If you are familiar with the work of Will Ferrell and John C. Riley, you are likely familiar with Prestige Worldwide from the 2008 movie, Step Brothers.  We don’t have permission to use the name, but I doubt they would mind.  What we care about is having “so much more room for activities”—a fun way the movie talks about clearing space to do things you love.  You might even say we’re working toward our own version of the “Catalina Wine Mixer,” the big, meaningful event in the film that brings everyone together.  If you haven’t seen Step Brothers, don’t worry.  The point is that Prestige Worldwide, in the movie, is a running joke about not waiting for permission to build a place where good things happen when folks come together.  That suits our vibe exactly: we want to create an environment in which training is fun, community-driven, and everyone is accepted.  We think we are hilarious, and you’ll soon begin to capture what we are all about.

Prestige Worldwide is our attempt to solve a bunch of problems that we have encountered in our lives, that our friends and colleagues encounter every day, and that we think need creative solutions.  None of the problems is new or life-threatening.  They are all choice points, or so it seems.  Many of the problems would disappear if either of us cared less or were okay with injustice or exclusion.  However, we have never been the type of people who sit idly by waiting for a solution.  However, we care about inclusion, access and individual self-expression.  We don’t believe others should experience the isolation and lack of appropriate support that Ben and I both experienced.  We don’t need to solve other people’s problems, nor do we need to include others in our solutions.  We both think Strong Is Fun is stronger and more fun when done with a team.  What we missed out on is exactly what we now intend to provide.

Prestige Worldwide emerged over the course of a year or so, beginning with the run-up to the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where Ben competed for Australia in para powerlifting.  Ben and I couldn’t find a suitable, accessible place to train together regularly in the lead-up to a major championship.  Leading up to the Paris Paralympics, the solution provided was for us to train at WAIS during office hours.  This arrangement entailed a 90-minute round-trip drive for Ben and time off work.  While this was a workable solution for Paris, it proved unsustainable in the long run.  The time spent driving to a sterile venue that lacked the energy we desired became increasingly untenable.  To us, WAIS came across like a showroom for executives to showcase their facilities rather than a true high-performance environment.  At best, during peak hours, the WAIS gym resembled a typical commercial gym lacking the latest equipment. In off-peak hours, it felt stale, clinical and impersonal. It was a far cry from the training venues we loved.  While it sufficed for preparing for Paris, it became impractical once Ben returned to full-time work after the Olympics.

Following the Paris Paralympics, we still experienced obstacles in accessing an appropriate training venue. Despite increased funding for the para powerlifting program, we lacked a facility where we could train together effectively. The available funding seemed to prioritise administrators, travel costs, and green polo shirts embellished with the logos of federal government-supported sporting bodies. Our choice was between my garage, which lacked a para bench, and Ben’s garage, which had no space for training. Our resources were extremely limited. Australia’s best athletes were training in a dusty little, non-air-conditioned storage closet at the back of a suburban garage. If we had more team members, there wouldn’t have been enough room for everyone to train at the same time.

Recognising how limiting these conditions were, we decided to make real changes. We have since secured a dedicated training space designed specifically with accessibility in mind.  The facility is temperature-controlled, clutter-free, and fully equipped with a custom para bench, height-adjustable racks, anti-slip flooring, and specialised adaptive equipment to meet the needs of para-athletes.  We’ve also invested in wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, and a clear layout that allows for easy mobility throughout the gym.  Now, athletes of all abilities can train side by side in an inclusive, welcoming, and well-resourced environment.  Team members no longer need to compromise on equipment or wait for space—everyone can train together, safely and comfortably.  These improvements successfully address the obstacles we confronted and ensure that para-athletes have full access and support for their training.

Training at home or at WAIS (Western Australian Institute of Sport) was far from ideal.  It did not address the issues of access, inclusion, fairness, or the best interests of the athletes and coaches.  Ben and I wanted to build a team so he had support, training partners to share the load, and people who could offer encouragement and be part of the process.  Teammates are very important even in solo sports.  The individuals most engaged in the process—the athletes and coaches—had the least agency, support, or ownership over finding solutions.  Specifically, we had no say over access to resources, training times, or facilities.  The needs of athletes were not prioritised in any of the plans proposed by the gatekeepers of high performance.  Instead, we were expected to fit into the schedules of paid staff or find other arrangements.  So, that’s exactly what we did.

We had limited access to appropriate equipment and confronted issues in training when Ben was available.  Buying equipment and renting space was expensive, and neither of us had the budget to cover it.  We felt at the mercy of gym owners, high-performance administrators, and a host of gatekeepers willing to hoard profits and power.  What we truly wanted was a space we could call our own, where we could invite others to train with us.

Now, at Integrated, we have ensured the facility is deliberately equipped with both standard and adaptive equipment.  Our gym is equipped with a custom para bench, height-adjustable racks, accessible dumbbell and plate storage, and a variety of specialty equipment.  For athlete comfort and safety, we have temperature control, wide doorways for wheelchair access, a clear, open floor plan for easy movement, and accessible bathrooms and change rooms.  All of these supports allow athletes of all abilities to train side by side, comfortably and with the right equipment for their needs.

During that time, online training became our alternative, with Ben utilising a storage area at the back of his house.  He had access to a para bench and little else.  We discovered how feasible it is to train with just a barbell, plates, and an old bench handed down from a retired champion.  We needed to find a training venue that would accommodate both Ben and me effectively.  The simplest solution to our predicament would be to ignore the structural exclusions and focus solely on Ben’s performance in competition.  However, we genuinely care about each other and value kindness as a strength.  We believe diversity is beneficial and that we all thrive when we collaborate towards shared goals.  We place a higher value on group flow than on individual focus.  We committed to building a team to reflect our core values of mastery, generosity, independence, and belonging.  We wanted to prioritise fun, too.  So, Prestige Worldwide was born.

Getting strong is a long, patient journey that calls for diligence, high-quality feedback, persistence, discipline, and time.  There’s no shortcut to strength.  None. We play fair, play clean and play true.  The only effective way I know to help athletes get stronger is to keep them engaged for the long term.  If you show up consistently, you will get stronger.  Training alongside stronger, more skilled individuals will also help you improve.  As my late friend Markos Markopolous used to say, “Strong breeds strong.” With access to a proper facility, we could build a team that consistently produces strong athletes.

The next step is to ensure athletes have not only access to a facility or space, but also to world-class, high-level, elite coaching from someone with a wealth of experience, consistent and reliable results, and a whole lot at stake.  We could no longer tolerate athletes, coaches, and administrators being unevenly yoked.  Our priority is connection and community, where we win or lose as a team and share in each other’s success.

Unfortunately, information about strength training is often siloed, confusing, and sometimes even contradictory.  It tends to be based on popular opinions pushed by ill-informed influencers and is often hidden behind paywalls.  Even when information is available behind a paywall, coaches may offer only limited insights to maintain a feeling of control.  Some coaches fear that if athletes have the same knowledge, they might leave.  As a result, many modern coaching practices appear transactional and contingent on the athlete’s compliance.  Without a university education, distinguishing between genuine science and hype becomes incredibly challenging.  Free information, regardless of its quality, is often dismissed as valueless—unless it is consistent with one of our inherent biases.  Eventually, most athletes drop out once frustration and poor results become the norm.  And regretfully, this is the norm.

Our approach is the complete opposite: we believe in openness, generosity, and sharing knowledge.  We want athletes to ask questions, understand the ‘why' behind the methods, and be equipped with evidence-based tools that work.  Our coaching philosophy is centered on support, trust, and the development of autonomy in every athlete.  We nurture a space where information is accessible and feedback is honest, where the process is collaborative and progress is celebrated together.  Training with us means you will never be left out or left guessing.  We set ourselves apart through valuing transparency over secrecy, science over trend, and the long-term health of athletes versus short-term wins.  This is the difference you will feel here—real support, real knowledge, and real progress.

Some say the proof is in the pudding.  I agree.  The real measure of an athlete’s progress is found in consistently applying the concepts, strategies, and techniques over time.  This process frequently involves experimentation and testing to determine whether the information meets expectations.  The problem is choosing an experiment to start with, then understanding what the results really mean.  Rather than have athletes try to figure things out individually and go through all the ups and downs, trials and tribulations that both Ben and I have experienced throughout our careers, we decided to provide people with a little more structure and support.

Trust

Ben and I have both competed nationally and internationally on very small teams, and sometimes we were the sole team member. Our experience suggests that there is much more fun to be had when you have a team or tribe around you.  We know benching and are not afraid to say we know more than most.  Both of us are national champions who taught ourselves to be great in our garages.  We have travelled the path.

We have both overcome a lot to get to where we are today.  It has never been easy, and strength training is long and arduous at the best of times.  We learned the art of turning up.  Long-term success is not what most people think it is.  It is grounded in passion, purpose, values, and self-expression—rather than grinding, forcing things, or going hardcore.  Attaining long-term success requires daily devotion.  And Prestige Worldwide isn’t the first time we’ve done something like this.

I believe information should be freely available to anyone who seeks it out.  Gatekeeping knowledge keeps communities in the dark and makes them dependent on experts, gurus, or coaches.  This practice ultimately stifles progress and knowledge.

Around 2007, powerlifting culture was quite tribal, with each tribe closely guarding its training lore—the secret programming of sets, reps, and special exercises that make people super strong.  Clubs didn’t share information; it was a closely guarded secret.  Our solution back then was to establish the training forum, SFW.org, to democratise training information.  So, when a few newcomers decided to break from tradition, led by more experienced lifters and national champions, we felt we weren’t losing money or missing out.  Instead, we enjoyed sharing our experiences and knowledge with anyone willing to log on and participate in the forum.  Other trainers and coaches pushed back hard against our initiative.  Nevertheless, a whole generation of champions emerged from this forum.  We successfully raised the bar.  We didn’t believe in competing against fellow Australians, as had been the norm.  Instead, we aimed to build large Australian teams capable of competing internationally.  Our mantra was that a rising tide lifts all boats and that we are better together.

Ben and I embody this philosophy.  Ben has been competing for over a decade and is an athlete nearing the top of his game, but nothing has come easily for him.  He has faced multiple setbacks due to ongoing medical issues related to his disability.  In late 2024 and early 2025, Ben was hospitalised twice due to seizures.  The progress we made as he prepared for Paris slowly faded as he became bedbound and unable to train.  For six months, Ben wasn’t cleared to train.  Nonetheless, he entered the Australian Championships and won his weight class.  Although he was encouraged to skip the World Championships in Egypt because his performance might be subpar, he went anyway.  In the months between Nationals and Worlds, Ben added over 30 kg to his bench press.  By the end of the year, he had added even more to ensure he qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.  Remarkably, he added 50 kg to his bench press in just 5 months.

My (Nathan) odyssey to the top of the powerlifting world proved far from typical.  I trained in Karratha on my back veranda without training partners, coaches, or support, making me mostly self-taught.  My interest in powerlifting ignited when, in late 2006, I read the results from the 2006 Australian Powerlifting titles and realised that I could have placed second. Until that point, I thought I was the big fish in a little pond, being stronger than my friends and most people in my small town.  However, seeing the results from nationals made me consider that perhaps I was a big fish in a much larger pond than I realised.  I proceeded to explore exactly how big that pond was and where I fit in the wider perspective.  My first few competitions, however, were disastrous.  Although I won my first meet, I was disqualified in each of the next three competitions, which included my first nationals and my first Commonwealth Championship.  Many would have given up at this point, deciding that powerlifting wasn’t for them, but not me. I am much too stubborn for that, so I persevered.

Those early failures taught me valuable lessons.  I took them in stride and decided that these trials would make me stronger—and they did.  After three disqualifications in the second half of 2007, I began breaking and re-breaking the Australian bench press record.  Failing and recovering made me more competitive.  I went on to win everything and break records.  I even began coaching my friends, who achieved immediate success.  I taught people who had never been to a gym or used a barbell before.  I wasn’t merely polishing pre-made champions; I was teaching the fundamentals of squatting, benching, and deadlifting.  This is how Strong Is Fun was born.

Since 2008, I have taught hundreds of people that Strong Is Fun.  Some choose not to compete; that’s not their path.  However, they enjoy the process and experience the cumulative benefits of becoming stronger each day.  Others apply Strong Is Fun to their sports, achieving great success, enjoyment, and fulfilment.  Some of these athletes went professional, competing in the Olympics or world championships in sports like BMX, golf, javelin, shot put, kayaking, kettlebell sport, AFL, rugby union, boxing, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, karate, pro wrestling, and even ultra-marathon running.  Strong Is Fun is for everyone, and there has certainly been significant success in both powerlifting and para-powerlifting.

Stakes

There is a window here that is smaller than people think.  For an athlete chasing the top — especially in para sport — timing matters. Opportunities don’t wait. They pass by quietly and without fanfare.  All too often, they’re lost not because of the athlete but because of the system around them.  Gatekeeping, delays, bureaucracy, and split attention derail long-term athletic development.  Athletes Deserve Better.

Athletes don’t have time for distractions. They deserve focus, clarity, and someone who is fully invested in their success.  We can’t afford to let another generation miss their moment because the system let them down.  Prestige Worldwide is about ensuring that athletes have the best chance possible to achieve their dreams.

NO PRESSURE (READ CAREFULLY)

Nothing bad will happen if you choose not to join us. Seriously, nothing. I don’t do fear-based marketing.  If this isn’t for you, that’s perfectly fine. We hope you find the activity that lights you up the same way strength training lights us up.  And if you change your mind, we’ll still be here whenever you’re ready.

We don’t rely on pressure, fear, or urgency to force a decision.  Your autonomy is too important for that.

You should choose this because it feels right for you— not because someone pressured you into thinking you’re missing out.

THE UNPLEASANT TRUTH

There are many ways to become strong.  The principles are few; the methods are numerous.  Be careful of anyone who suggests there is only one way.  If I don’t coach you, someone else will, and you will likely see results.  This isn’t the only way; it’s just our way.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Not failure or catastrophe—but something subtler than that.

Most people don’t regret what they tried; they regret what they didn’t do.  The sessions they almost attended, the trails they nearly explored, the versions of themselves they never fully embraced.

You won’t know the outcome in advance.  That’s part of the deal.

You must step in to discover what’s possible.

POSITIVE: WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO

* Training that feels like play, not punishment.

* Real connection—with yourself and others.

* Unexpected strength.

* Goals that would have intimidated your former self.

* A space where you discover, in your own way, why being strong is fun.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

First Session

You’ll gain clarity about where you stand.

You’ll learn techniques from two of Australia’s best strength athletes and coaches.

You’ll feel clear, capable, and curious about what’s possible.

Most people leave excited to come back, and at the very least, you’ll meet others who enjoy training and exploration.

One week

You’ll have set your first goal and have a plan in place.  You’ll be excited that you have started something that is equal parts challenging and rewarding.

One Month

Training will feel different, engaging, challenging, and rewarding.  It will feel different to what you have done before.  Deeper and more connected.  More fun.  You’ll be improving, even if it’s only you who can notice the changes.

Confidence will begin to build quietly, though clearly.

Three Months In

Consistency becomes a habit.  Training is now a part of your life.  Missing a session will feel like missing something important.  It is likely that Saturday mornings are the non-negotiable you plan around.  Others will start to notice.  You will start to believe it: You’re strong, and strong is fun.

Six Months

A shift will occur.  You won’t just train for strength—you’ll recognise and embody it.  In your body, in your decisions, in how you carry yourself.  Benefits of training spill over into all areas of your life, and you notice how much easier everything is now that you are stronger.

Strength will reflect your values in action.

One year

You will have changed so much that you are barely recognisable to your old self.  Not just physically, but in how you think, feel, and move through the world.

You’ll be grateful that you started when you did, and you won’t want to stop.

“Strong is fun” will be so much more than a slogan; it will be how you live.

FINAL NOTE

You don’t need to decide right now.  However, if something in this strikes a chord with you—not as exciting or impressive but true—that’s worth listening to.

CALL

Join us and give it a try.  Don’t overthink it—show up.  You don’t need any experience.  You don’t need to feel ready.  You don’t even need to know what a barbell is.  No talent?  No history?  “I’m not that kind of person” That’s okay.  Our training space and coaching are fully accessible for all disabilities, and we are devoted to supporting you at every ability level.  If you have specific access needs, we are ready to help make sure you’re comfortable and confident.  Everyone is welcome, and we are here to journey together.

If money is a barrier, we offer real solutions.  We offer a sliding fee scale and sponsorships for para-athletes who need extra support.  Just contact us, and we will work with you to ensure cost never stops you from training.  Step in and get on the bench.  Ben and I will meet you there and help you figure it out, one rep at a time.  There is a solution to every problem.  Creative problem-solving means tackling uncommon challenges for which solutions have not yet been developed.  That means we don’t always have to be right; thankfully, we just need to be persistent.  And we are persistent.

Strength is the goal; flow is the method.  Being strong is fun.  You won’t be doing this alone.  You’ll be part of a team that shows up, does the work, and supports each other—especially when it gets tough.  More importantly, you’ll help build this community.

We are a crew, a Circle of Courage, embodying belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity, all revealed under the bar and lived out in the community.  Together, people are becoming harder to break and better to be around.  So don’t sit back and think, “This isn’t for me.” If there’s even a trace of curiosity, follow it.  If you have doubts, bring those too.  We’ll work through them.

If you’re interested in joining, getting started is easy: simply get in touch with us by email at baxterstrength@me.com, check out www.baxterstrengthsystems.com or send me a message on Instagram @Australianbraincoach.  We’ll get in touch to answer your questions, discuss your goals, and help you schedule your first session.  Or simply turn up to Integrated on Saturday morning at 8 am.  On your first day, you’ll get a tour of the facility, meet the coaches and team, and we’ll talk about what you’re hoping to get out of training.  There’s no need to prepare or worry about what to bring—just come as you are.  We’ll take care of the rest and make sure you feel welcomed every step of the way.

Everyone deserves to feel strong.  When people get stronger, everything improves.  Like I keep saying, Strong is Fun.

And if you need a last push, the evidence that strength training is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth is becoming harder to ignore.  Come and see for yourself—and help us build something worth belonging to.  Join us and give it a try.

Don’t overthink it—show up.  You don’t need any experience.  You don’t need to feel ready.  You don’t even need to know what a barbell is.  No talent?  No history?  “I’m not that kind of person” That’s okay.  If money is a barrier, we’ll find a way around that too—we always do.  Step in and get on the bench.  Ben and I will meet you there and help you figure it out, one rep at a time.

Strength is the goal; flow is the method.  Being strong is fun.  You won’t be doing this alone.  You’ll be part of a team that shows up, does the work, and supports each other—especially when it gets tough.  Prestige Worldwide is a Circle of Courage that embodies belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity.  More importantly, you’ll help build this community.

People are becoming harder to break and better to be around—together.  So don’t sit back and think, “This isn’t for me.” If there’s even a flicker of curiosity, follow it.  If you have doubts, bring those too.  We’ll work through them.

Everyone deserves to feel strong.  When people get stronger, everything improves.  And if you need one last nudge: the evidence that strength training is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth is becoming harder to ignore.

So come and see for yourself—and help us build something worth belonging to.