Micheale Morgan-Paynter

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 

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