The Power Of A Relaxed Mind.

As a competitor, Weintraub devotes many hours a week to improve his performance as an athlete. One of the key factors in throwing better than the time before is by becoming better physically, as well as mentally.

Weintraub focuses on several tactics to prepare for competition. His practice first begins with a workout focused on a specific muscle group pertaining to throwing. However, the team must devote several hours a week to practicing, where he then builds a consistent flow in his form.

The team meets five days a week for throwing and typically have events every other day. In addition to physical practice, Weintraub relaxes his mind as a form of meditation and relaxation. By watching TV and watching throwing videos, Weintraub allows his mind to rest before his practices.

While physical practice further helps the athlete build strength, it is the mental rest that allows him to recharge and reboot. Without the rest and meditation, the athlete would be unable to perform well physically.

Photo credit: James Weintraub

Finding His "Chi."

When Jacob Weintraub was in high school, his football coach asked him to throw a discus as far as he could. He stood, feet mounted into the ground, and threw a discus nearly forty feet across the field. Instantly, he realized he was a natural.

Soon after, Weintraub realized not only that he was talented at the sport, but he enjoyed it. Discus allowed for him to relieve tension and any stress he felt, was transferred into a throw. Weintraub soon learned how to center his “chi.” According to Weintraub, the chi is, “the flow of energy.” Through research, he learned this method was derived from Chinese Buddhist monks.

After realizing he was a natural at discus, and had learned how to relax the flow of his energy, Weintraub began to excel in the sport. The discus throw, allows for Weintraub to compete against other men and women, by throwing a weighted disc. The disc is also known as a discus. The competition lies in who is able to throw the discus further than his or her competitor. Since the first time he threw a discus, Weintraub has only gotten better.

Photo Credit: James Weintraub

Three-Sport Athlete

Jacob Weintraub, cannot remember a time in his life, when sports were absent. During his high school years at Redondo Union High School, the athlete had perfected basketball, football, wrestling, and track. While in high school, Weintraub decided to tackle three sports a year. In order to maintain his title as a three-sport athlete, Weintraub asked his football coach what sport he should pursue for the spring season.
Standing at 6’4 and weighing 275 pounds, his coach saw potential in Weintraub as a shot-put thrower. Upon discussing his goals with his father, his greatest fan, Weintraub decided to take forth the sport.

Weintraub spent all four years in high school as a track and field athlete, gaining a 56-01 school record in shot-put.
Weintraub continued shot-put at his community college, gaining title as team captain twice, runner up in the shot-put at the 2008 and 2009 college state meet, and placing fifth best discus mark all-time.

Today, Weintraub is serving his first year competing at Cal State Long Beach. He has participated in three competitions during the indoor campaign.

Photo Credit: James Weintraub