LinkO MEET UP Podcast – Making Valuable Work More Valuable

A Meeting with Weightlifting Enthusiast, CEO Choi Min-seok

What you’re good at, what you know well, and teaching someone these are entirely different stories.
There is someone who proves this truth firsthand, dedicating their life sincerely to the field of weightlifting.

A person who translates specialized books, travels to the US to meet authors and learn, constantly surpassing their own limits.
Meet Choi Min-seok, the CEO and coach of the weightlifting-specialized gym 'Talos,' at LinkO MEET UP.

[A Meeting with Choi Min-seok, Continuously Surpassing Personal Limits]

The fact that being good at something, knowing it well, and teaching someone else are entirely different stories is a reality.

There is someone who proves this truth and dedicates a lifetime with sincerity to the field of weightlifting.

They translate specialist books and travel to the US to meet authors and learn.

An introduction to Choi Min-seok, a sincere weightlifter, and CEO of the specialized gym Talos, who has continually pushed his own limits.

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Q.

Hello Mr. Min-seok. Please give us a brief introduction about yourself.

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A.

Nice to meet you. I'm Choi Min-seok, the head coach currently running a weightlifting-specialized gym called Talos in Songpa, Geoyeodong.

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Q.

Hello, nice to meet you.

After studying a bit about you in advance, I felt a deep passion in the knowledge and aspects you have about weightlifting.

How did you start your journey in weightlifting?

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A.

When I first encountered weightlifting, I was playing American football.

In football training abroad, weightlifting is often utilized.

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While looking for places to train at that time, there weren’t any weightlifting locations, so I ended up at a CrossFit gym.

I found CrossFit itself very attractive, and as I kept at it, I grew more interested in the weightlifting aspect.

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Q.

What was the point that made you decide to become a coach and establish Talos?

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A.

Initially, I started translating weightlifting books to understand it better.

But while translating, I discovered there was so much I didn’t know.

Starting was tough, but eventually, I found pleasure in understanding the advantages of certain movements and wanted to experience it firsthand.

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While translating, I realized that translating a book doesn’t make the knowledge mine until I’ve taught it directly and witnessed cases with my own eyes, which made me consider setting up at least a small gym.

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This led to a growing interest in weightlifting, eventually opening the weightlifting-specialized gym, Talos.

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(briefly omitted)

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Q.

How do you wish to be remembered in the weightlifting scene?

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A.

Firstly, I want to be remembered as someone who expanded the market for weightlifting.

One major reason, I think, weightlifting hasn't been popularized is the thin youth demographic engaging in it.

This is a common issue in many sports, but especially in weightlifting, where there isn’t a space for youth to grow.

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The absence of a hobby class is a main reason.

If you want to join a team for weightlifting, you must become an athlete.

Hobby practice isn't possible while on the team.

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Personally, I wish to establish a youth hobby class at Talos.

If more youth join as a hobby, there will naturally be more athletes, increasing the chance of finding talented individuals among them.

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Moreover, I believe talented individuals do not necessarily need to become full-time athletes.

They can continue as a hobby, producing coaches from various backgrounds, leading to more being able to teach weightlifting for diverse purposes rather than a single goal.

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I'd like to contribute to its popularization.

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Q.

Indeed. Although you described your journey until now as survival, it seems you're truly providing a positive influence and energy to this market.

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For anyone new to weightlifting, as mentioned before, it may be unfamiliar, but as the people you connect with understand and share the same vision, the structure will inevitably grow.

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I hope to witness that day, and support your journey strongly.

Thank you for taking the time today to share your honest story, and we'll conclude this episode now.