Snatch Chat

Learn how to start Olympic weightlifting properly with this step by step guide to learning the snatch and clean & jerk from scratch. In episode 19 of the Snatch Chat Podcast, Coach Oates explains how he would approach learning Olympic weightlifting if he had to start again today. Instead of rushing straight into heavy lifts, this episode breaks down the foundations of Olympic lifting , includi...

In Episode 18 of the Snatch Chat Podcast , Coach Oates dives into one of the biggest challenges lifters face: how to improve your Olympic lifts while balancing a busy life. Weightlifting can feel like a complicated puzzle, especially when you're trying to refine snatch and clean & jerk technique , build strength, and still manage work, life, and recovery. In this episode, Coach Oates break...

Struggling to stay on top of your nutrition while balancing work, family, and training? In Episode 17, Coach Oates sits down with nutritionist and strength coach Tom to break down simple, practical nutrition strategies that actually work for everyday lifters. No extremes. No overcomplication. Just effective habits you can stick to . In this episode, you’ll learn: How the nutrition pyramid simplifi...

Struggling with your snatch, clean, or jerk? In Episode 16, Coach Oates breaks down the most common Olympic weightlifting faults and shows you exactly how to fix them with simple, effective coaching cues . From understanding why your jerk feels unstable overhead to mastering a fast, reactive dip , this episode dives into the details that actually move the needle in your lifts. You’ll learn: How to...

In this episode of the Snatch Chat Podcast, Coach Oates breaks down some of the most common issues lifters face in Olympic weightlifting , including problems with the snatch, clean and jerk, and training plateaus . We dive into practical weightlifting coaching tips tohelp you improve technique, lift heavier weights, and build confidence under the bar. Topics covered include: • Why lifters develop...

Want to improve your snatch, clean, and jerk and starthitting more personal bests in Olympic weightlifting? In this episode, Coach Oates breaks down the most commonmistakes lifters make in the snatch, clean, and jerk, and shares practical weightlifting technique tips, mindset shifts, and training strategies that will help you lift heavier with better consistency. Whether you're a beginner lear...

In this episode of the Snatch chat podcast , CoachOates sits down with Rachel; a senior data engineer turned weightliftingenthusiast, to unpack her transition from powerlifting into the world ofOlympic lifts, competition, and long term personal growth. Rachel shares how she “caught the weightlifting bug” and whythe technical challenge of the snatch and clean & jerk pulled her away frompowerlif...

In Episode 12 of The Snatch Chat Podcast, Coach Oates and James dive into the powerful relationship between mental health and fitness, and why training is about far more than just physical progress. We explore how exercise can act as a form of therapy, how routine and discipline create stability, and why relying on motivation alone isn’t enough. The conversation tackles common barriers to training...

In this episode of Snatch Chat podcast , Coach Oates does something different. It starts light with some quick fire questions; coffee vs pre-workout, CrossFit debates, worst fashion trends (yes… plimsolls are involved), irrational fears, and why early mornings win every time. Then we pivot. Because if your snatch, clean & jerk, or overall total hasn’t moved in months… this episode might sting...

In episode 10, Coach Oates breaks down why strength alone isn’t fixing your Olympic lifts and what actually does. We cover clean to front squat ratios, how to structure a proper training week, why progress isn’t linear, and how chasing heavy lifts too often can quietly wreck your technique. We also talk mobility vs flexibility, why accessories actually matter, how external stress affects performan...

In Episode 9 of Snatch Chat , Coach Oates answers questionsfrom Olympic weightlifters on how to actually improve their Weightlifting skills, without doing more for the sake of it. This episode dives into why training consistency matters more than chasing maxes, how building a strong technical base at 80–85% leads to more reliable lifts, and which strength lifts truly carry over to the snatch and c...

In this episode of the Snatch Chat Podcast , Coach Oates breaks down the most common technical mistakes holding lifters back, starting with one of the biggest snatch errors: pulling the bar too high instead of moving under it efficiently. But technique is only part of the picture. We also dive into the mindset side of training: why enjoying the process matters more than chasing constant PBs, how t...

In this episode of The Snatch Chat Podcast , Coach Oates sits down with Dima; a dedicated weightlifter and executive director working in human rights, to explore how weightlifting became more than just training… it became a lifeline. Dima shares her journey from gymnastics and CrossFit into Olympic weightlifting, the technical challenges that kept her hooked, and the powerful sense of community sh...

In this episode of Snatch Chat , Coach Oates breaks down why so many lifters feel stuck, even when they’re training hard and what actually moves the needle in your snatch and clean & jerk. We talk goal setting, common technical mistakes, strength training myths, and why sleep and nutrition might be affecting your totals more than your program does. If you want to train smarter, not just harder...

Most lifters aren’t failing because they’re weak. They’re failing because they’re rushing. In this episode of The Snatch Chat Podcast , I break down the biggest mistakes I see amateur weightlifters make; jumping into full movements too soon, chasing volume instead of quality, and running themselves into the ground thinking “more” is the answer. We talk about: Why breaking lifts down actually speed...

In this episode of Snatch Chat , I’m joined with Jo; a lifter I’ve had the privilege of coaching, to unpack the real journey from general gym training to competitive weightlifting. We dive into what changes mentally when you move from general training to the precision and pressure of the weightlifting platform. Jo shares her honest experiences of competition day nerves, emotional highs and lows, a...

Olympic lifting isn’t just about adding kilos to the bar. In Episode 3 of the Snatch Chat Podcast , we dive into what actually moves the needle: ✔️ Recovering properly between sessions ✔️ Why your snatch & clean are basically vertical jumps ✔️ How a simple pre-lift routine can calm the noise and sharpen execution From beginners finding their feet to experienced lifters chasing consistency, thi...

In this episode on Snatch Chat , I’m joined by James , fresh after winning the English Masters Weightlifting Champs for his age and weight class. We look back on James’ 18 month transition from CrossFit into Olympic weightlifting , why he decided to start coaching with me, and what actually moved the needle in his training leading up to competition day. This conversation is an honest breakdown of...

Welcome to episode one of Snatch Chat . In this episode, I break down Olympic weightlifting in a way that actually makes sense, without overcomplicating everything. I share my journey from CrossFit into specialising in Olympic weightlifting, and why moving away from chaos, random programming, and cue overload completely changed the way I train and coach. Most lifters don’t struggle because they’re...