As I was reviewing the information in this interview, it occurred to me that women’s soccer must be a pretty good breeding ground for weightlifting. You probably don’t know this, but the American records in the women’s 48kg weight class are all held by a gal named Tara Nott. Tara converted to Olympic lifting after a collegiate soccer career, and she obviously went on to massive success with the barbell, winning the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics.

This month’s interview subject, Morghan King, has traveled the same path as Tara, and they actually compete in the same weight class. When Morghan’s collegiate soccer years ended, her journey with the Olympic lifts began shortly afterwards. It hasn’t taken long for her to plant her flag in our sport, winning the National Championship and representing the United States at the World Championships against the best athletes on the planet. As a resident athlete at the Olympic Training Center, Morghan is working hard to chase the American records and, hopefully, score the brass ring…the Olympic Team. Her talent has risen to the surface quickly, and we’re excited to give our readers a look at one of America’s most exciting stars.

Tell us about your background. Where are you from, where do you currently live, what’s your occupation (if you work in addition to training), family life, what kind of sports background do you have outside of lifting, etc.

I was born and raised in Redmond, Washington. I grew up with a brother who was three years older than me so I always wanted to be like him and be able to play with the boys. My parents were very adamant about me being exposed to a lot of sports. Every season, I would play a different sport. It was during this time I was able to find what I was good at and what I was passionate about. In my life, I have played softball, track, soccer, gymnastics, ballet, baseball, basketball, and snowboarding. I loved gymnastics and soccer immediately, and at the age of nine I had to choose between them. I chose soccer and was lucky to be able to play all through college. I am fortunate enough to be part of the OTC residency program and have the support to focus on being just an athlete.

Describe your weightlifting history. When/how did you start? Who have your coaches been? What championships and international teams do you have on your record? What are your best lifts?

In college, I worked at an upscale health club where I worked with the personal trainers. I was introduced to basic weight training and how it could benefit me in my soccer career. After college, I continued to lift weights, but it wasn't until I found CrossFit that I realized how small I was compared to the girls I was competing against at regionals. I then decided that the only thing I wanted to do was push my limits and get stronger. I belonged to The Lab, a CrossFit gym in Seattle where I met Dean Kruse. He was the Olympic lifting coach at the gym and took me under his wing and taught me weightlifting. I learned how to jerk two days before my first weightlifting meet. I believe I snatched 42kg and clean and jerked maybe 55kg.
I am the 2013 National and American Open 48kg Champion, 2013 World Team Member, 2014 Pan American Team Member, 2014 American Open 53kg Champion and 2014 World Team Member.

Please give a basic description of your training. Just tell us as much as you can about your program, weekly/yearly planning, etc.

I am currently an athlete at the OTC under head coach Zygmunt Smalcerz. Our weekly training consists of nine sessions with a daily morning warming session. Our training is structured as follows:

Monday/Wednesday/Friday: In the AM, we snatch and snatch related exercises including pulls and snatch grip overhead work. In the PM, we work cleans and jerks (either as the classic lift, or separately depending on our weaknesses) as well as clean related pulls and jerk related footwork and overhead work.

Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday: We squat and do other strength based accessory exercises, including more pulls and pressing as well as speed and technique work.

My personal training, like other athletes under Zygmunt, is focused on my weaknesses while still doing a considerable amount of volume in the classic lifts. Each session may consist of up to six or seven separate exercises that are tailored to me, based off of my recent performance and persisting weaknesses. The variety of different pulls and pressing movements Zygmunt has us do is pretty amazing and always keeps training fresh and challenging.

For the classic lifts, we go up to around 90% on Mondays for 2-6 sets of singles or doubles; Wednesday we go to around 85% for complexes combining pulls to lifts or lifts to extra squats; Fridays we go up to around 95% for singles and, depending on the distance from competition, we finish with back off sets. When we are far from competition, we go off of blocks and transition to the ground more often as we get closer to competition.

Describe some of the obstacles you face, or maybe some things that frustrate you in your weightlifting life. What kinds of changes would you like to see, either personally or with the sport in general?

Weightlifting life takes a toll on your body. I work with a PT five times a week to help recover my body. We are fortunate enough to have a recovery center at the OTC and I use that at least four times a week. I think when you want to be the best weightlifter you possibly can be, you have to put aside a lot of things to become successful. I have moved across the country and back chasing my dreams and goals and I am lucky to have great support system to encourage me the whole time.

What are your plans and goals for your weightlifting career? How do you see your future in the sport? Do you plan to stay involved in weightlifting after your top competitive years are over?

My plans are probably similar to most competitive weightlifters. I want to break the American records and go to the Olympics. With the abundance of exposure through social media, I want to be a role model for young girls. I would like to expose young female athletes the benefits of weightlifting as a sport but also as an exceptional accessory to their specific sport. I think if I would have known about weightlifting and the benefits of it when I was trying to get recruited for soccer, I probably would have had more schools interested. I hope after my competitive years are over I am able to start a sport performance gym that helps young athletes.

Who are some of your major influences, people you look up to, etc.? Who are the people you want to thank for your success?

As a kid growing up playing soccer, I looked up to Mia Hamm. I think in my generation it didn’t matter what sport you played, she was such a powerful and strong woman we all wanted to be her. I wouldn’t say I look up to but more admire all the top international women in the sport now because I realize the level of discipline and hard work it takes to get to the top and how much harder it is to stay there. I think knowing the work they are putting in pushes me to continue to bust my ass.

So many people to thank. First off my family: I would not be anywhere or have to ability to live out my dreams without them. Dean Kruse, the guy who went on a limb to coach me and believed in me from the beginning. A big thank you to my sponsors for their continuous support.

We’re all glad you’re busting your ass, Morghan. Your potential for improvement is tremendous, and Catalyst Athletics will be right in the middle of your fan club as you continue to climb the ladder towards the Olympics!