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
External Rotation w/tubing x15x3
Mini Band Face Pulls w/external rotation x12x3
Flat Bench-
95x5
135x5
185x3
w/foam/manpon-
225x1
w/loose Metal Catapult-
255x2
275x2
Incline DB-
70x10
80x8
DB Front Raises-
25x10
30x10
35x10
Cable Rope Tricep Pressdowns-
45x12
60x10x2
I finally bit the bullet and decided not to go to my last scheduled infusion of the biologic Entyvio on November 17th. If you haven’t already read from my previous posts, I was diagnosed with UC (Ulcerative Coltis) over three years ago. If you don’t know the symptoms of the autoimmune disease UC, I won’t give you the graphic details here. You can look them up. My life, and health, has been on a downward spiral ever since. Since our Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance only covers generic medications my GI doctor initially placed me on a clinical trial for a biologic. It worked well and put my digestive issues into remission (which they have been ever since), but elevated my liver enzymes so they had to take me off of it. They then worked it out so I could get on an assistance program for Humira. This didn’t go well. Humira works well for many people, but it damn near killed me. Although the doctor would never admit it and blamed the autoimmune disease, the Humira gave me horrible joint pain (which I never had before) and eventually put me into heart failure. I got to a point where I was in constant pain and could barely walk a few steps without becoming completely out of breath. There were times when my chest hurt so bad that I couldn’t lie down and had to try to sleep sitting up. I was as close to death as I hope to be before my time comes. I should have gone to the ER, but I don't like going to the doctor haha. My training, and life, had gone to shit.
I took myself off of the Humira, went to a Cardiologist who put me on a beta blocker, and within about 3 months my heart echo went from failure to normal. I also went to a Rheumatologist who put me on methotrexate which is a chemo drug used to treat autoimmune issues as well. I went from never going to the doctor to having to see three specialists, from feeling close to invincible to feeling like an old man. The GI doc then put me on yet another biologic, Entyvio, which is much milder. I’ve been on it ever since, for about the last year. It hasn’t seemed to have caused any heart issues, but my joint pain has never subsided.
Since my digestive issues have been in remission for years, but my joint pain has never stopped, I’ve decided to take the chance and stop going to the Entyvio infusions, which were every eight weeks. I know none of my doctors would agree, so I did it on my own. I should know within the next few weeks if the biologics are what have been causing my joint issues as well as whether or not I need to be on them to stay in remission. Stay tuned. It should be interesting either way.
I realize things could always be worse, but if nothing else, the past few years have taught me what's important in life. Appreciate every moment. Don't focus too much on any one aspect of your life and always remember that every situation, no matter how bad it seems, will pass.
The M2 Method Raw Training Ebook
The M2 Equipped 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
