Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Iron Asylum Classic on September 18, 2021.
Top Men's Raw and OVERALL Wilks 2.0... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Mike Lancour, 23, 2 years Best lifts in competition? 502 squat, 390 bench, 573 deadlift Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? Running long distances Why Powerlifting? Being strong is more fun than being weak Tell me something about your gym/team. Flex gym is #1 in the quality of the gym as well as the people. TEAM FLEX is family, we all support each other and make each other better Training alone or training partner/coach, team? Training with team flex is always the best Biggest inspiration in the sport? Luis issasi, Zach Smith, Doug and Beckie Peyer, Jared Johnson What's your favorite lift? Bicep curl and calf raises Least favorite lift? Cardio Biggest challenge in your training? The diet part Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? Noisy and high energy while slamming Miller lite Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? Zach Smith owner of Flex Gym Social media. Positives and negatives Positive: keep in contact with people who you don’t see often and learn new things Negative: people giving out false info and negative energy Diet you follow? Supplements? Beer, meat, pizza, rice, tacos, coffee, creatine Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? 390lb bench press while weighing 162.8 lbs What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? Successfully put a beer keg made of home brew beer in my fridge on tap Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? S/O to team flex, Coach Zack for the programming, and the amazing Julissa Armstrong for all the support and love
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Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Iron Asylum Classic on September 18, 2021.
Top Women's Junior Raw Wilks 2.0... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Aislinn Arguello, 21, 3ish yrs Best lifts in competition? Squat: 275 deadlift: 270 bench: 161 Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? Soccer and track Why Powerlifting? It’s a sport I could do by myself and work on myself and just got strong enough to start powerlifting Tell me something about your gym/team. Everyone is very helpful, kind and strong. Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? Team Flex coach: _aegiduchos_ What's your favorite lift? Bench Least favorite lift? Deadlift Biggest challenge in your training? Cutting Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? Wearing my headphones at full volume and not being able to hear anything else Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? Zack/Zeus from flex Social media. Positives and negatives Positive: it’s cool to watch other people’s lifts Negative: people judge and can be mean Diet you follow? Supplements? Don’t really have one Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? Doing my first real comp and getting a best lifter sword What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? Owning a gym Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors) Team Flex Best Lifter spotlight from the WPUSA Fearless Summer Showdown on August 28, 2021. Top OVERALL Wilks 2.0...
Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC WV/VA Border Wars Open on August 21, 2021.
Top OVERALL Wilks 2.0... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Micheale Morgan-Paynter I've been powerlifting for 7 years Best lifts in competition? 138kg squat 75kg bench 163kg deadlift Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? I was always an athletic kid and I was into a lot of sports growing up. I also ran cross country and track in college at Marshall University. Why Powerlifting? It is a fun way to push myself athletically and to continue to have that competitive atmosphere. Tell me something about your gym/team. I've always been a part of Paynter Periodization and have trained at a few great gyms over the years but I now have a home gym. Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? I train at home alone with my coach/husband Timothy Paynter. Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you? That I was a long distance runner for several years before I started powerlifting and continued to do distance running the first few years that's I was powerlifting. Biggest inspiration in the sport? Timothy Paynter for always persevering in powerlifting What's your favorite lift? My favorite lift has changed over the years but right now I would say it's squats. Least favorite lift? After having some issues with SI joint dysfunction my least favorite lift is deadlifts right now Biggest challenge in your training? I work a desk job and with travel I am sitting close to 11 hours a day which makes staying loose and keeping everything working like it should requires a lot of extra time. Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? My ideal atmosphere is having all the dogs around for petting between sets. Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? I have always trained under Paynter Periodization who does my off season and prep training plans Social media. Positives and negatives I think social media is great for keeping in contact and entertainment. But I think it can create a lot of pressure and there is a lot of misinformation shared on it. Diet you follow? Supplements? I meal prep most of my meals during the work week for convince but I don't follow any kind of specific diet. And I don't regularly take any supplements. Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? Finally breaking the barrier into a 300lb squat earlier this year. What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? I am hoping to have my professional engineering license within the next year. Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? Shout out to my trainer partners Jeffy, Chloe, and Moon Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Volunteer Open on August 28, 2021.
Top Women's Open Raw Wilks 2.0... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Sherry Risden, 36, 1 year 3 months Best lifts in competition? S – 315.2 B – 194 DL – 374.8 Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? HIIT classes, rode horses for many years Why Powerlifting? I was tired of the “traditional” way of working out. Growing up, cardio was always pushed at me because I was an overweight kid but it never worked well for me as a kid or an adult. Tell me something about your gym/team. They are family and what keeps me going. They believe in me more than I believe in myself at times. We all make each other better lifters and we all learn from each other. Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? I always try to line my schedule up to train when my coach or one of my team mates is at the gym. I don’t like to train alone. Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you? I’m very skilled at crocheting and I scuba dive. Biggest inspiration in the sport? My gym and my dad. I didn’t have any experience with powerlifting until I started at my gym. Even when I did start it was to do HIIT classes and then after a year I transitioned over to powerlifting. My Dad was an old school lifter at a tiny local town gym, who passed away from cancer when I was 18 years old. He never did any big competitions but he loved to work out and lift. He’d probably think I’m a little crazy to do this but he’d be so proud. I also follow Ayngelia Ara (Star), Stacy Burr, and of course Pete Rubish. What's your favorite lift? Bench Least favorite lift? Squat Biggest challenge in your training? I have psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that affects the skin. It is mostly on my hands so I have to doctor them a lot to keep them healthy. Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? Noisy and high energy Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? Sarah Walls is the best. She pushes me when I need to be pushed but also listens when I have concerns. Social media. Positives and negatives It’s great to see other lifters and find inspiration. There’s a lot in misinformation as well and comparing yourself to people who have been in the sport for years. Diet you follow? Supplements? I go off the macros my coach gives me (with a little wiggle room, I like food). I take BCAAs and vitamin D. Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? Making consistent gains. What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? Earn my Bachelors degree in Computer Information Technology Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? My husband Eric, who has supported me and all my hours at the gym. Kelley and Pete Rubish, who own KOA strength and fitness. My coach Sarah Walls, thank you for putting up with me. All the gals and guys at the gym who support me and lift me up. My amazing team mates who put in the work and crush their goals. Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting?
George Latson, 30 years old, Almost 3 years Best lifts in competition? 252kg squat, 197.5kg bench, 282.5 deadlift Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? Basketball from 5 years old until a few years ago. Track & Field and Cross Country in H.S., Rugby in College, Bodybuilding for the past 4 years. Why Powerlifting? I've always been relatively strong and I enjoy lifting heavy. Tell me something about your gym/team. I workout out of Gold's gym in capitol heights. Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? I train by myself the majority of the time. I currently coach a couple athletes in powerlifting Biggest inspiration in the sport? Ben Pollack, Larry Wheels What's your favorite lift? Standing military press Least favorite lift? Deadlift Biggest challenge in your training? Currently, making sure I get enough rest Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? As long as i'm focused I can train in a quiet empty gym and still achieve a great workout Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? Previously I have been doing my own programming. I will be trying a couple new programs for my next preps Social media. Positives and negatives, You gain a lot of inspiration and good exposure from social media. A negative would be for someone trying to be somebody they are not. Diet you follow? Supplements? No diet specifically. I just try not to eat too much and get too far over my weight class. The only supplements I take are a mult-vitamin and oregano oil tablets for immune support Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? So far it would be the National record bench press and getting a best lifter award What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? To help others achieve their goals Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? The entire Savage life fitness and HEART organization. My gf Bea Ponce for not quitting and accomplishing her goals Best Lifter spotlight from the WPUSA Virginia State Championship on July 10, 2021.
Top Men's Open Raw Wilks 2020... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Derek Dickinson, 32, first meet was in 2011 Best lifts in competition? 674.61 squat 465.17 bench 683.4 dead 1801.17 total Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? Football and baseball. My dad also always had me doing all kinds of physical work Why Powerlifting? It's something I like doing and felt I was ok at Tell me something about your gym/team. I have most equipment I need at home but I'll do a commercial gym a couple days a week for accessories Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? Alone mainly but a couple days a week with one of my buddys Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you? I bombed out of my first meet ever. But they let me cross over to Ironman push/pull Biggest inspiration in the sport? I'm not really inspired by other people What's your favorite lift? Squat Least favorite lift? Bench Biggest challenge in your training? Training after working outside in the weather all day every day Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? I do like to have either a stereo or earbuds playing about as loud as they'll go Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? I do my own. Social media. Positives and negatives Positives are you may find some useful information for your training Negatives are a lot of people put on a fake front for social media and are dishonest about all the information they give out Diet you follow? Supplements? I try to get in about 350carb,240protein,100g of fat daily Creatine, caffeine and citrulline malate 2:1 are always good Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? I came back hit a deadlift PR at a meet in the same building where 364 days before that I had a distal bicep tendon rupture on a 3rd attempt deadlift. What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? Just to be happy Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? My buddies Roscoe and Bob McClure Best Lifter spotlight from the WPUSA Independence Open on July 3, 2021.
Top OVERALL Wilks 2020... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Trey Williams, 28. Since 2016 (officially), got into it while deployed overseas. Best lifts in competition? Squat 625lbs Bench 425lbs Deadlift 661lbs Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? Football, basketball, track, weight lifting, Army and CrossFit. I have basically powerlifting since high school football. My high school had a powerlifting coach as the strength coach and we would max out our lifts to power lifting standards so it has always been a standard for me. Why Powerlifting? It is a fun way to challenge yourself while motivating other to get better. As long as you are having fun and not getting hurt that is all that matters. Tell me something about your gym/team. I go to a lot of gyms just from traveling. My main gym is one like no other. It is one of the best gyms I’ve ever been in because of all of the options that you can choose from. Training alone or training partner/coach, team? I typically train alone so I can keep my heart rate up and test my limits. Other times I lift with others when it is usually a SBD (squat, bench, deadlift) day to have that extra push from each other. Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you? That I do not have a set workout plan. I literally go in the gym and see what is available and make the reps up as I go. I do random workouts based off of body parts. Biggest inspiration in the sport? Knowing that there are other people trying to beat you. I love a challenge and will never back down. It brings out the best in people while striving to be the best. What's your favorite lift? Back Squat Least favorite lift? Deadlift Biggest challenge in your training? Maintaining a proper calorie/water intake. Dieting is something that I have learned over time will either make or break you. Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? I prefer to lift in an empty gym with little to no one around but I can do the crowded gyms if need be. Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? I make up my own plan. Social media. Positives and negatives Positive - It helps you meet like minded individuals that will help and motivate you throughout what ever journey you are following. Negative - Some often sit back at try to criticize others for things that they have worked for. Diet you follow? Supplements? No set diet. Fish oil and men’s multivitamin Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? Hitting a natural 1,700lb total. What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? To get more flexible and into yoga more. Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? I have to many people who support me to call one out individually. I would like to say that to everyone who supported me over the years, I truly am thankful and will continue to give it my all. Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Kentucky State Championship on June 26, 2021.
Top OVERALL Wilks 2020 (and AGAIN a female)... Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting? Tavina Hensley. For about three years. Best lifts in competition? Squat 372.5 lbs Bench 271.1 lbs Deadlift 478.4 lbs Total 1075.8 lbs Athletic background? What you did before powerlifting? I started getting healthy and working out around 2015. I was just generally trying to be healthy and lift. I began to go out of my comfort zone and start lifting heavier. I started having people at my gym tell me that I could break powerlifting records. So, I started lifting heavy around 2017-18. My first armature competition was a Parks and Recreation in 2019. I won overall Female lifter. Article about that competition- https://www.bgdailynews.com/news/athletes-prepare-for-bgprs-17th-annual-powerlifting-competition/article_676b2e98-c959-5d2c-90f8-b3b99dd26237.html Why Powerlifting? Because it is a sport where I have found so many people are supportive of one another. It is a sport that I am good at and love doing. I enjoy empowering and inspiring people through my journey in this sport. Tell me something about your gym/team. I have never had a coach/team per say in that I do not work out with a group. I work out alone most every day. I go to Harvey’s gym and am apart of that gym community. If I were to affiliate with a team, it would be Harvey’s gym. Trying alone or training partner/coach, team? I train alone most of the time. I ask for a spotter if I need it and someone is in the gym. I do not have a coach. I am apart of Harvey’s gym. Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you? Some who follow me do not know that I am a counselor. Also most do not know that I have scoliosis and a piece of my skull has been removed for a Chiari malformation when I was 5 years old. Biggest inspiration in the sport? Jennifer Weed Thompson is one of my most beloved inspirations in this sport. She has gone through medical issues and kept pushing. Another person in my small town I admire and have so much respect for is Randy Richey. He is a preacher and has been both and inspiration and given direction when I was in need. What's your favorite lift? Bench. I enjoy benching because I have trained so hard in it and feel that it is one of my strengths. Least favorite lift? Squat. I used to squat more than I could deadlift but now it is my weakest lift. Biggest challenge in your training? Working around my health issues and making sure I stay strong. Ideal training atmosphere? Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy? I enjoy a gym that is old school and has the powerlifting atmosphere. I tend to be focused and dialed in when I lift. I am calculated and tend to stay focused on what needs to be done to reach my goal. Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach? I am certified through NASM to personal train. I do not have a coach now and have not before. I do progressive overload and change my routine to adjust when I stop growing. Social media. Positives and negatives I can inspire people and have had feedback from people being grateful for my videos. It does become expected of me to post and interact. I get negative feedback for being a woman and lifting the way I do. I have people who are negative and rude to me for what I do because I am a woman. Diet you follow? Supplements? I do not have a specific diet plan right now. I eat lean meat, rice, greens, and drink mostly Gatorade zero and water. I take hydrolyzed whey protein, highly branched cyclic dextrin, and pre workout. I take a lot of vitamins in the morning and at night. Some of the most important are vitamin B, vitamin C, tamaflex, taurine, and multivitamins. Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? This last meet, breaking national records for the first time. This was only my third full power raw meets. The only one I have done before this was the one at Parks and Recreation. I broke Kentucky state records in my second full power raw meet. What's one of your non-powerlifting goals? To finish my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling this November. Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)? I would like to give a shoutout to Harvey’s gym in Franklin KY. I would like to thank all my family and friends who have supported me along the way. I would like to thank those who have given advice and guidance through this journey. I did not have a coach, but I have had friends at the gym give advice and help me throughout the years. |