Post by lovelace on Mar 28, 2007 5:30:00 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 60 years old and compete at 220 lbs. I was born in Alabama, and I currently reside in Northport, Al. (next door to Tuscaloosa). I have been in law enforcement for over 25 years and I am currently employed by the Northport Police Department. I retired from The State of Alabama as a Probation/Parole Officer, but decided to go back to work. I married Myra Griffin 41 years ago and we have one son, Matt age 37. I have three wonderful granddaughters Brooke (10), Britney (8), and Breann (5).
When did you get saved and how? I was saved when I was 12 years old. I was at a revival at my neighborhood church. A preacher that I liked was preaching the revival. The Lord had been dealing with me for some time. When the invitation was given my heart was pounding so that I thought if I didn’t go down the aisle I was going to have a heart attack.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports? I did my first powerlifting meet in 1984. I have competed in 109 meets and judged in probably 40-50 meets. I ran track in high school. I run in 1 mile to marathons for about 20 years, after I got out of the military. I did a lot of biking and rode in several century challenges. I was in the martial arts (kenpo) for 10 + years and held 1st degree black belt. Yes I’m a fitness nut.
What denomination of Church do you attend? I attend Chapel Hill Baptist which is in the Southern Baptist Association.
What are your best lifts in competition?
I’ve done my best lifts over 50 years old. These are all at 220 lbs. I’ve done a 574 squat, a 405 bench press, and a 611 deadlift. My best total at 220 is 1545. My last meet at 60 years old I duplicated my 574 squat, did a 352 bench, a 584 deadlift, and totaled 1510. I’m life time drug free.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting? My grandfather James Wallace was a devout Christian man who I looked up to for an example of how to live the work 24-7 every day. I loved him dearly. He passed away many years ago, but I miss him still. In powerlifting I look to an excellent example in Gary Reynolds. Gary was one of the top powerlifters in the World 30 years ago. He made a comeback as a master and ended up pulling 777 which at the time was the best masters deadlift in the country. Gary had quadruple bypass surgery a few years ago and is no longer competing.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian? I always conduct myself in a proper manner at meets. No cursing, help anyone I can, etc. I hope that I have served as a good example. I always try to drive back from meets on Saturday night so I can attend services on Sunday. I schedule most of my meets so I can do this.
Do you train others or are you a trainee? I have trained a good many lifters over the years and I continue to work with powerlifters at the present time.
What organizations do you lift in? I have lifted in WABDL, USAPL, NASA, WNPF, SPF, USPF, and several police organizations.
What is your favorite Bible verse? In the new testament like most everyone I love John 3:16. I also love Philippians 2:10-11. In the old testament one of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31. Yes I’m going to make everyone look them up.
What is your favorite food? Shrimp cook about any way. I also like a good steak.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc. I like a lot of people use some of Westside’s exercises. I also do simple cycle training 6 to 8 weeks before a meet.
What version of the Bible do you read most often? I’m old so like most my age I pretty much stick with the good old King James Version.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)? I have read all the Left Behind books and really enjoyed them. Non-religious I like anything by John Grisham.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do? When I was a boy I had an Uncle that had a stroke and the doctor told everyone he would not make it through the night. Our church had a prayer meeting. It was a very small country church. The floors were hard wood. I watched as the men of the church sat down on a pew together and started praying. When they finished I notice that the floor in front of each man was wet with tears. My Uncle recuperated and lived for many years. I believed then as I do now that prayer works.
What is your favorite lift? I love the deadlift. The meet don’t start until the bar is on the floor.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear? I use all single ply at the present time. I squat in a Titan, bench in an Inzer Rage X, and I still have an old Marathon super suit that I deadlift in.
What is your favorite religious song? I love to Tell The Story and The Solid Rock.
Who is your favorite music artist? I like a lot of the new stuff such as Audio Adrenaline and Casting Crowns. I also like the Southern Gospel such as Gold City and many others. There is a group out of Mississippi called The Foyer Boyz that sings the old traditional songs acappella only. I’m a little biased since the bass singer is a cousin. For non-Christian I like U2.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records? I compete in the 60-64 220 lb. Class. I hold state, American and World records. I currently hold 60 different records. I just notice that matches my age.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids? As a Christian and a law enforcement officer I’m as anti-drug as it get’s. I don’t know about all states but in Alabama the possession of anabolic steroids is against the law. It may be just me but I don’t understand why someone will start out doing something that is good for the body (working out), then abusing the body by taking steroids. Steroid abuse has really hurt the sport of powerlifting as well as many other type of sports. Now I’ll get off my soapbox.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why? I like the writings of Paul. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, that he is the chief of sinners. If he’s the chief
I outrank him as a sinner.
Do you have any final comments? I want to thank Christian Powerlifters of American for asking me to do this interview. Don’t take any thing I’ve answered as lifting my life up. I just hope that everything I do and say in powerlifting lifts up my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I owe my strength and my life to him. Again thank you for the interview.
When did you get saved and how? I was saved when I was 12 years old. I was at a revival at my neighborhood church. A preacher that I liked was preaching the revival. The Lord had been dealing with me for some time. When the invitation was given my heart was pounding so that I thought if I didn’t go down the aisle I was going to have a heart attack.
How long have you been powerlifting and do you compete in other sports? I did my first powerlifting meet in 1984. I have competed in 109 meets and judged in probably 40-50 meets. I ran track in high school. I run in 1 mile to marathons for about 20 years, after I got out of the military. I did a lot of biking and rode in several century challenges. I was in the martial arts (kenpo) for 10 + years and held 1st degree black belt. Yes I’m a fitness nut.
What denomination of Church do you attend? I attend Chapel Hill Baptist which is in the Southern Baptist Association.
What are your best lifts in competition?
I’ve done my best lifts over 50 years old. These are all at 220 lbs. I’ve done a 574 squat, a 405 bench press, and a 611 deadlift. My best total at 220 is 1545. My last meet at 60 years old I duplicated my 574 squat, did a 352 bench, a 584 deadlift, and totaled 1510. I’m life time drug free.
Who are some individuals you look up to in religion and powerlifting? My grandfather James Wallace was a devout Christian man who I looked up to for an example of how to live the work 24-7 every day. I loved him dearly. He passed away many years ago, but I miss him still. In powerlifting I look to an excellent example in Gary Reynolds. Gary was one of the top powerlifters in the World 30 years ago. He made a comeback as a master and ended up pulling 777 which at the time was the best masters deadlift in the country. Gary had quadruple bypass surgery a few years ago and is no longer competing.
How do you balance powerlifting into your life being a Christian? I always conduct myself in a proper manner at meets. No cursing, help anyone I can, etc. I hope that I have served as a good example. I always try to drive back from meets on Saturday night so I can attend services on Sunday. I schedule most of my meets so I can do this.
Do you train others or are you a trainee? I have trained a good many lifters over the years and I continue to work with powerlifters at the present time.
What organizations do you lift in? I have lifted in WABDL, USAPL, NASA, WNPF, SPF, USPF, and several police organizations.
What is your favorite Bible verse? In the new testament like most everyone I love John 3:16. I also love Philippians 2:10-11. In the old testament one of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31. Yes I’m going to make everyone look them up.
What is your favorite food? Shrimp cook about any way. I also like a good steak.
What kind of workout do you currently use? Ex..Westside, Progressive,etc.etc. I like a lot of people use some of Westside’s exercises. I also do simple cycle training 6 to 8 weeks before a meet.
What version of the Bible do you read most often? I’m old so like most my age I pretty much stick with the good old King James Version.
Favorite Religious and non-Religious book you have read (other than Bible)? I have read all the Left Behind books and really enjoyed them. Non-religious I like anything by John Grisham.
What is the most exciting thing you have witnessed God do? When I was a boy I had an Uncle that had a stroke and the doctor told everyone he would not make it through the night. Our church had a prayer meeting. It was a very small country church. The floors were hard wood. I watched as the men of the church sat down on a pew together and started praying. When they finished I notice that the floor in front of each man was wet with tears. My Uncle recuperated and lived for many years. I believed then as I do now that prayer works.
What is your favorite lift? I love the deadlift. The meet don’t start until the bar is on the floor.
What manufacture of powerlifting equipment do you wear? I use all single ply at the present time. I squat in a Titan, bench in an Inzer Rage X, and I still have an old Marathon super suit that I deadlift in.
What is your favorite religious song? I love to Tell The Story and The Solid Rock.
Who is your favorite music artist? I like a lot of the new stuff such as Audio Adrenaline and Casting Crowns. I also like the Southern Gospel such as Gold City and many others. There is a group out of Mississippi called The Foyer Boyz that sings the old traditional songs acappella only. I’m a little biased since the bass singer is a cousin. For non-Christian I like U2.
What weight class do you compete in and do you hold any state, American or World records? I compete in the 60-64 220 lb. Class. I hold state, American and World records. I currently hold 60 different records. I just notice that matches my age.
As a “Christian”, what is your view on Anabolic Steroids or Anabolic Androgenic Steroids? As a Christian and a law enforcement officer I’m as anti-drug as it get’s. I don’t know about all states but in Alabama the possession of anabolic steroids is against the law. It may be just me but I don’t understand why someone will start out doing something that is good for the body (working out), then abusing the body by taking steroids. Steroid abuse has really hurt the sport of powerlifting as well as many other type of sports. Now I’ll get off my soapbox.
Whom is your favorite apostle and why? I like the writings of Paul. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15, that he is the chief of sinners. If he’s the chief
I outrank him as a sinner.
Do you have any final comments? I want to thank Christian Powerlifters of American for asking me to do this interview. Don’t take any thing I’ve answered as lifting my life up. I just hope that everything I do and say in powerlifting lifts up my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I owe my strength and my life to him. Again thank you for the interview.