Sam’s approach to coaching is unique. He provides the kind of assistance that leaves you both defeated and motivated at the same time. With no athletic background whatsoever, Sam helped develop my Olympic lifting technique in the very early phases and even more so in serious competitive phases.

He was able to teach general cues that I could comprehend as a beginner, but specific enough cues that actually helped me progress. Over time, Sam refined me into a successful athlete. He could easily break down bad movement patterns and provide critical adjustments that helped me execute a solid lift. The thing about Sam is that he could identify almost undetectable errors, things that would would go under the radar to most coaches, including some of the most respected or well known ones.

His ability to take a ‘good’ product and make it ‘great’ is second to none. Sam will not give you an A for effort but he will walk you to the podium if you follow. 

What I enjoy most about working with Sam was the ability to develop a professional coach-client relationship alongside a friendship. Within our sessions we can crack inside jokes but quickly switch to necessary moments of discipline. If I need something explained as simply as possible, he doesn’t hesitate to come off the high horse of complexity. The same also applies to when I need something complex explained, he doesn’t miss a step in terms of information he is willing to share.

The fact that he can’t himself perform the lifts ironically makes him that much better of a teacher. Natural talent did not land him in his position in the industry, hard work and thorough knowledge of the sport did. I have worked with coaches who are genetic naturals and can't fathom why someone isn't a quick learner like them. He can empathize and understand when you aren’t naturally good at something and how to patiently break it into compartmentalized steps to understand. 

I highly recommend working with Sam not only because he is a great person to spend time with, but just as good as any educator. If you want to learn as well as be pushed in a desirably difficult environment, he is the right choice. 

Sam: “Are those really your openers?”
Me: “Yes.”
“You need to fix your shit.”
“Yeah… I know.”
“Do you have a coach?
“No.”
“Do you want one?”
“Yes.”

This was the first conversation I ever had with Sam. It was at my first weightlifting meet, and he coached me through it for free. Immediately he earned my trust and my business. The little bit of honesty and simplicity, followed by the spot on coaching I received at that meet was exactly what I needed and was the best thing that could have ever happened to me both as an athlete and as a coach. Up to that point, I had coached myself and trained with a friend. We both have degrees and extensive experience in strength and conditioning, yet we collectively still couldn’t accomplish what I was able to achieve with Sam.

In the subsequent three months, my training total improved from 246kg to 284kg; my snatch improving by 23kg alone. I went from a clumsy, albeit naturally and strong lifter power snatching 100kg at a local meet, to competing on a national stage. It was never a strength issue, but rather technique, and each issue was handled with a precise and methodical way you only find from someone who is not only knowledgeable, but passionate about what they do.

Sam is calculated in every move he makes as a coach. He cares about his athletes, makes adjustments when necessary, and never takes on too much that his personal dealings would ever interrupt an athletes’ progress. Having trained under coach Sean Waxman, the methodology he utilizes for athlete development puts his lifters on a longer trajectory than some would enjoy, but it is never without reason. If you are looking to improve, and sustain said improvement, Sam is your guy.

On top of knowing the science, he is ingrained into the culture and community of weightlifting. I have learned equally as much about technique and programming as I have about etiquette, culture and strategy in the sport from him.

He is honest and cares, sometimes too blunt, but insanely good at what he does.

From the moment I met Coach Sam Chang, I knew he would be the type of coach to have my back. He worked with me every step of the way not only in weightlifting, but in my own life. Let me give you a few examples of how Coach Chang is different from most coaches:

To start, my job can have a constantly changing schedule and he worked with me and would change workouts on the spot to make them fit my schedule. Another time, on a personal trip to San Diego, he made sure to go out of his way to stop by my house and watch me train to get some in-person training. 

Most importantly, he cared about my life outside of weightlifting. While I was overseas for work he would contact me constantly to make sure I was okay or if I needed anything. When I had nothing to use but dumbbells he wrote an entire program to keep me sane while over there. Did I mention he also single handedly fixed my horrible technique and got me way stronger? He was able to raise my consistency to higher percentages, which is huge in the sport of weightlifting.

I highly recommend Coach Chang for anybody. Not only do I know he has one of the best eyes for fixing technical flaws and making you a better weightlifter, but as I said. he truly does care about his clients on a personal level which to me sets him above and beyond other coaches.