Gen Strength Coach

Gen Strength Coach Merinda O’Brien — Head Coach at Generation Strength and IPF World Medalist. Our approach isn't based on fads or guesswork.

I coach high‑performing professionals and athletes with a structured, principle‑driven system built from years under the bar and on the world stage. Meet Merinda O'Brien
Head High-Performance Coach & IPF World Medalist

Under The Generation Strength System, we build stronger humans, one rep at a time. At Generation Strength we coach high-performing professionals and competitive athletes who want s

tructured, principle-driven strength training. It is built on years of experience under the bar and coaching athletes to the highest levels of the sport. I believe that training only works when there is a system behind it. That's why the Generation Strength System was created, to break down athletic development into clear, actionable stages. Performance Highlights
Merinda's career as an athlete heavily informs my coaching.She have was the highest-ranked Australian Female Single Ply Powerlifter for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024). At the IPF World Championships in 2022, I secured Silver Overall, taking home Silver in the Squat and Bench, and Gold in the Deadlift. I currently hold multiple National and World Records across APU, APL, and CAPO federations. My best competition lifts stand at a 162.5kg Squat, a 100kg Bench, and a 180.5kg Deadlift. Merinda's Philosophy
Merinda meets you where you are, and coaches with the structure and standards that move you forward. Whether you are stepping onto the platform for the first time or preparing for a World Championship, her goal is to help you refine yourself physically and mentally.

There’s a moment every girl remembers......the first time she feels strong.Not “fit.”Not “smaller.”Not “fixed.”Strong.An...
01/06/2026

There’s a moment every girl remembers......the first time she feels strong.

Not “fit.”
Not “smaller.”
Not “fixed.”

Strong.

And that moment hits differently when a woman is standing beside her.

Because women understand the deeper layers:
the body image pressure,
the comparison,
the comments that stay with you for years,
the way sport can shape - or break - your identity.

This is why we coach.
This is why we lead.
This is why we protect the culture so fiercely.

Girls deserve coaches who see them.
Coaches who respect them.
Coaches who understand them.
Coaches who build them into strong women - not smaller ones.

This is the standard we hold.
This is the environment we choose to build.
This is the work.
This is the purpose.
This is the legacy.



.its.jess.88 .steel

22/05/2026

Huge congratulations to and on deadlifting your first 100kgs!

Ok so we now need to whiteboard some new goals for 2026?!

Also, school pick-ups are a vibe 😐

🤘

You both need new goals 😆

13/05/2026

What’s your favourite pull-up/chin-up variation?

Still working towards your first one?

Try these:
1. Inverted Row (rings or barbell)
2. Holds
3. Negatives
4. Band assisted
5. Machine assisted

People often ask me, “But what’s your real job.”  I don’t have another full‑time job, coaching is my full‑time professio...
05/05/2026

People often ask me, “But what’s your real job.”
I don’t have another full‑time job, coaching is my full‑time profession.

For the past 10 years I’ve run my own S&C business, coached S&C at a high school, and taken lifters from complete novices all the way to representing their country on international platforms.

My work is built on experience, structure, and long‑term athlete development - under The Generation Strength System.

It’s not just a job, it’s my passion

dreamjob

Emotional intelligence isn’t a bonus in sport, it’s a performance tool.This week alone, I held someone back from trainin...
01/05/2026

Emotional intelligence isn’t a bonus in sport, it’s a performance tool.

This week alone, I held someone back from training every day because their body needed it.
I stopped an athlete mid‑set and got them to breathe and reset before they hurt themselves.
I read the room and adjusted my approach.
I hyped when it mattered.
I softened when it was required.

That’s coaching.
Not just programs.
Not just progressions.
Not just data.

Athletes don’t thrive because you push harder - they thrive because you know when to push, when to pull back, and how to communicate so they feel safe, seen, and capable under pressure.

If you want a coach who understands the human side of high performance, you know where to find me.

Strength isn’t built by guessing.And it definitely isn’t built in two weeks.Challenge culture sells shortcuts, short tim...
01/05/2026

Strength isn’t built by guessing.
And it definitely isn’t built in two weeks.

Challenge culture sells shortcuts, short time-frames, quick wins, and the illusion that a countdown can replace real development. But if you want something big, something that actually lasts, you build it over time.

You choose mastery over a moment.
You enjoy being a beginner.
You accept you’re not an expert yet.
And you commit to learning the skill properly.

That’s why the Generation Strength System exists, you progress through the stages.

You build the base.
You grow the engine.
You sharpen the skill.
Then you execute the plan.

Stop chasing shortcuts.
Take the time to appreciate your progress and know exactly what comes next.

Because we know that quick wins fade.
With a structured system you keep moving forward towards your goal with the exact amount of effort required, not more, not less.

That’s how real strength is built and sustained.

24/08/2024

Another huge weekend for the Gen Strength Team!

Good luck to Veronica who competes this afternoon at the Deadlift Duel at Panthers and to David Forth and Matthew Roney who start their worlds campaign this evening from 6:45pm (see live stream info below)!

I am so excitied to see all of your hard work in action!!

Huge thank you to Cn Lry for looking after the team in Ireland!

12/08/2024

Hi Team, for those of you keen to come along to groups on Wednesday (Ekka public holiday), I am running 3 groups at the following times: 6am; 10am and 11am. There will be no evening sessions on Wednesday this week.

We all love deadlifts (am I right!!) but there is definitely a superior stance - sumo 🤣If you agree, now is your chance ...
13/04/2023

We all love deadlifts (am I right!!) but there is definitely a superior stance - sumo 🤣

If you agree, now is your chance to silence the critics (and let's face it there are WAY too many) and prove sumo is superior by joining Team Sumo for Panthers Powerlifting Deadlift Duel on 12 May

Registrations close soon https://bit.ly/3Ipgpcv

Panthers Powerlifting
Gen Strength Coach
Grounded Strength & Rehab

Call To Iron, Panthers Powerlifting's novice powerlifting competition is back in 2022 with a Twilight Push Pull event on...
22/03/2022

Call To Iron, Panthers Powerlifting's novice powerlifting competition is back in 2022 with a Twilight Push Pull event on Friday, 3 June 2022 at 4pm.

Bench and deadlift only novice competition with prizes, food, music and more. Will you answer the call in 2022?

Sign up today
https://www.generationstrength.com.au/call-to-iron

Need some inspiration? Check out this epic video from our 2021 event - https://youtu.be/cH1-TxmODFs

Call to Iron Novice Powerlifting Competition at Panthers PowerliftingShot with Canon90D 18/55mm lens - No filter/attachmentsEdited with Adobe Premier Pro & A...

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147 Lumley Street
Upper Mount Gravatt, QLD
4122

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Monday 5am - 7:30am
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Wednesday 9:30am - 2:15pm
Thursday 5am - 7:30am
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