Two Strength Legends.
One Unforgettable Weekend.
This is NOT Your Average Fitness Seminar...
Now in its 7th year, Lift-A-Palooza is all about learning from the world's best strength coaches & athletes
in a casual, fun environment
Every year, Lift-A-Palooza promises a unique, one-of-a-kind event.
And we've got something truly special for you in 2026.
In this jam-packed weekend in Nashville TN, you'll lift and learn with 2 of the biggest and most respected names in the strength world:
Brett Jones (StrongFirst Director of Education)
Jen Thompson (World Champion Powerlifter)
Together, they’ll share the exact movement strategies and lifting techniques that have helped thousands of athletes and everyday people get stronger, move better, and perform at their peak.
Here's a look at what's in store:
Brett Jones
"Iron Cardio" Masterclass
With over 20 years teaching kettlebells and functional movement worldwide, Brett Jones is one of the most influential coaches in the game.
At Lift-A-Palooza, Brett will show you how to build serious strength, cardiovascular conditioning, and physical resilience with his revolutionary Iron Cardio method.
Iron Cardio isn’t just a workout... it’s a training philosophy.
Whether you're a coach looking for new programming ideas, a kettlebell enthusiast wanting to refine your technique, or a strength fan chasing performance AND longevity, this workshop is for you.
You’ll learn:
"From a collection of single reps to a "choose your own adventure" style programming, Iron Cardio can build a beginner's strength and skill and also help the experienced refine technique while building strength you can use." - Brett Jones
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to train with one of the leading minds in strength and performance.
Move Better, Feel Better, Lift Better
By Filling Your "Gaps"
Many of us are minimalists when it comes to training...
We focus on just a handful of lifts that cover a lot of ground - squats, deadlifts, swings, presses, etc.
And while those exercises are great, they don't always address the "gaps" in our structure...
In fact, they often make things worse.
Best case - these gaps (in mobility, stability, & strength) secretly steal your gains by limiting your power output and range-of-motion.
Worst case - you get injured and have to tip-toe around painful movement in your daily life.
It doesn't have to be this way.
Drawing on his deep expertise in movement & mobility, Brett Jones will show you how to "fill your gaps" with effective, time-efficient drills you can do anywhere, anytime.
This is the secret sauce to gaining strength (and avoiding injury) on a "high-mileage" body.
Jen Thompson
A Squat, Bench & Deadlift Seminar With
A Powerlifting Legend
Get under the bar with Jen Thompson — multiple-time world champion, record holder, and one of the most technically sound lifters in the sport.
She’s also a phenomenal teacher who knows how to make elite technique accessible for any lifter.
In this live, hands-on seminar, you'll learn directly from Jen as she breaks down the squat, bench press, and deadlift in ways that are simple, practical, and brutally effective.
You’ll get:
Whether you're prepping for your next powerlifting meet or just want to lift smarter to get stronger, this is an opportunity you can't miss.
Come learn from one of the best to ever do it — and leave with new confidence under the bar.
Lifters of all skill levels will benefit from this workshop.
The Champion Mindset
Jen constantly pushes her competitive edge and is still setting personal records after decades in the strength game.
Her secret?
Not just strong muscles, but a strong mindset.
From overcoming injuries and setbacks, to staying cool under intense pressure, to juggling training with a career and family... Jen does it all with a focused passion and fun attitude.
In this live presentation, you'll learn Jen's approach to mental training and how it can help you achieve all of your goals - in the gym, on the platform, and in life.
When & Where?
207 Mcmillin St.
Nashville, TN 37203
Saturday Jan. 31 (10 am - 5 pm)
Sunday Feb. 1 (9 am - 4 pm)
Fit Factory is the 4-time winner of "Best Gym in Nashville."
Located just outside downtown and only a 15-minute drive from Nashville International Airport (BNA), Fit Factory boasts ample space, plenty of free parking, and all the training tools you could ask for.
Free Bonus #1:
"Bars, Bells, and BBQ" Pre-Party!
Before the official action starts, we're throwing an open gym party at our friend Vanessa Edwards' place - The Strength Sanctuary.
This is your chance to get a lift in and hang out with your fellow attendees (sauna and cold plunge available, too!).
Oh, and we're cooking a BBQ dinner for y'all in the parking lot
Friday, January 30th (3pm - 6pm)
Free Bonus #2:
Goodie Bags
Enjoy generous gifts from our sponsors and rep Lift-A-Palooza with exclusive swag!
Free Bonus #3:
Lift-A-Palooza Video Archive
Over 4 hours of previously unreleased video taken from past events.
Get Strong. Have Fun!
Lift-A-Palooza is unlike any other live training event... not led by militant instructors or stuffy experts, but a group of passionate coaches dedicated to the art and science of strength training and sharing it with others.
This is going to be the most fun, informative, and valuable seminar experience you have all year!
Guaranteed.
And Lift-A-Palooza is open to all strength and skill levels.
Just bring a good attitude and an open mind.
You'll come away from the weekend not just feeling like you learned some new tricks, but have truly grown as a lifter and/or coach.
Interactive, hands-on training events with this mix of high-caliber coaches at a professional facility don't happen often.
This is an unprecedented opportunity to train with and get personal attention from world-class coaches who truly care.
This is the type of dream event we always wanted to attend,
so we created it.
Very few events like this one exist... much less at a reasonable cost.
In fact, most most seminars with this kind of lineup (and personal attention) can easily run upwards of $2,500...
But a ticket to Lift-A-Palooza is nowhere near that.
Less than $1,500...
Less than $1,000...
In fact, for all of this:
You can register now for just $699!
Your Coaches
Brett Jones
Brett Jones is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Strength and Conditioning Specialist based in Pittsburgh, PA. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from High Point University, a master’s degree in Rehabilitative Sciences from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, and is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Brett is currently the Director of Education for StrongFirst and a presenter and advisory board member for Functional Movement Systems.
With over 25 years of experience, Brett has been sought out to consult with professional teams and athletes, as well as present throughout the U.S. and internationally.
As an Athletic Trainer who has transitioned into the fitness industry, Brett has taught kettlebell techniques and principles since 2003. He has taught for Functional Movement Systems (FMS) since 2006 and created multiple instructional videos and manuals with world-renowned physical therapist Gray Cook, including the widely praised Secrets of… series.
Brett continues to evolve his approach to training and teaching and is passionate about improving the quality of education for the fitness industry.
Jen Thompson
Jen Thompson is a legend in the sport of powerlifting and still competes at the highest levels into her 50s.
As an athlete, Jen's accomplishments are unparalleled and include:
- 11x IPF World Champion
- 27x Arnold Classic Winner
- 105x World Records
- The world record raw bench press of 323 lbs in the 148 lb class
An advocate for drug-free lifting, Jen has served for years as a USAPL meet director, state chair, referee, mentor, and coach.
She's a middle school math teacher of 28 years and mother of 2 boys.
Zack Henderson &
Tracy Cook
Zack and Tracy are your Lift-A-Palooza coordinators.
Zack is a strength coach and Nashville local with a passion for helping people realize their strongest selves.
Tracy is a strength coach in Savannah and is a current 4x USAPL National Champion, referee, and meet director.
Together, they organize and facilitate unique training seminars for gyms, coaches, and strength enthusiasts.
We believe strength training is for everyone and should be a fun, life-long pursuit.
You deserve all the benefits from a strength practice and we are here to make sure you maximize your results and have a great time doing it.
We can't wait to lift and learn with you in January!
To Your Strength,
Brett, Jen, Tracy, and Zack
P.S. - If you're interested but you have any doubts at all about coming, just send a quick note by clicking here and we'll chat about it.
Questions and Answers
I'm a personal trainer. Is this event right for me?
Yes.
The tools, tactics, and principles you'll learn from Brett & Jen will make a huge impact on your own and your clients' training results.
This is how you stand out in a noisy field and build a rock-solid business and reputation as a personal trainer.
CEU credits can also be earned via petition application.
What if I'm a total beginner?
This is the perfect way to begin your strength training journey.
You'll save yourself years of frustration and set the best foundation for your strength practice.
What if I'm an advanced lifter?
Even one new idea or minor tweak can produce huge results when you're at the top of your game.
You'll get direct feedback from expert coaches who can give you pin-point advice on how to take your performance to the next level.
I'm not at my peak strength right now. Should I still attend?
Yes.
This is not a competition, certification, max-out day, or suffer-fest.
We are here to learn and have fun.
The weight you lift (or don't) is completely up to you and we'll have participants of all strength levels in attendance.
I'm in. What should I bring?
- Yourself, a friend, and a good attitude
- Comfortable athletic wear
- Snacks & water
- Pen & notebook
I'm flying/driving in. Where should I stay?
TownePlace Suites Midtown is a short walk and there are plenty of hotel and rental options close by.
It's the "slow" season in Nashville but things can still get booked up quickly, so don't delay in making arrangements.
A Look At Lift-A-Paloozas Past...
Lift-A-Palooza 2025
Lift-A-Palooza 2025 w/ Eddy Coan
Lift-A-Palooza 2024 w/ Jordan Syatt
Lift-A-Palooza 2023 w/ Dan John
Lift-A-Palooza 2021 w/ Jeff Sokol
Lift-A-Palooza 2019 w/ David Dellanave
Lift-A-Palooza 2018 w/ Jen Millican
"Hi Zack and Tracy!
Thank you both for planning, coordinating, and making Lift-A-Palooza a success!
I met top-notch quality folks, learned a lot, gained new perspectives, and had fun! It was an enjoyable experience to be surrounded and encouraged by like-minded people. It felt like finding my tribe.
This industry needs more people like yourselves: the people you are, the content you create, the doors you open and the people you welcome. It's refreshing, encouraging, and inspiring.
Thank you both, again! I am looking forward to Lift-A-Palooza 2025!" -- Kate
