Next Level Training

I have been doing some more research the past few days on strongman training and power lifting. I really want to compete at the amateur level at an NAS inc. sanctioned event in 2010. I mentioned in an earlier post that everything I am doing now is better than what I was doing and will make me a better competitor. The problem is that I want to do more than be competitive at the local, novice level.

NAS inc. (North American Strongman Inc.) is the premier sanctioning body for amateur strongman competition. It is also the feeder program for American Strongman Corporation (ASC). To compete successfully at an NAS event is to enter a growing Field of elite athletes.

I am not concerned with becoming recognized as an elite athlete. I just want to see if I have what it takes to compete at that level. I also would like to use my training and would be accomplishment as a broader platform to minister to people young and old.

Our culture is obsessed with sports. Sports stars are idolized more than any Hollywood icon ever was. This use to bother me, still does, but I realize that it is probably not going to change in my lifetime. That is why I see strongman as a medium to use to relay a positive message to the youth of our culture - the most important message of God's love and grace. Sport is a huge medium and where possible we should use it appropriately to further the kingdom.

In my training in 2009 I want to accomplish a few different things. First I want to be able to use the platform to influence others for Christ. Second I want to keep myself healthy for a long time. I will be thirty-five in a couple of weeks and I have a wife and four young kids. I want to be healthy and active for them. Next I want to help others who are interested in weight training. I would like to gain more knowledge in this area and become certified as a trainer. I believe in the benefits of exercise, especially weight training and want to help others learn. As a test of my progress I want to enter a couple local competitions in 2009 and dominate! That sounds kind of cocky, but if I am going to compete at the amateur level I should be dominating the small-town events. They are a good yard stick! Finally, I want to enter an NAS inc. Event possibly in St Cloud, MN. I would like to make a good showing.

I would like to expound on each of those goals over the next few posts while updating my progress as well. We will see how it goes.