Mike Cerbus: Programming Olympic Lifting for General Population Clients

Think teaching Olympic lifts requires 20 different cues? Think again.

Today on the “Strength Coach Collective” podcast, Chris Guerrero sits down with Mike Cerbus, a multi-time USA Weightlifting National Championship medalist and head weightlifting coach for Power Monkey Fitness.

With nearly 30 years under the bar and more than 15 years serving the fitness community, Mike shares his approach to technical excellence and long-term athletic development.

He breaks down his "feet, hands and eyes" framework for teaching any squat variation, explaining how three contact points create the foundation for everything from back squats to Olympic lifts.

Chris and Mike also discuss applying rate of perceived exertion (RPE) effectively, balancing technical excellence with engaging training and knowing when to refer out to other specialists.

Whether you're working with beginners or elite athletes, Mike’s approach can help you build movement awareness without overcomplicating coaching.

Links

Strength Coach Collective

2:14 - Simplification in coaching

15:26 - Common technical faults

23:16 - Olympic lifts with general population

34:26 - What separates good from great

44:59 - Tips to improve how clients move