I have written a few Blog Posts here to capture the importance of meet prep, quality training, proper focus on goals, and the assurance that it takes more than just saying you want to be successful. For those of you who doubted me or thought I was a little off my rocker; well let me borrow one of our lifters post meet wrap up to prove everything I have said. Garage Ink Powerlifter Jere Hess shares with you his thoughts from this past weekends WNPF World Powerlifting Championships. This was unsolicited and those of you who know Jere Hess, he DOES NOT TALK TRASH! Enjoy!

"A little over 24 hours after the competition and I am freaking sore.  It's been a long road back since the back injury last September.  But I finally feel like I am back.  To think that last year the week of Thanksgiving I went to the gym and squatted the empty barx5, 95x5, and 135x5 and yesterday went like it did is pretty unreal.  Here's how the day went.

Opened w/ a 565 squat and jumped to 605 for the second.  Came up w/ the 605 but a little more difficult than I expected.  I was way too slow on the descent w/ both those lifts.  So we went to 615 and I had a little better speed on this one and it came up.  If I get a little more aggressive on the descent I think it will add some lbs.  Niko mentioned something yesterday a/b some training adjustments for the squat so I can't wait to see what they will be!  615 was a 4 lbs. PR.

Bench opener was 425 and then I jumped to 440 for a 5 lbs. PR on the second attempt.  That came up so we went 450 for a huge PR.  I had done this in training and it popped off my chest a/b half way up and than slowed but I locked it out.  On this day it went a/b six inches off my chest and slowed to a halt.  I remember thinking "Oh shit" at that point but I ended up being able to push through it for 3 white lights.  So at this point I had surpassed my biggest subtotal by 30 lbs. at 1065.

Going into the Deadlift I needed 520 for a PR total.  We knew we could get 4 attempts here if I made my first three b/c of going for a WNPF record.  Since my back injury deadlifting has literally been a pain.  It still bothers me most days to pick a penny up off the ground so deadlifting obvioiusly doesn't work out so well.  The heaviest thing I have pulled since the injury is 505.  Niko made some adjustments to my technique a/b two months ago.  And we've been working on technique w/ lighter weights just trying to perfect it and keep the back healthy.  It paid off.  For the first time in 14 months I had some attitude a/b my deadlift.  I opened w/ 475 and I think than I went to 505.  I'm not sure of this b/c I was pretty zoned out and Niko handled all of my numbers.  On the third I went to 525 and got it for a 1590 total and PR.  I came off and said give me the 4th that I need for 1600.  Niko was right in my face before the lift and knows all the right buttons to push.  He had me almost in tears and apparently yelling "let me go, let me go, let me go!"  I'm not sure what all I was yelling and I remember feeling like I wanted to bite someone in the neck.  I went out and got the 535 for my first ever 1600 total!  I had only going 9 for 9 once before and to go 10 for 10 is a pretty cool feeling.  The deadlift technique paid off and I think 550 would have going yesterday.  I don't think I've ever been as hyped as I was for my last two deadlifts which is saying something considering I've done a line of icy hot before and tried to put my head through a bar on several occassions.  Niko knows what to say and he hit me so hard my left ear was ringing for hours.

I was so relaxed going into this meet b/c I felt I had prepared more efficently than any training cycle I've ever had before.  The back injury has taught me how to train smarter and w/ good coaching and people around me I've trained even smarter.  I'm going enjoy this and the cool thing a/b this sport is no one can ever take your accomplishments away.  I can always say I have totaled 1600! 

I'd like to thank my Dad first as always.  I say this all the time and I say that I say this all the time but he really is my best friend and the whole reason I got started in this sport.  No one supports me more and with no conditions.  I respect him more than any person I have ever known!  Niko my coach and someone who none of my success would be possible with out him.  People say things like that all the time and sometimes it is just words.  I have learned so much from him a/b training, how to conduct myself as a powerlifter and competitor, and has been the only person that I feel like understands the journey since the back injury.  The deadlift adjustments were genius no matter how yesterday would of went and I can't wait to see how it improves in the future!  All the guys from the Garage and Vision Fitness Ratch, Smokey, Cags, JVD, Lonnie, Bull, Anthony, Paul, Corey, the rest of the Machines powerlifting team.  It's so motivating training alongside all of you!  In between puffs Joe Rogan once said Steel sharpens Steel and it's true.  Being around you guys makes me constantly have to work harder!  All the people who have been there to spot at Mt. Joy when needed and to all my friends who have sent wishes and messages of encouragement.  It's always extra motivation to know their are people pulling for you.  My Mom for her love and support and Jess for her love and support.  I'm not sure what's next for me in terms of competing I know I want to take sometime to dial in on my training so I can improve on the 1600 next time out!  To all the guys competing next weekend in Clarks Summit Niko, Ratch, and JVD Kick Ass next weekend!!!"

Jere "EK" Proud member of Garage Ink

Now, reflect on what I have posted in the past and the lessons you can learn from this lifters own experience. Trust me, this is just one of the success stories out of our gym, there are so many and there will be even more. At this time, out of the 2 powerlifting teams; Garage Ink and The Machines Raw Powerlifting Team, we have set 35 PR's this year alone! Yeah, there have been some state records, national records and even world records set by our lifters, but one thing Jere points out and what we all know is true at the gym; ANYONE can set a record, but NO ONE can take away your personal best! And we're not done yet! 

Stay Strong,

Niko