January 28, 2017, Judgement day. To some this was just another day. Another day to step onto the platform and do what they do. To me this day was more than just helping and watching. I had the opportunity to coach and handle two amazing strong athletes. I honestly get more out of helping others on meet day than I do myself competing. These ladies trusted me with their training programs, technique building, rehab, handling and so on. Two different people, two different approaches, two different backgrounds. I decided to interview both to see how they viewed their experience from Judgement day. Then I will tell you how I viewed Judgement day.
Shantel Johnson
1. How long have you been powerlifting? I have been powerlifting for a year.
2. What is your athletic background? I have always been very athletic from baseball, soccer, basketball, hockey, ringette, kick boxing, bodybuilding (figure athlete) and now powerlifting.
3. What is your competitive background? I have always been on Rep. teams and competed on stage as an figure athlete and now have national records in powerlifting for the RPS. and CPF federations.
4. Was this your first powerlifting meet, if not when did you compete before? My first powerlifting meet was in Kingston Ontario October 2016. I also did a fundraiser push pull event for MS on Jan 14th to use as a training day and get my openers in place for Judgement day.
5. What was your biggest personal accomplishment from the meet? My personal accomplishment this meet was to go in with no expectations of numbers that I wanted to hit. I find when I have a goal to hit certain numbers it distracts me from enjoying the process of competing.
6. What type of training did you do and did you have a Coach assist you with programming? I have been training for powerlifting for just over a year now. I have been working with Ken and Sheri as coaches since last July. I have been using the conjugate training method using a custom program designed for me by my Coach Sheri. I did my best to stick to my program providing the gym I was training at had the equipment I needed. I tried to get to the “Outlaw” gym as much as possible to work on technique and utilize better equipment such as a monolift, GHR, Reverse Hyper and belt squat machine. The drive for me was a minimum 1.5 hours on a good day. I had to re-learn how to squat, bench and deadlift and worked on building on my weaknesses.
7. What valuable lessons did you learned about training, overtraining and rest prior to competing? Most important lesson learned is over training. I never thought it was a thing actually. I always thought it was a term for the lazy to be honest. I completely and totally understand how overtraining can affect you in a serious way. This training cycle and leading up to the meet I decided to follow through completely with my rest days, timing between lifts and resting up to the meet. Holy cow what a difference it makes, powerlifting is a completely different way of training the body needs it's rest and this meet PROVES my coaches were 100% right. yes Sheri I'll admit it you were right and thank you.
8. Did you require any special treatments to get your body in tune for meet day? Yes, a lot, every athlete needs treatments. I am fortunate to have Dr. Ken Kinakin on my team. His treatments including; chiropractic adjustment, percussor work, acupuncture, laser treatment and my vitamin support are just as important as the training itself. Each visit to Dr. Ken was different depending on what ailed me or what muscles were locked up on that particular day. Dr. Ken knows his athletes and makes sure we perform at our best. Sheri also follows up with percussor work the day of the meet to ensure our muscles are firing and we are at peak performance before we get under the bars and on the platform.
9. What would you recommend to a first time lifter ? I would recommend any first lifter to get a good coach. A coach that has a proven track record with athletes, not just a lifter who calls themselves a coach. A coach that has taken the time to ensure you are lifting safe and your form/technique is perfect for your biomechanics. At the end of the day it's not about the win it's about safe lifts, building people up, getting under that bar and doing what your mind tells you can’t. A good coach already knows and believes you can make the lifts, even if you don’t believe in yourself.
10. How would you describe your overall experience from Judgement Day? Overall the judgement day meet was a complete blast. The venue was fantastic. The judges, and volunteers kept everything moving at a good pace and the energy in that room was epic. I myself couldn't have asked for a better day with my coaches (Ken and Sheri) and my teammate Carri. POWERLIFTING IS AN INDIVIDUAL SPORT. IT'S YOU VS. YOU BUT WHEN YOU HAVE ALL THE SUPPORT IN THE ROOM FROM OTHER ATHLETES AND THE AUDIENCE CHEERING YOU ON YOU JUST CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL LIKE YOU ALREADY ACHIEVED YOUR GOALS.
11. What is next for you? I will be taking a bit of a break to get my body back in prime condition. I will focus on my technique and getting stronger. I will do another meet when the timing is right.
A QUOTE FROM SHANTEL'S FACEBOOK PAGE
"WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!
Here goes the thank you, stay with me friends it's going to be a long ome. Sheri Whethamand Ken Whetham I can't thank you enough, from day one in the "OUTLAW COMPOUND" you tore me down to the bare bones and took a bodybuilder and built her into a POWERLIFTER, you have stood by my side through thick and thin, and built me up. I couldn't ask for better friends and coaches, you truly are a blessing in my life and thier isn't a day that goes by that I don't appreciate our friendship, your support, love and kick in the asses. lol Not one but two federations I hold National records and it's all due to your COACHING and believing in this light weight.
Dr. Ken Kinakin, well buddy what can I say, lol. "Shantel, you should be a powerlifter," you said in your office one day, and I have the perfect COACHES for you! Honestly, I thought you bumped your head, but I trusted you and look where I am now. You build me up everyday, fix all my pains from not listening to my coaches. lol and truly are the best human being I have ever met in my life. I thank you with all my heart, buddy"
"My family, friends, teammates and PEACH gang, (to many to name you know who you are and are tagged in my post) it's you that build me up, give me support and make me want to jump out of bed everyday and GRIND, under the bar and in life. I love you all and always have a big piece of my heart, it's you that make me a better person everyday. Thank you Grove Turtle and Jaynie White for putting on an amazing meet, with all the volunteers and judges this day was epic and you did an outstanding job."
"POWERLIFTING IS A SPORT THAT IS YOU VS. YOU. you can't cheat the bar, either you pick it up or you grind till you do.
I am a work in progress and I am looking forward to many more PLATFORMS to come, for now I'll celebrate my first placement and build to beat my National records. BIG HUGS
and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart"
Carri Chillingworth
1. How long have you been powerlifting? Fooling around in the “Man Cave” aka “Outlaw Strength Gym” one day 2 years ago I performed my first DL and I was hooked! Off and on I have been sporadic in lifting until 12 weeks before this event. When I signed up for my first competition I took my lifting more serious.
2. What is your athletic background? I have participated in sports since the age of 5. In the last 10 years I have been involved mostly in baseball and more recently in the past 3 years I have trained with kettlebells.
3. What is your competitive background? I have played in the nationals for slo pitch many years ago. I was chosen for some select baseball teams in my youth and more recently have competed in Kettlebell competitions
4. Was this your first powerlifting meet, if not when did you compete before? Yes this was my first meet.
5. What was your biggest personal accomplishment from the meet? First and foremost getting in front of the crowd. There is nothing more fear inducing than to be front and center at anything. It’s way out of my comfort zone and not like me.This was the next step in my personal journey. Also, my surprise accomplishment – killing my PR in deadlift.
6. What type of training did you do and did you have a Coach assist you with programming? Sheri set up a training program for me which included a lot of home exercises utilizing Kettlebells. Arrangements were made to accommodate a bit of a restricted schedule preventing me from doing a lot of gym training. I have only been training once or twice a week in the powerlifting gym mainly learning technique from Ken and Sheri. I did a ton of heavy Kettlebell work, accessory work to improve form. This training transformed and had huge carry over. All I had to do was put it all together when I was under the bars.
7. What valuable lessons did you learned about training, overtraining and rest prior to competing? I have learned that rest is almost as important as form. You have to listen to your body, if you don't, it will not perform the way you want it to. If you want to succeed you must commit and do the work. As Sheri likes to say- earn your regrets.
8. Did you require any special treatments to get your body in tune for meet day? I attend my Chiropractor regularly and while training I increased my visits to my RMT. Sheri also has done muscle release treatments with her percussor on my arm and shoulders which made an incredible difference.
9. What would you recommend to a first time lifter ? Get a coach! Someone who knows what's what, has been there and will push you. Having someone who will work closely with you and believes in you is a huge confidence builder. Surround yourself with people who will support you 100%.
10. How would you describe your overall experience from Judgement Day? I still don't think it has completely sunk in for me. I still can't believe I did it, and did well. I have video that was sent to me that has the most incredible background noise that I never heard during the lifts. I will treasure those forever. I am amazed by the diversity of the athletes. No matter what team you came with, everyone is supportive when you lift. Everyone wants you to succeed in hitting the goals you set in place.
11. What is next for you? Keep active and rest long enough to start training again to achieve bigger numbers. I have no timetable but will find something that fits with my schedule. I do intend on competing in powerlifting again as long as I have Sheri coaching me.
A QUOTE FROM CARRI'S FACEBOOK PAGE
My inspirational coach Sheri who always overcomes, and from the day we met way back when at a fitness kettlebell class- set her sights on me and said "I see you competing" She has believed in me from day one, always putting heavier weight in front of me, and has gone out of her way to accommodate my schedule, she is always encouraging me and she cries when I succeed
🙂 thanks coach"xoxoAlso my coach- Ken who has been so generous with his time, tips and equipment it is beyond words. Thank you so much.
My SS Jennifer- who is always in my corner, no matter what! My partner in crime, my therapist, my shoulder to cry on, and today, my media relations specialist! She also supported me in carb loading on Friday night!! There is nothing comparable to the time we get to hang out. Thank you SS, for spending your day with me. And for keeping me sane in the hours leading up to the meet! I am forever grateful for you. xo
My teammate Shantel whose messages of support and encouragement were gratefully received. Your positive vibe is contagious! You rock!
My sister- who takes on my kids for weekends like this so I don't have to worry about them and I can focus on myself.
My babysitter Samantha-who set up a weekly schedule to be at my house so I could train, and has always managed to come when I text her at the last minute to say " I can get workout in, can you come in 2 hours??"
And to all of you- who constantly wished me well and who anxiously waited for posts of today, I thank you for your support! It means so much"
I am truly blessed, and I thank God for the ability to do this.
......stay tuned for whatever may be next......
Judgement day to me as a coach was watching these ladies be completely out of their comfort zone. They are both in their 40’s and are just getting started. It’s about overcoming adversity and becoming strong(her) than they were yesterday, whether it be mental or physical strength.
This blog isn’t about their numbers but about their journey. To empower other women to try something new, something different and something so empowering you have an experience you will never forget.
Being a handler and coach at a powerlifting meet is so rewarding. From helping them get warmed up, loading their plates, slapping their glutes and backs and handing off. They trusted me to pick their attempts and put the right amount of weight in their hands.
I honestly get more out of helping people than I do competing myself. It's a ton of work but it's something I enjoy doing. Watching their form on the platform also makes me proud. I see big things in the future for these ladies.
Powerlifting is not about the weight they lift but the fact they are on that platform giving it their best is all that matters to me.
A very well run meet. Kudos to Grove and Jaynie and all the volunteers. Because of people like this the Powerlifting community is amazing.
#livelearnpasson #proudcoach #teamoutlaws