A big fan what Animal stands for and represents, this newest athlete to join our ranks has dreamed about lifting in The Cage and being sponsored by Animal. Today, that dream has become a reality for Canadian Jay Nera. If you follow powerlifting seriously, then you know who Jay Nera is. He competes in the 220 lb class and has numerous powerlifting records to his name, despite having only started powerlifting 4 years ago.
After finishing his career with the Canadian National Bobsleigh Team, Jay was looking for a new strength and power outlet. Powerlifting was that outlet. Jay is known as a technician and for his programming intelligence. Hungry for competition, for his second meet, he traveled to Rostov, Russia for the World Powerlifting Championships. He is currently a pro and Canada's national champion (CPF) where he holds multiple records in both the 220 and 242 lb weight classes.
Jay's best lifts to date include a 727 lb raw squat (no wraps), a 475 lb bench press, and a 775 lb deadlift. His best total in a competition is 1901. Jay is training to eclipse Dan Green’s all-time record of 2030 lb at 220 bodyweight with just a belt (no wraps).
Jay is a lifter and a thinker – interested in philosophy and economics. As far as his outlook on lifting goes, he writes: "Powerlifting gives me purpose. To become stronger than I was yesterday. Gravity doesn't change. It will remain constant today and tomorrow. I either get stronger or I improve my technique... But gravity never changes." Jay is also the owner and coach at Dynamo Fitness in Ottawa.
His next meet is Raw Unity Meet 7 in Port St. Lucie, Florida on February 8, 2014. He’ll be lifting along with other sponsored Animals including Dan Green, Sam Byrd, Eric Lilliebridge, Brandon Lilly and Jeremy Hoornstra.
If you want to follow Jay’s Journey to a new WR: "Sisyphus Is Smiling"
If you have a question for Jay: Sophisticated Savagery
Look for new content from Jay here, on Animalpak.com and on Animal's youtube page in the near future.