Louie Simmons, the mastermind behind Westside Barbell, has long been recognized as a pioneering force in powerlifting. Known for his innovative training methodologies and record-setting lifters, Simmons has become an icon in the field. It is within this context that his relationship with Matt Wenning takes shape. Wenning, an accomplished strength athlete, and coach, openly acknowledges Simmons as one of his mentors and primary sources of inspiration.
During episode 133 of ‘Table Talk,’ a podcast hosted by powerlifter Dave Tate, Matt Wenning explained the role of age and experience in the sport of powerlifting. He revealed that he learned a lot of this from Louie during his time at Westside Barbell.
Matt Wenning explains the power of experience and maturity
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Age brings a wealth of experience and wisdom with it, also, attributes that can greatly benefit powerlifters. Older athletes often possess a deep understanding of their bodies, training techniques, and mental fortitude honed over years of dedication. This experience allows them to optimize their training, identify weaknesses, and develop effective strategies to overcome obstacles.
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Speaking along the same lines, Wenning admitted that he understood early that age plays a vital role in powerlifting. He explained that comparing numbers irrespective of the athlete’s age is not the optimum way. The sport of powerlifting requires a lot of patience which people don’t often understand.
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Wenning explained this by revealing,?“I started looking at how much older those guys were, and they were that much stronger than me…I don’t give a f**k what I can do at 22…I was like if this is going to take me that long to get that strong. I don’t care. I like working out. And I like the process.”
Wenning believed it was difficult for most people to swallow because?”They want something in eight weeks or a mesocycle or a 12-week cycle. What Louie taught me was is that in spans of months and years, this is where you can go.”
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The relationship between Louie Simmons and Matt Wenning stands as a testament to the power of collaboration and knowledge exchange within the strength training community. As mentors and mentees, they have inspired and influenced one another, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of strength training.