Joey Smith is currently one of the top 275 pound class bench pressers in the
world. In 2007, he made both a 500 pound raw bench press and a 730 pound shirted
press in competition. On February 21, 2009, he registered a 750 pound shirted
press in competition. When it comes to enthusiasm and excitement, as well as a
desire to help others, Joey is among the most ambitious lifters in the sport
today. With nine first place and five second place competition finishes under
his belt, Joey’s 10 years of training have paid off. Over the years, he’s worked
with some of the greatest lifters in his home state of North Carolina. In
business, he’s the circulation manager for two North Carolina newspapers, and
also serves as a fitness trainer for his local YMCA and owns his own gym – NEBO
BARBELL. At present, Joey is ranked 21st in the United States, and 24th in the
world for the 275 pound All-Time Bench Records list (June 2007).
Yes, I went ahead and competed this weekend. I had originally talked myself
down from doing this meet as of last week. I told my wife and training partners
I was in too bad of a shape shoulder-wise to risk further damage – not to
mention the fact that I hadn’t properly trained for this meet. Jeremy Frey had
me doing a lot of recovery-type work for the past ten or so weeks where I wasn’t
really going over 70% on the bench. I only went 95% once, and that was last
week.
Despite this, I planned on attending this meet no matter what to help handle
my guys Britt and Kelly. We had six lifters from Nebo Barbell go to Nashville
for the weekend. We left on Friday around lunchtime, and 5.5 hours later we
arrived at the meet location. Once we got there, Britt and Kelly were weighed
in. I was talking with Jesse, and he asked me if I was doing the meet. I said
no. He asked me why, and I told him about my shoulder and said I was going to a
shoulder specialist on Wednesday. I talked it over with my guys and all of them
told me not to compete – so I said, “To hell with it, I’m going to do it.” Then
I paid my money.
On Saturday morning, we went out for breakfast and headed to the meet. There
were something like 75 lifters lifting Saturday, so I knew it was going to be a
long day. There were a lot of great lifters in attendance, including several
Westside lifters competing. My boy Phil Harrington was there with his wonderful
wife Nat, who was lifting as well. She had a big day and added a 70 pound PR to
her total. Nat did fantastically well. I also got to meet Dave Hoff, whom I
really liked. This guy is big. He and Phil train together and have become really
good friends. Dave showed me a couple of tricks on the bench, which I
appreciated.
Laura Phelps lifted Saturday as well. Her 500 pound bench press was
fantastic, and I got it on video. I know I have the best angle of it because I
was in front of her. I will get it posted soon. What a lift! She also squatted
745. Man, she smoked it. Robyn Blankenship lifted, too, and she was phenomenal,
posting the highest raw women’s total ever. Robyn is an amazing woman. She’s
extraordinarily beautiful, strong and very kind. The total package. I also got
to finally meet Melissa Garret. I have a new buddy now. She is awesome. Melissa
did a great job all weekend announcing and keeping everyone entertained.
Britt opened with a 15 pound PR on his first attempt at 350. He smoked it. On
his second attempt, we went 370, and he smoked that as well. On his third we
called for 400, but he lost his groove and couldn’t get it. He finished with a
35 pound bench meet PR! Wow, 35 pounds brother, that’s awesome. I was very proud
of Britt. We all helped with as many lifters that needed assistance as we could,
and we videoed people’s lifts that wanted them taped Saturday. I was killed
after the meet. We all got together, and Phil and Nat went out with us to eat. I
then went to bed early so I could get some rest and get ready for Sunday.
On Sunday morning, we got up, grabbed some food, then headed out. Once we got to
the meet location, we went to the meeting and I then went and saw the best
massage therapist I have ever had work on me. Her name is Amber Suter. She
worked on me some Saturday, but she really finished me up Sunday. Honestly,
without her assistance over the weekend, I don’t think I would have done well at
all. I just want to say thanks again to Amber, and I look forward to seeing you
again at the next meet. Now that Amber had my shoulder and back feeling better,
I felt more confident about the meet.
During the squat warm-ups I got to meet my Team EliteFTS teammate Charles
Bailey. This man was impressive the entire meet. He is a very humble man, and
crazy ass strong. He destroyed a 1000 pound squat in single ply. It looked like
135 pounds. He totaled over 2400 in single ply. Great meet, Charles.
Our lifter Kelly hit a big PR in the squat, squatting a mid-5 like butter. Kelly
competes raw. This is his third meet, and he has upped his total each meet.
After hitting a PR bench, he manhandled a 560 pound dead lift. Kelly had a 40
pound PR total for the day, plus he handled me during my benching. Thanks,
Kelly, for all you do my friend, and a big congrats on another victory and
another PR-filled meet.
I weighed in at 285 pounds – no time to lose 10 pounds!
Opener – 715 pounds – Good, three whites.
I thought I would open conservatively due to my shoulder issues. In retrospect,
this should have been a lot higher opener, but I was nervous about how my upper
body would react. This weight was nearly impossible to touch, but I got it.
Second – 755 pounds – Good, three whites – 5 pound PR.
This is what I should have opened with. I hammered this weight. It was very
light and very easy with good bar speed. I was very pleased to get this lift in.
Third – 800 pounds – No good, three reds.
I had yet to attempt an 800 pound lift in a meet. After looking at this now, I
should have just went for 770, but I wanted to try this 800 just to see. I ran
out of gas on the press command. We really jacked the shirt entirely too much.
It took forever to get this down. By the time it touched, I was gassed.
The judging was fair and consistent all weekend. Wade Johnson, Sam Byrd, Joe
Lattinear and others did a fantastic job all weekend.
All in all, I was not disappointed. I hit a PR. Really, I wasn’t even supposed
to do this meet. I ended up winning my class, having this biggest bench of the
meet, getting the best lifter award for the weekend and having the best
coefficient as well. I also set a new sub-master national SPF 308 equipped bench
record, and also setting a new NC SPF open men’s 308 equipped bench record. So,
it was a good day. Two meets, three months, 4 for 6 in attempts, 25 pounds worth
of PR’s, 2 national records, 2 NC state records, 2 best lifter titles and a
National Championship Bench Press title.
I want to thank my family for their support as always. Thanks to my wife and my
daughter for being my biggest fans. I want to thank each of my training
partners: Tim Hudgins, Timmy Boyce, Kelly Wofford, Jonathan Britt, and Big Dan
for all their support and help this weekend, and congrats to Kelly and Britt on
their performances. I want to thank Dave Tate and Jim Wendler and EliteFTS for
giving me the opportunity to be a part of Team EliteFTS and to use the best
bench press shirt on the market, the Metal Ace. I also want to thank Alan
Thomas, APT Wrist wraps, House of Pain, and the members of Nebo Barbell. Thanks
to Jeremy Frey for helping me with my training. I also want to thank Jesse
Rodgers for running such a great meet, Melissa Garret, Amber Suter, Wade
Johnson, Sam Byrd, Joe Latinear and everyone else who helped out at the SPF
Nationals. Thanks again.
