Takano Athletics

Harvey Newton Interview
Harvey Newton is the owner of Newton-Sports.com.  He is considered an authority on the sport of weightlifting and the field of strength and conditioning.  He was the U.S. Weightlifting Team coach at the 1984 Olympic Games, served as the executive director of USA Weightlifting and as the executive director of the NSCA.  He is a respected presenter, coach and lecturer.

Bob Alejo Interview
Bob Alejo is a thirty year veteran of the Strength and Conditioning Profession.  He is on his second term of employment as the director of Strength and Conditioning for the Oakland Athletics.  He has coached at a number of Universities including UCLA where he coached or assisted with 23 different sports.  He is also currently the strength and conditioning coach for Todd Rodgers and Phil Dalhausser, the gold medal winnning beach volleyball team from the Beijing Olympics.

Eric Burkhardt Interview
Erik is a former head strength and conditioning coach at CSULB, UCI and UCSB.

Strength-Power Hour Radio Show
Radio Show and Podcast, Guest Interviews with Robert Takano and Ali McKnight.
From TPS Radio Network - Sports Podcast Network.

John Thrush Interview
This interview took place at the North American Open Championships in December, 2008.  A few months earlier John's best lifter ever, Melanie Roach had competed in the Beijing Olympics and finished in 6th place.  John talks about his team, his coaching and the difficulties of coaching Melanie after her back injury.

John, a former national competitor, speaks about his coaching, his current weightlifting program and his experience of coaching the National Junior Team for an extended period of time.  His insights are especially helpful to any and all prospective weightlifting or strength and conditioning coaches.

Dr. John Garhammer Interview
John Garhammer is former weightlifting team mate of mine and we've known each other for over 30 years. More importantly he "wrote the book" on the biomechanics of weightlifting and did some of the most influential studies in this field. The author of over 80 technical articles on a variety of biomechanics topics, John is a professor emeritus at Cal State Long Beach, and has also taught at UCLA and Auburn University. He is a former NSCA Coach of the year, and a member of the Strength and Conditioning Hall of Fame. Together we co-authored a chapter on weightlifting training for the Encyclopedia of Sports Medicine Strength and Power In Sport edition that was published by the Sports Medicine Commission of the International Olympic Committee.

Robert Takano's interview with Dr. John Garhammer. Please click the start arrow below to listen to the one hour interview.

Joe Carbone Interview
Robert Takano's interview with Lakers Strength & Conditioning coach Joe Carbone. Please click the start arrow below to listen to the one hour interview.

Joe Carbone is in his fourth season as Head Strength & Conditioning coach of The Los Angeles Lakers. MVP Kobe Bryant, who Carbone privately trained from high school through three NBA championships, is quoted in the Orange County Register (April 14, 2006) with these words about Carbone:

"He took me under his wing and taught me that game when I was 17 years old. He taught me how to lift, train, and get physically ready. From that point till now, I've been with him. So all the physical things I do on the court, progressing and getting stronger through the seasons, those come directly from his knowledge of how to make it happen." - Kobe Bryant

Carbone was a college football player at the University of Delaware where he was the Round 10, Pick 243 in the 1973 NFL Draft for the New York Jets as a defensive end.

Kobe personally employed Carbone from 1996 through 2004. In 2004, Joe was hired by the Los Angeles Lakers. Prior to working with Kobe Bryant, he was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach of the Philadelphia 76ers. Carbone is an accomplished professional Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) and trains athletes from all sports. He is also a mentor, speaker, and entrepreneur.

Once a nationally ranked USAW Olympic-style weightlifter, nationally ranked ADFPA power lifter, and champion amateur bodybuilder, he also played football, lacrosse and wrestling. He received his Master of Science degree from Long Island University and Bachelor of Science from Gettysburg College.

Giselle Shepatin Interview
Giselle Shepatin was an 8 time national champion and 7 time member of the U.S. women's team to the World's Championships.  She was a multiple medal winner at that level, and the all time record holder in the 60 kg. class.  Just as importantly, she was one of a cadre of great lifters that emerged in the 1980's and 1990's to lead the women's weightlifting movement in the U.S.  This is a great interview providing perspective for U.S. lifting.

Dianna Linden Interview
Dianna Linden is any hard training athlete’s best friend.  Her educated hands and fingers can accurately diagnose soft tissue injuries with the accuracy of a high tech scanning device.  Listen to Dianna as she speaks about the importance of active recovery through sports massage, and the importance of effective restoration methods in the training of high level athletes.  Athletes, coaches, and sports medicine professionals can learn a lot from this fabulous bodyworker.

Dr. Brenden Murray, D.C Interview
Dr. Murray is the top chiropractor in the country working with weightlifting athletes. Brendan currently serves as the co-chair of the USA Weightlifting Sports Medicine Committee and his services are greatly valued by the athletes that represent the U.S. at top international competitions.  Listen to Brendan’s comments on the value of chiropractic for hard training athletes and the benefits of proper training in the developing of athletic ability and the avoidance of injury.   Brendan has worked on a number of my former weightlifters and I’ve been with him as he worked on numerous members of the national teams at national and international events.  In so many cases, Brendan’s adjustments can make the difference between success and failure on the competitive platform.