From living in his car to building one of the most respected names in Olympic weightlifting, Sean Waxman knows what it takes to chase passion over paychecks and come out stronger for it. In this episode of The Kids Table, the nationally recognized strength coach, author of Suffer Smarter, and lifelong barbell evangelist sits down with Gunnar Peterson, Luke Milton, and Jen Widerstrom for a conversation that’s equal parts grit, humor, and real talk. Known for his brutal honesty and zero tolerance for shortcuts, Sean shares what decades under the bar have taught him about resilience, culture, and why technique still rules in a world obsessed with quick fixes.

They dig into Sean’s unlikely journey from football player to weightlifting coach, his early role in bringing Olympic lifting into the CrossFit boom, and the risks and sacrifices behind starting over more than once. The conversation moves from business lessons to personal philosophy, touching on mentorship, suffering as growth, and what it really means to stick to your “why.” Expect tough love, plenty of laughs, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from a lifetime of lifting more than just weight.

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LETS GET SOCIAL:

Gunnar:

Instagram - (https://www.instagram.com/gunnarfitness)

Facebook - (https://www.facebook.com/GunnarFitness)

Website - www.gunnarpeterson.com

Jen:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/jenwiderstrom)

Facebook - (https://www.facebook.com/JenWiderstrom)

Website - www.jenwiderstrom.com

Youtube - @ironjenn

Luke:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/milts1)

TikTok - (https://www.tiktok.com/@lukemilts)

Facebook - (https://www.facebook.com/luke.milton.31)

Website - www.trainingmate.com

The Kids Table:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/kidstablepod)

TikTok - (https://www.tiktok.com/@kidstablepod)

Sean Waxman:

Insta - (https://www.instagram.com/the_sean_waxman)

Book - Suffer Smarter

Website - (https://www.seanwaxman.com)

About Sean Waxman:

Sean Waxman is a renowned Olympic weightlifting coach, author, and speaker whose career has shaped athletes, coaches, and the culture of strength itself. A former competitive lifter, Sean turned his passion for the barbell into a lifelong mission of teaching proper technique, instilling discipline, and building champions without shortcuts.

He is also the author of Suffer Smarter, where ​​you'll learn concrete strategies to improve how you handle adversity, discomfort, and stress through the lens of strength training. Sean has trained everyone from aspiring CrossFit athletes to Olympians, helping them master the fundamentals of strength while embracing the resilience that comes from doing hard things. Known for his blunt honesty, sharp humor, and deep knowledge of biomechanics and training, Sean has been a pivotal figure in bringing Olympic lifting into the mainstream and mentoring the next generation of coaches.

With decades of experience under the bar, Sean continues to advocate for the values that matter most: authenticity, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in sport, business, and life.

Edited by: The Cast Collective (Nashville, TN)

YouTube – (‪@TheCastCollective‬)

Instagram – (https://www.instagram.com/TheCastCollective)

TikTok – (https://www.tiktok.com/@castcollective)