Iron Culture presented by MASS Ep 349 - Elite Weightlifting: An Inside Look (ft. Wil Fleming)
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Oct 15, 2025 Wil Fleming, a level five senior international coach with USA Weightlifting and soon-to-be Olympic assistant coach, shares his journey into the world of Olympic weightlifting. He dives into the importance of mental resilience, explaining how athletes can manage arousal levels during competitions. Wil also discusses effective teaching techniques for Olympic lifts and the significance of pre-performance routines. With insights on handling setbacks and the mental game of lifting, he highlights how training your mind can be as crucial as honing your technique.
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Chance Start Led To Elite Coaching
- Wil Fleming accidentally found Olympic weightlifting after trying to get stronger for football in high school.
- He joined a university weightlifting team and later lived at the Olympic training center, launching his coaching career.
Teach Lifts After Prerequisites
- Build prerequisites before teaching full lifts: competent squats, hinging, and plyometrics exposure matter most.
- Start teaching from the top (front/overhead squat focus) and train pulls from advantageous positions for athletes.
Use Derivatives For Team Athletes
- Use derivatives like muscle snatches and hang cleans for team athletes when time is limited.
- Only teach full lifts if you can coach them well; otherwise use derivatives that still develop power and speed.
