerhouse duo behind Catalano Events, a premier organization dedicated to delivering high-quality powerlifting competitions. With a deep passion for the sport and a commitment to giving back to the lifting community, they bring a unique combination of experience, knowledge, and dedication to every event they host.

Beyond powerlifting, they are proud parents to their son Javi and dog Zeus. No matter how busy they are, family always comes first—but when it comes to powerlifting, lifters can expect nothing less than their absolute best.

In our first episode, we went deep into hosting meets and the business of powerlifting events, but this time we branched out into their family life and what fitness looks like with a young family.

Sarah and Francesco offer something rare: genuine insights that bridge competitive powerlifting and the reality of parenthood. Their conversation with me cuts through industry platitudes to deliver practical wisdom from two professionals who've successfully maintained their fitness identity while rejecting all-or-nothing thinking. Whether you're coaching new parents, busy professionals, or clients in transition, these takeaways represent battle-tested strategies from two coaches who understand what it means to train through life's most demanding seasons.

10 Key Takeaways from Hosting the Best Powerlifting Meets & Raising Kids

The Reality of Training as Parents

Francesco Catalano cuts straight through popular fitness myths with refreshing honesty: "I really hate when people say that you never regret the workout that you just did...that's bullshit. As a parent, your kids expect you to be the full version of yourself every single time." This powerful insight from a coach who's lived both sides—the competitive powerlifter and the present parent—reminds us that training intensity must sometimes yield to family priorities.

Sarah's Postpartum Fitness Journey

Sarah's transformation in body confidence after having children offers a profound perspective for coaches working with postpartum clients. Despite gaining over 50 pounds during her first pregnancy, she shares: "I genuinely feel more confident in my body now than I ever did before. And I am not as muscular as I was, I am not as lean as I was." Her journey illustrates how accomplishment can be redefined beyond the barbell: "Fuck a 400-pound deadlift. I'm proud of growing human life and then finding my way back to myself."

The Catalano Training Philosophy

Francesco's approach to programming reflects his pragmatic nature, particularly for busy clients: "As long as we're doing high effort sets and not junk volume, it's okay." His programming for Sarah focuses on quality over quantity, often incorporating just one top set where "the number of reps that you do is going to be dependent on how you feel." This adaptable approach accommodates the unpredictable nature of parenting and work demands.

Sarah's Evolution in Training Motivation

After her first child, Sarah found herself demotivated by strength loss and pivoted to running and CrossFit-style workouts where "everything was progress" as a beginner. This experience showcases how shifting modalities can maintain motivation when previous benchmarks become discouraging. Her competitive drive remains evident: "I just need to go like, perform. I don't know why. Maybe need therapy, but competing is cheaper."

The Catalanos on Creating Training Boundaries

The couple candidly discusses how they navigate business and family stress while maintaining their training. Sarah establishes clear boundaries: "The boundaries that get set are when I say, 'Chesco, we're not talking about meat stuff right now.'" This practical approach to compartmentalizing stress provides coaches with a template for helping clients protect their training mentality.

Francesco's Reframing Technique

"Reframing is the most powerful tool that people haven't figured out," Francesco emphasizes. This perspective shift helps clients adapt to changing circumstances rather than clinging to unrealistic expectations. For the Catalanos, this meant transitioning from competitive powerlifting goals to maintaining fitness for parenting energy and personal well-being.

The Catalanos' Approach to Nutrition

Francesco describes their refreshingly moderate nutrition philosophy: "We still eat out, we order in, and we don't track the things that we want to eat." Sarah adds that they have ice cream "literally every night" but practice natural moderation. Their approach demonstrates how sustainable nutrition can work when fundamentals remain consistent even with regular indulgences.

Training Together as Relationship Maintenance

"This is our number one way that we get to spend time together," Sarah explains about their joint training sessions. For the Catalanos, even with children present (sometimes in a pack-and-play or watching a movie), training serves as crucial couple time that strengthens their relationship beyond just physical development.

Francesco on Progressive Overload

Francesco challenges conventional progressive overload wisdom: "Progressive overload does not always need to refer to the loading parameters." This insight from his "A Strong Spin on Escalating Density" document reminds coaches that intelligent programming can drive adaptation through various mechanisms beyond simply adding weight to the bar.

The Catalanos' Home Gym Advantage

"If we had to go to the gym down the street, it would not happen," Francesco admits about maintaining consistency as parents. The couple acknowledges their privilege in having a home training space while recognizing this reality: accessibility dramatically impacts adherence. Their experience emphasizes how coaches must consider training environment constraints when designing programs for busy clients, especially parents.

These insights from Sarah and Francesco provide a grounded, experienced perspective for coaches working with clients navigating major life transitions while still pursuing meaningful fitness goals. Their emphasis on adaptability, psychological well-being, and realistic expectations offers a refreshingly honest approach to strength and conditioning programming.

Find Sarah and Francesco

IG - @catalanoevents

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