I am sending this in an email as I am unable to get the entirety of my message across within the max characters allowed for a q and a post.

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Over the past couple years I have seen a shift in the type of questions I receive each day.

We’ve all been there. Whether it be in front of our families, while lying in bed with a significant other or while sipping on a few cold drafts with a new acquaintance at a bar, we’ve all encountered the question; “Why do you powerlift?”

Lifting is not who I am, but rather it is what I do. However, it is something I do not want to do without at this time. I have previously written about the situation with my arthritic shoulders.

“What on earth are you doing young man?” blurts the utterly bemused dog walker, as I was about to complete a 200ft trip of backward dragging. Knowing that she’d struggle profusely in trying to piece together what was going on, I politely stated that I was just doing some ‘fitness exercises’.

I learned more about training during my preparation for this meet than I have any other one in the past. This is because it was one of the worst training cycles I have ever had. We will start with the meet and work backwards.

The verdict was read without remorse or empathy. I was given the death penalty. In the medical field there is no due process or equal protection clause.

We both attended the 2003 IPA Worlds in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania this past August 8-10 and it got both of our competitive juices flowing. You couldn’t help it. The chalk dust in the air, the screams of intensity, and the huge weight being moved was too much for two competitive athletes to handle.

I will admit that most people I know would say I am eccentric, some would say I’m an idiot, and my wife swears that I am a bit psychotic. On the same theme, the following incidents I will discuss can only be described as strange.

About 4 years ago I told myself I would become a strength coach. At this point in time, I had no idea what steps needed to be taken or where this career path would take me.

Gym accidents are not funny. They may cause serious physical injury that may have both short and unfortunately long-term consequences. So it’s with mixed feelings that I relate another “Legend of Iron Smith Gym” incident.

The 2002 IPA Nationals marked the one-year anniversary of my competitive powerlifting career.