Post by lovelace on May 16, 2006 20:23:12 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'm 18 years old and usually about 250lbs. I live in Commack, NY , which is on Long Island. I do whatever I can to make some money. I deliver pizzas, work as an insurance marketing rep assistant, and sometimes have a few personal training clients. I'm a student right now at community college in a biology major. I live at home with my parents, sister, and 2 dogs.
When did you get saved and how?
I don't know if I ever considered myself to be saved at a certain moment in my life. I've been through some stuff in my life and ever since I can remember I always turned to God in my toughest times. I always felt a strong presence of God in my life, but the last few years is when I started letting people know about it. There's no reason to be embarassed about a relationship with Christ and that's what people need to realize.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I've been competing for almost 4 years. It'll be 4 years on august 10th, 2006. I used to play football and lacrosse but I stopped once I fell in love with lifting.
What denomination of Church do you attend?
I'm raised Roman Catholic and that's the church I attend. But I don't feel like I'm any specific denomination. I don't believe in a lot of the things the Catholic church preaches. I don't hold the pope in high regard for one. I will attend any church that worships Christ because that's what's important. I't doesn't matter the denomination.
Eddie, I read recently you competed in NERB. What is your thought of it and raw lifting compared to assisted?
I think the NERB was a big step in the right direction. They put on an absolutely awesome show and I't was probably the most fun I had lifting in a long time. I feel that raw lifting is lifting the way it should be. It strength in it's purest form. I love training and lifting raw. I've lifted multi-ply and single ply and when I hit a big PR in tons of gear I'm just like " Ehh that's cool." When I benched 405 raw the first time I almost cried. There's nothing like knowing it was all you and you just succeeded on your own after putting in tons of hours and hard work.
What are your best lifts in competition?
In the USAPL a 573 squat, 490 bench, 634 deadlift. At the NERB I went 480/400/650.
I believe I have the power to pull low 7's raw but 700 got away from me that day. I'm in the process of fixing my pec and bringing my squat up so we'll see what happens in the future.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
I know some great people. Chris Taylor and John Bernor are two awesome Christian lifters. Chris brought me into powerlifting and I've been at it ever since. But of course there's only one hero in my life, Jesus.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
I just realize that my strength is a blessing. So I'll try to use my strength to influence other people and show them the amazing things that come through Christ.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have a few guys my age that I train with on a regular basis. I wouldn't say I 'train' them but I do help with a lot of programs and advice. We are all there to help eachother any way we can so it goes both ways.
What organizations do you lift in?
USAPL and I'm starting to compete in the 100% RAW federation. They have very consistent and tight judging which I like a lot. I started off competing in the IPA and APF but last year I got away from the multi-ply gear and switched to the USAPL.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Thats a tough one. It's either John 3:16 or Matthew 5:16.
What is your favorite food?
Probably roasted lamb or a nice big club steak.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I used westside for bench up until recently and usually progressive overload/periodization for squats and deadlifts. The Coan/Philipi routine is a really tough but awesome deadlift routine that I always make progress on. For bench I have a lighter volume day (usually in the 8-10 rep range) and a heavy day (usually 1-3 reps on main movements).
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
Just a regular King James version.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
Actually I havn't read any religious books yet but just bought The Barbarian Way because I heard great things about it. My favorite non-Religious books would be The Lions Game by Nelson Demille, and East of Eden by John Steinbeck which has a good vs. evil theme.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
The most exciting thing for me personally was when I was having a lot of problems being humble. With lifting, and lots of other things, I used to become arrogant easily. This is something I still struggle with. I was feeling disconnected spiritually for a few weeks and lifting didn't have the same drive behind it. I felt depressed and knew that I needed to stop being so thingyy about my accomplishments and realize they're all blessings to be humble about and thankful for. I picked up the bible, for the first time in a week, and opened to a random page and just started reading. The first verse I read was Luke 18:14 which contains the line "... : and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Coincidence? I don't know but it put me back where I needed to be.
What is your favorite lift?
This is definitly close between the bench and deadlift. The bench is something I've always been good at but the deadlift is the true test of strength in my opinion.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear?
Nothing anymore but usually Inzer.
What is your favorite religious song?
"Frontline"- Pillar or "Messenjah"- P.O.D.
Who is your favorite music artist?
I don't have one favorite. I have favorites from all genres of music.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I'm a 242/275 competitor. I hold an IPA record with a 340lb bench @ 198 in the teen 14-15 division. I've broken a lot of records in the last few years and havn't even sent in the record forms for half of them. Unless it's a really legit or big record than I don't really care too much about it.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I have mixed feelings on this because, like in many other areas, we won't know how God feels about this until we stand in front of Him. I believe the best thing to do is use your own judgement and do what you truly feel is right. I'm lifetime drugfree and using anabolics is very tempting. I'll just have to take it day by day and see what I decide to do in a few years.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
Probably Peter because he seemed to be Jesus' most loyal friend and follower eventhough he denied knowing Him in the end.
Do you have any final comments?
Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview. God Bless and train hard.
I'm 18 years old and usually about 250lbs. I live in Commack, NY , which is on Long Island. I do whatever I can to make some money. I deliver pizzas, work as an insurance marketing rep assistant, and sometimes have a few personal training clients. I'm a student right now at community college in a biology major. I live at home with my parents, sister, and 2 dogs.
When did you get saved and how?
I don't know if I ever considered myself to be saved at a certain moment in my life. I've been through some stuff in my life and ever since I can remember I always turned to God in my toughest times. I always felt a strong presence of God in my life, but the last few years is when I started letting people know about it. There's no reason to be embarassed about a relationship with Christ and that's what people need to realize.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports?
I've been competing for almost 4 years. It'll be 4 years on august 10th, 2006. I used to play football and lacrosse but I stopped once I fell in love with lifting.
What denomination of Church do you attend?
I'm raised Roman Catholic and that's the church I attend. But I don't feel like I'm any specific denomination. I don't believe in a lot of the things the Catholic church preaches. I don't hold the pope in high regard for one. I will attend any church that worships Christ because that's what's important. I't doesn't matter the denomination.
Eddie, I read recently you competed in NERB. What is your thought of it and raw lifting compared to assisted?
I think the NERB was a big step in the right direction. They put on an absolutely awesome show and I't was probably the most fun I had lifting in a long time. I feel that raw lifting is lifting the way it should be. It strength in it's purest form. I love training and lifting raw. I've lifted multi-ply and single ply and when I hit a big PR in tons of gear I'm just like " Ehh that's cool." When I benched 405 raw the first time I almost cried. There's nothing like knowing it was all you and you just succeeded on your own after putting in tons of hours and hard work.
What are your best lifts in competition?
In the USAPL a 573 squat, 490 bench, 634 deadlift. At the NERB I went 480/400/650.
I believe I have the power to pull low 7's raw but 700 got away from me that day. I'm in the process of fixing my pec and bringing my squat up so we'll see what happens in the future.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting?
I know some great people. Chris Taylor and John Bernor are two awesome Christian lifters. Chris brought me into powerlifting and I've been at it ever since. But of course there's only one hero in my life, Jesus.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian?
I just realize that my strength is a blessing. So I'll try to use my strength to influence other people and show them the amazing things that come through Christ.
Do you train others or are you a trainee?
I have a few guys my age that I train with on a regular basis. I wouldn't say I 'train' them but I do help with a lot of programs and advice. We are all there to help eachother any way we can so it goes both ways.
What organizations do you lift in?
USAPL and I'm starting to compete in the 100% RAW federation. They have very consistent and tight judging which I like a lot. I started off competing in the IPA and APF but last year I got away from the multi-ply gear and switched to the USAPL.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Thats a tough one. It's either John 3:16 or Matthew 5:16.
What is your favorite food?
Probably roasted lamb or a nice big club steak.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc.
I used westside for bench up until recently and usually progressive overload/periodization for squats and deadlifts. The Coan/Philipi routine is a really tough but awesome deadlift routine that I always make progress on. For bench I have a lighter volume day (usually in the 8-10 rep range) and a heavy day (usually 1-3 reps on main movements).
What version of the Bible do you read most often?
Just a regular King James version.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)?
Actually I havn't read any religious books yet but just bought The Barbarian Way because I heard great things about it. My favorite non-Religious books would be The Lions Game by Nelson Demille, and East of Eden by John Steinbeck which has a good vs. evil theme.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do?
The most exciting thing for me personally was when I was having a lot of problems being humble. With lifting, and lots of other things, I used to become arrogant easily. This is something I still struggle with. I was feeling disconnected spiritually for a few weeks and lifting didn't have the same drive behind it. I felt depressed and knew that I needed to stop being so thingyy about my accomplishments and realize they're all blessings to be humble about and thankful for. I picked up the bible, for the first time in a week, and opened to a random page and just started reading. The first verse I read was Luke 18:14 which contains the line "... : and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Coincidence? I don't know but it put me back where I needed to be.
What is your favorite lift?
This is definitly close between the bench and deadlift. The bench is something I've always been good at but the deadlift is the true test of strength in my opinion.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear?
Nothing anymore but usually Inzer.
What is your favorite religious song?
"Frontline"- Pillar or "Messenjah"- P.O.D.
Who is your favorite music artist?
I don't have one favorite. I have favorites from all genres of music.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records?
I'm a 242/275 competitor. I hold an IPA record with a 340lb bench @ 198 in the teen 14-15 division. I've broken a lot of records in the last few years and havn't even sent in the record forms for half of them. Unless it's a really legit or big record than I don't really care too much about it.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids?
I have mixed feelings on this because, like in many other areas, we won't know how God feels about this until we stand in front of Him. I believe the best thing to do is use your own judgement and do what you truly feel is right. I'm lifetime drugfree and using anabolics is very tempting. I'll just have to take it day by day and see what I decide to do in a few years.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why?
Probably Peter because he seemed to be Jesus' most loyal friend and follower eventhough he denied knowing Him in the end.
Do you have any final comments?
Thanks for the opportunity to do this interview. God Bless and train hard.
