When did you begin lifting?
I began lifting at age 13. Like every other boy, I wanted to be big and strong. Plus I did it for the girls. Honestly, the girls were probably the biggest reason.
How did you get involved in powerlifting?
Don Thompson invited me to train with him because he needed a training partner. I was also sick of the bodybuilding crap and wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over with lifting. I just wanted to be excited about lifting again, powerlifting certainly did that.
What other sports have you participated in?
Football, baseball, basketball. All the standard sports in America
When you first began lifting, what did you do?
I did all upper body stuff, bodybuilding basically, bench and arms. I did this on Monday, Wednesday and Friday as that was the norm back in the 80's. Unfortunately this is still used by a lot of coaches today even with all the advancements. As I got older, I found myself not able to grow as much muscle as everyone else so I concentrated on always being stronger than everyone around me. Unfortunately, I followed Muscle and Fitness plus all the other muscle magazines and didn't try much of anything else until my 30's when I started powerlifting.
When you first started training according to the Westside principles, was it hard for you to adapt?
No, not really as I was very hungry for something different. Westside Training seemed so organized and completely different than anything I had encountered previously. It was just the blind leading the blind and we did the training exactly as it was in print. We looked forward every month to Louie's articles and videos, etc. and tried to emulate whatever they did and make it our own.
Your lifts increased during the first couple of years (2002-2004). Why do you think this happened?
We actually started in 1998.I was in the 198lb. class at 8% body fat if you can believe that and I have pictures to prove it! We thought at the time, that we could be lean and still lift big. This was not the case. I stayed at 198lb to 220lb class until 2000 and then I jumped to 242lb class by 2002 and finally to the 275lb class in 2003. The 242lb class was when I really started hitting some big numbers. It was then I realized that I could reach all those goals that I dreamt about when I started but couldn't fathom at the time. What a moment! It was also at this time I realized that anything is possible in whatever you try at and that applies to all aspects of our lives. After powerlifting, everything else is cake and ice cream.
You’ve had a run of great meets. Why do you think you’ve had such great success?
After I totaled 2403lb in June 2004, I changed to Metal Gear as EliteFTS and Metal Gear sponsored me. But, the gear was only a small part. In 2003 we started changing our system up. We still do a lot of Westside type training, but we also started listening to other successful powerlifters and changed up. We take what we think will work, try it, if it works we keep it and if not we dump it but, the format stays the same though. Lots of 3 week waves and heavy, heavy and more heavy band tension.
What type of gym do you train at?
I personally own a commercial gym with all the Westside equipment. We have Reverse Hyperextensions, Monolifts, all the bars etc. This is basically what pays the bills and I personally train people and athletes. I do the main training at Donnie's Maximus Compound where there are no distractions or phone calls.
How would you compare your training gym to Westside?
The Compound is fairly close to Westside on equipment. Westside has some more stuff, but we have just as good a club just not as many elite members. We have 15-20 guys all moving up the ranks. It will just take a little longer to establish these younger lifters.
It seems as if Louie never runs out of ideas.
You can never run out of ideas or trying new approaches. It's the only way to get better and that is what Louie tries to do. That's what we all try to do. If the same stuff worked all the time, everyone would be powerlifting. It's not easy in anyway, shape or form.
How did you come up with the idea of kettlebell training?
We didn’t. We kept hearing about them but kind of dismissed them for awhile. Then one of my clients brought in the Kettlebell Challenge from Pavel and Dragon Door Publications. I ordered a couple for an old powerlifter we named Mr. Haney off the Green Acres sitcom from the 1960s. We played with them for awhile but nothing serious until Don got hurt and sought Pavel for some advice. From there, we got invited to a Russian Kettlebell Certification by Pavel and Dragon Door CEO John DuCane in Minnesota. This is where we got our eyes were opened to one of the oldest training implements ever invented, the kettlebell. It was a great time that also reenergized my ideas about training.
What kind of difference has the kettlebell training made?
My endurance went up 30% and my flexibility increased by 20-25% in 3 days of exhaustive and intense training after the seminar. My strength also went up about 5%.
What kind of exercises do you do with the kettlebells?
I do a lot of swings (both regular and soaped-up hands style), arm bars, windmills, bent presses, bear crawls and some bottoms up pressing.
Who would benefit from training with kettlebells?
Kettlebells will benefit anybody who touches them.
You have developed a hybrid squat routine that uses both box squats and free squats. How did you come up with that idea?
I didn't. Like all training, somebody else down the line tried it in another fashion. We just took different strategies and put them together into 3 week waves that happened to work very well together. This produced quick results for most lifters who tried it. Plus, what we were doing before had stopped working so it became a necessity in order to stay competitive.
How has it worked for you?
So far it’s worked very well. I think the 3 weeks waves keep the body and mind fresh without too much adaptation. Also, the break-up of such varying extremes works the squat at all levels. The heavy band tension works the lockout and speed out of the hole. The heavy 3’s and 5’s with briefs keep you honest and give you the time under tension you need to deal mentally with the squat (both holding and finishing). The singles with full gear give you time in the suit and confidence when you go to the meet.
What about the others that use this squat routine?
They’ve had great results so far. We have four 1000lbs plus squatters, two or three 900lbs squatters, and three 800lb squatters. We should add another 1000lbs squatter at the WPC championships in Finland if he holds together and doesn't crack under the pressure.
What are the benefits of using your squat routine compared to only box squatting?
That's a tough question because for the first 4 years of our powerlifting careers we were zealous about box squatting, I mean we never missed. I think that for beginners and intermediate lifters box squatting every week is a necessity to hone the form and build a solid foundation. Once a lifter gets to the 700-800lb range, then a hybrid system like this is the best way to go and the lifter's body will be able to handle the heavy loads constantly for a lot of years. You see a lot of guys now putting up big numbers because of the gear and then they tear something badly and are never heard from again.
What do you think about using bands and chains in your training?
Without them, reaching true potential will be a much harder job. Not that you can't do it the old fashioned way, I just don't think you can simulate the load patterns that bands and chains produce. For example, with bands and chains you can have 10-20% over your 1 RM at the top end of a movement and 80-90% of your 1RM at the bottom of the movement making the load liftable. You just can't do that with free weights. Plus bands and chains represent a load more accurately when you are using gear.
What do you think of the WPO coming to Europe?
It's awesome! It should have happened a long time ago. Hopefully, it will be a huge success so it will continue to happen in the future.
What, in your opinion, is the future of powerlifting?
Honestly, I don't ever see the sport uniting and that is sad. But, the sport will continue on and it will always have a following as everyone loves to see the big lifts and the competition. Powerlifting is a very empowering force for anyone who really pursues it. You often find out who you really are and how strong both physically and mentally you really can become.
What are the 3 most common mistakes that people make?
1. They train too much. Volume does not begat strength.
2. Too much gear too early. Gear is like growing up, it takes a very long time and often we don't get there.
3. Having a 500lb squat and l000lb EGO. Be humble and earn your spot. You are not entitled to anything is this life. Life and everything that goes with it is a gift.
What is your advice to a beginner?
· Read and absorb as much information as possible. Do your homework. This will make or break your career.
· Follow the paths provided for you by such people such as Louie Simmons, EliteFTS and other great powerlifters. Once you have done your apprenticeship, then you can move on to your own protocols and advanced systems.
· Don’t make excuses. Excuses are made by people who don't do their homework and are lazy! Champions shut their "pie hole" and go to work!
What are your favorite max effort exercises for the squat, deadlift and bench press?
· Heavy band tension squats with briefs
· 3’s and 5’s regular squats with briefs (this refers to 3 and 5 rep sets)
· Buffalo bar squats (with or without the box)
· Rack pulls
· Good mornings suspended
· Lightened band pulls
· Fat bar floor press with 2 chains
· Two board presses with bench shirt
· Heavy band tension pressing
What are your best results in your max effort lifts?
· Heavy band tension squats with briefs - 505x1 with 3 blues and 1 purple each side
· Squat - 905x3 with briefs only
· Buffalo Bar Squat Raw - 705x6
· Rack pull - 850x3 no gear
· Good mornings (suspended) - 735x1 no gear
· Lightened band pulls - 750 x1 no gear
· Fat bar floor press with 2 chains - 535 x1 raw plus 2 chains each side
· Two board press with bench shirt - 765 x1with shirt
· Bench press with heavy band tension - 145x3 raw with 1 blue band doubled up on each side
What kind of equipment do you wear during max effort work for squatting?
I wear Titan and Metal briefs on the equipped squats.
What do you think about gear in powerlifting?
I think the gear is great. It makes lifting fun because you never know what's going to happen in a meet.
What are your thoughts on powerlifting in regards to federations, meets, drug testing, gear, etc.?
Honestly, you are going to have dissention no matter where you go in this sport. With people in general, there are always going to be factions saying this or that about gear, testing, rules etc. and all of it boils down to ego. I think all those things people complain just fuel the sport to higher levels by pushing everyone to try harder to overcome barriers so I think that is a good thing. And guess what? It isn’t going to change, ever. So, I say do whatever it takes for you personally and have fun.
What is one negative thing that you would remove?
I would like to stop all the whining and crying over everything.
Gear has been here forever and it has gotten better but what do you think is the biggest reasons for the increase in numbers in powerlifting?
Better training approaches and the combining of different systems. Additionally, peoples' ideas of barriers like 2400lb total or 1000lb squat have changed or another way to put it is that the limitations of the past are no longer limitations.
What type of gear do you use?
For the squat, I wear the Metal Pro Squatter and Titan briefs (but I am converting to Metal briefs as well). For the bench press I wear a Karin’s Double Denim until I can get the Metal Pro Bencher to work and the Metal Deadlifter.
Do you have to worry about bodyweight at all? And what do you do to keep your weight?
Yes I do have to try to keep things under control. I haven't done a good job of that and currently I am 290lb, down from 300lbs, trying to get back to the 275lbs. I will get there somehow. I sure do miss chocolate right now!
How important is nutrition for a powerlifter?
I believe it's just as important as the lifting itself. It's like putting water in the gas tank of your car. The car will not run properly. So if you eat poorly all the time, how can you expect your body to run at its best when you need it on the platform? I think proper nutrition will add 2-5% to your performance. I try to eat as clean as possible 4-6 weeks before the depending on my weight. I also increase water consumption to 1 and 1/2 gallons of water per day.
Do you use any supplements?
I take vitamins, tribulus products, creatine and glutamine. I also use essential oils/fats.
What lifters do you look up to and why?
· Garry Frank as he is just one gigantic man who commands respect.
· Steve Goggins for his tenacity and ability to stay in the game all these years competing at the level he does.
· Louie Simmons for his love of the sport and contributing so much and being a great lifter as well.
· Chuck Vogelpohl for being the "starving dog" and always competing with everything he’s got.
· There are lots of others as well; it would just take forever to name them. I have to recognize my training partner, Donnie Thompson, without him I probably wouldn't have found this wonderful sport and for always providing the ammunition that kept me going all these years. The chase has always been more important than the outcome.
What do you do in your spare time?
There's not much difference between work and training, they often mix with each other so I am constantly in it. When I do have time, I spend it like most lazy Americans, on the couch watching TV!
Any final words?
I don't think so. This has to be the longest interview I have ever done and the most comprehensive.
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