Pic from APF Nationals courtesy of Monster Pixel.
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.
5 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
Raw Deadlifts off 2” Mats-
135x3
225x3
315x2
405x2
405+80 lbs of chains x2
405+160 lbs of chains x1, I had planned to do a double on this, but felt my left hamstring twinge at the top so I promptly put it down. I haven’t felt any issues in my hamstring for a while, but need to realize that I still need to pace myself until I can be sure that it’s completely healed.
Cable Rows w/spud handles-
150x10
160x10
185x10
Standing Cable Ab Crunches-
90x12x3
Then I went to try to move the Cybex tricep extension machine (moving the machines back into place is something that I do on a daily basis) and I felt something tear in the proximal insertion of my bicep. I’ve still been taking Dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) for the random joint swelling caused by my autoimmune issues and have no doubt it weakens the tendons similarly to prednisone. Thankfully it hasn’t bruised up yet, but I’d really like for my body to figure shit out so I can stop taking it which is making me more injury prone. It’s also causing bruising, decreased white blood cell count, bloating, difficulty breathing, increased sweating, difficulty sleeping (possibly the worst one) and on and on. It’s also the only thing that seems to eliminate my debilitating joint swelling so I don't have much choice but to keep taking it for now.
Almost immediately after I posted the video of today’s deadlift I had a negative comment on youtube stating something like “come on 30 seconds of ads with 3 seconds of video.” Honestly, I’m so used to incorporating the intro that I don’t even think about it anymore. Either way, I just deleted the comment and blocked the user who posted it. Done deal. This wasn’t really bad, and thankfully I don’t get it much anymore, but through the years I’ve received some pretty harsh criticism, well really just negativity. It took me a while to realize that replying to it is exactly what the person is looking for. The more you feed into it, the more you satisfy the critic. Delete it, block them, let it go and move on. I can assure you you’ll be much better off.
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
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