TylerC
10-19-07, 6:39 pm
Wiley Owens has passed away, he was a true iron warrior
My dad use to work out with him back in the 80s and was one of the only two or three people that ever seen him train. When Wiley trained, the gym shut down. No mortals entered, or anybody with brains at least. At 4:00 everyday, all the average people gathered up their stuff and made their way to the door. Leg presses, pulldowns, seated rows, were all then packed with the most amount of weight. When plates no longer fit, a workout partner or two was told to "hop on and hold on." When a new guy wanted to work out and felt he could keep up, they would make bets to see how many times the new person would throw up during the workout, 5 or 6 at minimum. One time my dad went through a workout with just him, as Wiley was training for the Masters Mr. America, it was a leg day, my dad had to stay on a couch for 4 days. No wussies allowed on the gym floor. Wiley was the Steve Michalik of North Carolina.
Wiley wasn't a tall man, a little over 5 feet, but a true beast. When precontest, he couldn't scratch his head, he couldn't put his hand in his pocket, he couldn't even walk right. His wife had to give him a bath. He wasn't without muscle. The last couple of weeks before a show, he would only eat a boiled chicken breast every other day, before going without water for 4 days (best ideas? no, old school? yes).
Wiley would help out anybody that asked. I, in fact, was going to try to get up with him to help me. If somebody said they wanted to step on stage and recieve a 1st place trophy, Wiley would make it happen, everytime, no doubt. Wiley was also big friends with Lee Haney back in his heyday. When Wiley's "main man lee" would call, the radio would promptly be turned down.
So here is to a guy by the name of Wiley Owens. The guy who's stories can inspire me any day of the week. In any gym of the area, when the name of Wiley is brought up, his name is instantly recognized. I just wanted to share the story of the guy that inspired my workouts.
http://www.musclememory.com/show.php?s=wiley+owens&g=M
Rest in Peace.
My dad use to work out with him back in the 80s and was one of the only two or three people that ever seen him train. When Wiley trained, the gym shut down. No mortals entered, or anybody with brains at least. At 4:00 everyday, all the average people gathered up their stuff and made their way to the door. Leg presses, pulldowns, seated rows, were all then packed with the most amount of weight. When plates no longer fit, a workout partner or two was told to "hop on and hold on." When a new guy wanted to work out and felt he could keep up, they would make bets to see how many times the new person would throw up during the workout, 5 or 6 at minimum. One time my dad went through a workout with just him, as Wiley was training for the Masters Mr. America, it was a leg day, my dad had to stay on a couch for 4 days. No wussies allowed on the gym floor. Wiley was the Steve Michalik of North Carolina.
Wiley wasn't a tall man, a little over 5 feet, but a true beast. When precontest, he couldn't scratch his head, he couldn't put his hand in his pocket, he couldn't even walk right. His wife had to give him a bath. He wasn't without muscle. The last couple of weeks before a show, he would only eat a boiled chicken breast every other day, before going without water for 4 days (best ideas? no, old school? yes).
Wiley would help out anybody that asked. I, in fact, was going to try to get up with him to help me. If somebody said they wanted to step on stage and recieve a 1st place trophy, Wiley would make it happen, everytime, no doubt. Wiley was also big friends with Lee Haney back in his heyday. When Wiley's "main man lee" would call, the radio would promptly be turned down.
So here is to a guy by the name of Wiley Owens. The guy who's stories can inspire me any day of the week. In any gym of the area, when the name of Wiley is brought up, his name is instantly recognized. I just wanted to share the story of the guy that inspired my workouts.
http://www.musclememory.com/show.php?s=wiley+owens&g=M
Rest in Peace.