Tim Konertz is the president of the German Powerlifting Federation (BVDK), creator of the DOTS formula, and the man who filed a formal complaint against the IPF after new rules were announced via WhatsApp on January 1st with no prior notice.

In this episode, Carli and Luke get into how the 2026 IPF rule changes actually happened, why the process was the problem as much as the rules themselves, and what needs to change for powerlifting governance to catch up with the sport's growth.

We also cover the origin and methodology behind the DOTS formula, the stiff sleeve controversy, the commercial pressures the IPF faces, and what to expect heading into the General Assembly in Dubai and the 2027 executive elections.

If you compete in IPF-affiliated powerlifting, this episode is essential listening.

Topics covered:

• The January 2026 IPF rule changes and Tim's formal complaint
• Low bar squat, bench press heaving, and elbow depth rules explained
• Why IPF rule language is so consistently vague
• How the DOTS formula was built and whether it needs updating
• The stiff sleeve problem: quality, specifications, and commercial reality
• What the Dubai General Assembly could change
• IPF executive elections in 2027 and the future of the federation

Hosted by Carli Dillen & Luke Selway

Want to know more about coaching? Visit us at www.barbellandbeyond.online/

00:00 – Introduction

00:14 – Meet Tim Konertz: IPF Powerlifting's Most Vocal Advocate

00:49 – Tim's Powerlifting Journey: From Beginner to 3x World Championships

02:47 – Aerospace Engineer, Army Captain, and Federation President: How Does He Do It All?

04:21 – How Big Is Powerlifting in Germany? The Numbers Behind the Growth

07:38 – How Engineering Meets Powerlifting: The Birth of the DOTS Formula

08:12 – The Problem With the Wilks Formula (And Why Something Had to Change)

14:10 – How DOTS Was Built: The Data Methodology Behind the Formula

16:41 – Does the DOTS Formula Need an Update? Tim Gives His Honest Assessment

20:08 – The January 2026 IPF Rule Changes: Announced via WhatsApp on New Year's Day

21:01 – The Stiff Sleeve Controversy and Gaston Parage Resignation: The Context You Need

22:16 – Tim's Push for Democratic, Transparent IPF Governance

24:25 – Why Tim Filed a Formal Complaint Against the IPF

31:43 – Breaking Down the New IPF Rules: What Actually Changed?

32:10 – Questionable Safety Justifications: Necklaces, Low Bar Squats & Bench Press Heaving

35:20 – The Low Bar Squat Rule: An Enforcement Problem for Referees

37:00 – The Elbow Depth Rule, the Heaving Bench, and Stacking Rules on Rules

40:18 – Why the IPF's Rule Language Is Always So Vague (And What to Do About It)

47:30 – Tim's Upcoming Competition: Running It on DOTS, No Weight Classes

48:46 – The New Sleeve Assistance Rule: More Logical Than Most People Think?

49:23 – The Stiff Sleeve Problem: Quality, Specifications, and What an Engineer Would Do

53:00 – The Commercial Reality: Why the IPF Can't Just Ban Stiff Sleeves

54:43 – The IPF General Assembly in Dubai: What Tim Plans to Propose

55:09 – IPF Approved Should Mean Highest Quality — Why That Matters to Every Lifter

56:49 – The Power of Athlete Feedback: How New Zealand's Survey Changed Things

58:28 – What to Expect Before the March 2026 Rule Implementation

59:40 – IPF Executive Elections in 2027: The Bigger Picture

1:01:23 – Will There Be Further Rule Clarification Before March?

1:03:12 – Should Tim Run for IPF President? His Answer

1:05:23 – Closing Thoughts: Why Every Lifter Has More Power Than They Think

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

In this episode, Carli & Luke talk to multiple-time Classic and Equipped World Champion, 2025 Sheffield Champion, Kjell Bakkelund. They go behind the scenes to understand his coaching and support team, family life, highest priorities, mindset and more. Kjell shares his secrets to a long and successful career in Powerlifting.

Hosted by Carli Dillen, Luke SelwayWant to know more about coaching?

Contact us on our website - ⁠www.barbellandbeyond.online

(00:00) Why Kjell Bakkelund Is Different
(01:40) From Normal Lifter to World-Class Numbers
(07:50) Talent vs Hard Work: What Actually Matters
(15:30) How Champions Think About Big Weights
(24:10) Winning on the World Stage
(33:40) The Pressure Nobody Sees
(42:20) When Winning Stops Being Enough
(50:50) Fatherhood, Balance & Changing Priorities
(1:00:30) Training for Longevity, Not Just PRs
(1:10:40) Advice for Lifters Who Want to Go Far
(1:22:40) What Comes Next for Kjell