Post by lovelace on May 8, 2007 10:32:58 GMT -5
Can you give us some background information (age, weight,where you are from, what you do for a living and your family situation)?
I am 39 yrs old. My current weight is 220. I grew up in the state of Michigan until 11th grade when I moved to SC. I am a Lieutenant / Training officer for a fairly large fire department in Greenville, SC and I have been a certified practicing paramedic for more than 18 yrs. I have a wonderful wife named Heather (also a bench presser) and two daughters Morgan (age 14) and Hannah (age 9).
I have two older brothers living in other states. My parents are both still alive and doing well locally.
When did you get saved and how?
I became a Christian in first grade. I am not sure of my exact age at that time. I was witnessed to by a man with the last name Davidson. He was a sunday school teacher and was a lot of fun. All of us kids loved to spend time with him. I later found out that he was an alcoholic and died of complications of years of alcohol abuse.
Any of you that think that you aren’t smart enough, talented enough, organized enough, rich enough etc. to be useful for the Lord need to realize that you can play an important part in somebody’s life no matter what your situation is. Mr. Davidson spent some time with me and presented me with the opportunity to make that decision that I may not have had otherwise. I will never forget him for that. He did a great thing in spite of his addiction.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I played soccer all of my life until I was 22 years old. In Michigan we went 18-0 and were state champions. I also wrestled. I was a pretty good wrestler and I found that I was stronger than just about anybody that I went up against. Wrestling is an individual sport as well as a team sport. 3 two minute periods is a long time!
Believe it or not I was in the 121 weight class. I found out while wrestling that I could do more pushups than just about anybody.
I entered my first powerlifting meet in 2002. It was unsanctioned touch and go bench press meet. I was a little guy 160 lbs and benched 285. That was the first time that I saw anybody bench over 500 lbs. Some guy named Michael Belk benched 550 raw.
I couldn’t believe it! I was hooked.
What denomination of Church do you attend?
I personally don’t think it matters what denomination you prefer. A Christian is a Christian to me. I am a Baptist and attend Enoree Baptist Church.
What are your best lifts in competition?
My best lift in a competition to date is 500 single ply drug tested bench press in the 220 class.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
People that I look up to regarding religion:
Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Charles Stanley and Paul Vaniman (deceased).
People that I look up to regarding powerlifting:
There are many. Michael Belk, Keith Mackey, Buddy Nichols, Truck Ferguson, Leo Monroe and Keith Payne.
I have had the opportunity to get into judging and have a few to mention that I look up as judges / referees too:
Mike Lovelace, Rob Wess, Regina Hackney and John Demchak. All of these are top notch referees.
I would encourage any of you powerlifters to give back by taking some turns in the judges chair. It isn’t so easy. You will think twice before you ever argue a call again.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
It is easy for me. I represent both when I am working out, competing at a meet or just at work. You don’t have to give up one for the other. They complement each other.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have trained others but they have to prove to me that they really genuinely want to train.
I am always a trainee. No matter how good you get you can learn from the great ones. Buddy Nichols probably knows more about training than anybody in the Carolinas.
What organizations do you lift in?.
Iron Boy Powerlifting, USAPL, NASA and 100%RAW.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Isiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as EAGLES
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint"
What is your favorite food?
Moose Tracks ice cream.
Some lifters have steroids. I just have moose tracks.
I am fond of pizza also.
What kind of workout do you currently use?
I work out 3 times a week. I am old style and I like working muscle groups.
I only work out each group once a week. I like volume and I don’t do light days.
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
NIV. The King James is supposed to be the most reliable but I have a hard time reading it with all of the old world English.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
I usually read medical books and fire training books for work. Those aren’t fun to read. I wouldn’t advise reading those unless you are treating insomnia.
I have read every book by John Grisham to date.
My favorite religious book is the Bible itself.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
There have been many times in my career that I have felt that I was placed at that time in that situation. Sometimes you are just meant to be at a certain place at a certain time. It is our duty to recognize that and seize that moment and act.
I have helped pull people from buildings and I have seen them come back literally from the dead without any side effects. I have a picture of a person that came back to the fire station and had his picture made with us. I look at it every now and then when I need to see something to make me feel good.
What is your favorite lift?
The Bench press.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear?
I don’t support a specific brand. I have a Titan Bench shirt, with everything else Inzer.
What is your favorite religious song?
When somebody dies in the fire service they play Amazing Grace with the bagpipes. That sound is beautiful to me and always puts a lump in my throat. I guess it makes me think about all of my brothers and sisters that have given their lives to help others.
Who is your favorite music artist?
I don’t have a favorite. I do like Allen Jackson and James Taylor though.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I bounce between 220 class and 242 class. I have held an American record twice with NASA. It is a large organization and very competitive so records don’t last long with them. I currently hold a couple of state and South east regional records with Iron Boy Powerlifting. I also hold two state records with USAPL in SC. All of them are in the bench press. I have yet to compete in a full meet.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I am totally against steroids but not against the person taking them. I am a member of the North Star Pride drug free Powerlifting team. I have taken a pledge against taking steroids myself and have taken a stand against them.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
My favorite is the apostle Peter. I think he and I have some similarities. He meant what he said and was impulsive at times and is a coward at others. I can relate to him.
Do you have any final comments?
I just want to thank Christian Powerlifters of America for the opportunity to conduct an interview. C.P.O.A. has really been a blessing.
I have noticed a move of Christians into powerlifting lately. I am not sure why but I hope it is because of people like you.
I think it is important for us as Christians to conduct ourselves appropriately at meets. The language we use and the way we deal with adversity may be critical in a persons view of Christianity.
I am 39 yrs old. My current weight is 220. I grew up in the state of Michigan until 11th grade when I moved to SC. I am a Lieutenant / Training officer for a fairly large fire department in Greenville, SC and I have been a certified practicing paramedic for more than 18 yrs. I have a wonderful wife named Heather (also a bench presser) and two daughters Morgan (age 14) and Hannah (age 9).
I have two older brothers living in other states. My parents are both still alive and doing well locally.
When did you get saved and how?
I became a Christian in first grade. I am not sure of my exact age at that time. I was witnessed to by a man with the last name Davidson. He was a sunday school teacher and was a lot of fun. All of us kids loved to spend time with him. I later found out that he was an alcoholic and died of complications of years of alcohol abuse.
Any of you that think that you aren’t smart enough, talented enough, organized enough, rich enough etc. to be useful for the Lord need to realize that you can play an important part in somebody’s life no matter what your situation is. Mr. Davidson spent some time with me and presented me with the opportunity to make that decision that I may not have had otherwise. I will never forget him for that. He did a great thing in spite of his addiction.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I played soccer all of my life until I was 22 years old. In Michigan we went 18-0 and were state champions. I also wrestled. I was a pretty good wrestler and I found that I was stronger than just about anybody that I went up against. Wrestling is an individual sport as well as a team sport. 3 two minute periods is a long time!
Believe it or not I was in the 121 weight class. I found out while wrestling that I could do more pushups than just about anybody.
I entered my first powerlifting meet in 2002. It was unsanctioned touch and go bench press meet. I was a little guy 160 lbs and benched 285. That was the first time that I saw anybody bench over 500 lbs. Some guy named Michael Belk benched 550 raw.
I couldn’t believe it! I was hooked.
What denomination of Church do you attend?
I personally don’t think it matters what denomination you prefer. A Christian is a Christian to me. I am a Baptist and attend Enoree Baptist Church.
What are your best lifts in competition?
My best lift in a competition to date is 500 single ply drug tested bench press in the 220 class.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
People that I look up to regarding religion:
Billy Graham, Billy Sunday, Charles Stanley and Paul Vaniman (deceased).
People that I look up to regarding powerlifting:
There are many. Michael Belk, Keith Mackey, Buddy Nichols, Truck Ferguson, Leo Monroe and Keith Payne.
I have had the opportunity to get into judging and have a few to mention that I look up as judges / referees too:
Mike Lovelace, Rob Wess, Regina Hackney and John Demchak. All of these are top notch referees.
I would encourage any of you powerlifters to give back by taking some turns in the judges chair. It isn’t so easy. You will think twice before you ever argue a call again.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
It is easy for me. I represent both when I am working out, competing at a meet or just at work. You don’t have to give up one for the other. They complement each other.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have trained others but they have to prove to me that they really genuinely want to train.
I am always a trainee. No matter how good you get you can learn from the great ones. Buddy Nichols probably knows more about training than anybody in the Carolinas.
What organizations do you lift in?.
Iron Boy Powerlifting, USAPL, NASA and 100%RAW.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Isiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as EAGLES
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint"
What is your favorite food?
Moose Tracks ice cream.
Some lifters have steroids. I just have moose tracks.
I am fond of pizza also.
What kind of workout do you currently use?
I work out 3 times a week. I am old style and I like working muscle groups.
I only work out each group once a week. I like volume and I don’t do light days.
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
NIV. The King James is supposed to be the most reliable but I have a hard time reading it with all of the old world English.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
I usually read medical books and fire training books for work. Those aren’t fun to read. I wouldn’t advise reading those unless you are treating insomnia.
I have read every book by John Grisham to date.
My favorite religious book is the Bible itself.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
There have been many times in my career that I have felt that I was placed at that time in that situation. Sometimes you are just meant to be at a certain place at a certain time. It is our duty to recognize that and seize that moment and act.
I have helped pull people from buildings and I have seen them come back literally from the dead without any side effects. I have a picture of a person that came back to the fire station and had his picture made with us. I look at it every now and then when I need to see something to make me feel good.
What is your favorite lift?
The Bench press.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear?
I don’t support a specific brand. I have a Titan Bench shirt, with everything else Inzer.
What is your favorite religious song?
When somebody dies in the fire service they play Amazing Grace with the bagpipes. That sound is beautiful to me and always puts a lump in my throat. I guess it makes me think about all of my brothers and sisters that have given their lives to help others.
Who is your favorite music artist?
I don’t have a favorite. I do like Allen Jackson and James Taylor though.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I bounce between 220 class and 242 class. I have held an American record twice with NASA. It is a large organization and very competitive so records don’t last long with them. I currently hold a couple of state and South east regional records with Iron Boy Powerlifting. I also hold two state records with USAPL in SC. All of them are in the bench press. I have yet to compete in a full meet.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I am totally against steroids but not against the person taking them. I am a member of the North Star Pride drug free Powerlifting team. I have taken a pledge against taking steroids myself and have taken a stand against them.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
My favorite is the apostle Peter. I think he and I have some similarities. He meant what he said and was impulsive at times and is a coward at others. I can relate to him.
Do you have any final comments?
I just want to thank Christian Powerlifters of America for the opportunity to conduct an interview. C.P.O.A. has really been a blessing.
I have noticed a move of Christians into powerlifting lately. I am not sure why but I hope it is because of people like you.
I think it is important for us as Christians to conduct ourselves appropriately at meets. The language we use and the way we deal with adversity may be critical in a persons view of Christianity.