My Encounter with the “Beast from the East”
By Denise Tudino
Saturday, September 1, 2007
2:00 pm
As a chick, I must admit it was somewhat intimidating to pull into the
parking area of Ocean State Gym alone. Sure, I had been there years ago
(and got the killer leg workout of my life), but it was a little
unsettling to know that I was probably going to be the only woman there
that afternoon surrounded by giants. (For those of you unfamiliar with
Ocean State Gym, let's just say it's “old school” There are no fancy
signs, high tech equipment, state-of-the-art plasma televisions to take
your mind off the pain that your body is in… It’s just raw, old school
equipment and a sea of weights lining the walls...a real man’s gym!) I
was there to interview George Lazzareschi, a Rhode Island powerlifter,
who most consider to be a “legend” in the sport. So there I was,
notebook and camera in hand, wondering what I was in for....
2:02 pm
I was immediately greeted by Tommy, the gym's owner. I don't quite think
he remembered me at first, but he did a pretty good job of acting like
he did! Then he asked me about my “crazy” dog, and I felt a sense of
relief. Good old Tommy, he never forgets anyone no matter how long
you've been away!
2:05 pm
George, “the beast from the east” is standing at the front counter
engaging in “gym talk.” (Wow, this dude is huge. I’m wondering where he
buys his shirts.) He turns to me....”Hey, how’s it going? Can I get you
anything...water, protein shake?” “No, I’m good, but thanks so much,” I
reply. (We had first met two weeks prior at a Jet Pull charity event for
MS.) “Thanks so much for meeting me here today. I’m really excited about
hearing your story and seeing your workout routine.”
2:15 pm
We “shot the breeze” a while longer as George introduced me to his
20-year-old son, Sloan, also a champion powerlifter. I commented on his
unique name, and George explained that Sloan means “warrior of God.”
(Now, that’s a name with meaning!)
2:30 pm
We’re still “shooting the breeze.” I still haven’t gotten into “his
story.” (You can’t help but like this guy. He’s got charisma, and he’s
just a hot ticket. We’re cracking each other up trying to get this
interview started.)
2:45 pm
Okay, okay...I gotta get some “scoops” here, George. I’m going to ask
you some questions, find out about your records, snap some pictures of
you and your son working out. Let’s tell your story…
3:00 pm
The scoop:
First off, to say that George is addicted to strength is an
understatement. This guy is the very essence of a powerlifter. He’s an
explosion of pure raw strength with an even stronger mentality. He
dismisses any misconceptions that powerlifting is for dumb muscle heads.
George is the chief superintendent of health and safety for the
Providence Fire Department, and his son, Sloan, is majoring in
occupational therapy and interning at the local VA hospital. (Sloan
aspires to work with children and go into pediatrics.)
Father and son both have the brawn and the brains to match. George
has been working out at Ocean State Gym for almost 30 years. He’s been
competing in powerlifting competitions for most of those 30 years. For a
good part of that time, Sloan has been his constant companion. He grew
up watching his Dad, most often sitting on a milk crate watching him as
he pushed his body to the limits. George tells me about the time a
photographer came in from a local newspaper and took a picture of Sloan
watching him workout. The photo ran in the newspaper. George relays the
story to me as he does curls. I can't help but notice Sloan. He’s
sitting there on a metal can still watching his dad do curls from the
sidelines. (I must admit, I got a lump in my throat as I “recaptured”
the moment with my camera.)
3:15 pm
I ask George and Sloan about their records, workout routines, and diets.
Workout: These guys are “die-hards.” When training for a competition,
you’ll find them at Ocean State Gym five days a week. (Non-show schedule
two times a week.) They focus on the squat, bench, and deadlift.
George’s bench is 575 lbs, but he has benched as much as 630 lbs. George
is one of the longest members at Ocean State Gym, never straying. He’s
old school and proud. Before there were “gyms” as we know them today,
George was lifting old cement weights in his basement from the time he
was 18-years-old. He also boxed and played football and was accepted to
play football for Colorado State. A knee injury sidelined him from
football so he decided to get involved in a sport that he could excel in
on his own.
Sloan, described by his father as “always a good kid, never drank,
never smoked, never in a stitch of trouble” started competing in
powerlifting while still in high school. For this father and son, the
rest is powerlifting history.
Records: At age 50, George has competed in about 80 shows over the last
30 years and has eight State bench records in various weight classes. He
has also trained countless powerlifting competitors who have gone on to
be champions themselves thanks to George’s “old school” training
techniques. Most recently, he was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.
He won the title of World Champ Powerlifting/Police and Fire (American
Powerlifting Association) and was the first in Rhode Island to break the
barrier of 500 lbs at a body weight of 214, which was unheard of at the
time. He’s been recognized as the state powerlifting champ, and he’s
busted several records with his son. In fact, they were the first to do
so as father and son. But George’s most memorable moment and his most
prized trophy dates back to 19 years ago when he won the title of “Beast
from the East.” It is during this competition that he benched 540 lbs at
a body weight of 240 lbs and walked away with the title. If you're not
convinced that this guy is hardcore, consider this. While competing,
George dropped his 550-lb bench on his face. The impact broke his jaw,
but he still went on to finish the competition. In fact, he insisted on
coming back to bench even more weight. His bench came in at 575 lbs, and
he ended up winning the competition. (Only then did he allow the EMTs to
bring him to the hospital to wire his jaw!) Hardcore, old school, that’s
just George.
It’s in the genes: As for Sloan, he has 15 state records. Among the
first (during his senior year of high school at LaSalle), he squatted
475 lbs in the 165-lb weight class. His other records include a 475-lb
deadlift and a 310-lb bench (United States Powerlifting Federation). In
addition, he was named “sports athlete of the month” in Rhode Island.
His inspiration and motivation? “My dad. I see what he’s accomplished,
and it makes me even more focused. It makes me stronger,” Sloan said.
George’s diet (he eats benches): When I asked George about his diet, his
reply was: carbs, carbs, carbs, and ravioli. You name it! (Then he
points to a bench.) “Hey, I’ll even eat that bench!” Sloan said, “My
father makes me eat, eat, eat. He’s a fanatic. He’ll call me every hour
and ask, ‘Did you eat? Did you eat?’” (Good old dad!)
3:45 pm
I looked at my watch and realized that almost two hours had passed. How
time goes by! I can’t help but think that George must think that way
when he reflects over his 30 plus years in powerlifting. Though he’s
still a diehard at Ocean State Gym, you won’t find him competing
anymore. These days, you’re more apt to find him organizing various
sporting/charitable events in addition to his day job at the fire
station. (He recently signed with Mohegan Sun Casino to run the events.)
As he explains, “I’ve done it all. What else is there to do?”
3:50 pm
I wrap up my meeting with George, the “Beast from the East.” We make
plans to reconnect in a few days so he can show me some of his trophies
and photos from over the years. I'll be meeting him at the same place,
the Ocean State Gym. I’m not nervous about coming back this time. In
fact, I’m thinking about knocking out a quick “killer” leg workout while
I’m there just for old time sake. I may even get some “old school”
reverse grip benching in. I think I know who I can count on for a spot!
Stay healthy!
GymChick
www.GymChickRI.com
Elite Fitness Systems strives to be a recognized leader in the
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