Allow yourself the space and time to progress in Weightlifting: Interview with Mike Cerbus
Mike Cerbus, Weightlifting Coach at Power Monkey Fitness and former Team USA weightlifter, has been teaching in CrossFit gyms around the world for over 10 years. During our Weightlifting Weekend in Devon, we asked Mike what often holds people back, and why weightlifting holidays, whether you’re competing or just starting out, give us the space and time we need to progress in the sport.
JV: Mike, you competed for Team USA for 9 years, then you gave it all up to become a weightlifting coach at Power Monkey Fitness. Can you tell us a bit more about your weightlifting journey and why you decided to become a coach?
MC: My cousin introduced me to weightlifting when I was 11. I started competing in my 20s and eventually got invited to train for the Olympics. While I was competing, people at my gym would ask me to coach classes for them. I had a Bachelor's Degree in Education, so the teaching part came naturally to me and I instantly fell in love with it. There’s something very special about having the opportunity to meet new people all the time and helping them improve and gain confidence. I realised pretty quickly that teaching weightlifting brought me a lot more joy than competing, so I began doing it full time.
JV: Weightlifting has become more popular in recent years, but it’s still a niche sport. What are some of the misconceptions about weightlifting that stop people from trying it?
MC: The outside perspective of weightlifting varies a lot. If someone’s only experience of weightlifting is from the Olympics, people can think it’s really extreme, or that it’s really methodical and serious. Others, especially if they come from a CrossFit background, think it’s too dangerous or complicated. Through teaching, my mission is to show people that it isn’t really any of those things.
Weightlifting is great for your strength and flexibility. I believe that anyone, as long as they have an open mind and are willing to learn, can take advantage of all those benefits, even if they never plan on competing.
JV: You’ve taught hundreds of students during your many years as a coach. What are some of the biggest fears that hold people back in the sport?
MC: People are afraid of failure. What that failure looks like depends on the person, but in weightlifting, it’s very easy to compare yourself to someone else and feel like you’re somehow not capable or worthy. This holds people back at first, but if you harness that fear and believe that your body can do this, you’ll go a long way.
In my many years of teaching, I’ve never come across anyone who can’t do something if they really try. That’s what I love about coaching – it’s unpredictable and challenging, but there’s always a way to help someone achieve their goals.
JV: It’s one thing acknowledging our fears, but how can we get over them?
MC: We can only get over our fears through experience. The more you train, the more confident you become. But there’s also an element of acceptance in weightlifting. You have to accept that in this sport there will be situations where you feel uncomfortable or intimidated, but that’s ok. As long as you’re willing to keep trying, you will see results.
JV: What motivated you to teach at our Weightlifting Weekend in Devon and what do you think people can get from weightlifting retreats?
MC: In a gym, I normally only get to teach about 60% of what I want to. Experiences like this one allow me to go deeper and work on everyone’s individual needs so much more. For experienced weightlifters, these trips help them refine their movements, while for beginners it’s a safe space to get acquainted with the sport at a slower pace. Retreats allow a lot more time for reflection, too.
We all lead busy lives, so it’s easy to forget what you’ve learnt in an hour’s class once you leave the gym and get on with your day. These retreats give us much-needed space to absorb and reflect on everything we’ve learned, both individually and as a team.
JV: How do you think people can get the most out of these trips?
MC: The most important thing you can do on a fitness retreat is to have an open mind. I hope people leave our retreats feeling like they’re capable; like they’re truly able to achieve anything if they just keep working at it. On an interpersonal level, I hope guests leave feeling like they’ve made meaningful connections with people who value many of the same things they do. There’s something very special about finding shared experiences with total strangers.
JV: For people considering weightlifting for the first time, why should they choose this sport over another?
MC: Weightlifting is a love language. People think that it’s all about looking good, but the most special thing about weightlifting is the community. I’ve made friends all over the world through this sport, and it really is one of the most inclusive spaces that I’ve experienced.
Lots of people come to weightlifting because it gives them the physical results they want, but the ones that stay do it because they value the support network and friendships that the weightlifting community offers.
Thanks for chatting with us Mike!
Weightlifting Weekend - Devon, May 2023
In May 2023, we are teaming up with Mike Cerbus from Power Monkey Fitness for a getaway like no other. Come away with us for four days of coaching and quality time on the Jurassic Coast and become a part of a growing community. The serenity of the beach, our inclusive spirit and Mike’s world-class weightlifting background will help you recharge and return back home with new levels of confidence.
This weekend is for anyone who wants to make technique improvements in weightlifting, in a supportive and relaxed environment, and make new friends while at it.
Find out more today, or send us an email to chat with our team.