My hope is that my coaching log will help you by:
- Showing the benefits of high intensity/low volume training that I’ve followed injury free for over 20 years which has developed into the The Minimalist/M2 Raw Training Method and the The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
- Teaching through the experiences of my training partners and I.
- Helping to show how to overcome adversity, regardless of what it may be.
- Demonstrating the equipment I’ve designed to help benefit lifters such as yourself.
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.
I have been competitively powerlifting for over 22 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 twelve 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.
10 mins treadmill
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
Cambered Bar High Box-
135x5
225x3
315x2
w/single ply Metal M suit, straps down-
405x2
455x2
455+80 lbs of chains x1
455+120 lbs of chains x1
About 2 years ago when I first went to a Rheumatologist to help determine the cause of my joint pain I had tested positive for Lupus. His response was “You don’t have Lupus, only women get Lupus.” He’s right, well to some extent. About 90% of Lupus cases are women. The 10% that are men are usually African American or Hispanic, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t have it. He diagnosed me with undetermined arthritis and prescribed methotrexate, which didn't seem to help, even after months of use.
We finally decided to get a second opinion and went to another Rheumatologist. She ran a battery of tests and after numerous appointments and at least 40 vials of blood from weeks of blood and urine tests she prescribed Plaquenil and handed me a page from some of the bloodwork. The page was the AVISE CTD Lupus Result which showed- Positive and had a bunch of abbreviations that I didn’t understand, some of which read Positive some of which read Negative. The primary one was the ANA (antinuclear antibodies) which was positive. Apparently once you have one autoimmune disease your body becomes more susceptible to other autoimmune diseases. She recommended we go to a Hematologist to verify that her treatment wouldn’t cause any issues. At first the Hematologist said “I don’t think you have Lupus,” but after looking at my bloodwork he said “Yeah, you have Lupus.” So now, along with UC, I have Lupus. I am one of the lucky 10%.
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body's immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by Lupus can affect many different body systems including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart and lungs. It basically attacks the organs the same way it would normally fight bacteria and viruses. The cause of Lupus is unknown; it affects everyone differently, has no cure, and can affect every organ.
So, the UC wouldn’t kill me, but this could. At the very least it gives some explanation to the previously inexplicable joint pain, heart failure and anemia I had or still have. I still think there’s a good chance the Humira I was on years ago contributed to my heart failure and may have even activated the Lupus. The Plaquenil I’m now on for the Lupus is an immunosuppressant drug that’s usually used to treat Malaria. It can cause eye issues, and they’re not even sure how it works, but it should help my joint pain start to subside within the next month. I’ve only been taking it for a little over a week and already feel a little better. So, although it’s not great news and it could always be much worse, at least now I know what the issue is and we’re making steps to improve it. Hopefully this med will help enough so that I can finally start training heavier again.
The M2 Method Raw Training Ebook
The M2 Equipped Training Ebook
The Affordable and Effective Floor Based Home GHR
12 Weeks to a Bigger Bench EBook
Good luck managing those conditions Brian keep it up.
Thank you JG. I agree, it is a little odd that 3 of us on the team have UC. My theory is that UC, or autoimmune issues in general, develop when the body is placed under a lot of stress. The higher the stress, the more likely it is for our body's to negatively respond. We place a lot of stress on our bodies to get to the level we're at, or were at, making us more likely to be susceptible to a negative response.