Christian and I sat down over the weekend to Westside Vs. the World. It brought back a ton of memories as I saw people I haven't seen in years (and who probably don't realize the impact they had on me). When the movie ended, I told Christian stories of the first time I went, how Lou supported me and some of the crazy things I had seen behind those walls.
Let me start off by saying I was never a "Westsider." I "grew up" on "westside/conjugate" training. I was a regular visitor there, but I was never an actual Westsider. I've mentioned it before in posts and coaching blogs and even my e-book, but never went into much detail.
Here's where it all started....
In the fall of 2001, I had just transferred over to Ball State University to finish my Exercise Science degree. New in the sport of powerlifting, I joined up with BSU's team. In September, myself and 2 other teammates pitched in some money to go to Dave Tate's Westside Seminar. That day was a mind-blowing educational experience of attempting to understand conjugate training. Dave invited us to stop by Westside afterwards, so we took him up on the offer and watched as a few guys finished training
When we arrived, it was a quick visit, but we asked to come back the following day to see what was going on. Louie, as he always has been, welcomed us back. I don't think he has ever turned anyone away simply because he wants to help. We watched some guys train, asked a ton of questions and tried to apply what we just learned to what they were doing.
This picture was taken on that day... November 5, 2001. (Dave Tate, Louie Simmons and Sonny Kirschner. Also notice the fancy sign on the dry erase board.)
I went back to Ball State, going back to classes that week feeling refreshed about learning and renewed about being a great powerlifter. Prior to this, I had competed, but just in some local backyard meets. I knew I wanted more.
Later that week, I called Dave and thanked him for his seminar and his time spent with us. I didn't have a cell phone (this was 2001 folks) and email wasn't as common of a form of communication. So I got up the nerve to call Louie, the famous number you see on the old Westside VHS tapes and left a message on his machine, thanking him for his time teaching us and allowing us to come back.
I went off to classes for a couple hours and when I got back, there was a message on my dorm room answering machine from Louie Simmons.
"Hi Julia," said in his nasal-y Louie voice, "Louie Simmons from Westside Barbell calling you back. You guys are welcome to come back anytime, just give me a call."
Pretty sure I had a slight heart attack. I mustered up the courage to call him back. We spoke for several minutes as he ranted on about his training philosophy, why I should come back to get stronger at his place, and how we needed a reverse hyper at BSU to get us stronger.
"Well, Louie, we don't have a reverse hyper... or a glute ham raise."
With my foot in the door and the one on the BSU powerlifting team who now had a relationship with Louie, I kept in touch with him. The team had our first meet of the year coming up in December. A USAPL meet near Fort Wayne, Indiana. This was a qualifier for us to go to Collegiate Nationals in April. I boldly told Louie we were competing and he should come watch... knowing full well that Louie and USAPL do not mix. But at this point, I knew he had a vested interest in seeing me get stronger and after all the talks we had, I wanted to show him I was on my way.
That mother drove 3 hours from Columbus, OH to come watch. At a USAPL meet. He brought a box of Westside shirts, knee wraps and other goodies for our team. I wish I could've seen the heads turn as he walked through the doors. He stayed the entire meet and walked me through some of my lifts.
After that day, I knew I needed to get to Westside more often. I called Louie up after the first of the year to go out on a weekend to train. He called me back to tell me he booked a hotel for me for a night. To help me. To make sure I had no excuses to train with him.
One of my first days there we had squatted and finished our accessories, which included what seemed like 1000 trips of sled dragging in the parking lot. After all that we were talking about my deadlift and what I was struggling with. Lou had me try to pull 225 off the floor. I failed miserably. My technique was atrocious and I was trashed from the training. I tried again and missed. He talked me through it and I ripped it off the floor.
From that day forward, I knew that place had magical Westside fairy dust that allowed me to do things I had never done before. I continued to go back every couple weeks Friday-Saturday. Usual training partners for bench day were Amy Weisberger and Karen Sizemore, while the guys benched on the other bench. Lou, Dave, Bob Coe, George Todd Brock, Chuck, Jerry O, Jester, and more.
Todd Brock - one of the guys who ALWAYS helped when I visited.
The first time Louie had me do glute ham raises, he asked "You ran track didn't you?"
Sure did. "I can tell... you already have strong hamstrings. If you come and train here, I can make you real strong." Lou's offer was convincing, but I had to finish school. Maybe I can move and find a job in Columbus? Tempting... I'll keep it on the table.
Louie continued his hospitality by donating a reverse hyper and glute ham raise to our powerlifting team. He answered my many questions and never turned me down when I wanted to come train.
That summer I was gone in Arizona doing an internship to finish my schooling. When I was done, I got hired at University at Buffalo and found a new training crew... one of which was Paul Childress who was a Westside regular as well. Being only 5 hours from Columbus made it easy to visit and I'd see Louie and the guys several times a year at meets. And if I wasn't competing, I'd squeeze in my training there.
Watching Westside Vs The World brought me back to that first year. As much as Lou wants the best of the best, he also poured into me, who wasn't very good when I started. But he saw potential. He knew I could be great. The females on the record board had some pretty gnarly numbers. But I know he would've had me duke it out among some of the best ever.
The end of the movie brought tears to my eyes. Seeing my old friends, hearing their stories now as they look back on those times. Louie hasn't changed. He will never change. Some day when he passes on, his legacy will be left behind.
Will Westside continue? Will it thrive? Change? Grow? Or will Westside as we know it become a memory? Lou may take it with him and maybe he's ok with that. But the generations that have been impacted by him will be changed forever.
Louie, if you ever read this, THANK YOU for everything you did 19 years ago. You gave a young lifter confidence and encouragement. You pushed me beyond what I thought I could do and you welcomed me, not even strong yet, with open arms. Thank you for seeing my potential and believing in me. Thank you for giving the powerlifting world your knowledge and passion. Those who know, know.
