Totten Talks Podcast

In this episode of Totten Talks, the conversation focused on the power of professional development, mentorship, and giving back within the weightlifting and strength coaching communities. With over 70 years of combined experience, the discussion explored how coaching relationships can evolve over time, and why involvement in your sport and continued learning are essential for growth as both an ath...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait welcome legendary weightlifting coach Dr. Kyle Pierce to the show! Known for his long-standing influence on USA Weightlifting and international coaching, Kyle shares stories from his early days as an athlete and the transition into a coaching career that has impacted athletes across the globe. Listeners will enjoy hearing about: Kyle's upbringing...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait dig deep into the impact of strong women in sport and coaching, sharing personal stories, history, and insights from decades in the industry. Cait and Leo bring over 70 years of experience to a heartfelt conversation about women’s influence in weightlifting and sports performance. They celebrate resilience, reflect on progress, and discuss the continui...

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 evol...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo is joined by his cohost Cait for an open and heartfelt conversation about the balance between family, coaching, and athletics. Both Leo Totten and Cait Finn have decades of experience in weightlifting and strength & conditioning, and today, they dive deep into the realities of life outside the gym. In this episode, Leo and Cait discuss: Their shared philoso...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo Totten and Cait Finn reunite after a holiday break to dive into the world of weightlifting, coaching, and building strong communities both on and off the platform. Both Leo Totten and Cait Finn reflect on their combined 70+ years of experience in weightlifting, sharing entertaining anecdotes about family traditions and the evolution of coaching tools—from VHS t...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo brings in not one but two guests—Shana McKeever and Tim Suchomel, a husband and wife team with impressive backgrounds in strength and conditioning and sports science. The conversation covers their unique career journeys, experiences in education, and what it’s really like to bridge the gap between research and practical coaching. Shana has spent her career coac...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo is flying solo while Cait is away, giving listeners a deep dive into training philosophies drawn from decades of experience in weightlifting and coaching. Leo shares invaluable insight into the importance of identifying and addressing your training’s limiting factors—and how discipline plays a key role in turning weaknesses into strengths. With personal stories...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait sit down with special guest Carissa Gordon Gump. Carissa is an Olympian, longtime friend, and a major presence in the world of weightlifting and strength and conditioning. Carissa shares her journey from starting weightlifting at age 12 to representing Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games, and her ongoing impact within the sport. Carissa dives into her e...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait take a deep dive into the storied history and ongoing evolution of weightlifting camps—a topic close to their hearts! Leo shares how he got started with weightlifting camps all the way back in 1984, highlighting the role York Barbell played as a foundational location (aka "Muscle Town USA"). Cait reminisces about her own experiences at these...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait are joined by Dr. Chris Taber—longtime friend, teammate, and the Graduate Program Director of Exercise and Sports Science at Sacred Heart University. Chris brings a unique perspective, blending cutting-edge research with years of practical, hands-on coaching experience. The conversation is all about the intersection of sports science, coaching, and bui...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait dive into the third and final part of their "Keep It Simple Seriously" series on teaching and performing the Olympic lifts. The focus is all about the jerk technique, strength, and flexibility needed to bring your lifts to the next level. In this episode, Leo and Cait cover: Spring weather and gardening updates—because athletes and coaches ha...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait dive into the intricacies of teaching Olympic lifts, focusing on simplifying technique for coaches and their athletes. With a light-hearted tone, they share insights and strategies drawn from years of experience in coaching and competing. In this episode, Leo and Cait cover: Personal updates: Leo's family celebrations and gratitude Teaching Olympi...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait dive headfirst into episode six & introduce us to KISS.  In this episode, Leo and Cait cover: The introduction of the KISS (Keep It Simple, Seriously/Silly) method for coaching. Why Olympic lifts provide value in sports performance and how to break lifts into teachable segments. The misconceptions and challenges coaches face with Olympic lifts, suc...

In this episode of Totten Talks, Leo and Cait welcome their first-ever guest to the show - Phil Sabatini!  Phil is an experienced coach, successful athlete, and father. He has made remarkable contributions to the sport of weightlifting and left a lasting impact on those around him. In this episode, Leo and Phil discuss: Phil's extensive background in sports and athletics, including his achiev...

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Totten Talks podcast, where hosts, Leo Totten and Cait Finn as they dive into a rich tapestry of weightlifting stories, Olympic highlights, and personal experiences in this engaging episode of Totten Talks. 2024 Olympics Recap - U.S. team's success and the role of social media in increasing exposure. Weightlifting Evolution - Differences between weightlifting and p...

Welcome back to another exciting episode of the Totten Talks podcast! In this episode, your hosts, Leo Totten and Cait Finn, take you on an inspiring journey through the lifting legacies and life lessons that have shaped Leo’s remarkable career. Today, we’ll dive into some of the most memorable firsts in Leo's weightlifting journey, from his earliest jobs to the heights of the Olympics. Wheth...

Welcome to Episode 3 of the Totten Talks podcast, where hosts Leo Totten and Cait Finn delve into the profound impact of mental training on athletic performance. With a combined experience of over 70 years in weightlifting, strength, and conditioning, Leo and Cait discuss the often-overlooked but crucial aspect of mental training in sports. In this episode, Leo recounts his personal journey into m...

In the debut episode of the Totten Talks podcast, hosts Leo Totten and Cait Finn introduce themselves, discuss the origins and purpose of the podcast, and share personal anecdotes about their journey in weightlifting, coaching, and sports performance. They dive into their motivation for starting the podcast and outline what listeners can expect in future episodes. Introduction to Totten Talks Leo...