Mike Listro's Weightlifting Legacy: Strength, Determination, and Breaking Records

NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY

NO NONSENSE, OLD SCHOOL WEIGHTLIFTING HISTORY is presented by the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Your Favorite Sport's Yesteryear.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Mike Listro began lifting weights in his basement at thirteen after watching the movie Rocky. He started training on the Olympic lifts without coaching in 1978 after watching a weightlifting competition on the T.V. show Wide World of Sports. He picked up training tips from Strength & Health magazine.

In February of 1980, as a spectator, Mike went to a weightlifting competition at the Belleville Barbell Club. He spoke with coach Bucky Cairo, and the next thing he knew, he was lifting in his first competition at the McBurney YMCA in New York City the next day.....

You can read the full blog post here.

SHOW BACKGROUND

My name is Mark Morthier, and I host yesterday’s Sports on the Sports History Network. As many of you know from reading my articles and listening to my podcasts, I am not only an avid weightlifter but a fan of the sport as well. I’m excited to share my newest adventure, a show dedicated to promoting weightlifting, while also looking back at some weightlifting history. I’ll share some of my own stories and interview weightlifters from both past and present.

I competed in Olympic Weightlifting from 1981 to 1989 and powerlifting from 2011 to 2019. Although I wasn’t what one might call “a naturally gifted lifter,” I managed to clean & jerk 140 kilos/308 lbs at 179 lbs body weight. In my later years, I achieved a 600-pound deadlift and a 431-pound front squat in my mid-fifties. Although I was more successful in powerlifting, setting New Jersey and New York State records in Masters Competitions, I’ll always consider myself an Olympic Weightlifter. I’ve also written a book on weight training titled No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training, which is available on Amazon.

No Nonsense, Old School Weightlifting book (Amazon affiliate link)

I hope that you will enjoy the show, and please leave a comment or offer a suggestion. And if you’re an Olympic lifter, past or present, let me know if you’d like to set up an interview, and I’ll do my best to have you on the show. Stay strong and God bless!

CHECK OUT YESTERDAY'S SPORTS (MY ORIGINAL SHOW)

Host Mark Morthier grew up in New Jersey just across the river from New York City during the 1970s, a great time for sports in the area. He relives great moments from this time and beyond, focusing on football, baseball, basketball, and boxing. You may even see a little Olympic Weightlifting in the mix, as Mark competed for eight years. See Mark's book below.

No Nonsense, Old School Weight Training: A Guide For People With Limited Time