Well boys and girls... here it is... the final chapter. My last Journey... this is Bam Bam's new home. I know Ive bounced around from place to place and from one thing to another, but it was all apparently apart of a grander plan. I love bodybuilding for all that it is, has become... and shit, even what it isn't.. but along the way I have discovered one blaring voice in the distant... something calling me... and that is the world of power lifting / strongman. I was born from day one to be a big mofo... so naturally becoming 300+ lbs of monster like muscle should come easy.. yeah right..
I have met so many strong men in my time... but two who have shown me what true "power" is... Sam Byrd and Derek Poundstone. Yeah, I have had the blessing to train at Westside-Barbell, which some consider, as myself included, to be the mecca of hardcore power lifting and strength training. Well, trust me, my sessions there have made me grow in so many ways and it is nothing short of awe inspiring to set food inside that place. Every member of that gym is a freak.. a monster.. whatever u wanna title them, they are that and more. Taking nothing away from what Louie Simmons and his faithful "sons" have accomplished, the two men I mentioned above (Byrd and Stone) have, on every occasion I have seen them either on the computer, television, or in person.. that they are, IMHO, the two most powerful men on the planet. They have the ability to use their unreal strengths to perform near superhuman feats... that is my definition of power... the ability to use ones strength(s) to a higher level. Now, yes, there r many "powerful" people in the world today... whether it be some political figure, millionaire athlete, or new age tv star.. shit, we all see em' and from time to time give in to them. But man, there is just something about these two men that make me want to tear a tank in half with my bare hands...
Ive seen Sam Byrd (as many of you did), only a few months into training from what I hear, come into the CAGE at one of the biggest venues in the world, and squat, belt only, 765lbs.. all while working up with heavy singles, writing a term paper the day/night before, and weighing only about 205 (plz correct me if I am wrong)... and after he does this.. he thanks the fans, and shares a few words and a hug with myself...
Next, comes arguably the strongest man to ever walk the planet... Derek Poundstone. He is Americas Strongest Man, The Arnold Classic Strongman Winner, and has been top 5 every year of his showing at the Worlds Strongest Man, only losing his "rookie" year to Mariusz Pudzianowski by literally a second. Ive seen him take a 206 lbs strongman dumbbell, press it one armed high into the double digits, and on his last rep... hold the weight in lockout, roar at the crowd, and slam the weight home, as if asking for something more challenging. Shit, I've seen the dude take a washer and dryer, put them BOTH on his shoulders, and walk them along the road while helping a friend move... and yeah buddy... finally got to meet the man himself this year at the Classic.. what a monster..
But the main thing here is that these two guys are the reason I have finally made the jump and set my feet in the world of competitive power lifting / strongman. I want to be a combination of these two great athletes, and compete with and also against both of them down the line to test my own mettle. I know it is a long, tough, lonely road... but it is worth every fucking step. I know, or hope so, that in some way these guys are in my corner pushing me from afar. There is no better feeling than knowing that..
In closing I wanna say thanks to all of my fellow ANIMAL brothers and sisters for another awesome year at the Cage. I know I haven't been on here as much as id like, but I am always here and am always around if u need me. Just haven' posted as much. I was happy to return to the FORUM and see so many of u checking in on me, and seeing all of my crew at the Classic and getting such a good homecoming. You all are the reason I keep coming back... not the supplements, or the shirts, or whatever... but the fucking awesome people who make up this brotherhood we have here... our family. So, until I die, or they kick me off the boards lol, I will be setting up shop, and planting my feet here. If you support me and wanna share this life, then come on in and we will grow together, if not... well then fuck it, and God Bless. I am beaten from the Iron...... it has calloused my hands, my shins, my heart, and my soul..... I have scars almost everywhere on my frame inside and out.... but ya know what.... I AM STILL STRONG......and it's my life... I love it
IN IRON,
BB-