My first experience with weight training was when I was about 8 years old. My father had his old Weider weight set setup in the stove room. I would go in every so often and try to lift all the weights I could. I enjoyed it so much by the time I hit 12 I got my first gym pass and from then on I have lifted for over 20 years.
I loved the idea of getting stronger, changing your physical abilities. It grew into not just an interest in strength but fitness and health in general. By the time I left high school I figured I wanted to do something with my passion and turn it into career.
When I gained the opportunity to enter a Kinesiology program in my early 20s I jumped on it. I really fell in love with helping and training people to reach goals.
Since then my career has changed, but not my passion. I entered and won a 2009 bench press championship in the BC powerlifting federation, being a goal of mine. I won the all round best bench press trophy that year.
2009 Bench press championships
I also entered a amateur strongman competition. While I was much less successful as a competitor I enjoyed the training style so much I still incorporate a lot of strongman equipment and training into my workouts.
Having explored the competitive side of strength sports only furthered my passion for the strength and power sports. It was very telling having watched athletes activity cheer and be genuinely excited for their competitors success, even it it surpassed their own. This was very telling to me about the quality of the individuals involved in the strength community.
Some stone training
While I mostly enjoy training now for my own health and well being, my passion for strength training remains just as enthusiastic today.