The Iron Samurai is not your average weightlifting blog.  So many of the strength training, conditioning, and weightlifting websites and blogs out there on the internet focus on the “hard core” side of strength.  Of course, this side exists, but it’s the least interesting part to me.

I’ve spent years practicing Zen Buddhism, which may seem incongruous for a strength coach and competitive Olympic weightlifter. But I feel strongly that a powerful connection between the mind and the body is one of the key factors in an athletes success.  And while most coaches and athletes pay lip-service to the idea of mental training in sports, few put it into practice.

70 pounds heavier than when I started. Proof that cleans and squats work!

I’ve never been a “tough guy”.   I grew up both skinny AND short.  I’m still short, but at least I’ve packed on a substantial amount of muscle (70+ pounds and counting) since I started training.   I have a light-hearted and jovial attitude towards life.  I’m the guy who’s always making dumb knee-slapper jokes and then preceding to be the first guy to laugh at them!  When I was in High School my favorite musician was Prince and I just HAD to dress like him … not a tough guy.  I was “metro” long before that word became popular.

Here at The Iron Samurai I take seriously not only training the body but the mind via posts on the science behind weightlifting, the psychology of success, and even how I believe that Zen meditation practice can benefit ones game in and out of the weightroom.  And I do it all with a relaxed voice and a decidedly non-hardcore style.

One of the reasons Olympic Weightlifting drew me closer than did Powerlifting was precisely the requirement in Oly lifting that one must focus to a level that just isn’t necessary in nearly any other sport.  In Powerlifting, getting “pumped up” is very helpful.   While there is obviously some technique in that sport, the key factor is shear strength (because of this, Powerlifting is a much more honest test of pure strength than Oly-lifting is).  But, Olympic lifting has far less to do with your strength, than your ability to hit all the right positions at exactly the right time.

You have to stop, compose yourself, save your energy, and make sure all of your efforts and explosion are transferred into the bar in EXACTLY the right way.  Any slip-up, and you miss.

The content of the blog centers generally around Olympic weightlifting and other strength sports, training techniques, as well as techniques for fat loss and muscle gaining.  But, hey, this is a blog, so you’ll see a lot of my pet interests as well such as Sumo (yes, Sumo) and Trail Blazers Basketball (go Blazers!)

With that said …

About Me

My name is Nick Horton, and I’m a Certified USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach and a Crossfit Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach. I am the Founder, President, and Head Coach of PDX Weightlifting, which is the name of both my strength training company and of my Olympic Weightlifting team.

I am currently a graduate student studying Mathematics and Mathematical Biology, and write a science blog, Sapien Games, and co-host a mathematics podcast with Tom Henderson called Math for Primates.

I actually started out in college as a Music major, and I still perform and record under the stage name Saij.  You can check out my music at The Alterside. I’m a huge proponent of the Portland area Art scene, and I’m proud to be a part of that.

I’m a competitive Olympic Weightlifter myself, Highland Games thrower, and recreational softball player. This is me using my mind to throw the Portland Stone.  Mind over Matter!

Using my Mind!