Inspiring Conversations with Brad Olson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Olson.

Hi Brad, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
I am a powerlifting pastor. 

I am the Lead Pastor at the Loveland and the Morrow United Methodist Churches in the Cincinnati area. 

I am also a competitive Powerlifter. I just recently won my Seventh National Championship over four decades. 

I started competing when I was a student at Cornell University in 1983. I won my first National Championship in 1987 and my first World Championship in 1988. 

I am now competing in the over-60 age group, the 148 lb. weight class. 

I try to be courageous in defeat and humble in victory so that I can inspire others to be active and pursue their passion. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In 2014, I represent Team USA at the World Championships in South Africa. Every lift that I planned to do was to be a World Record. The first lift is the squat (a deep knee bend with weight on the back). I knew that it didn’t feel right when I set up with the weight. I didn’t want to walk away with any regrets. I tried it anyway. When I started up with the weight, I felt a quad in my leg rip. Instead of celebrating, I spent the rest of the day in the hospital. I was told that I would never compete again. It has made me appreciate just being in the game even more and the victories more cherished. 

As you know, we’re big fans of I am the Lead Pastor at the Loveland UMC and the Morrow UMC. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I love it when ancient stories of faithful people in the Bible show us something about how to be really alive today. 

I recently celebrated the life of a young person who died of a fentanyl overdose. I read the words, “To everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.” 

After the service, a person said to me, “I want this to be my time to live.” 

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I once visited Jerusalem. I got to train at Samson’s Gym. How cool, right? 

I am a little guy but had just won the Nationals. My best lift was the squat. 

There was a big guy there who had just won at Israel’s Nationals. I offered some suggestions as to how he might correct his form. 

He said, who are you to be telling me how to lift? 

I put another 100lbs on the bar and did a set of 8. 

He pulled a gun out of his bag. It was one of scariest moment of my life. 

I don’t know that I would have made it out of there alive if the owner hadn’t pulled a bigger gun out from under the counter. 

I learned that other people should always be treated with humility and grace. 

Contact Info:

• Website: PowerliftingPastor.com
• Instagram: BradfordGOlson
• Facebook: Brad Olson
• Youtube: Brad Olson

Image Credits
Barbell Productions
Dawn Olson