“For Time” with Myriad – Episode #109
Let’s clear something up right away. When we say “weightlifting” we don’t mean curls in the mirror. We mean Olympic weightlifting: the snatch and the clean and jerk. Two of the most technically demanding, endlessly fascinating lifts in all of sport. And this Sunday, May 17th, Myriad is hosting the 4th annual Myriad 500 — one of our two big Olympic weightlifting meets in Indianapolis each year.
Meet Coach Dan German: National-Level Olympic Weightlifting Coach
On Episode 109 of For Time with Myriad, Jared sat down with Coach Dan German — Myriad’s USA Weightlifting Level 3 coach — to break down the sport, the event, and why you might want to walk through that door and start learning.
Dan coaches the Myriad Weightlifting Team, which competes at events across the country. This year, he’s heading to Worlds. So yeah, he knows a thing or two. (He’d say worldwide-level. We’re inclined to agree.)
What Is Olympic Weightlifting?
Two lifts. One goal: get the bar overhead as heavy as possible.
- The Snatch: The bar goes from the ground to fully overhead in one explosive, continuous movement.
- The Clean & Jerk: The bar comes to the shoulders first (the clean), then is driven overhead in a second push (the jerk).
Both lifts require technique that takes years — sometimes decades — to truly master. That’s not a warning. That’s the appeal.
As Coach Dan puts it, Olympic weightlifting is a social sport and a lifelong sport. Young to old, beginner to elite — everyone in the room is working on the same few movements, sharing the same struggle, building the same confidence. Walk into that gym enough times, and the chalk and the slamming bars stop being intimidating. They start feeling like home.
Want to Learn Olympic Weightlifting in Indianapolis?
You don’t need to be a Myriad member or a USA Weightlifting member to start. The barrier to entry is just walking in the door. Myriad offers a beginner’s program, and whether you’re brand new to the sport or a CrossFitter looking to go deeper on the lifts, there’s a place for you.
👉 Learn more about the Myriad Weightlifting Program →
The 2026 Myriad 500: What to Expect on Sunday
The Myriad 500 is our spring Olympic weightlifting meet, timed to coincide with the Indy 500. Sunday, May 17th is the 4th annual installment. Here’s the full session schedule:
- ⏰ 9:30 a.m. — Youth Session (17 and under, including U11 — 10 young athletes competing)
- ⏰ 11:00 a.m. — Women’s Session
- ⏰ 1:00 p.m. — Men’s Session
Admission is free for spectators — come watch, cheer, and see what this sport is all about.
How Does a Weightlifting Meet Work?
Athletes weigh in a couple of hours before their session, then compete in the snatch and the clean and jerk. The bar ascends from lightest to heaviest across the session, and each athlete gets 3 attempts per lift. Your best successful snatch plus your best successful clean and jerk combine into your total — your official score for the meet.
Divisions are broken out by age and weight class (in kilograms), ranging from U11 all the way to 85+ masters. Some athletes will be chasing qualifying totals for the Virus Series (the new USA Weightlifting-sponsored national circuit), youth nationals, or open nationals. Others are just showing up to compete for the first time. Both are completely valid. Getting on the platform is the win.
First Weightlifting Meet? Here’s Coach Dan’s Advice
Imagine walking out onto a Broadway stage — lights on, crowd watching, one platform, one lift, all eyes on you. That’s what stepping onto the competition platform feels like the first time.
Coach Dan’s advice: take a deep breath, lift the way you’ve been training, and use the adrenaline. Missed all your attempts? It happens. The world keeps spinning. What matters is that you showed up.
And you won’t be navigating it alone. Coach Dan and the Myriad coaching staff will be with every athlete through warm-ups, attempt selection, and the full meet experience. If you show up without a coach, Dan will make sure you’re taken care of. No one gets left on the platform without guidance.
Still Want to Compete? Registration Is Still Open.
With ~35 athletes already confirmed across all sessions, spots are limited. If you want to compete this Sunday, reach out today:
- 📅 Date: Sunday, May 17th
- ⏰ Sessions: Youth 9:30 a.m. | Women’s 11:00 a.m. | Men’s 1:00 p.m.
- 📧 Register or ask questions: info@myriadfit.com
- 👀 Spectating: Free — all are welcome
👉 Secure your spot in the 2026 Myriad 500 →
And if competing isn’t on your radar yet — come watch. It’s free, it’s genuinely electric, and it just might be the thing that convinces you to finally start learning the snatch.
See you Sunday. 🏋️
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