This is my Instagram post from Aug 10th, 2021
This is my first blog post in a very long while. I decided to make it a repost of what I wrote on my IG account last week because I see this as the best way to restart my blog.
I’d rather not write posts like this and wasn’t going to until I received an email early today that contained this sentence.
“When the time is right I hope you do say something publicly, as so many people look up to you and know how close you and John were.”
I don’t like communicating while emotional. The only time I will do so is with those within my circle. While I may have thousands of associates and hundreds of friends, I keep a VERY small and tight circle.
The relationships in this circle are built on years (decades) of shared growth, values, faith, trust, forgiveness, honesty, pain, adversity, and accepting each other’s shortcomings and faults.
John was in my circle, and yes, when you lose someone in your circle, it hurts… a lot.
I appreciate all the text messages, emails, and DMs checking on me, I really do. I’m OK, then I’m not, then I’m OK again.
I’m a better person from knowing him. He held me accountable for things others couldn’t. Oddly enough, in his own way, he’s been pushing me to open up more socially for a couple of years… and here I am posting this.
I’m still at a loss for words but wanted to say it’s OK if you feel bad about his passing. It’s a big loss to the community and he will be missed by many. John raised the standard for what represents a real professional in the strength and physique community. Titles, lifts, records, and awards fade in time. Extraordinary people change lives. John was extraordinary!
I am blessed and grateful to have had John in my life. He helped to shape me as a lifter, husband, father, business person, and human.
Most importantly, my thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and the kids