Inspiration

What or whom inspires you? Think about that for a second. Do you look at professional athletes or do you find more of your inspiration from the people around you? Don't take aspiration to be the same as inspiration. I myself have aspirations of being a top level IPF lifter like Brad Gillingham, does he inspire me? To an extent yes, but to me its the people around you that tend to inspire you the most.

Today one of my training partners Mike, was telling me about a friend of ours Jason Wells and how his training was going now that he was back in China. I'll get into this more in a moment but it sparked one of my favorite memories from when I was just breaking into the sport.

I'll never forget in November of 2009 I went to a USAPL meet in Winchester, Indiana. This was my first exposure to an actual meet. I had never seen someone put 500lbs on their back an squat it. Let alone 181 lbs guys squatting in the 400's. As I'm sitting there I see a guy walking over so I eavesdrop, and hear him say he is opening his squat at 500lbs! I saw this kind of stuff on YouTube but had never seen someone squat that kind of weight in person. Came to find out later that he actually trained at I-Fast(this is before I started training there) Jason went on to Squat 555, Bench 385, and Pull 630. Jason is a very humble guy and all around nice guy. He will actually be competing at the Arnold in the Raw Powerliting meet. I wish him all the luck and I'll be there watching!

I have so many great stories I could tell along with the previous but I think that what it all comes down to is pushing each other to achieve things that you yourself never thought was possible. Be an inspiration next time you train. I can say that without a doubt, the follow video would never be possible without guys like Mike Robertson, Lance Goyke, Zach Moore, and all my friends online that follow my training. I want to inspire people that don't think they are strong or don't think they can do it, to just get out there and do it!



Over the last year I have really seen growth not only in my total but my understanding of training in general and as a lifter. It really is amazing what a good group of guys can do for you. I cant thank my training partners, family, friends, and my wonderful girlfriend enough for all the support that they have given me. With my next meet in April, I hope that training continues to go well as I plan on going to USAPL Raw Nationals this coming August!

Keep working-
Steve-O

2011 Goals

Everyone talks about Resolutions this time of year, whether it be getting in the gym, losing weight, getting huge. Resolutions don't happen. Goals do!

I guess I take after my dad on this one. He hates New Year Resolutions, and so do I. Make goals, don't make a resolution. You can make goals year round, not on one day. By making short term goals along with long term goals your more likely to stick with it than some outrageous resolution that for most people you know isn't going to happen.

For 2011 I want to total 1500lbs Raw. 1700lbs in Single Ply. Training has been going fantastic. I hit a 405x3 beltless squat today which is a PR.

I-FAST's morning/afternoon crew of "Meatheadz" is getting to be a Solid bunch. I don't see anything but good things as long as the motivation is there.

That is really all I want to accomplish powerlifting wise this year.