RIPL-Raw Iron Powerlifting League

11/09/2025

We were honored with this beautiful impact award presented by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention - North Texas Chapter at the annual Out of the Darkenss walk yesterday.
This is such an honor for us as RIPL.
We know this award belongs to all of us. All the lifters, sponsors, vendors spectators, donors and the volunteers who donated countless hours to make Lifting the Stigma the meet it has become. Thank you to everyone who has supported Lifting the Stigma. We have raised a little over $108,000 in 5 years.

11/08/2025

11/04/2025

While I know that some of you have trained for this meet, we are announcing at this time that it is being cancelled. It is our goal and desire to resume the Battle of the Irons December 2026, but the 2025 meet has been cancelled.
There are 2 things that have really led us to this decision
1. The expansion of the location was set to be completed before the meet, but is not going to be finished in time, so the host gym will not be in the shape we want it in for the meet.
2. The RIPL board has been focused on taking to new communities, and expanding our reach for su***de prevention. We are in the final planning stages for an event in Georgia.

While we love the friendly gym competition that Battle of the Irons provides, we are more focused than ever on changing the stigma around su***de.

Thank you for your understanding.

09/15/2025

Lifting the Stigma has always been about raising money and safer su***de prevention, while honoring those we love that we have lost to su***de. It is about a day of lifting heavy weights, and lifting burdens, all designed to change the way we think about and talk about su***de.
This year we took Lifting the Stigma to Azle - next year, with the help of we are looking to take the message and the moment to Georgia.
Keri reached out to us with a passion that we recognize and respect, and a desire to do whatever it takes to bring this message to the Macon or Atlanta, Georgia area.
We are in the very early stages of planning, starting with finding a venue down a date in the late September, early October timeframe of 2026.
This will be our first meet outside of Texas, and as with all Lifting the Stigma meets, 💯 of all entry fees will go to the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention. In the past we have partnered with the to raise over $100,000 for su***de prevention. This time we will be looking to partner with the
We need each of you, our followers and supporters to help us get the word out in Georgia. Unlike locally, we can’t just go knock on doors and people don’t know us there. But they do know you! If you know a lifter in the area, a business in the area, someone who has lost a loved one to su***de, we need you to let them know about us. Let them know about this cause, and this movement. Tag them, message them, have them message us - whatever it takes to help us Lift the Stigma in Georgia.
***deprevention

09/04/2025

Come out and support you GLP powerlifters!! These athletes work hard to get to that state meet!!

08/27/2025

We are still looking for logo design ideas, and have extended the deadline. We love the designs that have come in so far, but will all be meeting together September 20th, so you now have until September 19th to email your design idea to us at [email protected]
Thank you to all who have submitted designs. Remember, the winner will receive $100, and their design will become property of Raw Iron Powerlifting League, and will be the official Lifting the Stigma logo. You can submit as many entries as you want to!

08/12/2025

As RIPL continues to grow, it is imperative that judging standards are upheld. We will not sacrifice integrity or standards for popularity and growth.
With that said, we are excited to announce that is immediately being placed in charge of our judges training, and certification. Alex has lifted on some of the biggest platforms this sport has to offer, and has always been impartial, and fair in his assessment and feedback.
In the coming days we will be announcing a judging clinic to be held at - we will couple it with some spotting and loading training as well. Alex will announce the details soon, but it will be comprehensive training of ALL rules, as well as hands on judging of standards.
To judge in a future RIPL meet, you will be required to attend a judging clinic (we will be having them at multiple locations and times), and Alex will have to sign off on your preparedness.
Thank you Alex for helping us to grow RIPL in the right way.

08/07/2025

I have struggled with the words for an update and they never came, but will try today.
This past weekend 69 lifters and countless sponsors, volunteers, and vendors gathered together to lift the stigma on su***de. We had kids lifting for parents lost, we have parents lifting for children lost. We had high school students lifting for classmates lost. Friends, family, loved ones gathered together to remember the lives of those they loved - not remember how we lost them, but remembering how they lived.
We had novice lifters in their first meet, lifters from 3years old to 74 years old. There were all time world records set, and PRs set. But the biggest PR was that we lifted the stigma on su***de and we brought awareness to mental health issues.
Together we raised $28,875 this weekend for the - combine that with the money from Azle in May, and the RIPL family has raised $32,035 for mental health research and resources this year, brining out 5 year total to $105,255.
Registration is live for next year’s lifting the stigma- thanks to the generosity of the MPISD we will have the meet at the Jr High Gym again next year, and for the foreseeable future. We will be back every year remembering our loved ones and lifting the stigma on su***de.
I want to thank all of our vendors, all of our donors and sponsors, all of the volunteers. I wish I could mention or tag them all, but I know I would miss someone. But know, if you ever shared a post, donated, spent time, lifted, ANYTHING - we are so very grateful for you.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988.

08/07/2025

It has been a busy couple of days. Openpowerlifting is updated, RIPL records are updated, and Battle of the Irons registration and 6th Annual Lifting the Stigma registrations are live.
We have decided to cancel the Henderson Star Showdown - for now. It will be rescheduled at a later date, but with the change of ownership taking place there, all parties involved thought it was just too much too soon after switching owners. Megan and Spencer have done an amazing job in Henderson, and Bethany will definitely continue to build on the foundation they have laid there - we will be back soon.

08/06/2025

As Lifting the Stigma continues to grow, continues to reach new areas, we continue to try to adjust and grow with it. Jodie and I knew this event could help and could make a difference locally, but the reach is growing, so we are working on trying to find a way to make LTS a recognized name and brand.
With that said, we need your help. .bresson had suggested coming up with a. Logo for Lifting the Stigma continues- something that can be used year round and something that will be immediately recognizable. Think of your favorite products and companies - you know what their logo looks like. We have a gym logo, and a RIPL logo, now it is time for a LTS logo.
So, $100 cash to the person who submits the logo that ends up being the new LTS logo. Help us make this event easily recognizable across the nation.
Simple rules - submit your design to [email protected] between now and September 1st. .lifts , and will decide on the winner of the design contest- if they can’t decide I will get .bresson to help them out.
My creative brain is stuck - I have included the 2 ideas I came up with today, but am definitely not sold on either of them, so I need your help.
Also, go over and follow our new IG page dedicated to just Lifting the Stigma events and updates.
If you are in crisis, please call or text 988
***deprevention

08/03/2025

Day 2 flight sheet

08/02/2025

Flight sheet day 1