Comments on: So You Want My Job: Olympic Hopeful

By: LN

LN — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:10:21 +0000

Inspiring one…
weightlifting is a sport where passion gonna make u cross the heights of mountains.. Play Hard…. \m/

By: ironnsimba

ironnsimba — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:02:04 +0000

Nice one, very inspiring.
It’s good to hear from an Olympic competitor that practice and hard work counts more than just having a gifted ability.
Pushing yourself beyond your limits to achieve success is something that applies in other areas of life as well.

By: Greg

Greg — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 04:35:55 +0000

I think a great addition to your “so you want my job” series would be a lawyer. I’m 15 and I think being a lawyer is what I want to do when I grow up.

By: Bill Jeffreys

Bill Jeffreys — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:04:24 +0000

Nice article. Olympic Lifting is a great sport, used to be popular in the U.S., and could be again. The two-handed snatch is the the most beautiful movement in all of sports. Olympic lifting is right up there with the 100 meter sprint and the downhill of skiing as one of the premier events. I wish it got more coverage here in the U.S.

By: Nate

Nate — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:50:38 +0000

I am so glad to see that you featured Casey Burgener on here, Brett. I became aware of the sport of Olympic weightlifting and appreciate it now because of his father’s work with the Crossfit affiliation of gyms. I’m so glad to see this style of training coming back. It requires great amounts of strength, skill, timing, flexibility and yes, even grace. Most wouldn’t think that weightlifting and grace would be mentioned together, but this is true. Casey mentioned the many preconceived notions people have about what the sport is and I’m glad to see Oly lifting being re-taught in American high schools to combat this lack of information. For those interested in starting to Oly lift, I would suggest a simpler, quicker to learn training method with Russian kettlebells. Once you’ve got the kettlebell one-armed snatch down, then work on your flexibility, get some coaching and eventually graduate to full-on Oly barbel lifts.

By: Mike Neglia

Mike Neglia — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 22:33:42 +0000

I grew up in Fallbrook, California, which is right next to Bonsall! We probably have some mutual friends from the playground days!
Great interview, I’m not into weight lifting myself, but this was great to read. Very encouraging!

By: Brian Cormack Carr

Brian Cormack Carr — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:17:23 +0000

Nice interview – Casey is definitely a guy who has found what I call the “vital vocation” – that ideal career that is founded on a unique set of skills and talents, and which still leaves time to play!

Most of my work with clients is in helping them to do the same thing (in a whole range of fields). Will be directing them to this post, and to the whole “So You Want My Job” series – good stuff!

By: Joel

Joel — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:23:56 +0000

My hats off to all American Olympic Weightlifters who aspire to represent the US at the Olympics – The Burgener Family, Glenn Pendlay’s boyz, John Broz’ boyz, and of course, Kendrick Farris. Olympic lifters in this country are a tight community. The sport is hard and very demanding, and unbeknowst to the general American public, the sport has many, many carryovers to other sports – basketball, football, baseball, MMA, pingpong, badminton, etc… Olympic lifters are the most explosive athletes in the world!! Great article.

By: Stef

Stef — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:49:45 +0000

Love this. You should feature the whole Burgener family they are filled with amazing people and amazing athletes. Coach B is awesome and anyone who has the opportunity to train or be coached by him should!

By: Hunter

Hunter — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:32:04 +0000

Thanks for this post. I think it was one of the best “So you want my job” posts and being an Olympic athlete is something that many men had once dreamed about!