FROM DESKTOP TO STRONGMAN IN 8 WEEKS
Johnny is a 40 year old that works in IT. When I first met him, he had a background in running, but was new to the world of lifting weights and building brute strength. Once he got stuck in - he couldn’t stop! Before long, he signed up to his first Strongman Competition at the Commando Temple. We trained relentlessly amidst sharing book recommendations, bad puns and tales of our favourite meals from across the world.
One event in particular was difficult for Johnny. He had to shoulder a 76kg natural stone. In other words, get a heavy, awkward shaped rock up onto your shoulder infront of a crowd of people.
Our first attempts we tough. It’s hard to find the right grips, the stone pokes into your flesh and it can just straight up hurts. It can be an intimidating lift that tests your confidence. In the 6 week build up, we had many attempts and occasionally, maybe 3 or 4 times, things would fall into place and he would hit it. All the while we were strengthening the muscles at play with other exercises and working on the other events. He got so much stronger - but the pesky stone was his white whale. He knew it was possible, but it would never be easy.
Come the day of the competition. You have two stones to choose from. A 61kg, or the 76kg. As many reps as you can do in 75 seconds. The 61 would be a guaranteed points on the scoreboard, but anyone that successfully lifted the 76 would automatically beat you - no matter how many reps were at play. Johnny bravely selected the 76.
The timer starts and he struggles it up to his chest - he battles and it slips away.
This is incredibly deflating. Not only is he now tired, battered and frustrated - but a significant portion of the time has been eaten up. He has one more attempt. He goes for it - has a mighty struggle and with seconds left, neatly stacks it onto his shoulder. The entire gym exploded! The volume was insane and I have never seen so much energy erupt from a crowd. Undoubtedly my proudest moment as a coach. It had everything - it all came from an unexpected guy, that just worked really damn hard and knew that he was capable. Awesome!
