Post by lovelace on Jan 2, 2006 22:01:32 GMT -5
Can you give us some background information (age, where you are from, what you do for a living and your family situation)? I am 30(turn 31 on Jan 8) . I grew up on Long Island NY and I am married to the woman of my dreams, Nikki. I was just recently hired as a youth pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Mastic Beach NY.
When did you get saved and how? I have been saved since July 1999. My mother is and was an amazing servant to GOD. She was always reaching out to me but unfortunately I was a very hare headed. I delved deep into drugs and crime at 17 I overdosed on crack and by GODS grace survived. From 17 on I set my sights on the business aspect of drugs, dealing. I became a big trafficker of drugs and was obsessed with money and power (well what I thought at time was power). In April of 99 I awoke one morning to terrible pain in my stomach, it lasted for a few days so I went to the hospital.
It was there they diagnosed me with Pancreatitis. They could not find out what was causing it and I spent the next 4 months in and out of the hospital wasting away. Finally in July I went out on the roof of the hospital alone and asked the LORD into my heart. That was the end of the pancreatitis, GOD healed me and it blew me away. The doctors said they could not tell me how the pancreatitis started, but I knew who ended it-JESUS.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports? I have been lifting and competing for 11 years. I started really getting into when I was 19, but I was erratic in my training because when I would lift I would feel massive conviction from God. I was not even saved yet but I felt like the Holy Spirit would tell me that this is what GOD had for me and would be the avenue I would use to spread his Gospel. So needless to say because of this I avoided training regularly till I was saved at 24 years old
What denomination of Church do you attend? I will now be attending a Lutheran denomination because of my job, but I consider myself a servant of GOD ALMIGHTY and do not like the elitist separation that occurs because of denominations. Jesus Christ came to save all who would believe on him not only for a specific denomination.
What are your best lifts in competition? As of now my best lifts are 1102 lb squat, 777 bench and 716 deadlift. My highest total of date is 2551, done at the WPO Chicago meet in Oct 05
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting? My mom is my spiritual hero, she raised 4 kids on her own by cleaning houses, then went back to get her degree and always has a heart for the lost. In lifting I think the old school guys are awesome(Cole, Kuc, Reinhoudt,) Karwoski and Coan are amazing. However Anthony Clark is my all-time favorite because he gave God ALL the glory and used his gift to reach others. Chris Taylor, Joel Toranzo, Lenny Spero, Eric Adolph and all the guys I train with inspire me every week
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian? To me there is no balance, Powerlifting is my mission field. God has blessed me to do what I do, but only for the furtherance of his Kingdom. Some play music and sing songs to worship God, I lift.
Do you train others or are you a trainee? Well I train at Iron Island 2 days a week and then with my east end crew the other 2 days. At Iron Island everyone kinda trains differently, on any given Sat we can have up to 20 guys squatting. The East End crew is only 5 of us and we all do the same thing. CT and Eric say I should leave the coaching to them and just lift,,lol,lol so basically I have no career in coaching,lol,,lol
What organizations do you lift in? Currently WPO and APF, I have lifted over the years in the Usapl/ADFPA. I would like to do a USPF meet this year.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
What is your favorite food? Definitely Italian, but at 330 lbs some would say everything
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc. I train my squat and dead basically progressive overload as well as my raw bench. For shirt work it is kinda basic(singles doubles or triples) no shirt band and board work after
What version of the Bible do you read most often? NIV
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
I really liked Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Work in the lives and hearts of those I train with and by his power transform my life
What is your favorite lift? I love to bench because it is easy,,lol but I would have to say the squat because it is ugly and hard and I love leaning on GOD to get me through it
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear? Inzer, their gear is downright amazing
What is your favorite religious song? O Lord You’re Beautiful by Keith Green
Who is your favorite music artist? I have a few, Jeremy Camp, Sean Slaughter, P.O.D, Chevelle, Mercy Me, and the list goes on
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records? I compete at 308 and Shw. I do not hold any records but by GODS grace I am in a couple of top ten of all time lists in powerlifting
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids? Undoubtedly I know this is not the route that GOD wants us to take. I am not trying to point fingers as I am speaking from my own struggle with this a few years back. I believe with GOD all things are possible and there is no anabolic greater then JESUS.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why? Probably Andrew, lol most people look at me funny,lol.. The reason I love him is that anytime you see him in the Gospels he is bringing someone to Jesus.
Do you have any final comments? Thank you Mike Lovelace for the opportunity to do this Q and A. I hope all the Warriors for Christ continue walking strong in faith and reaching the lost of this world. Thank you Jesus for you un-ending grace and love
When did you get saved and how? I have been saved since July 1999. My mother is and was an amazing servant to GOD. She was always reaching out to me but unfortunately I was a very hare headed. I delved deep into drugs and crime at 17 I overdosed on crack and by GODS grace survived. From 17 on I set my sights on the business aspect of drugs, dealing. I became a big trafficker of drugs and was obsessed with money and power (well what I thought at time was power). In April of 99 I awoke one morning to terrible pain in my stomach, it lasted for a few days so I went to the hospital.
It was there they diagnosed me with Pancreatitis. They could not find out what was causing it and I spent the next 4 months in and out of the hospital wasting away. Finally in July I went out on the roof of the hospital alone and asked the LORD into my heart. That was the end of the pancreatitis, GOD healed me and it blew me away. The doctors said they could not tell me how the pancreatitis started, but I knew who ended it-JESUS.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports? I have been lifting and competing for 11 years. I started really getting into when I was 19, but I was erratic in my training because when I would lift I would feel massive conviction from God. I was not even saved yet but I felt like the Holy Spirit would tell me that this is what GOD had for me and would be the avenue I would use to spread his Gospel. So needless to say because of this I avoided training regularly till I was saved at 24 years old
What denomination of Church do you attend? I will now be attending a Lutheran denomination because of my job, but I consider myself a servant of GOD ALMIGHTY and do not like the elitist separation that occurs because of denominations. Jesus Christ came to save all who would believe on him not only for a specific denomination.
What are your best lifts in competition? As of now my best lifts are 1102 lb squat, 777 bench and 716 deadlift. My highest total of date is 2551, done at the WPO Chicago meet in Oct 05
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting? My mom is my spiritual hero, she raised 4 kids on her own by cleaning houses, then went back to get her degree and always has a heart for the lost. In lifting I think the old school guys are awesome(Cole, Kuc, Reinhoudt,) Karwoski and Coan are amazing. However Anthony Clark is my all-time favorite because he gave God ALL the glory and used his gift to reach others. Chris Taylor, Joel Toranzo, Lenny Spero, Eric Adolph and all the guys I train with inspire me every week
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian? To me there is no balance, Powerlifting is my mission field. God has blessed me to do what I do, but only for the furtherance of his Kingdom. Some play music and sing songs to worship God, I lift.
Do you train others or are you a trainee? Well I train at Iron Island 2 days a week and then with my east end crew the other 2 days. At Iron Island everyone kinda trains differently, on any given Sat we can have up to 20 guys squatting. The East End crew is only 5 of us and we all do the same thing. CT and Eric say I should leave the coaching to them and just lift,,lol,lol so basically I have no career in coaching,lol,,lol
What organizations do you lift in? Currently WPO and APF, I have lifted over the years in the Usapl/ADFPA. I would like to do a USPF meet this year.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you?
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
What is your favorite food? Definitely Italian, but at 330 lbs some would say everything
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc. I train my squat and dead basically progressive overload as well as my raw bench. For shirt work it is kinda basic(singles doubles or triples) no shirt band and board work after
What version of the Bible do you read most often? NIV
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
I really liked Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
Work in the lives and hearts of those I train with and by his power transform my life
What is your favorite lift? I love to bench because it is easy,,lol but I would have to say the squat because it is ugly and hard and I love leaning on GOD to get me through it
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear? Inzer, their gear is downright amazing
What is your favorite religious song? O Lord You’re Beautiful by Keith Green
Who is your favorite music artist? I have a few, Jeremy Camp, Sean Slaughter, P.O.D, Chevelle, Mercy Me, and the list goes on
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records? I compete at 308 and Shw. I do not hold any records but by GODS grace I am in a couple of top ten of all time lists in powerlifting
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids? Undoubtedly I know this is not the route that GOD wants us to take. I am not trying to point fingers as I am speaking from my own struggle with this a few years back. I believe with GOD all things are possible and there is no anabolic greater then JESUS.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why? Probably Andrew, lol most people look at me funny,lol.. The reason I love him is that anytime you see him in the Gospels he is bringing someone to Jesus.
Do you have any final comments? Thank you Mike Lovelace for the opportunity to do this Q and A. I hope all the Warriors for Christ continue walking strong in faith and reaching the lost of this world. Thank you Jesus for you un-ending grace and love
