Matthew Lydement Interview
It's time to lift some weight once more as we speak with Australian Tokyo Olympic Weightlifter Matthew Lydement about his weightlifting career and experiences at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. We find out from Matt how he transitioned from a background of playing team sports to eventually going on a journey that would take him to an Olympic Games. We also learn about having two-time Olympian Damon Kelly as his coach and how he was able to help develop him further in the sport. Added to this we learn more about his experiences competing in Turkmenistan and just what uniquely Australian sporting event he'd like to see as a demonstration sport at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics. It's a fun chat that you'll be lifting your way through, so get to listening!
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Please note this is an automated transcript that may contain errors.
BEN WATERWORTH: It is Off The Podium, an Olympics podcast coming to you again today for another interview episode. Very, very excited for today's chat. We're returning to the sport of weightlifting. Our first male weightlifter on the show, Matthew Lydement, Tokyo Olympian, competed in the 109 kilogram category at those Games. And this is a great chat with Matt, learning a little bit more about how we got into the sport, the unique way he got into it, sort of growing up playing a variety of different team sports, how he was able to really progress in the sport so quickly over the years, and what it was like having a pretty esteemed two-time Olympian as a coach to help him on that journey. And also just learning a little bit how Matt sort of always gets thrown into the deep end when it comes to everything he achieves in life. He never went to a World Championship, never went to a Commonwealth Games, anything along those lines. The Olympic Games was really his first massive international tournament that he went to. And even outside of that too, just some other stories, including some great countries he's been to, first real taste of overseas as well. So great insight here into his career, into the sport of weightlifting, his Olympic experiences, and a little bit of fun here too. Proud Queenslander, Matt. So lots of things to talk about around the Queensland, Brisbane sporting scene as well. So I think you're gonna enjoy this chat. Here's our chat with Tokyo Olympic weightlifter, Matthew Lydement.
BEN WATERWORTH: I'm so excited to be able to talk about the sport of weightlifting here on Off The Podium. We've had a couple of great guests already, but our first ever male weightlifter is joining us today. He made his Olympic debut in Tokyo, where he competed in the 109 kilo division, a national record holder, and someone who I'm so intrigued to learn a little bit more about his journey to the sport, because weightlifting is always a sport that I love hearing how people get involved in it. Joining us on the show today is Matthew Lydement. Matt, first of all, welcome to Off The Podium. It's a pleasure to have you on the show today.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Thank you very much, mate.
BEN WATERWORTH: It's my pleasure. That's my job done. Now I've just got to come up with some decent questions and try and keep you entertained for the next little bit. I'll do my very best.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Sounds fantastic, mate. Sounds fantastic.
BEN WATERWORTH: See how I go. I'm legitimately intrigued to hear your story about getting into the sport, because what I'm learning about weightlifting is this doesn't really seem to be a sport that many people wake up as a kid and go, I'm going to be a weightlifter. I'm going to do this. This is my sport. It sort of seems like something that you kind of always discover sort of after playing a variety of different sports, because you were heavily involved in a series of team sports and many other sports before you sort of discovered weightlifting. So tell us about your journey, kind of where you went from those sports into eventually appearing at an Olympic Games in weightlifting.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it sort of all just sort of snowballed into the Olympics really. So yeah, as you said, I was involved growing up it was all like basically cricket, rugby, AFL. I played a bit of basketball and I did athletics at school as well. But so sort of like a jack of all trades, great at none really growing up in school. But yeah, it was always like sort of cricket and rugby with AFL as well growing up. Cricket was probably the main sport I played growing up. So that basically started those from when I was about nine, 10 years of age and sort of played all the way through. And sort of, I would have been probably 18. I sort of got a stress fracture in my back, bowling and cricket. So that sort of like put a bit of a damper on sort of playing the game. I was sort of out for sort of six months. And then I decided I went back one more year, but sort of wasn't really the same. And like with the actual game itself, obviously, it takes up your whole weekend. Playing Saturday for eight hours, rock up at 9am, finish at 5pm. On a hot summer's day in Queensland, where you're looking up at the sky, thinking I could be at the beach right now, rather than out here in the field with 11 blokes with terrible humour. So sort of slowly sort of almost fell out of love with that. And like I was working in the fitness industry at that point at an RTO, and just down the road, a weightlifting gym opened up with Brisbane Barbell Club. And the head coach there was Damon Kelly, who is still my coach to this day. And that was in 2014. And because he just got back from Comm Games in, I want to say it was Glasgow. And I sort of, I'd met him before, so I was like, I'll just go down, sort of give this weightlifting thing a go. And yeah, sort of snowballed from there into what it is now.
BEN WATERWORTH: It must be pretty special to kind of be able to go down to a local club and have a two time Olympian, just that accessible, coming back from Commonwealth Games. Did you say it? Hey, like, you know, how'd you like to teach me, teach me this sport that you must be pretty good at yourself?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, pretty much. So it was sort of like, it was pretty nice, obviously, sort of rolling into a gym and you got, you know, one of the legends of the sport as a coach there with, well, he's got 15, 20 years of experience as a lifter himself, as you said, to Olympics. And then he's also a Commonwealth Games gold medallist as well. So it was just there, and then, yeah, obviously, we turned into, we gelled pretty well, two peonies and a pod, really, and that's sort of what's led to today.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, you kind of don't exactly go down to your local cricket club and there's Matty Hayden or somebody like that, just, you know, sitting behind the table ready to go, like, hey, you know, can you teach me how to play cricket a little bit better? It doesn't quite work that way in other sports.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: That's sort of, it was a blessing in disguise, well, it was a blessing, really, not really in disguise, cos we had the sky's big game over, yeah.
BEN WATERWORTH: So through all the sports that you were playing, I mean, obviously, say, through something like cricket, what's the sort of the aspirations, obviously, as it would be for every cricket player to wear the baggy green representation, and through any of those sports, obviously, none Olympic rugby, obviously, sort of Olympic, different type of rugby, but did you ever kind of have Olympic aspirations? Did you sort of watch the Olympics and think, well, that would be a pretty cool event to maybe compete for Australia for one day?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, like, I always watched it. Like, obviously, like, remember, obviously, the 2000 Olympics when I was really young back then. And obviously had old strawberry kisses on it and ceremony and-
BEN WATERWORTH: Best memory from Sydney, right?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, yeah, for sure. And then obviously, yeah, obviously I watched a lot. Yeah, Cathy Freeman obviously running in the full suit. And I always had Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett in the swimming and everything like that. I always, always watched it. Like, just in general, I love sport. So anything that's at a high level of sport, I love tuning in to and watching it. So I was always sort of there and like always wanted to sort of aspire to be the best sort of athlete I could be. But yeah, as I said, growing up, I was always watching in the summer, it was cricket, as I said, I was mainly a cricketer and watching the likes of Brett Lee and Glen McGraw and all that. Obviously as a bowler, in spite of being that. Obviously there was Shane Warne going around as well. And the safety of Ricky Ponting as a captain, I felt like we could never lose a game. Yeah, but obviously, so that was always the tribal dream. But then fell in love with weightlifting. Even when I started weightlifting, I didn't expect it to go this far. It was each comp just trying to improve on itself. And then I was like, oh, holy crap, could possibly win a nationals. And then going from there, it's like now it's left the Australian teams. And I was like, got the chance to really have a good run, like two or three years ago now, that the qualification period started. I was like, with the qualification, the way it works out, I could have a red hot crack here. And sort of that sort of all happened. And I was like, yeah, I was well in.
BEN WATERWORTH: Why not? Why not? I thank you for mentioning Ricky Ponning as a proud Tasmanian. Anytime his name gets mentioned, the angel gets its wings, so that's always a nice thing. What's it like growing up? I mean, I lived in Brisbane for a short period of time, not long enough to really kind of get a whole vibe of the situation, but obviously NRL's king in Brisbane. But what was that like sort of growing up, playing AFL and kind of being that? Because it's not something that I heard talked a lot about when I was living in Brisbane, was the AFL?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: No, it's not. It's sort of, maybe for a period there, from I think it was 2001 to 2003, I think. Yeah, when Marco Vos was the king of Brisbane for a bit there, and we had the lines going through, and almost had four in a row. But for me, it was sort of like, I think it was just sort of normal. So my old man, he played AFL at Mane Tigers up here when he was in the 70s, 77 grand final. Never forgets to tell me about it at the gala. So yeah, he played for Mane Tigers, so he played AFL. So growing up, but it was, yeah, as I said, we watch at home here, it was always cricket in the summer, and then winter would come around. It was actually NRL and AFL, but then I went to St. Pats where we had rugby union. So I end up playing rugby union, but I've always watched rugby league more than I have watched rugby union. So rugby league's probably the main sport here. I've barely played it in my life, but yeah, it was always interesting, but yeah, it's just for me, it was normal.
BEN WATERWORTH: So how then do you end up as a Richmond supporter? Obviously, off there, I mean, behind you, you've got a lovely, nice Richmond Guernsey behind you. So I mean, you know, Brisbane boy, Richmond Tigers, I don't see the correlation here.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: So as I said, my old man played for the main Tigers. So before the Bears, they always supported Richmond. Oh, I don't mind the Lions either. I'll go for them, because obviously growing up in Brisbane, but then on top of that, yeah, Dusty Martin is my favourite player. So he's part of it as well. But yeah, main Tigers sort of into the Richmond Tigers. But then also then, yeah, you've got favourite player playing for him as well. And then obviously just all the other teams as well.
BEN WATERWORTH: Lions and Tigers, two great dynasties that you've experienced in your lifetime. I mean, you've been pretty lucky there with all of that.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Also, two great lows as well. Yeah.
BEN WATERWORTH: Don't remember the lows. Remember the highs. Come on.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Definitely rollercoasters. But yeah, even Lions are back up there now. Obviously, they got a good midfield at the moment. And then obviously, Joe Danahoe this year has been a good recruit for him. And obviously, Charlie and Hitwood in there as well.
BEN WATERWORTH: And Chris Fagan, another Tassie boy. Look at us. We're just pinning all the Tassie people out right now.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Should we talk about Reevald as well then?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, why not? It's just all the great Tasmanians.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: The current Australian captain.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, exactly. What else? David Boone. All about Tasmania. When you get into the weightlifting, then you sort of pick it up. I mean, what was it that kind of made you fall in love with it? What was it then all of a sudden you think, wow, this is maybe what I've been missing out on doing my entire life?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, well, obviously you always do strength and conditioning stuff, drawing up the sport. And then, I don't know, there's something beautiful about the actual movements of like snatching and clean joking. And it's sort of like you can never perfect the top thing. And it's like you're always trying to perfect it. And then there's always the unknown of getting stronger all the time and bettering yourself, basically, because obviously starting off, you don't start off, you know, wanting to compete with other people. It's always like almost like a self sort of journey to start off with. It's just constantly improvement. And then obviously, going from a team sport back into individual, it's something where like it requires your own sort of discipline and things like that as well. And everything that you achieve, like you got a team around you, but it's like everything you achieve, like you could have a bad game of rugby, cricket and still win. And it's fantastic. And you get to celebrate with the lads and have a circuit and the rest of it. But in an individual sport, it all comes down to you really. And there's something that's lovely about it. There's also parts of it that I don't like, because obviously I love the team environment, but that's why I sort of try and keep myself with a good team around me. And obviously people that you train with as well. But yeah, there's just something about the constant pushing yourself and improving yourself, improvement. So that is wonderful.
BEN WATERWORTH: It must be a pretty special feeling when you're starting out and you start working your way up, lifting heavier and heavier. I mean, do you sort of remember what it was like when all of a sudden you're starting to lift these like top weights? I mean, it must be, you know, feel pretty boss there, Matt, kind of like, you know, just look at how tough I am showing this off. And, you know, just keep going up through.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I definitely don't think I'm a tough guy. Probably the opposite, but it is definitely something that like, like, when you look back when I first started, and like, say, like, doing my first state championships and looking at, like, you know, the numbers that, so the people at one state were doing, and then go from there, then all of a sudden you're lifting those numbers as well. That's sort of surreal. And then same sort of thing with nationals. You have your first nationals. And then you start them, like, you're pushing for national championships, winning your first national championship. You remember how cool it was just to be, like, competing there. And then you're winning that. And then same thing with, like, then you get selected in a national team and you're, like, looking at all the people in, like, the Oceania area and everything like that. And you're, like, looking at how much they're lifting. And then all of a sudden you're lifting that much as well. And it's sort of like, it's a bit of a surreal, like, pinch yourself sort of moment, because you're always looking at it like, wow, look how much they can do. And then all of a sudden you're competing against them.
BEN WATERWORTH: Which I can imagine, too, it's a mentality thing, too, like that mental barrier working your way up, because it's a sport where you are literally going higher and higher and higher. It's, you know, you're always going for that extra weight. It's sort of maybe not like a footy game where ultimately the highest points wins. You know, you never need to get a certain score to win as long as you've got the highest at the end of the clock. This is literally you need the heaviest weight, the combination. And then the more you go on, the better you're getting. So it's kind of it's a unique way of kind of changing from that team sport, as you're saying, into an individual sport such as weightlifting.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, definitely. Like it is, it is a part of it that I do love, like the actual competing side. Like I love obviously growing up playing sport. Generally, if you are playing sport, you probably love competition in any case of the matter, whether it be fucking with your mates or whatever the case may be, you just love competing. It is a part of it that I do love the actual competition side of it. Like when you're battling with someone or something like that, and it's sort of like your neck and neck, and the adrenaline gets going of like, you know, of you vs. them, and it's literally just you vs. It's with no one else, good or bad, that you can, you know, they did well, or you did well like in a team sport. It's just literally you competing against them. And all the games that get played in the back room with the warm up selections and moving weights around and everything like that, it is a real rush. Like it's fantastic. There's nothing but nothing that I can compare it to.
BEN WATERWORTH: What is training, like a standard training week for you like? Because I mean, you know, me, the armchair critic who really knows limited amounts about weightlifting, I'd say, well, you just lift weights. That's all you need to do. But there's obviously a little bit more to it than that, Matt. So it's sort of like, what's a general training week for you like?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, so like obviously, so I train probably six days a week. So usually on those days, you will do one of the variations of the lifts. So like, for example, like for a snatch or a clean jerk, you might do like a power snatch or a power clean, or jerks or push press, overhead pressing, all those sorts of things. Then on top of that, like generally I'll squat three to four times a week. And so like pull, which is similar to a deadlift, like three or four times a week as well. Obviously, it's not heavy all the time, but there's lighter days, heavier days, things like that. Some days, it's more focusing on whether it be speed or power, and then other days, it's pushing, like going heavier. And other days, like for, especially with technique work, it's just literally going lighter and working on technique. Make sure that that's correct, and that's on point as well. Because without that, in weightlifting, say if your technique's got a fault, it'll probably be a limiting factor at some point in your journey, which then means that you'd, eventually you'll have to address it. So better off to address it earlier on than later on, which is something, in particular, at the start of my career, Damon did really well with me in regards to not just third week of training, maxing out. It was almost like six months worth of just light work, doing technique, technique, technique, just drilling that into me, which has then obviously laid the platform for me to be able to grow off now into where I am, making sure I'm doing everything correctly from the start rather than having to go back and readjust things and go forward again.
BEN WATERWORTH: And in terms of sort of having someone like him helping you, I mean, when sort of fast-sporting a little bit, when you do get on that Olympic squad, is he someone who is a good sounding board to sort of give you tips and advice, not just for competing at that level, but in Olympic games, obviously the pinnacle of sport?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, definitely. Through my whole weightlifting career, he's definitely been a massive mentor for me. There's nothing in the sport that he hasn't seen, really. Through the 15 years, so whether it was my first trips, any advice that he'd give for like travelling, obviously Olympic games, obviously he was like, he was very much, if I needed anything, could talk to him. I think we had a couple video chats while we were over there just talking about it. And sort of like, just sort of, almost like reflecting on how surreal it is. Like, I don't know if there's been anyone else in Australia that's gone to the Olympics and then on top of that, then taking someone that taught him how to snatch and clean and jerk and taking them to the Olympics. I think there's been people that, people have come along and they've sort of like coached, but they've already been at that level where he's sort of taken me from, teach me how to snatch and clean and jerk to the Olympics basically. And yeah, it was sort of like, we had a chat one day there talking about it all, how awesome it is that it's all happening. And if there was anything that I needed, obviously he was always able to be contacted because anything I'm doing, he's definitely done it before to be able to go through it all with me. And basically keep me as calm and everything is possible in that sort of situation of being a pinnacle of the sport and with some of the best athletes in the world.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, what amazes me about your journey, Matt, is that you would assume that most athletes in the Olympics, they've done a World Champs, they've done a Commonwealth Games, they've kind of done these big tournaments and then they go to the Olympics. Your biggest games you really did were the Pacific Games. You'd never been to a World Champs, never a Commonwealth Games. This was kind of like your first real taste of like massive international competition. I mean, is that kind of the best way to do it though? Maybe just go straight to an Olympics and then because everything else after that, like a World Champs is great, but you've done the Olympics, like, you know, that's not as big. I mean, is that kind of the way athletes should be doing it right now?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, I guess it's sort of like the young person has nothing really to lose because like, you know, you're just sort of thrown in the deep and sort of sink or swim, isn't it? But yeah, it definitely was. It was definitely an experience. Like, I've never, like, obviously, I just said, I've just missed out on a Comm Games sport in 2018. And then, yeah, so Pacific Games, one of the Asian indoor games over in Turkmenistan as well in 2017, which sort of, yeah, you're just sort of hanging out sort of thing. It wasn't really, I wouldn't say it would be like a Comm Games or an Olympic Games because we didn't have a full Australian team. We're not there with some of the best athletes in Australia as well. But yeah, it was like Pacific Games, Olympic Games. But yeah, as you said, I've never been to a World Champs or anything like that, but it's definitely just going in the deep water.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, go there. How do you say getting to go to Turkmenistan? I mean, who gets to say they've been to Turkmenistan? What's that experience like?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Oh, it's a wild old country, old Turkmenistan, but it was amazing. It was like the second country I'd have been to. So I went to New Zealand the day out when I was playing rugby for just a school trip and under 16s. And I remember I had the last day, you could say, ignorant Australian sort of attitude. It was like New Zealand, it's just Australia with an accent sort of thing. What's all this travelling stuff about? The second country I've ever been to is Turkmenistan, over in the Middle East, ex-Soviet country. And yeah, it was definitely like a massive culture shock. That's for sure, but I absolutely loved it over there. It was, the whole experience of it all was amazing. And if anyone sort of confused us to what Turkmenistan is, the dark tourist was actually at the same comp, they are sort of Netflix series. One of the episodes, I think it's called The Stands, he actually went to the same comp that we had, the Australian team out where he talks about what the country's like, but yeah, it was definitely a massive eye opener. And since then, it's been kind of the travel bug ever since, because it's amazing to experience such a different culture.
BEN WATERWORTH: It seems to be like part of this is just your life, like you just go straight to the deep end for anything. It's like you're in New Zealand, somebody might go to America, Europe, you've just gone to New Zealand, Turkmenistan, sure, let's just get it done with right now.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, definitely an all-in type of person. It's not a little like, oh, we'll just walk our way in and see what this is all like. It's definitely, you know, let's go to the vast ends of it.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, for sure. I mean, we know the stands love their weightlifting and their wrestling. So it's kind of, I guess it's a, I can imagine epic crowds kind of went back when we could have crowds, like I'm sure a very passionate sort of place to weightlift.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, definitely. Yeah, it definitely is. They like all the stands, as you said, they love their weightlifting. And even like we had a Taekwondo team with us watching Taekwondo, like every single stadium you went to was sold out, like it was packed. So it was an amazing experience just to be there. An experience like crowds that big are weightlifting, like events here in Australia, you know, you're lifting in front of 50 people with that. And then like you're over there and it's 200, 300, 400 people in the stadium all cheering. So it's definitely a different experience.
BEN WATERWORTH: One event I want to talk to you about as well before the Olympics, I believe you went to the Arnold Classic over in the US. Now, the obvious question, did you meet the man or did you see the man? And also, what was it like competing at the Arnold Classic?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: No, yeah, that was awesome. I didn't really want to come on, but it was, yeah, actually, I did get to brush shoulders with old Arnie. Watching the Strongman Deadlift competition with Thor, the Human Mountain, the Thor, Haxson, whatever he pronounced his name from the Game of Thrones. So obviously, deadlifting a whole lot of weight, and he was at the event as well. And where we were standing was basically where they would exit. And yeah, basically, we went past, gave him a head nod, he gave me a head nod as we went past. He's a lead security guard, so you couldn't really get too close to him. But that was a pretty cool moment. He's actually a lot shorter than I thought, but yeah, good job. Terminator got to walk past me. It was a big cool experience.
BEN WATERWORTH: I went peon and walking past the Terminator. I mean, again, Regime is looking good here.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Once again, down the deep end. But yeah, so that was a surreal experience, actually, like seeing him in person. I saw one of those, you see him on TV, it's sort of like, you don't have to believe they're a real person. That's them there in the flesh sort of thing, sort of like, once again, another surreal moment. But yeah, no, they aren't classic. That was awesome. In America, weightlifting out there is crying so much, obviously, because of CrossFit. So in that competition alone, I think they had 1,500 athletes. So they didn't have any crowds there, because that was the start of all the COVID sort of stuff hitting. That was when we didn't really know what it really was, really. But yeah, that was the start of all that. So they didn't have crowds there. But with 1,500 athletes, it's still like the biggest crowd I've ever seen in a weightlifting company. Like four platforms going at once, and it was an outstanding environment.
BEN WATERWORTH: Fantastic. I remember when he brought it to Melbourne a couple of times, and it was always around that Grand Prix time. I used to do media at the Grand Prix, and one of the years he came to the Grand Prix, and it was surreal because you're there covering motorsport. You're there talking to Formula One drivers, and all of a sudden you get word that Arnold Schwarzenegger is about to arrive. Everybody just loses it, and you just go, boom, straight to the thing, gets out of the car, gives a little wave at the crowd and walks into the paddock. But it's just one of those people, isn't he? Where it's like, no matter whether you like his movies or anything, like it's just, there's freaking Arnold Schwarzenegger, he's right there.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, he's one of those people you just know. No matter where you are in the world, they know who he is. Whether, yeah, from the model it is. But yeah, it is definitely, it's like, it's almost walking around. It's like, holy shit, that's Arnold. Yeah, exactly.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's a good way of looking at it, a glow around him. I think there is. Yeah, it's like an aura. Yeah, for sure.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: You're just in shock, but it's Arnold.
BEN WATERWORTH: Now you're wearing the Buckeyes t-shirt, I have to say, man. Was that from the trip? That was from the Arnold Classic?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, might as well just jump in the bandwagon since I've been there.
BEN WATERWORTH: I mean, that once, that... Did you go to any games? Did you see any games when you were there?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Nah, so we got there, it was in March, so the football season all finishes in January, February sort of time. So yeah, but I'm a big American football fan as well, so I go for the mighty Chargers as well. Oh, LA Chargers, and then, yeah, so now I'm a Buckeye fan in college football, so since I went there once, it's not a bad little team to jump on the bandwagon or so.
BEN WATERWORTH: Could go worse. The great thing I love about going to the States is that you generally do have your teams in the majors, but you kind of open as an Australian to, you know, exploring the college teams, right? We have no allegiance. So I like going to these places and kind of being sold like I've been sold as a Tennessee fan. I've been sold as a Utah fan. I've been sold as a Nebraska fan. I've got all the I've got all the merch just because people are trying to recruit me as a fan. So I'll take it. I'm like, if you give me a cool looking t-shirt, I'll go for anybody.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, no, definitely is. It's I love the American culture in regards to the sport and stuff like that. It's amazing. And then, like some of the athletes, they've got to go over there. It's outrageous. So but yeah, it's definitely like, yeah, they all want to recruit you. Yeah. Why you should be on this team, like team supporter.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, we kind of do that here though, like when they come out and it's like, oh, what team should I go for in the AFL or the NRL? Yeah, well, you've got to be this team, right? Like you have to go for this team. So, you know.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I copped it all the time as well for my mates, we'd go out for Richmond, and they're like, oh, you didn't even grab them, and obviously you got an old chestnut. Yeah, well, how does it feel to be a traitor to your city?
BEN WATERWORTH: I think it could be worse. I think it's worse to get accused of being a bandwagoner. Like, you know, you've gone through the thick and thin of the ninth place finishes and all that kind of stuff like you've been there from the beginning. It's worse if you just jumped on them in the last couple of years. Oh, they're winning. Let's go for Richmond.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Nah, yeah, definitely was. And then there was a time there when they'll get probably between like 11th and 9th a lot, and they snuck into the 8th eventually. And then, you know, obviously then they went on their run. But back when, yeah, they were coming those things and lines were coming like 15th, 16th. It was like, yeah, yeah.
BEN WATERWORTH: It's it's interesting.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: What's the Broncos doing?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, when I lived in Brisbane, I obviously would go to as many games as I could. But I actually went end up going to more Suns games. And I actually somehow ended up in the Suns cheer squad. Don't even ask me how. And ended up getting a real soft spot for them because it was sort of I talked to so many fans and they were like, yeah, I'm a I'm a Swans supporter. I'm a Tiger supporter. But like, we're here supporting the club, like because we want them to survive and thrive here in the Gold Coast. So none of us technically go for the Suns, but we're going to support our local team. So I really like that sense of community. And so, yeah, I've got a real soft spot for the Suns.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, I love the Suns. They are the stadium. That's pretty cool, actually.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, it's great stadium.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it's amazing. But, you know, I'm almost in my way with having a soft spot for them. I don't mind watching them. I'm hoping that they can keep some talent. So they always seem to have good talent, but then they always go elsewhere and do really well. So obviously, Richmond stole Lynch and then you had Stevie May. He's going to Melbourne right now. He's doing really well. So hopefully they can hold on to old Tommy Rowley out there and sort of see if they can then create something. They took Brendan Ellis from us, though.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's true. That's true. I mean, you get it right for you guys kind of, you know, new challenge, right?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: So, yeah, he was good on the wing, but yeah, that's all right. He's doing well in the midfield and finally showing how good he actually is. It's pretty hard in Richmond midfield through those years.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, definitely. Well, we'll see how he plays out with that. What was that moment like when you knew you would book that ticket to Tokyo? I mean, you sort of mentioned kind of this unique journey that you'd sort of gone along there. I mean, it must be a pretty special feeling to kind of enter this sport pretty late and a pretty quick turnaround and boom, you're an Olympian.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it was like so obviously the wait for 12 extra 12 months. It was sort of like, you know, don't count chickens before they hatch sort of thing. So because obviously, there's some old senility man, he's a come games gold medallist, so it will sort of go off the same spot. And so sort of like if he can sneak to a comp or anything like that. So it was always like, it was literally waiting till basically I was selected, so I was like, yeah, I can go. Whereas obviously some people were sort of early crown and I was like, no, not yet, not yet, not yet. And then it wasn't really until that announcement day that we had, that I sort of like the energy like started like, holy shit, it's happening. Like this is like did the whole, and I'm like sort of like standing in front of the fine folks, trying to talk to them like, where's the media training, media training. He was standing there and you're like, they don't serve on the GEDES. It's pretty fucking cool.
BEN WATERWORTH: You would have made the news at night. You would have gotten some attention to it. Yeah.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah.
BEN WATERWORTH: We're for Kaylee McEwen at the Olympics, right? Come on.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Just drop a couple of bombs and I'll let you go. So yeah, no, it was definitely like that's when the energy sort of started. And then obviously, because then there was like, although I wouldn't really say it was protest with Tokyo, but there was all the media saying, you know, the locals don't want to go ahead in Tokyo and everything like that. And I was like, oh, don't get too excited. But once I was on the plane and once I got over there and you sort of walk around, just like you're there. And that's when the song really, really hit. I'm at the Olympics. And then sort of like had a moment going through the Ogden ceremony where I was sort of like walking out and like, as I was saying earlier about watching the Sydney ceremony and that sort of thing. So I had flashbacks to like watching this as a kid, like now I'm one of the people that's walking out that I used to watch as a kid. As a kid, you're watching on TV, trying to recognise people and I'm like, now I'm in that group of people walking out or sort of like, wow, this is happening.
BEN WATERWORTH: And what was that? I mean, that was such an odd opening ceremony, too, like, I mean, I guess you've got nothing really to compare it to outside of watching it on TV. But I mean, what was it sort of like in that stadium walking out to really nobody?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it was sort of like, obviously, like, you know, that's not not ideal. But I sort of like also think I could just imagine how awesome it would be. Like, if this was full, this would be absolutely bonkers. Like, it was like, but it was still like that adrenaline of going through it all. Japanese do it right. Like, full credit to Japan, like, their volunteers were so excited, like walking, before walking into the stadium, it took, I think it was about a two hour process. And like the volunteers were like so excited to see everyone for that whole time. It was just like, it was like, yeah, they did it right. It was like, wow, like, it still made it feel special, like when there's no one in the stand still.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah. And do you try and do the whole sneaky, like, walk around on the edge a little bit so the cameras can maybe pick you up, maybe just, you know, get behind Patty and Kate there and just be kind of like wave, just to make sure that you're getting on TV so people can see you?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I sort of did like, I was sort of like off centre to the left, a few people did see me, but I didn't get the whole heap of like airtime, so to speak. But yeah, because like, obviously, they did it in order, so like the people that have been in the master, I think it's towards the front, but the problem with that is the basketballs are the ones that have been to the most Olympics. So you got six foot seven people walking in front of you, but no, I was slightly off to the left. I got a couple of pictures of screenshots of me walking through there from a couple of lads. So they did get to see it, but yeah, it was sort of like, I sort of like, initially, I was thinking that, but then when you actually in the moment, I was sort of like stuck in the moment to be thinking to be like, oh, get on camera, sort of like just sort of trying to soak it in.
BEN WATERWORTH: I like that idea that that's kind of how they do it, though, that they sort of, you know, up front, these are the the multiple Olympians, like that's a good way of doing it, I guess. I didn't realise that's how they did it.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, so that's it. I don't know if they always do it like that, but yeah, they sort of like did it so then like, you know, if you've been to your third or fourth Olympics, you know, you know, you should obviously get to be in the front.
BEN WATERWORTH: So kind of I guess it's like if you I mean, they can't give the flag bearing position to everyone. So it's kind of like, well, the next best thing is your front and centre. So you can see Kate, you can see Patti, but there you are directly behind them. That was the fifth, I think, from memory.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, that's outrageous.
BEN WATERWORTH: And what's it like kind of just, you know, you're on a team with these athletes and obviously, you know, when you're going to the competitions you've been to, you're not going to Turkmenistan with the swimmers, you're not going there with the boomers. Like, what's it kind of like then to be teammates with sort of athletes from all the different sports and walking around the village and you're wearing the Australian uniform and Paddy Mills is wearing the Australian uniform, like, you know, kind of Jess Fox, you know, seeing people like that, that they're your teammates.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Especially, as you said, the basketballers, they're probably the biggest names. It was cool to obviously just be able to just like hanging out with, you know, NBA players basically and some of the best athletes. And then, like, yeah, as I said, obviously, Jess Fox, she did outstanding. She's obviously, like, kayaking wasn't a sport that I really knew a lot about, kayaking. And then learning about her being one of the greatest of all time at what she does. It's like, that's cool, obviously. And then Ash Barty walking around as well, saw her, like, those sort of people. And you're just like, holy, obviously watching her win Wimbledon a few weeks ago.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, exactly. And she's your teammate. Yeah, that's crazy to think that. And also with the weightlifting team in general, I mean, this was the biggest weightlifting team that Australia had sent to an Olympics since Sydney. There were five of you. I mean, kind of what was the mood like amongst all five of you going in? Was it kind of great to be part of an expanded team that had been, you know, 20 years since Australia had had that many athletes at an Olympic Games in the sport of weightlifting?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it definitely was. So, like, all of us hanging out, like, it's probably even better because we've almost all been on this journey together. Like, we've all been in Australian teams together since Brando came, me and Brando were in the Australian team back in 2017. Kiana was a bit before that even. She was sort of like the experienced campaigner and I think she's younger than us, but she's been in the Australian system for a long time. And obviously it was awesome to see Erica go there as well. She's been in the sport for 20-plus years. So it's for her to reach the Olympics as well. So the actual whole buzz and charisma of course, was the other one there as well, who did really well at the comm games and made it there. But the whole buzz, because we've all been in the last two years, been going through specific games and all the other competitions to qualify. For us all to be there together, it was awesome. And to have like a, coming from a team sport background, to have sort of like a team, yeah, the actual energy that you get off each other, feed off each other is fantastic. It's, you know, one of the reasons why I love sports so much. So, yeah, the actual feeling around the actual room, around the weightlifters was amazing.
BEN WATERWORTH: What was that period like between the opening ceremony then in your competition? Because you were what on like the last, the second last day, essentially. So you had a bit of a wait to kind of go around. I mean, is it, would you prefer to sort of get over and done with, be on the first couple of days, or do you like sort of being able to wait around, cheer your teammates on, add a bit of extra training and kind of just soak up that Olympic atmosphere between the opening ceremony and your competition day?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I did enjoy it. I did enjoy that, having that extra time because I almost basically got to experience the whole Olympics because obviously I got there just before the opening ceremony and didn't have to compete for, I think it was like 14 days or 16 days since I got there or something like that. And so I almost got like the whole Olympic experience, which I'm very grateful for. And being able to be there for the teammates and be able to allow for the girls, so Kiana and Erica were in the same session. And then for Brando's session, I was in the back room as well with helping down, being able to experience not only being in my session, but being also a part of their session as well was amazing to be able to cheer them on. And particularly Brando going six for six and crushing it, considering like he's just come back, he had a couple of injuries and stuff at the start of the year. So seeing him do that, obviously really happy for him to be able to go and do that. And then Kiana snatching 101 kilos from Oceania record. That was amazing as well.
BEN WATERWORTH: It's on a birthday too, right?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it was her birthday too. Yeah, that's right. It was her birthday.
BEN WATERWORTH: Nice birthday present to kind of be able to-
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: And get to compete at the Olympics and snatch a PB and Oceania record.
BEN WATERWORTH: Why not? That's the way you want to do it. In terms of your own performance though, Matt, I mean, how did you go into it? Did you sort of set yourself a goal to kind of lift a certain weight, finish a certain position, and kind of how did you leave Tokyo feeling about how you did perform?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, so obviously I did go in. I went in with probably my expectations, probably two, I concerned with my first big event, but to me, I didn't perform up to what I'd like to, unfortunately. So the actual competition itself for me, I was a bit disappointed in. It was sort of like a weird after the fact, sort of sitting there and thinking, like it's sort of like a weird mix of emotions of both being proud and disappointed all the same time. It was like this weird sort of feeling. I got two snatches, Justin is the third, but then on Cleaning Jerks, I don't know what it was. There's a few things. Obviously, two weeks in quarantine gives you time to sort of reflect. And it was probably a few things I probably should have changed in the lead up. Obviously, the energy of being in the training hall for the week before, I was probably pushing a bit too hard that close to competition, which then probably left me being a little bit, maybe a little bit flat for the competition as well. But yeah, it was sort of like a weird sort of feeling, like, yeah, it was, but I wasn't necessarily over the moon about it. But then at the same time, I was sort of like really proud of being there and what I would achieve sort of thing. So it was sort of like the thing. It's probably been a good time now to be able to like reflect on it. And then obviously now, just getting back into life basically.
BEN WATERWORTH: I do like the line you said in the interview after the day you said, it's definitely not the last you will see of me. So it's kind of got that sort of line of looking forward. So I mean, again, this is a question I know that everybody hates answering already so quickly after Tokyo. But I mean, is Paris the goal? Kind of like is that you've had this taste now and want to keep pushing forward to, you know, joining Damon as a two-time Olympian in a few years time.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, definitely. So definitely Birmingham next year. So like, cause it's short turnaround. So basically like I got to compete again in a month's time, which might be a call fund event, might not be, who knows, with COVID and everything like that that's going on. But Birmingham's the goal at the moment. Obviously having a taste of Olympics and that sort of environment. Obviously want that again. And at Birmingham, obviously, for the Commonwealth, for weightlifters, we're a lot more competitive as well. So it can be pushing up for those medals sort of thing. And then from there, be able to then have a bit of time to reflect and then look at going on. Possibly having to run for Paris, depending on what's happening with weightlifting. There's all the shenanigans happening at the top of the sport at the moment and everything that's going on. I don't know what's going on with it. So I'll stay out of all that sort of stuff. But just, yeah. So if it is there, wait to hear what the qualification requirements are and go from there basically. And see if you can have another run and another crack at it then.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, I'm talking about runs and cracks with everybody we get on the show. You are a Brisbane boy. So 11 years time, a home Olympics, you'll be what? 38, you know? I mean, how's that for a weightlifting age? Is it doable? Is it possible? Can you keep on cracking? If not, can you try and hand it another sport? You've got 11 years to perfect it there, Matt.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I love the thing. So I don't have my knees, but all the way through the legs, I'm not sure. But who knows? It would be awesome to be a part of it at some capacity, whether it be as an athlete or if there's any other sort of capacity could roll into. But yeah, to have a home Olympics would be outstanding. I think out of all the places, I might be biased.
BEN WATERWORTH: You're allowed to be biased. I think that works. I'm just seeing it now, though. I mean, there's obviously Paris and LA. Let's say you go to both. Dual Olympic gold medallists, right? So then by Brisbane, the Weightlifting Centre would have to be renamed after you. Right now, I'm sure Dean Lucan's got a bit of dibs over that maybe, but he's only got the one gold. If you get the two, then it could easily be called the Matthew Lydement Weightlifting Centre at the Olympic Games.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Can you ever get better than the first one though?
BEN WATERWORTH: I don't know. I mean, I think two is better than one. Just saying.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: But yeah, no, I think, I think Dean Lucan would have it over with me. You have to give props to the original, the OG.
BEN WATERWORTH: But again, you're a local though. He's not from Brisbane, is he? It's got to work out a little bit more in your favour. He had his chance in Sydney, right? Bugger that, he didn't get it. So as the Brisbane boy, it's more in your favour, come on.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I don't know, it would be weird. Having my name on things would be definitely weird.
BEN WATERWORTH: There's still time, you never know. You might change that opinion when it happens. Now Matt, we close out with a series of fun, sort of get to know your questions. But before I get to those, I believe you've taken part in some Strongman competitions. These events, I used to love watching as a kid when you're watching these guys pulling trucks and fricking 747s and all that kind of stuff. Give us a mindset of a Strongman competition. Is it pretty easy to just pull a truck, pull a plane? Pretty simple?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: You did a deep thought there. I can't remember. But yeah, that was definitely an interesting experience going from, well, it wasn't quite as heavy as I am now, being a 109 kilo weightlifter. But yeah, it was definitely interesting being the smallest man out there. It was also like one of the events, probably the highlight was we did a car deadlift, which was, you know, it looks cool. It's not actually that heavy. They put it on like a hinge, so it looks cool. But that was definitely probably the highlight of, I mean, it looked like I could deadlift a car. Yeah, it's definitely a very different world, that old, the whole strongman world and all that. It's all heavy metal and, you know, rock on and everyone's angry and, you know, like the noses and the rest of it. But compared to weightlifting, where it's very much, you know, very respectful. And like when you're lifting, everything's silent and quiet. And then there's a round of applause after you make lifts. And yeah, it's definitely a different sort of environment. But yeah, no, that was definitely, that was definitely an experience. I'm glad I took it off the box, did it once, don't know if I'll do it again, but yeah, I did it once for a bit of fun.
BEN WATERWORTH: I was going to say if they ended up including that in the Brisbane Olympic program that, you know, you could get back into it. You never know. Gold medal lifting a plane, that's pretty good training, right? I can't quite see that happening much.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I definitely need to be eating quite a bit of food to be able to get up to the sauce of those big boys right there.
BEN WATERWORTH: Good excuse though, right? You know, like any excuse to eat a lot of food. Take it, you know? Go back to the States, eat all the American food. How great is it? Come on, like, you know, putting it that way. Now, as I said... Yeah, God, yeah, just load it all up. Absolutely. As I said, we close off with a series of fun, sort of get to know your questions. As always, this is based off a Team Canada questionnaire they gave their athletes ahead of Rio and Pyeongchang. Now, obviously, we've had a couple of weightlifters, and as I've said, we usually take a questionnaire that has been answered by somebody from your sport. Unfortunately, we've never had a weightlifter at least published on the Team Canada website. I usually go for the one wrestler that they put questions to, W Wrestling Weightlifting, but I've gone the opposite today. I've chosen somebody we've never done before. I've gone with an athlete called Kimberly Hyseth, and she's a track runner. So not really the same, but why not? I'm going to see what her answers are and see if you can compare to them with theirs. So if you could choose any Olympic host city, where would it be? It's going to say. You've got it too, so it works.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I'm trying to be amazing. I'm putting my expectations on them, so I hope they can live up to them.
BEN WATERWORTH: I think they've got enough time, I guess, to prepare, right? And I think also, can I just say, having seen that closing ceremony on the Gold Coast, they've got a lot of mistakes to learn from. So they can't fuck that up, surely.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: They completely, absolutely bombed, didn't they?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, a bit of an error on that one. But when you've got the organisers, you know, with Peter Beattie coming in. Yeah, exactly that's true. I mean, you'd expect that from the Gold Coast.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Sure, they're not run by the same people.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, I don't think Peter Beattie is going to get the gig there for that anymore in 11 years' time.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Guy Sebastiano did that?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, Guy was like the headline actor. I think it was just the Australian Idol Reunion Tour. They just basically got all the Australian Idol singers. I don't think Shannon did, no second again. Yeah, exactly. God, he got snubbed when you got like Paulini doing it, not Shannon Noll.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Was that when he was gone?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, possibly.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: That was all private school boy stuff, wasn't it?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, bring back the Flavoursaver. His career might pick up again. Who knows? In your spare time, what do you most like to do? Nice, wow.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I've played, yes, my old cricket captain, actually, the old middleman. I don't know if he'll even listen, but hopefully he does. But yeah, at the moment, we play golf down at the Virginia Golf Club at the moment with a bunch of the lads I used to play with cricket with, at St. Eric's Cliffs.
BEN WATERWORTH: Great. Fantastic. Well, there's your other Olympic sport there, Matt, for Brisbane, golf, 2032.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I think the flying mullet of Kim Smith's got me covered up.
BEN WATERWORTH: You can grow a mullet, it's all it takes, right?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, I can grow a mullet, shave Oz in the side of my head. Start hitting big bombs.
BEN WATERWORTH: Does the strength help for your drive? Does that actually help or not at all?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I don't think so, not for golf. If that was the case, that old Bryce and Dee Shambo would be winning everything, but he keeps getting beaten because he can't chip or file up. The blokes I play with definitely can't lift as much weight, but they definitely tell me to score on the golf course.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's good then, at least it's that. But I was going to say you just go down to Topgolf all the time, down there and just kind of practise to get that strength. That's fun, that place. Topgolf, I loved going there.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Really?
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, it's worth it. It's weird because you think like, well, how is this going to be fun? But it's essentially like bowling, but with golf balls. They make it to a level where you're getting drunk, you're eating chicken, you're shooting golf balls.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, for a second, down Cavalabra on the Gold Coast.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, exactly.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: They hit up shooters. Why not?
BEN WATERWORTH: I remember one of my first times ever at Service Paradise. My ex and I were there, and the closest restaurant was Hooters. It was right next door to our hotel. You try going there with a pretty conservative partner at the time. He's like, I'm not going to Hooters. And then she ended up leaving, going, that was some of the best food I've ever eaten. And I'm like, yeah, that's the food. That was memorable. Yeah, exactly. Make it a regular. Yeah, regulars at Hooters on the Gold Coast. That's something to strive for.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Actually, I haven't been to Hooters either.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, well, let's see. Look at this. Come on.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I haven't been to the casino, and I think it's Shooters, the big nightclub on Cabell.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yep.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Apart from that, where else? I think that's about it. I've been there a couple of times. And Moo Moo's, I think, went down there.
BEN WATERWORTH: Bring back these memories. It's been a while since I've been there, so I've got to hit up Cabal Ave.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: It doesn't match to the Valley. Hobart's got a good little joint down in Salamanca down there in the markets.
BEN WATERWORTH: I don't think Cargo Bar exists anymore, does it? Look, I was away for a few years. I've only been back for a few months, and I tried to have this conversation the other day about what still exists. You could say Hobart's still be there though, wouldn't you? Oh, absolutely. They'll never get rid of that. I mean, that hasn't been updated since. It should be. Again, nothing's changed inside in 50 years. It's like you're stepping into the 70s. Hey, ours was the first.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: It's historical. That's why I had to go there when I was down there. I was like, I've got to go to the first casino in Australia.
BEN WATERWORTH: Did you go to the revolving restaurant at top of Rest Point Tower? Oh, now you're missing out. The Hobart things you've got to do, the revolving restaurant.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I was only down there. I was down there for nationals in 27th and 80th. It was just literally we went out the Sunday night, which Hobart turns out shuts down pretty early on a Sunday.
BEN WATERWORTH: You think it's just a Sunday.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Well, I'm sure it's Sunday.
BEN WATERWORTH: One day a week we're open, Saturday night the rest, 6 p.m. go home, go to bed, have some milk.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, basically. And I was like, so yeah, that's why we ended up in the casino. I was like, because everything's shut. I was like, oh, we'll be starting after nationals.
BEN WATERWORTH: A bunch of hungry and thirsty weightlifters want to go out in the town. Come on, Hobart, open up. Casino did well that night, I can imagine. What is the weirdest instruction your coach ever gave you?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: My coach? Oh, probably pull the shit out of it.
BEN WATERWORTH: Pull the shit out of it.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, it was on a snatch. Actually, it might have been 2018 States. I think I missed one opening snatch. He's like, just go down and pull the shit out of it.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, I want that on a t-shirt. That's weightlifting merch. Pull the shit out of it. Go for it. Pull the shit out of it. I like that. I really like that.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Pull and pray could be another shirt.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, pull and pray. I like hearing these sort of, you know, one-liners from different sports. There's a whole merch. You know, the AOC, instead of like selling just this, you know, Team Australia weightlifting, like pull the shit out of it. Team Australia weightlifting. Like that would sell.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Oh, would it ever?
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah. John Coates. I know you're a big listener to this show. Get on board with it. Your favourite workout is?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Favourite workout? I always like, my favourite movement is snatching.
BEN WATERWORTH: I like snatches.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: So probably these snatches will be involved in it somewhere. So that, and then, you know, walking a golf course, is that a workout?
BEN WATERWORTH: That works. That's a workout, you know. It's a lot more physical than people give a credit for. Golf, come on. It's hard to walk with a beer in one hand and a golf club in the other.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: You end up walking a long way when you've got to cover three calories.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, exactly. You kind of keep on walking. Your favourite sandwich is?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Sandwich? It's a pickle on a good burger. Does that count?
BEN WATERWORTH: That counts, sure.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Steak Sanger from the pub.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, yeah. Good one. That was a good one, yeah. I like it. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I thought flying is an easy one. You just find where you want it. But I'll just fly over to...
BEN WATERWORTH: Go back to Ohio?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Just fly to America if we're not. I'll just cruise down to New Zealand. Turkmenistan?
BEN WATERWORTH: Go back, see you, mates. All you good Turkmenistanian buddies. The best candy in the world is...
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Candy? I'll have to go Red Frogs. So usually when I'm competing in Australia, I always have a pack of Red Frogs. Because my first or second ever comp, Damon actually brought Red Frogs with him. And so since then, it's not a superstition, because obviously I don't do it all the time. But yeah, ever since then, if I'm competing and I'm having something to eat while I'm gone, Red Frogs is always a go-to during competition. So keep the sugar up.
BEN WATERWORTH: I think you might be the first to answer that, and it makes me happy because yeah, they are great. And Bugger the Green Frogs, it's all about the Red Frogs. That's where it's at. I mean, they're fine, but Red Frogs are a thousand times better. And when you get those generic, like sort of the multicoloured ones, where they try and make them all taste the same, it's like, no, like Red Frogs have their unique taste, right?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: And the OG. And in the OG, the Red Frogs.
BEN WATERWORTH: Exactly, exactly. Now, I mean, you've answered this as a kid, your favourite sports team was. I mean, outside of AFL, kind of North America, like who are your teams? You mentioned the Chargers, you have teams in the NBA, the NHL, or.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, so NBA, it was, like, it's different, because I've always been a Camelo Anthony fan, so I follow a lot of people. So obviously, now, it's a shame, because I've always been Mello over LeBron, but now I'm Mello over LeBron with the Snack team, which has upset me a little bit, because we had it together in LA. But, so yeah, I've always been a Mello fan, but then there's always Snuggles, because they were the OG team that had them, and I'll remember using them. But then Broncos, obviously, Brisbane Broncos. Broncos are my team in rugby league, which obviously has gone fantastic for the last few years. But, you know, we've got Adam Reynolds next year, so we're good. And then obviously, the balls for cricket and the Australian cricket team.
BEN WATERWORTH: The heat, I'm guessing, as well.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Rizzy Heat as well, yeah, the mighty Heat.
BEN WATERWORTH: Beautiful, beautiful. Which I was surprised then, like, with the Broncos, love. And then you've got Denver. Like, where did that not come into the Denver Broncos in the NFL? Like, that seems to me like the perfect fit there.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, so the Chargers thing was actually in high school because of my last name. And then back in those days, that was when LeDaney and Tomlinson was running back for Chargers. So that's sort of like how that all meshed together.
BEN WATERWORTH: So you're OG back when they were still in San Diego. This isn't just...
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, that Maryman lights out at Wibaka.
BEN WATERWORTH: Actually, I know a friend in Canada is a Rams fan and sort of back before they went to LA as well. So it's obviously, it's kind of unique how LA went so long without a team. Now they got two and... Isn't that that they kind of don't... Like, people in LA don't really give a shit of either the teams. It's just all the supporters from San Diego and St. Louis still go for them.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Basically, all the Chargers fans are all upset that they left San Diego, but they did it to try and get more money in the LA market, I think. Actually, it's a nice stadium. A lot of the Chargers fans want to go back to San Diego.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, San Diego is my favourite place in California, and I've been past the stadium. And I mean, this is the beauty of North America, right? Like, you've got this beautiful looking stadium that, oh, it's 10 years old, it's obsolete. Like, it's kind of, it's a great looking stadium. But yeah, no, I'd like to see them go back to San Diego.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: There's a team at the moment that's trying to get us there.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, they're my team. Yeah. So, yeah. You talk about hardships. You try living through three Super Bowl losses in a row. Like, I mean, God, I think you get one of them. Just kind of going on that pace. Yeah, well, that's true. That's true. Your favourite sports movie is?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Sports movie? I'm not too good with sports movies.
BEN WATERWORTH: Oh, yes. Great answer.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: But if you're going on serious, I like Coach Carter as well. Yeah, so.
BEN WATERWORTH: Happy Gilmore, serious. Matt, come on. That's how I play golf.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, that's it. Yeah, definitely.
BEN WATERWORTH: Stuart McGavin, great icon of golf. Come on. What a man.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I've got 65 more days for hockey, try it.
BEN WATERWORTH: Do you have a hockey team? Do you get on board any of the hockey at all? Not really.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I did like, I was, I did like New York Rangers just because I had a hockey Xbox game. I saw the Xbox game, I just used then. That was when, the only person I remember off of the stall. I do remember as a kid, because I had a Canadian maths teacher, she had it in through us, so I used to talk to him a little bit about it. There was a bloke back in the day called Jordan Tutu, he used to be an enforcer for a team, so he was entertaining. Got the gloves and had a few punch-ons.
BEN WATERWORTH: Where in Canada was the teacher from? So like, where were they trying to, were they trying to recruit you for a certain Canadian team?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: No, he was mainly basketball, but he was near, I think, the city near Justin Bieber.
BEN WATERWORTH: Toronto area? Windsor, kind of Hamilton, maybe that sort of area?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Maybe near Toronto. I just remember like in year 9, he said, how do you live near where Justin Bieber is from?
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, I mean, Canada, we thought it was Canada. Why not, yeah, I think everyone in Canada is somewhere who lives near Justin Bieber, right? He just moves around a lot.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I live near him or Drake.
BEN WATERWORTH: Exactly. Do you live closer to Bieber or Drake? Oh, Drake. Okay, you're in that part of the country. Okay, I understand where you are now. If you could live anywhere in the world, Matt, where would it be?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Anyway, I haven't been to England, but I think that would be a good time. Either there or America. I loved it when I was over in America. Yeah, so one of those two countries, I'd say. Non-English speaking countries, I've heard good things about Germany. I think that's a good time. But yeah, probably at this stage, it either be probably England or America.
BEN WATERWORTH: Good answers. I like it. The final question. When you were little, what was one thing you always thought?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Always thought.
BEN WATERWORTH: Deep question. Yeah.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I was a really deep thinker when I was little. I was more of a do things and then see what happens. But I always thought.
BEN WATERWORTH: I'll give you an example. So Kimberly here has answered that Jafar was the meanest person ever. He's a bit of a Disney fan. From Aladdin. Jafar, the villain.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: If you've gone on that thing, Scar was meanest, I thought.
BEN WATERWORTH: Scar would take Jafar in a fight.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, I kind of, what do I always think as a kid? I'm trying to think it, but it was like something I got told. That one's just rubbish for my parents. You know, they lie to make you do things good.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah. Eat your veggies, you grow up big and strong. Well, maybe it worked for you. I don't know. Maybe you did eat your veggies, and now you're an Olympic weightlifter. So hey, that could have been something that worked.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Maybe.
BEN WATERWORTH: There was always a meme.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Me and five veggies growing up.
BEN WATERWORTH: There's a secret.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: But yeah, no, I don't even really know.
BEN WATERWORTH: That's all right.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I never thought I was a sniper.
BEN WATERWORTH: You could say that you thought Richmond would win a premiership one day, and hey, you were right.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Well, I guess I thought I'd play cricket for Australia.
BEN WATERWORTH: Well, again, another thing, though, cricket could very well be at the Brisbane Olympics. So again, 11 years to get back into shape.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Be there. I don't think cricket could be at the Olympics.
BEN WATERWORTH: You don't want it there? You don't see it?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I'm a traditionalist when it comes to cricket. I was even against 2020 when it first started. I was like, no, test matches is where it's at. Maybe because I'm a baller, and in 2020 you just get absolutely pumped, but I'm going to slide now. Test match. We don't want test matches.
BEN WATERWORTH: Did you ever have that board game called, was it called test match? And it was like a little felt table, and you had a little tiny silver ball.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: And then you'd press a button on the top.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, did you ever have that?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: I didn't have it. I think my cousin did. He had it. I ran plan on his house once, and you'd sit there, and you'd set your little field and everything like that. I remember hitting 300 runs on Ricky Ponning on Xbox. That was always a good time. But yeah, I didn't have that. It was always out front, I'd always be annoying my parents, my dad and my brother to go out and play cricket at the front every afternoon and every night. When winter would come, we'd be kicking the footy. It was basically live outside, when the streetlights come on and come inside. It was always like that for us as kids, because we live in a cul-de-sac, so it was pretty quiet, so you didn't have to worry about traffic or anything like that.
BEN WATERWORTH: Those streetlights come on very quickly in Brisbane, because I swear you have no twilight there. It's day and night, there's no middle ground. It just happens.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: It's pretty much. It would be about 5.30, 6 o'clock in winter. You'd have to be inside, and it would be about... Sometimes in summer, you'd push it out to about 7. We don't get the old daylight savings.
BEN WATERWORTH: No daylight savings, no. But do you even call it... When I lived there, you'd be complaining when it was below 20. Oh, it's cold. I'm like, shut up. Go to Tasmania.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: It's more annoying for me. Probably between 15 and 20 degrees, because you can't rug up. But at the same time, it's too cold to be looking around the shirt. So be one or the other. Stop being in the middle. I don't mind being in proper colour, because you can rug up and you're sweet. When it's in the middle, and you sweat in a jumper, but you're cold in a shirt, it's like...
BEN WATERWORTH: That's a good way of looking at it, actually, because you're going through the... Do I put a jumper on? Do I turn the heater on? What's the balance here? And you just can't get it out. I love the fact that when Brisbane hosts the Olympics, it's in the winter, so Australia will be hosting our first ever Winter Olympics. So it's perfect timing. Yeah, it's in July. So it's technically Australian winter.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yeah, wow. I guess, yeah. It would be like summer in the world, I guess. But yeah, I didn't even know that. So there you go.
BEN WATERWORTH: Because I was thinking they were going to... Sydney was in September. I believe the Melbourne Olympics back in the day were in September. So I thought they would have stretched it out to spring. But I guess, you know, Queensland, sunny one day, beautiful the next, whatever the slogan is. So it kind of, it works in the winter.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: September is when the footy finals are on, so it can't be that.
BEN WATERWORTH: I wonder if they're going to have to delay, because I remember in 2000, they brought the AFL Season 4, didn't they? Because they didn't want it to clash with the Olympics. So I wonder if they'll kind of have a break so that the attention is on the Olympics in 2032, and they'll have like a three week break.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Yes, they'll be around the middle of the footy season. I guess it's sort of that time where like, well, actually it would be around origin.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, well, that's true too. You don't want an origin game going on in the middle of the Olympics. No one would go to the Olympics.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Maybe they'll do it as a part of the Olympics.
BEN WATERWORTH: Hey, bring back the exhibition sports, the demonstration sports. That would be epic. Yeah, that is a pinnacle right there. State of origin at the Olympics. Holy crap.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Imagine all the other countries that have never seen a great league.
BEN WATERWORTH: Who's this great nation of Queensland and this great shit nation of New South Wales? Like, what's going on here?
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Well, yeah, better than us this year. But yeah, we had the worst game ever last year and we beat them. Maybe we need Wayne back.
BEN WATERWORTH: Yeah, always bring Wayne back. When in doubt, Wayne can win again. Hashtag bring back Wayne. Matt, it's a pleasure to chat with you on the show. If people want to follow you, keep up to date with the journey, social media or anything along those lines that you want to plug before we let you go today.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: It's all pretty much my name. The last name is L-Y-D-E-N-E-N-T. It can be hard to spell, but yeah, Matthew Lydement, it's pretty much everywhere on Instagram or Facebook. So feel free to check and follow.
BEN WATERWORTH: Perfect. Well, we definitely enjoyed our time here on the show chatting with you. We're going to keep an eye on you closely. We've said Birmingham next year, fingers crossed that you bring home a gold, and then Paris, Los Angeles, Brisbane, 2036. Keep going. We look forward to watching you and a lot of fun chatting with you on the show. Thanks for joining us on Off The Podium.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Thank you. The world's the oyster, eh?
BEN WATERWORTH: Exactly. And let's see the Tigers return to the finals. It's been a drought for you guys. Come on, God. Back to the finals in 2022.
MATTHEW LYDEMENT: Go Dusty, we'll come back with a new Kipi next year.
BEN WATERWORTH: So here we are. And a massive, massive thanks there to Matt for his time on the show. Makes me a bit nostalgic for living in that part of the world. It's a great city, Brisbane, and a great region, southeast Queensland. And obviously, the whole state of Queensland is a fantastic state as well. So the only place I've ever called home in Australia outside of Tasmania, so I always have a bit of a soft spot for that. And we look forward to seeing Matt representing Queensland and Australia many more times on the world stage moving forward. And moving forward, we've got plenty of great more episodes and interviews coming your way. As always, if you wanna know who we've got coming up, hit us up on social media. Off The Podium is where you can find us. You can also go onto all the good podcasting platforms, search for us there, hit the subscribe button. You'll never miss an episode. And of course, you can go back and listen to all our other great interviews that we have. If you're a weightlifting fan, you can hear our Kiana and our Nina interviews, of course, that we've recently put up there as well. So check those out and leave us some feedback. We'd love to know what you're thinking of the show. And maybe send us a message on social media if you've enjoyed this chat. You're somebody from New South Wales and are offended by me calling you a state shit, but hey, it's all good fun, maybe. And also, of course, if you have any ideas for episodes or guests, we're always open to hear what you think of who you'd like to hear us get on the show. And also, of course, maybe some episode ideas as well. Always have fun with those. Big thanks again to Matt. Big thanks to everybody listening to Off The Podium today. My name is Ben, and until next time, go left.
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