The USA Weightlifting Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Coach Mike Burgener - "Stance, Grip, & Position!" Aug 21, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re joined by a legend amongst coaches in the weightlifting community, Coach Mike Burgener. It was an honor to get the chance to catch up with Coach B and learn more about his passion for the great sport of weightlifting as well as some of his favorite stories from throughout the years. In this episode we’ll be getting into what it’s like working with CrossFitters and Weightlifters, tips for coaches looking to improve their craft, and a few of the biggest lessons he’s learned as a coach along the way.
Topics of discussion:
06:03 - The forefront of Weightlifting in CrossFit
10:50 - A passion for weightlifting
17:00 - Coaching CrossFitters
31:45 - Coaching coaches
44:10 - Resources for coaches
47:15 - Coach B’s new style of coaching
1:01:15 - Working with Casey Burgener
1:08:35 - USA Weightlifting present & future
1:11:00 - Geezers and Traegers
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Let us know who you’d like to hear from!

Junior Worlds - Behind The Scenes Of The Success w/Coach Mike Gattone Jul 31, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re going deep into the behind the scenes of the recent success at the Junior Worlds, and the future of International Competition prep, with USAW’s Senior Director of Sports Performance and Coaching Education, Mike Gattone. Mike is a USAW Sr. International Coach, personal coach of Tara Nott Cunningham, and former Assistant Strength Coach for the Chicago Bulls. In this episode we’ll be talking about Mike’s role in the Junior Worlds, how he mentally prepares his athletes for competition, and of course some fun weightlifting stories. Please take a second to help spread the word about the USAW Podcast by leaving us a review and sharing some of your favorite episodes! Enjoy the show.
Topics:
04:25 - Mike’s role at the Junior Worlds
14:00 - Mental training for competition
21:50 - Pyrros Dimas
47:00 - Junior Worlds
Links:
E-mail: mike.gattone@weightlifting.org
Instagram: @mgattone64

Fred Lowe - Working Hard & Staying In One Piece Jul 23, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re speaking with Fred Lowe. Fred is a three-time Olympian, and eight-time Senior National Champion. He held four American records, two being in the clean and jerk, and he was the lightest lifter to clean and jerk 400lb until CJ Cummings. In this episode Fred shares some of his advice for weightlifters looking to improve their jerk, how to fix common faults, and his evolving coaching philosophy. Fred is also a great story teller, in this episode we get to hear some of his weightlifting stories from over the years, including how he survived cancer. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
04:20 - Advice for athletes
07:50 - Fixing common faults
13:17- Teaching the jerk
32:40 - Coaching philosophy
1:09:40 - Surviving cancer
Help spread the word by leaving us a review and sharing our podcast!
Thank you all for the support!

Vernon Patao - Olympian, Firefighter, and Coach Jul 16, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re interviewing Vernon Patao. Vernon was a 1990 US Junior Champion, a three-time US Senior Champion in 1992, 1994, and 1995, and a two-time Olympian from 1992 and 1996. After 18 years on the outside of the sport, Vernon has now stepped back into the game as a coach, helping athletes reach the next level in their careers. Today we got to catch up with Vern, talking about his coaching experiences working with youth athletes, and how to improve your overhead position. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
05:20 - Working with Meredith Alwine
14:50 - Coaching experience
18:30 - Message to athletes
23:00 - Priorities for youth athletes
32:35 - Common faults in athletes
40:10 - Resources for athletes and coaches
44:45 - The difficulties as a coach
54:50 - Improving overhead position
Help spread the word by leaving us a review and sharing our podcast!
Thank you all for the support

A Weightlifting History Lesson w/Artie Drechsler Jul 11, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re interviewing Artie Drechsler. As an athlete, Artie set three Junior World Records including one in the total. Additionally he is a USAW Sr. International Coach, a Category 1 IWF Referee, a 2 term Chair of the Board for USA Weightlifting, and certainly one of the most knowledgeable about the sport in general. In this episode we’ll be going over some of those credentials in detail, his work as an author for The Weightlifting Encyclopedia, and some of his most memorable experiences as an athlete. This episode is part one of our interview with Artie so be sure to stay tuned for part two and enjoy the show!
Topics:
04:45 - Junior Worlds’ Records
09:20 - Category 1 International Referee & early weightlifting days
36:05 - The Weightlifting Encyclopedia, Bodybuilding & Weightlifting
58:05 - Level 1 Certification Course
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Instagram: @USA_weightlifting
Twitter: @USweightlifting
Facebook: USA Weightlifting
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Q&A #2 - Coaching Youth Athletes w/Guest Kevin Doherty Jul 06, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to another episode of the Official USA Weightlifting Podcast. This week, we’re kicking off round two of Q&A from our listeners. Once again, thank you to everyone that sent in questions! In this episode we’re joined by Coach Kevin Doherty of Hassel Free Barbell Club. We’re going to be answering some of your questions geared toward young athletes including making weight, how to keep weightlifting interesting for youth athletes, and finally how to determine the appropriate age to start teaching kids the olympic lifts. It was a real treat being able to connect with someone so passionate about weightlifting, as well as someone with so much experience coaching youth athletes. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
06:20 - Question 1: Qualifying for weight classes
29:20 - Question 2: When is it appropriate to teach kids the Olympic lifts
47:10 - Question 3: Keeping it interesting
Honorable mentions:
Coach Kevin Doherty
hasslefreebarbell.com
Instagram: @USA_weightlifting
Twitter: @USweightlifting
Facebook: USA Weightlifting

Morghan King - Learning Your Body & Being a Part of The Bar Jul 05, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re speaking with 2016 Olympian and 48kg category American record holder in the snatch, Morghan King. In this episode we learn more about Morghan’s goals on returning to the Olympics, tips on improving your jerk, and her modo for staying healthy and ultimately learning her own body. Show your support for our show by leaving us a review! Enjoy the show!
Topics:
03:10 - Youth Olympic Role Model
09:05 - Setting goals on returning to the Olympics
17:20 - Progressive goals
22:00 - Knowing your body and staying healthy
38:40 - CrossFit before Weightlifting
54:30 - Struggles in weightlifting
1:14:00 - “Sitting into the hips”
Follow us on social media:
Instagram: @USA_weightlifting
Twitter: @USweightlifting
Facebook: USA Weightlifting

Who You Gonna Call...Phil Andrews! - A Chat with Our CEO Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re speaking with the CEO of USAW, Phil Andrews. In this episode Phil takes us through his role as CEO, as well as some of his personal goals for the organization. We’ll be getting a closer look at the USAW Mission Statement, organizational and cultural changes, and an inside look at the USAW Recruitment Project. It was an honor to host Phil as our guest this week. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
03:50 - Roles of a CEO
16:30 - USAW Mission Statement
22:50 - Athlete funding
30:20 - Overcoming roadblocks in USAW
38:00 - USAW Recruitment Project
Follow us:
Instagram: @USA_weightlifting
Twitter: @USweightlifting
Facebook: USA Weightlifting

Mattie Rogers - Redemption Is The Goal Jun 25, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re interviewing Mattie Rogers. Mattie is a three-time National Champion in the 69kg category. She is also the Senior American record holder in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total. Before weightlifting, Mattie started out as a cheerleader, and eventually got into CrossFit at the age of 17 before ultimately finding her way into weightlifting a year later. In this episode we’ll be getting into some of Mattie’s athletic accomplishments, visualization techniques during competition prep, overcoming her early struggle with the squat, and her greatest inspiration to succeed. For more on Mattie be sure to check her out on social media, links below. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
03:30 - Current goals
10:50 - Olympic trials
16:00 - 2020 Qualifications
20:30 - Keeping up with the competition
24:35 - Coaching experience
29:00 - Struggling with squats
36:02 - Visualization techniques
42:30 - CrossFit and Olympic lifting
46:09 - Olympic Dream Inspiration
50:25 - The random question game
Social media:
@mattiecakesssss
@mattie_rogers

Cara Heads Slaughter - Owning Your Excellence & Filling The Holes In Your Understanding Jun 19, 2018

Show notes

This week on the USA Weightlifting Podcast, we’re speaking with another elite USA Weightlifting International Coach, Cara Heads. Cara competed in the 2000 Olympic Games, and is a two-time Junior National Champion as well as an eight-time National Champion. Cara has been able to do a beautiful job using her knowledge and experience as an elite athlete to transition and make a big name for herself in the coaching world. In this episode we’ll be diving into her first experiences as a coach, and discussing some of her favorite correctives when it comes to addressing common faults amongst weightlifters. There is a lot to take away from this episode for both coaches and athletes alike. Enjoy the show!
Topics:
03:30 - Getting into coaching
23:00 - Molding the perfect weightlifter
28:00 - Increasing strength vs. mobility vs. technique
37:00 - Addressing common faults
57:00 - Coaching Obstacles
1:05:00 - Remote training
1:12:00 - Reflecting on athletic career
Notable mentions:
Instagram - @CHFPweightlifting & @caraheadsslaughter
Facebook - CH Fitness and Performance
Website - www.chfitnessandperformance.com

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