Here we are arriving in Bulgaria. Coach Norair Nurikian picked us up at the airport. I'll never forget the kindness of Grandaddy King to fly with me to Bulgaria. He stayed two weeks to make sure I was ok. I stayed three months.

Here I am with the Bulgarian men's team after a tough training session. Weightlifters usually train twice per day.

Here I am with the Bulgarian women's weightlifting team. Those were some hard working ladies!

Here is Alan Tsgaev with a routine 500 pound clean & jerk at the National Sports Academy in Sofia.

Ever seen a 600 pound front squat? I have!

I met so many World Championship and Olympic medalists in Bulgaria. I am very fortunate. Here is Georgi Markov, 2000 Olympic silver medalist, performing a back squat.

Notice the excellent positions: straight back, shoulders over the bar, tight stomach, pushing through the mid-foot. Olympic weightlifting is all about proper technique.

I trained with the Bulgarian men's and women's team. Believe me. These women work hard if not harder than the men!

Recovery from training is super important. Here is world champion, Jabeer Salem, getting a massage after a grueling training session.