This episode we talk nutrition and diets with Jeff and Janine. We talk about what goes into the phrase “a calorie is a calorie”. 

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As of the posting of this episode we still do not have the official results of the IPL Midwest Open 2018. That being said we did a recap of how Everett’s meet went and were joined by a guest host, Matt Turner. Matt is one of our Patreon contributors and is currently using Skynet AI coaching which we discussed at length in the episode. 

You can find our Patreon page here.

Really grateful for Matt and his support of this show. Skynet can be found here.

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American Strongest Man 2018 details can be found here. 

Sean Demarinis BIO – 32 years old, born and raised in CA. Currently live in south Orange County. Most famous for the beaches, weather, disneyland and reality shows about privileged housewives and teenage drama. Im in sales and also work part time as a strength coach for East West Strength in Costa Mesa, CA. Strongman/weight lifting is my only hobby. The demand it takes in and out of the gym occupies the majority of my free time. However, i still enjoy going to the movies, dinner, beach, amusement parks etc. Just try and avoid too many physical activities, the risk of getting inured is haunting lol.

Notable Competition history:

• 4x CA strongest man. 2 HW and 2 MW titles
• 4x America’s strongest man 105k
• MW and HW pro status
• 2nd place at WSM 105k in 2016 in Ireland
• 3rd place at the Ultimate strongman world championships 2018 in Czech Republic

What hobbies do you have outside of strongman?

• Sleeping, movies, beach, eating

What got you into strength sports? Where did your lifting journey start?

• Lifting begin when i was 12 years old. I was chubby and wanted to make an improvement. My mom actually showed me my first exercises. Really lifting or competitive lifting started when i played football in HS.

What was your inspiration or mentor in strength sports?

• Arnold was a huge inspiration but id have to say what really drove my passion was competing. I really enjoy being able to test myself against others.

Biggest strength numbers:

• Squat – 710
• Bench – 501
• Deadlift – 800
• Push Press – 400+
• Stone – 400+
• Log – 405
• Axle Clean n Press – 385
• Farmers Walk – 360
• Yoke – 1000
• Any I might have missed – 250 DB. 900 18’’ axle DL. 775 axle DL from the floor

Any injuries that you had to deal with?

• Quad tendon rupture off the bone, torn quad muscles, compartment syndrome, pec tears, proximal bicep tendon rupture…and a million other small sprains and tears.

How did you know that strongman was a good fit?

• I didn’t at first. It took me 8 month of getting my ass kicked to feel like i was getting good enough to become a professional. However, i did take 4th out of 14 in my first show ever so based on that, i felt i at least had a shot to do well.

How many hours a week would you train before a strongman competition?

• If the show is on Sat, my last raining day is Tuesday. Maybe 1-2 hours, light work to keep the blood moving and muscles staying primed to lift.

What do you take on a regular basis to supplement your training?

• I work with a nutritionist and help with this but mostly the same things most people take…Vitamins, fish oil, protein powders etc

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Rachel Pyron BIO – 

• I work at Bodybuilding.com – headquarters are in Boise, Idaho. Co-manage Regulatory Compliance
• Grew up in a small, rural town; Arco, Idaho. Very little exposure to gyms/weightlifting etc.
• Competed in bodybuilding in 2009 and 2010 and fell into strongman shortly after.

Here’s the results of ASM/ASW 2018. 

Notable Competition history:

• Strongman Corp nationals 2013, 2014, 2015
• Arnold 2014, 2015, 2016 – placing 4th at that contest and qualified as a pro
• ASW 2016, 2017, 2018 (current LW 1st)
• Strongest Woman in the World Norway 2018
• World’s Strongest Woman 2017

Some of the topics we discussed included:

What hobbies do you have outside of strongman?

• Hiking, traveling, shooting.. Anything outside

What got you into strength sports? Where did your lifting journey start?

• Started running in college and ended up with stress fractures in my feet – lead to weight lifting – bodybuilding — and then strongman

What was your inspiration or mentor in strength sports?- all of the other LW women mostly. Very competitive class and consistent women I have competed with year after year – Leslie Hofheins

Biggest strength numbers:

• Squat – good question ~ 225 front squat
• Bench – 180
• Deadlift – 355 axle 🙂 Long Beach
• Stone 210
• Log – 190
• Axle Clean n Press – 170~ just missed 185 Saturday lol
• Farmers Walk – 180
• Yoke – 500

Any injuries that you had to deal with?

Back injury – annular tears in two discs

Dropped a stone on my foot April 2017 – I recommend avoiding this 🙂

How did you know that strongman was a good fit?

I’m still not sure that it is, but I love it anyway!

How many hours a week would you train before a strongman competition?

Close to 10 probably. General training about 1.5-2 hours plus one long event day.

What do you take on a regular basis to supplement your training?

Food; pre workout w/ creatine. Beta alanine. multi

How many calories do you eat off and on season? How can you afford to eat that much? What is your approach/attitude to food?

I honestly don’t count. I just try not to get hungry and stress about weight cause I’m always way under.

Any funny stories or events that happened in your competition?

I won – ha I was going to hang out and enjoy the beach, I had very little expectations for ASW

Favorite training music?

Country, I know I’m weird

What was the most famous person that you were the most stoked to meet in your competing?

Meeting Big Z at worlds last year was cool. And I finally got to meet Clint Darden in person

If you could do something different in your training (wind the clock back) what would you do?

Oh man… start deadlifting earlier and take more time off

What’s one thing that you want all lifters in the BBB to know or consider before getting into strength sports? (be able to justify your training) Common injuries specific to strongman as well as other health issues that someone might not consider (mental, addictions, etc)?

Little things matter – rest, sleep, food, take care of yourself.

I want to get into strongman…where should I start?

Local gym with equipment and hopefully a local coach – online is helpful, but not the same

What now do you want to do strength wise?

Get healthier, stronger – maybe a powerlifting meet

What’s one thing that you want all lifters in the BBB to know or consider before getting into strength sports?

It takes a long time to get better – consistency

Common injuries specific to strongman as well as other health issues that someone might not consider (mental, addictions, etc)?

It can be a very selfish and lonely sport

What pet peeves do you have when it comes to training in a gym?Techno music

Article mentioned in the show

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Dave Denis (den-KNEE) lives in New Hampshire, the Live Free or Die state. He worked for 16 years in the retail furniture industry in Michigan and Wisconsin, where he sold and trained others to sell all kinds of home furnishings including mattresses. He has been training with barbells in his cluttered garage for just about one year, having been schooled in the Starting Strength method. He is no record holder but he does pretty good for a 55 year old guy. If it matters to anyone, my PRS (so far) on the 4 major lifts are as follows. Squat 3x290Deadlift 3x330Bench 3x250Overhead Press 3×170

Some of the topics we discussed included:

• Mattresses for athletes
• Adjustable bed frame – are they worth it
• Various issues with mattresses:
  • Back Support
  • Pressure Relief
  • Sleep Quality
  • Temperature Regulation
  • Value
  • Warranty Service
  • Softness Level
• What are the bones of the mattress:
  • Latex or Memory Foam 
  • Hybrid
  • Innerspring

Dave’s church website can be found here.

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Kenric, Everett, and Janine hang out and chat about lifting, life, and laughs. 

Intro was Jahazzer “Siesta”, the sponsor music was “Cantina Rag”, and the outro was Zoliborz “The Call of the Polar Star” used by permission from Freemusicarchive.org

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BIO – Steve Carozza started lifting since 7th grade, started powerlifting January 2018, competed in three USPA meets, and has recently been invited to the Nova Fall Classic which is a “for pay competition”, winner gets $3500 in November.

According to openpowerlifting.com you have competed three times, all this year, starting with a total at 1758 and wrapping up at 1912 in late August.

Some of the topics we discussed included:

• What are your current strength numbers? Squat, bench, deadlift, any others you are proud of…
• Were you self-taught or did you learn from various sources?
• What got you into strength sports? Where did your lifting journey start?
• What was your inspiration or mentor in strength sports?Any injuries that you had to deal with?
• What do you take on a regular basis to supplement your training?
• Favorite training music?
• If you could do something different in your training (wind the clock back) what would you do? I want to get into powerlifting…where should I start?
• What now do you want to do strength wise?
• What’s one thing that you want all lifters in the BBB to know or consider before getting into strength sports? (be able to justify your training) Common injuries specific to strongman as well as other health issues that someone might not consider (mental, addictions, etc)?
• What is one thing you have heard many lifters say that is WRONG/MYTH?
• Other than lifting and coaching what are some of your other pursuits and would you consider lifting/coaching a hobby or more than that?

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Paul Maxwell received his B.A. in biblical language studies from Moody Bible Institute, his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Paul has lifted weights since he was 14 years old and has always seen athletic discipline as essential to a happy life. Paul Maxwell runs both Theo.fit as well as Selfwire.org.

Some of the topics we covered included:

• What are your current strength numbers? Squat, bench, deadlift, any others you are proud of…
• What is your coaching philosophy
• How many athletes do you coach?
• Were you self-taught or did you learn from various sources?
• What got you into strength sports? Where did your lifting journey start?
• What was your inspiration or mentor in strength sports?
• Any injuries that you had to deal with?
• What do you take on a regular basis to supplement your training?
• Favorite training music?
• What now do you want to do strength wise?
• What is one thing you have heard many lifters say that is WRONG/MYTH?

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This episode we talk a smorgasborg of topics: Dave is prepping for a hurricane with some vodka and tequila last minute purchases and he’s also scheduling a blood test to check a few things. We also discuss program/coach searching and go back and forth on what coach Dave is going to use. Janine shares some of her latest PRs on the Highland Games circuit.

In the show Dave talks about a few blood tests. Stan Efferding recommends that guys and gals get these blood tests done at least annually. There is more information that can be found here.

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This meet is Dave and Christa’s first PL meet as a couple competing on the same day. On August 25, 2018 at Crossfit RDU, USPA held the NC State Championships and the meet video can be viewed here. Dave and Christa both used the Calgary 16 week program which can be downloaded free here. At the meet Christa went 7 for 9 with a 221 lb squat, a 133 lb bench, and a 243 lb deadlift. Dave went 7 for 9 as well with a 501 lb squat, a 392 lb bench, and a 601 lb deadlift. 

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