After more than 15 years of serious strength training, Alan Thrall has reached a point many lifelong lifters struggle to accept: training does not always need to revolve around chasing bigger numbers.
In a recent Youtube video, the Untamed Strength owner reflected on how his relationship with fitness has changed since stepping away from competitive powerlifting. While he still loves lifting, Thrall says he now values freedom, longevity, and consistency far more than personal records.
“Looking back on the past 15 years of training, there’s not a lot that I would do differently,” Thrall said. “I made pretty good progress, I had a lot of fun doing it, and I built a solid base that I can stand on now.”
From Chasing PRs to Building Longevity
That foundation allows him to train differently today. Rather than structuring his life around powerlifting cycles, bulking phases, and competition deadlines, Thrall has embraced a broader approach to fitness that includes running, gymnastics-style movements, outdoor activities, and shorter workouts.
More importantly, his focus has shifted away from outcomes and toward capability.
“I have a strong, healthy, capable body that I get to use every day,” he explained. “I deeply appreciate just being able to train hard.”
The veteran coach admitted that much of his previous training mindset was built around constant progression. Bigger lifts required more time, more recovery, and more sacrifice. Eventually, that pursuit created a cycle where maintaining strength demanded increasingly larger commitments.
“The more you train, the more you need to do in the gym to maintain that strength,” Thrall said. “You dig yourself into this hole.”
Why Consistency Matters More Than Perfect Training
These days, Thrall measures success differently. Instead of judging a year by personal records, he looks at how consistently he showed up despite work, family responsibilities, and everyday challenges.
“What I view as a win, what I view as progress, is looking back on my year and seeing all of the lifting sessions and all of the running workouts that I’ve clocked in.”
That philosophy has also changed the way he approaches busy periods of life. Missing a workout no longer feels like failure, and shorter sessions can still be worthwhile.
Thrall questioned the mindset many experienced lifters develop after years of training.
“Am I above a 20-minute workout? Am I too good for push-ups? Too good for pull-ups? Too fit for a 3-mile jog?”
Finding Balance Beyond the Gym
The biggest lesson from Thrall’s reflections may have nothing to do with sets, reps, or training programs.
“There is more to life than the gym,” he said.
He recalled a time when vacations, camping trips, and family gatherings created anxiety because they interfered with his gym schedule. Today, he takes a much more flexible approach, viewing hikes, runs, and outdoor adventures as valuable forms of activity rather than disruptions.
For many strength athletes, retirement from competition can feel like losing part of their identity. Thrall’s experience suggests the opposite. By stepping away from the pressure of competition, he has rediscovered something that first brought him into fitness years ago: simply enjoying the process of training.
And for the longtime coach, that may be the biggest personal record of all.
About the Author
Jeremiah Oliva
Jeremiah Oliva is a writer passionate about fitness, sports, and active living. He has experience in songwriting and managing content and social media for online radio and magazine platforms.
He covers HYROX, CrossFit®, and competitive fitness, with a focus on performance, mindset, and athlete development.
Outside of writing, Jeremiah trains in boxing, cycles, explores the outdoors with his kids, and plays the guitar.
