I have been competitively powerlifting for over 20 years. Within that time I have competed raw, single ply and multi ply. I hold the highest all time total of 1930 at 148, the third highest total of 2045 at 165 and have broken over 35 world records, over 25 of which I still hold. Through the years in this sport I have learned a great deal from various training methods, met and formed long lasting friends, as well as learned the importance of balancing life, work, and training.
Elitefts accepted me as a team member over ten years ago and I am currently the longest standing still competing powerlifter on the site. I appreciate Dave Tate and Elitefts for giving me the opportunity to learn from and teach others through the Q&A and my training log.
In 2005 I opened Orlando Barbell – a 24 hour powerlifting friendly gym. As well as running Orlando Barbell I designed and sell the Home GHR , the The OBB Power Handles and the Doorway Home Gym, wrote the 12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook, and produced the 12Weeks to a Bigger Bench DVD.
My latest contribution was writing the M2 Method EBook, designed to be the quintessential Raw Powerlifting training manual for beginners to advanced lifters looking to get stronger and prevent injury while incorporating the powerlifts.
A couple laps around the building for a warm up:
Prehab
PVC rolled on:
Lower back, shifted to right and left
Upper back, shifted to right and left scapula w/hips up
Armpits
Hamstrings
Glutes
Adductors
Raw Deadlifts off 3” Blocks-
135x3
225x3
315x3
405x3
This is kind of sad, but I was honestly happy to pull 405 since I hadn’t pulled anything in a while.
Mid Grip Pulldowns-
120x10
135x10
150x10
Trinity and I went back to the Rheumatologist for a follow up last Monday. The last visit I spent $640 (this is with insurance) on x-rays, a bone scan, bloodwork and urinalysis. This time the doctor spent about a minute reviewing my results and told me once again that I needed to see a Hematologist and my GI doctor. There was no discussion of the results of the tests. He told me to stop taking the Humira (which I already had) and said he would confer with the GI doctor to find another med for me. I asked if he thought the other issues I was having were side effects of the Humira to which he replied “I don’t think so.” This is after he told me that I most likely had drug induced Lupus from the Humira the last time.
Unfortunately I seem to be getting nowhere fast with our medical community. I’m getting stuck in the usual endless cycle of treating symptom after symptom without ever getting to the root cause of the problem. My plan now is to see the GI to find another med to treat my UC for now, then to finally go to a Functional Doctor. Thankfully I know a powerlifter, Kayla Ellers, who works for one in Palm Beach. Even though it’s a bit of a trek, I’d rather work with someone I can trust and I can do most of the interaction online anyway. Thank you Kayla.
I’ll keep you updated.
The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
The M2 Method Raw Training Ebook
The Affordable and Effective Floor Based Home GHR
Buy your own Doorway Home Gym and never miss out on your accessory work again
12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook
