March 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Testing Week THIS WEEK!
NEW! Clean Technique Class Thursdays March 13-27
Upcoming Seminars & Events
VWS1 Athletes at The Arnold this past weekend
Bodywork by Patrick & Shannon
Anniversary Pins
POD Meeting March/April Schedule
March Athlete of the Month - Darius Castillo
March Spirit of the Month - Ashley Ferguson
TESTING WEEK IS THIS WEEK!
What do we do in testing week? We do various jump and pull tests on you as an athlete to see data points that help us make decisions, gives us a gauge on what our athletes need on the team programs, and allows you to see progress you’ve been making (outside of numbers on the bar and technique). This is the best way for you to see your incremental progress every 8 weeks and it doesn’t matter how new or good you are, anyone can do it, it’s free and we want you to do it!
Our next testing week won’t be until the first week of May (every 8 weeks) so make sure to sign up for a time slot!
NEW! Clean Technique Class Thursdays March 13-27
We’ve had requests for technique classes throughout the past couple years from people in our community (outside the gym) so we are excited to announce our Weightlifting Series: Clean, a 3-session technique class running Thursday evenings from 6pm-7:30pm March 13-27. If you know anyone who is a member of a local gym that would like to get some work in on their cleans, they will have the opportunity to do so with us on those evenings. This is targeted to people who are not members of our gym but who still want to work on their technique. If you refer a friend to sign up for the class, you’ll get $20 off your next membership payment!
Check out the link below for more info and to register.
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Testing Week this week!
March 8 Intro to Weightlifting - Invite your friends!
March 13, 20 & 27 3-session Clean technique class Thursdays at 6pm-7:30pm - Invite your friends!
March 29 Jerk Seminar - Invite your friends!
March 29-30 Chris is leading a USAW L1 Seminar in LA if you're interested in getting your certification
April 12 SoCal Spring Classic
VWS1 in Columbus, OH Feb 27 - Mar 2
Congrats to the athletes that poured their hearts out on the platform this past weekend at The Arnold!
Welcome to the Neighborhood! Patrick & Shannon are now renting an office at socal weightlifting
Patrick & Shannon are both extensively trained in manual therapy & recovery services. With years of experience, Patrick has accumulated a wide variety of techniques he specializes in, most notably being ART (Active Release Technique), Graston Scraping, and Deep Tissue work. Shannon, a graduate of CSUF (B.S. Kinesiology) & a recent graduate of National Holistic Institute, specifically specializes in PNF stretching (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) & a blend of eastern & western styles for soft tissue work.
After recognizing the value of this treatment within their respective weightlifting careers, they have learned how to incorporate this craft with their own clients, & they now bring this service into SoCal to help keep our member base healthy and mobile.
Whether it be chronic tightness, chronic pain, returning to sport post-injury, general fatigue, or even stress management, they can help keep you healthy and pushing towards PR’s for years to come.
If you’d like to book with either of them, reach out to: Patrick 530-321-2069 Shannon 714-854-2341
Anniversary Pins
Reminder to make sure you get your anniversary pin!
Every year on the anniversary of you joining SoCal, you get a new pin commemorating this special day. Your name will be on the Performance Poster in the lounge and below, so if you see your name on the list, ask one of the staff for your year’s anniversary pin (each year is a different color) if we haven’t given it to you already, put it on your bag, and proudly show off your commitment!
Anniversary’s this month:
Kayla K. (9), Mike M. (8), Leo E. (5), Habib G. (5), Jacob L. (4), Rashid S. (4), Manny A. (4), Summer W. (4), Erik J. (4), Matt E. (3), Gigi C. (3), Ashley F. (2), Denali S. (2), Anna M. (2), Kolby V. (1), Emily P. (1), Nico M. (1), Erin S. (1), Jake S. (1), Mike B. (1), Ken C. (1)
POD Meeting Schedule
If you’re new to SoCal, you can learn about our POD system by watching the video HERE.
We developed the POD system to ensure that every athlete has the resources available to them to crush their goals. Every athlete belongs to a POD that will meet with their coach 1-2 times per month. These PODS will consist of Local, Regional, National, and Masters athletes as well as a All Gym pod. These meetings will provide valuable face to face time with your coach and ensure that you’re on track with your goals and training for upcoming meets.
If you’re not sure which POD you’re in, you can check HERE.
All meetings will be held on Tuesdays in the Upstairs Office at 6:45pm and will also be available on Zoom if you are unable to attend in person. To access the Zoom link for ALL meetings, click here.
March 4: All Gym (discussing jump testing, etc.)
March 11: Local
March 18: National & Regional
March 25: Masters
April 1: All Gym
April 8: National & Regional
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: DARIUS CASTILLO
Darius has only been a part of SoCal since October but has made immense progress since then. Darius came to us with a background in long-distance running, specifically marathons. He had the goal of improving his explosiveness and overall strength in order to improve his running economy.
The approach he took with his 1 on 1 sessions really stood out to us because he was so embracing of the process that is weightlifting. He became a student of the sport right off the bat, just like how he was when he first took up running.
Once he progressed through his 1 on 1 sessions, he immediately got started on the developmental program where he racked up progress promptly. The key values that Darius brought to the gym each day showed how serious he was with improving, specifically: discipline, pursuit of excellence, and unity. Seeing how serious he takes his warm-up, jumps, mobility work, PVC pipe, and empty bar progressions shows us exactly what we want in a SoCal athlete.
Our favorite qualities of Darius are his coachability and willingness to learn, both from coaches and fellow teammates. Darius also juggles being a full-time software engineer and managing large projects that involve helping hotels better manage their data. In December he ran a marathon in Belize and shortly after PRed his back squat at 175kg/385lbs. On top of that, he ran the HB Marathon with a 3:53 time! Not only that, his Snatch and C&J technique have shot through the roof. He has doubled over 90+% in his Snatch and learned how to split jerk properly.
Overall, Darius has been a breakout athlete for SoCal and we full heartedly see him continue to break through countless barriers this upcoming year!
SPIRIT OF THE MONTH: ASHLEY FERGUSON
Ashley Ferguson is our March Spirit of the Month and it’s fitting that it comes on her 2 year anniversary at SoCal! Ashley is always a candidate for Athlete of the Month due to her tenacity and her commitment to training day in and day out, but we decided that Spirit better represented her past 6-8months.
It takes a special person to be able to show up and grind through the suck when things aren’t always going your way, and it means even more when you find a way to contribute to the community through it all as well. Ashley has been an incredible connector the entire time she has been here by welcoming new athletes into the fold, while also being a much needed bridge between skill levels. She has also been a staple at all events, has attended almost every available meeting, and has been a consistent voice within those meetings.
Ashley is and always has been on the hunt for improvement in any way shape or form. When she asks questions, she is truly looking for solutions that she can implement immediately, when she runs into a hurdle, she swiftly finds a way to navigate it, and when things don’t go her way, Ashley finds a way to wash the day off and shows up with a smile 24 hrs later.
These last 4 months have been a unique battle for Ashley, yet she has been a wonderful example of the Spirit of toughness through it all. Her hips limited her ability to push squats heavy for months on end, but instead of giving up in the face of adversity, we found ways to get creative to preserve her abilities and even improve! Ashley found a way to get things done while being in pain for months on end while still prepping for the Arnold, and as we fast forward to today, she has not only clawed her way out of the pit, but she is knocking on the door of all time PR’s. She has taken every single piece of advice that she has received, has applied it to life and training, and is a fierce advocate for her teammates to follow the same path.
Thank you for your commitment to this team and to yourself Ashley, happy two year anniversary!
February 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Upcoming Seminars & Events
AO1 Athletes
2025 SoCal Academy
POD Meeting February/March Schedule
Welcome Baby Noelle Downey!
February Athlete of the Month - Nico Melendez
February Spirit of the Month - Anna Maguire
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Feb 8 Clean Seminar - invite your friends!
Feb 15-16 USAW L1 Coaching Course
Feb 27-Mar 2 AO1 in Colombus, OH
March 8 Intro to Weightlifting
April 12 SoCal Spring Classic
AO1 in Columbus, OH Feb 27 - Mar 2
Here is the list of SoCal athletes competing at AO1 in Columbus, OH. We will also be live streaming the event at the gym for anyone who wants to watch!
Marissa Campbell
Ashley Ferguson
Daisee Fink
Nima Hemmatian
Kayla Kass
Julia Tomasello
POD Meeting Schedule
If you’re new to SoCal, you can learn about our POD system by watching the video HERE. We developed the POD system to ensure that every athlete has the resources available to them to crush their goals this year. Every athlete will belong to a POD that will meet with their coach 1-2 times per month. These PODS will consist of Local, Regional, National, and Masters athletes as well as a All Gym pod. These meetings will provide valuable face to face time with your coach and ensure that you’re on track with your goals and training for upcoming meets. All meetings will be held on Tuesdays in the Onyx office and will also be available on Zoom if you are unable to attend in person. If you’re not sure which POD you’re in, you can check HERE. This will be the upcoming POD meeting schedule for February-March:
Feb 4: All Gym (Recovery) 6:45pm
Feb 11: National 6:45pm
Feb 18: Local, Regional 6:45pm
Feb 25: AO Series Check-Up 6:45pm
March 4: Masters 6:45pm
March 11: All Gym (Nutrition with Hannah Parducho) 6:45pm
March 18: National 6:45pm
March 25: Local, Regional 6:45pm
To access the Zoom link for ALL meetings, click here.
Welcome Noelle Downey!
Please join us in congratulating John and Alison Downey on their newest addition! Baby Noelle arrived on Tuesday, January 28, weighing in at 7lbs. 14oz. Wishing all the best to the new family!
February Athlete of the Month: Nico Melendez
Nico is our Athlete of the Month for multiple reasons both inside and outside of the gym. We are so happy to have Nico join us for almost a year now coming up this March. Nico is no stranger to being athletic with a background in semi-professional soccer as a goalkeeper. His athleticism has transferred immensely into his new journey in weightlifting where he excelled through the 1 on 1 sessions with relative ease and then onto the floor with the team. His numbers in the snatch have sky rocketed over the short time he’s been with us from 60kg to 75kg in the snatch and from 85kg in the c&j all the way up to the big milestone of 100kg! A true athlete displays characteristics both inside and outside the gym to accelerate their progress. Nico takes his nutrition and recovery very seriously and also enjoys doing supplemental exercises to help his weaknesses. He enjoys doing sprint work and track work to assist his weightlifting training throughout the week. Nico embodies a lot of the values we look in for quality athletes: Pursuit of excellence, self-discipline, unity, and freedom. His ability to balance being a helicopter firefighter and his dedication to weightlifting has been inspiring. Whether it’s squeezing in workouts at the station or having the discipline to make up his workouts here at SoCal, Nico has found a way to make sure he gets his training in. His pursuit of excellence doesn’t just stop with weightlifting, he has actually been pursuing baking and improving his sourdough recipe recently. The time that Nico has put into the sport of weightlifting has not gone unnoticed, and his teammates can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him!
February Spirit of the Month: Anna Maguire
Anna Maguire is our Spirit of the month for February, and if you have interacted with her just once then you know exactly why! This woman is not only a phenomenal athlete, but is an incredible human to boot. She trains mostly remote, but every time she comes and visits us , her kindness and presence is felt throughout the entire gym. Anna embodies exactly what it means to pursue excellence. She is open and willing to learn from anybody, works tirelessly to apply every bit of information that she gets, and strikes a perfect balance between extreme focus while training, at a gentle and warm spirit otherwise (seriously she is ALWAYS smiling!). Anna embarked on her weightlifting journey with SoCal in December 2023, and in one short year got herself back to the American Open and qualified for the National Championships, which she will compete at this year! What’s incredible is that she did all of this while still dabbling in a bit of competitive CrossFit. She just finished up one final competition and has decided to dedicate fully to the sport of weightlifting which will be an absolute blast to witness. Finally, what makes Anna such a perfect spirit of the month is that she is also a coach herself, and has always been willing and open to share information with athletes as well. She has accumulated a wealth of knowledge over her career but is constantly in the pursuit of more. You rock Anna and we are so thrilled to see you continue to grow in this sport!
January 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Holiday Hours
2025 SoCal Academy
POD Meeting January/February Schedule
2024 Wrap Up
January Athlete of the Month - Sam Harrison
January Spirit of the Month - Cynthia Brown
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Jan 18 Intro to Weightlifting
Jan 25-26 USAW L2 Coaching Course
Feb 8 Clean Seminar
Feb 15-16 USAW L1 Coaching Course
Feb 27-Mar 2 AO1 in Colombus, OH
January Holiday Hours
Jan 1 NO COACHING HOURS
Jan 2 NO COACHING HOURS
2025 SoCal Academy
We’re excited to showcase the latest updates to our SoCal Academy launching this month. This program is designed to help weightlifting coaches and enthusiasts take their knowledge to the next level through expert-led content, interactive learning opportunities, and community engagement. One of the key features of the academy is the Weightlifting Forum—a collaborative space where coaches, athletes, and enthusiasts can connect, share ideas, and ask questions. Whether you’re a coach looking to refine your programming skills or an athlete eager to understand the "why" behind the training, the Forum is packed with valuable insights from experienced professionals including guest speakers. While the academy is tailored for weightlifting coaches, we believe many of our gym members will also find the Forum particularly beneficial. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone passionate about improving their ‘Weightlifting IQ’ as we like to call it - an understanding of weightlifting techniques, training strategies, and the science behind the sport. If you or someone you know—like a coach, athlete, or weightlifting enthusiast—could benefit from this exciting program, we encourage you to explore it further at our website.
POD Meeting Schedule
If you’re new to SoCal, you can learn about our POD system by watching the video HERE. We developed the POD system to ensure that every athlete has the resources available to them to crush their goals this year. Every athlete will belong to a POD that will meet with their coach 1-2 times per month. These PODS will consist of Local, Regional, National, and Masters athletes as well as a All Gym pod. These meetings will provide valuable face to face time with your coach and ensure that you’re on track with your goals and training for upcoming meets. All meetings will be held on Tuesdays in the Onyx office and will also be available on Zoom if you are unable to attend in person. If you’re not sure which POD you’re in, you can check HERE. This will be the upcoming POD meeting schedule for January-February:
Jan 7: All Gym 6:45pm
Jan 14: National 6:45pm
Jan 21: Local, Regional 6:45pm
Jan 28: Masters 6:45pm
Feb 4: All Gym 6:45pm
Feb 11: National 6:45pm
Feb 18: Local, Regional 6:45pm
Feb 25: AO Series Check-Up 6:45pm
To access the Zoom link for ALL meetings, click here.
2024 Wrap Up
Congratulations to those athletes who earned a banner this year! We had 12 individuals who accomplished earning a banner this year and we are thrilled to celebrate them and hang up the new ones in the gym in the new year. Check out the atheltes below and give them a high five when you see them next!
Georgia Cameron
Jordyn Cooley
Krista Dornbush
Ryan Espiritu
Cesar Flores
Sam Harrison
Kayla Kass
Mike Reichard
Sunny Richesson
Denali Scoular
Jenna Shumway
Marc Tumamak
Sarah Tyler
Patrick Whitmore
January Athlete of the Month: Sam Harrison
Sam Harrison is 2025’s first athlete of the month and he earned it by having a 2024 for the ages. Ever since Sam stepped into SoCal we have seen his talent and have believed that he could be a damn good weightlifter. If you ever spoke with him about it, then you also know that he felt very confident in his ability to get to the national level, but was also extremely realistic in his timeline. Over the years, he has remained very patient and has chipped away slowly at his technique and strength to push him to that next level. When he finished third at nationals this year, the fire inside of him grew greater than ever before. It was one of those performances that gave him a glimpse at what he was capable of, and when he returned to SoCal, it was as if he got shot out of a cannon. Over the last six months, Sam has committed to his nutrition, regardless of the hurdles that he faces when putting weight on. He has stepped up as a teammate more than ever, not only being willing to lead a younger crop of weightlifters coming in, but also by being willing to follow and learn from those with more experience. The result has been astounding. He has taken his snatch from 95 kg to 100, and his clean and jerk from 116-127kg!! Not only has he pushed things forward in the classic lifts, but he has brought the floor up in every single variation and strength movement that we have programmed. I can’t think of a more fitting athlete than Sam to kick things off for 2025. Thank you Sam for being the person and athlete you are and for being a fantastic example of what patience and dedication in the sport looks like. Let’s keep it rolling dude!
January Spirit of the Month: Cynthia Brown
Spirit of the Month is all about individuals in our community who embody the values of SoCal Weightlifting. Those who show up consistently with the right mindset, attitude, and commitment to improving in all areas of sport. Cynthia embodies everything SoCal and is being recognized as the December spirit of the month. Cynthia works incredibly hard, is highly coachable, and is 100% committed to achieving her goals in this sport. During 2023, it was evident we needed to work on her competition readiness and mindset. She took it in stride and spent the entirety of 2024 trying to turn this area of weakness into a strength. She does the same thing with any technical changes to her lifts. She sees the opportunity for growth and focuses on making the changes to execute. Cynthia’s commitment to the program has never been questioned, and the results speak for themselves. Cynthia has diligently been chipping away at qualifying for AO Finals, and 2025 looks like her year. Cynthia, You are a bright light on our team and a true joy to coach. Keep working hard, the big lifts are closer than you think!
December 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Game of Lifts Recap
Membership Payment Changes: ACH
Holiday Hours
2025 SoCal Academy
POD Meeting December/January Schedule
December Athlete of the Month - Jaylee Casiano
December Spirit of the Month - Zack Minott
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Dec 5-8 AO Finals in Tuscon, AZ
Dec 6-15 World Championships in Bahrain
Dec 14 Onyx Winter Classic
Dec 31 End of Year Party & Banner Ceremony
AO Finals Schedule Dec 5-8
Here is the schedule of SoCal athletes for AO Finals in Tuscon, AZ. We will also be live streaming the event at the gym for anyone who wants to watch!
Thursday
Vivian Murray | 8am | 55D | Red
Marc Tumamak | 8pm | 73C | White
Friday
Anna Maguire | 2pm | 64B | White
Georgia Cameron | 4pm | 59A | Blue
Saturday
Krista Dornbush | 10am | 81E | White
Isaac Cruz | 2pm | 89B | Red
Jacob Laster | 4pm | 89A | Red
Stefani Warnick | 6pm | 81B | Blue
Sunday
Cesar Flores | 2pm | 109+A | Red
Denali Scoular | 2pm | 109A | White
Sarah Tyler | 2pm | 87+A | Blue
End of Year Party & Banner Ceremony
It’s that time of year again…time to celebrate the past year of PR’s, training hours, good times, and friendships made. Tickets are $15/person and will include a taco bar for dinner. You can purchase your ticket HERE. We will also be presenting banners to those athletes that have won at national events over the past year so they can be added to the gym!
Game of Lifts Fundraiser Recap
In true SoCal fashion, you guys pulled through in a big way for us, and we are so very touched. We cannot begin to express how thankful we are to everyone who participated in the event, offered services & goods, and donated. We raised just over $2,000 which covers a huge chunk of the costs to send Chris to Bahrain in December to coach Kayla at Worlds. We are so lucky to to have an awesome community of people, and with that we want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone!
Payment Changes: Switching to ACH
Starting December 1st, we will be changing how we receive membership payments. If you opt to pay your membership dues with an ACH account, there will be no annual increase on your membership. If you want to continue using a credit card, the processing fees will be transferred to you during the payment process. With a credit card, there will be no increase on your membership but you will pay more due to covering the processing fees. If you want to switch to the ACH option, add your payment information to your account and email us at info@socalwlc.com to let us know to switch your December billing to this option. You can access your account HERE. If you have questions or need help making the switch just see Danielle or email info@socalwlc.com
Holiday Hours
The Holidays fall on some wonky days this year so please see below for adjusted coaching hours through the end of the year and into the beginning of 2025:
Dec 24 9am-12pm
Dec 25 NO COACHING HOURS
Dec 26 NO COACHING HOURS
Dec 27 4pm-8pm
Dec 28 9am-1pm
Dec 31 9am-12pm
Jan 1 NO COACHING HOURS
Jan 2 NO COACHING HOURS
2025 SoCal Academy
We’re excited to showcase the latest updates to our SoCal Academy launching in January. This program is designed to help weightlifting coaches and enthusiasts take their knowledge to the next level through expert-led content, interactive learning opportunities, and community engagement. One of the key features of the academy is the Weightlifting Forum—a collaborative space where coaches, athletes, and enthusiasts can connect, share ideas, and ask questions. Whether you’re a coach looking to refine your programming skills or an athlete eager to understand the "why" behind the training, the Forum is packed with valuable insights from experienced professionals including guest speakers. While the academy is tailored for weightlifting coaches, we believe many of our gym members will also find the Forum particularly beneficial. It’s a fantastic resource for anyone passionate about improving their ‘Weightlifting IQ’ as we like to call it - an understanding of weightlifting techniques, training strategies, and the science behind the sport. If you or someone you know—like a coach, athlete, or weightlifting enthusiast—could benefit from this exciting program, we encourage you to explore it further at our website.
POD Meeting Schedule
If you’re new to SoCal, you can learn about our POD system by watching the video HERE. We developed the POD system to ensure that every athlete has the resources available to them to crush their goals this year. Every athlete will belong to a POD that will meet with their coach 1-2 times per month. These PODS will consist of Local, Regional, National, and Masters athletes as well as a All Gym pod. These meetings will provide valuable face to face time with your coach and ensure that you’re on track with your goals and training for upcoming meets. All meetings will be held on Tuesdays in the Onyx office and will also be available on Zoom if you are unable to attend in person. If you’re not sure which POD you’re in, you can check HERE. This will be the upcoming POD meeting schedule for December-January:
Dec 3: National 6:45pm
Dec 10: Masters 6:45pm
Dec 17: National 6:45pm
Dec 24: NO POD MEETING
Dec 31: NO POD MEETING
Jan 7: All Gym 6:45pm
Jan 14: National 6:45pm
Jan 21: Local, Regional 6:45pm
Jan 28: Masters 6:45pm
To access the Zoom link for ALL meetings, click here.
December Athlete of the Month: Jaylee Casiano
Jaylee has been part of SoCal since her youth days and has still managed to stay connected to weightlifting in some regard all these years! Fast forward to now, she recently turned 18 this past October and has blossomed into a mature strong minded woman. Jaylee has recently been on a tear with her weightlifting after expressing strong interest in pursuing junior nationals and taking up an additional training day. Her total close to the beginning of the year was 84kg. Now her total has skyrocketed to 102kg! With a 9kg increase in both her snatch and c&j, she put 18kg on her total over the course of this year. In the beginning of the year Jaylee, her mother, and I sat down to talk about her new goals in weightlifting which oriented around her making more time with training, prioritizing nutrition, and increasing her max strength. She really buckled down and got her nutrition dialed, made time for a 4th training day, and attacked heavy days in the gym to get her squatting & pulling strength up. All while juggling her 2x/week jui jitsu and school. In her spare time, Jaylee loves writing her own songs and playing a variety of instruments! As Jaylee checks multiple boxes off her list both inside and outside the gym, this young lady never ceases to not have a smile on her face when she comes into the gym and to greet her coaches and fellow teammates. She is a great spirit here at SoCal and her vibrance and grace shines through whether she’s throwing weight around or joking around with members of the community. We are so proud of Jaylee for continuing to strive for excellence and chase her dreams through the years in each avenue of her life. Excited to see her grow and SoCal is so lucky to have her include us in this journey of hers.
December Spirit of the Month: Zack Minott
Zack is our Spirit of The Month for December, and he has earned it since day one back in May. Sometimes we can look at the spirit as somebody who is extroverted and who is known for bringing the energy, but Zack has embodied what it means to be spirit in more subtle, but equally powerful ways. He came to us looking to completely rework his technique and to become a better version of himself, and since then has done everything that we have asked of him and more. Over the last few months, Zack has taken control of his nutrition, his morning and nighttime routine, and his approach to training. Not only has he tightened up those areas of his life in order to be a better athlete, but he has actively sought out accountability partners to make sure that he does not stray from the path that he has set for himself (every Monday he walks straight up to a coach to show them his food log and is ready for any feedback we give him). Zack has an incredible work ethic and finds a way to be his best self every time that he sets foot into the gym. He also strikes the difficult balance between developing autonomy and seeking guidance when necessary. He is never too proud to admit when something isn’t working or if he is having a tough day, and immediately takes accountability and explores what he can do better. Finally, Zack has an unstoppable drive to succeed, and speaks humbly but confidently about his goals in weightlifting. He is relentlessly pursuing excellence in this sport and we cannot wait to see him continue to grow here and begin to do some damage on the national scene in 2025!
November 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Membership Payment Changes: ACH
Holiday Hours
POD Meeting November/December Schedule
November Athlete of the Month - Julia Tomasello
November Spirit of the Month - Sunny Richesson
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Nov 11-16 Athlete Appreciation Week
Nov 16 Game of Lifts & Fundraiser Carnival
Nov 23 Intro to Weightlifting
Dec 6-15 World Championships in Bahrain
Dec 14-15 Onyx Winter Classic
Dec 31 End of Year Party & Banner Ceremony
Game of Lifts & Carnival Fundraiser
Alright SoCal, we need your help... As most of you know, our very own Kayla Kass has made the USA World Team and will be competing in Bahrain this December! It’s an extraordinary accomplishment and we can’t wait to see her throw down for team USA. While Kayla herself is fully funded as an athlete, her coach unfortunately is not. We’ll be hosting a fundraising competition and carnival to help raise funds to cover the costs for Chris to go over there and coach her at Worlds. We have a fundraising goal of $3,000 to help cover airfare and lodging. Details below:
Game of Lifts - $60 entry fee per team (teams of 2)
Water Pong Tournament - $20 entry fee per team
Corn Hole Tournament - $20 entry fee per team
Pie Your Coach in the Face - $10
Bake Sale - purchase baked goods lovingly made by Krista Dornbush & Emily Barcikowski
Prizes TBD
Pizza and beverages will be provided, but feel free to bring something to share!
Payment Changes: Switching to ACH
Starting December 1st, we will be changing how we receive membership payments. If you opt to pay your membership dues with an ACH account, there will be no annual increase on your membership. If you want to continue using a credit card, the processing fees will be transferred to you during the payment process. With a credit card, there will be no increase on your membership but you will pay more due to covering the processing fees. If you want to switch to the ACH option, add your payment information to your account prior to November 15, 2024 and email us at info@socalwlc.com to let us know to switch your December billing to this option. You can access your account HERE. If you have questions or need help making the switch just see Danielle or email info@socalwlc.com
Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
Thursday Nov 28: NO COACHING HOURS
Friday Nov 29: Coaching hours 2:30pm-8:30pm
POD Meeting Schedule
If you’re new to SoCal, you can learn about our POD system by watching the video HERE. We developed the POD system to ensure that every athlete has the resources available to them to crush their goals this year. Every athlete will belong to a POD that will meet with their coach 1-2 times per month. These PODS will consist of Local, Regional, National, and Masters athletes. These meetings will provide valuable face to face time with your coach and ensure that you’re on track with your goals and training for upcoming meets. All meetings will be held on Tuesdays in the Onyx office and will also be available on Zoom if you are unable to attend in person. If you’re not sure which POD you’re in, you can check HERE. This will be the upcoming POD meeting schedule for November-December:
Nov 5: National 6:45pm
Nov 12: Masters 6:45pm
Nov 19: National 6:45pm
Nov 26: Local, Regional 6:45pm
Dec 3: National 6:45pm
Dec 10: Masters 6:45pm
Dec 17: National 6:45pm
To access the Zoom link for ALL meetings, click here.
November Athlete of the Month: Julia Tomasello
Julia has been an absolute monster since Day 1 of joining SoCal. Over the course of only a handful of months, she has improved her lifts by several kilos. Julia’s hunger to improve her weightlifting has been felt and seen across the gym. She dedicates so much time and effort to make her training happen. She juggles coaching the morning crossfit class at SoCal, then going to her own crossfit gym to coach, then she goes to her lab at UCI, and then back to SoCal to get her weightlifting training in. Julia is no stranger to hard work and grit, which she shows not only on the weightlifting platforms, but also on the rugby field where she is trucking ladies and taking names. On the same note, Julia is pursuing a PHD in immunology where she flexes her other muscle, her big bumpy brain to handle mice brains and coordinate experiments for disease. Julia competed at her first ever AO series earlier this year and crushed it, but she wasn’t satisfied and wanted more. Specifically, she wanted 65/85 on the platform and signed up for the Barbarian meet no less than a week after returning from AO2. She went on to smoke the barbarian meet with a 68/85 to complete a 6kg competition PR total and won her 1st in the 55kg class and 3rd best overall women lifter! This total qualified for AO Finals and Nationals towards the end of the year. We are so proud of Julia and love seeing her dedication and hard work truly pay off while she pursues excellence in so many other facets of life. SoCal is so lucky to have an athlete and an employee like Julia who gives her best in everything she does and doesn’t take a challenge lightly!
November Spirit of the Month: Sunny Richesson
Sunny is getting the nod of the Spirit of the Month for various reasons. Anyone can pick up on the athleticism and/or spot the PR Train rolling week after week, but that is only the surface-level stuff. I want to unpack the WHY that is leading to Sunny’s early success in the sport and how it represents the spirit of the gym we all should strive for. Let’s first take a look at her attitude. It is pretty clear to me that anything Sunny does, she will do to the best of her abilities and with the intent to be successful. Nothing is half-assed. When she decided to commit to weightlifting, she started pursuing every outlet for information to improve. She began asking questions about training more effectively and wanted to know about competitions and how to ascend the ranks. She started talking with her teammates to learn as much as possible about the sport. Secondary to her commitment, she embraces the saying, “If you want to go far, go together.” Sunny has made a conscious effort to build a network of relationships and support that helps her in various ways. She has developed meaningful friendships in the gym that she can lean on when training is rough. She has an entire support network around her outside of the gym to help with the rehabilitation of old injuries, nutrition, mindset, and much more. She fully understands that when you try to pursue achieving anything at a high level, it is much more meaningful to pour into your team and your community and fall in love with the process of mastery, not just the result. Most importantly, she has an unwavering approach to kaizen despite whatever challenge she is facing. Every day is an opportunity to get better and continue toward growth. She has shown time and time again that accountability and responsibility are in no short order for her. Sunny has a clear mission of what she wants to accomplish, and once she shifts her mindset to achieve those goals, the rest starts falling into place. The success is not by accident. It is not just genetics or age. Sunny is constantly working on accessing the best version of herself in all areas of her life. The byproduct of that is the fast ascension of her weightlifting. This holistic approach of developing every aspect of herself into becoming a pro should be examined and adopted by anyone who wants to achieve greatness. Will it look different? Obviously. Does it need to be replicated exactly? Of course not. The principles of having a solid vision, the daily discipline to achieve it, understanding the value of unity, and the constant pursuit of excellence will only improve the lives of others.
October 2024 Newsletter
In this newsletter
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Barbells, Bottles, & Binkies
POD Meeting October/November Schedule
October Athlete of the Month - Hannah Myers
October Spirit of the Month - Brian Dickinson
Upcoming Seminars & Events
Here are the upcoming seminars, certification courses, & social events. REGISTER HERE for any of the below events:
Oct 5 In-House Meet & SoCal Brunch
Oct 12 Intro to Weightlifting Class @ Sports Basement
Oct 19 Octobar Fest @ Barbarian
Oct 26 Snatch Seminar
Oct 26 Halloween Water Pong Tournament & Costume Contest
Nov 2-3 USAW L2 Certification Course
Dec 14-15 SoCal Winter Classic
Octobar Fest at Barbarian Barbell: Saturday Oct 19, 2024
Below is the list of our athletes that will be lifting at Octobar Fest. Come out to Barbarian Barbell in Van Nuys and cheer your teammates on!
Ashley Alegria
Nicole Arnold
Andrew Davis
Matt Eckmann
Daisee Fink
Sam Harrison
Kayla Kass
Anna Maguire
Vivian Murray
Hannah Parducho
Julia Tomasello
Barbells, Bottles, & Binkies
We are thrilled to share some wonderful news with you all! SoCal Weightlifting will be adding a new little athlete... Chris & Sarah are expecting a baby boy! Please join us in congratulating them as they embark on this incredible journey and prepare for this new chapter in their lives. Baby Boy Amenta coming to the competition floor April 2025!
We are also excited to announce the arrival of Colton James Eckmann! Proud parents, Matt and Nicole are over the moon and can't wait to embark on this incredible journey of parenthood. Join us in celebrating this wonderful addition to their family!
