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In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo is joined by his longtime friend and legendary coach Jim Schmitz for a lively and insightful conversation! Jim is a renowned figure in American weightlifting, having developed multiple Olympians and national champions, and played a pivotal role both on and off the platform.
Together, Leo Totten and James Schmitz take us on a journey through the history and evolution of Olympic weightlifting in the U.S.—with plenty of stories, laughs, and a few friendly jabs about wine and old rivalries.
In this episode, Leo and Jim cover:
- How Leo and Jim met—throwback to the 1978 Junior Nationals!
- Jim’s beginnings in strength sports and what drew him to weightlifting
- The challenges of early training environments and finding quality equipment
- Starting Sports Palace and building a powerhouse team on the West Coast
- Coaching philosophies: Developing lifters from scratch to Olympians
- Pioneering women’s weightlifting in the U.S. and Title IX’s impact
- Historic rivalries with York Barbell and growing the sport
- The importance of administrative roles, growing participation, and tough decisions as USAW President
- Reflections on international weightlifting, Olympic politics, and doping
- The value of history, legacy, and learning from the past
This episode is packed with rich history, practical wisdom for lifters and coaches, and a genuine love for the sport!
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