Beaten, Calloused, Scarred, and Strong... My Life

[BamBam]

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-

[sunny_max]

honest write up bro....consider me subbed for the ride!

[J Wong]

You can definitely count me in for this one.

[T o m m Y]

Subbed for this!

[BamBam]

honest write up bro....consider me subbed for the ride!

You can definitely count me in for this one.

Subbed for this!

Thanks fellas. It is always good to see I still have my fellow ANIMAL brothers in my corner. Hope u enjoy the ride... Stay Tuned!

BB-

[BamBam]

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Speed Day- Upper Body

Flat Db Press- 120's x 15, 140's x 12 x 2 sets, 150's x 10 (all done cold- no warm up to help increase G.P.P.)
Bench Press- 225lbs bar weight with 100 lbs band tension- 9 sets of 3 reps (EXPLOSIVE reps)
Close Grip Bench- 225 x burnout x 3 sets, 275 x 15
-s.s. w/-
Pushdowns- 250 (stack) x 3 x 12
Hammer Curls- 65's x 10, 85's x 10 (each arm)
Barbell Rows- 225 x 10, 275 x 10, 315 x 10
-s.s. w/-
Pullups - 3 x 8 B.W. neutral grip

ABS

DONE! Good, quick, powerful session. Today is one of my two speed days. My training days are divided up into two parts, upper and lower body, and then I have two separate days.. MAX effort days and speed or "dynamic" days. Today was dynamic upper body. Dumbells to begin are to increase G.P.P.- or General Physical Preparedness. Band tension on the bench press helps to add a different feel and creates a strong, fast takeoff from the chest and a hard lockout... weight is increased as the bands tighten and would be 325 at my lockout... in Power Lifting, BANDS increase VELOCITY, and CHAINS increase MASS.

Any other questions about my workouts or knowledge I have gained from my recent certification from West-Side Barbell.... please feel free to ask.

IN IRON,
BB-

[T o m m Y]

Awsome DE day bro..

What are your ME lifts for sq/dl and bench days??

Whats the weight at these days bro??

[BamBam]

Monday- Max Effort Lower Body

Rack Deads- Standing on a 3 inch box- 315 x 3 (w/u), 500 x 1, 600 x 1, 650 x 1, 675 x 1, 705 x 1, 755 x 1, 800 x miss... got it to the knee and couldn't wrench it up.

Good Mornings- 225 x 10 x 4 sets
Lying Leg Curls- 175 x 15, 205 x 12, 250 (stack) x 2 x 10
BB Shrugs- 500 x 20 x 3 sets
BB Rows- 225 x 12, 275 x 12, 315 x 10, 405 x 6

ABS

Wednesday- Max Effort Upper Body

DB Press- pre exhaust warm- up- 120 x 10, 140 x 10, 150 x 8
Floor Press- 2 sec rest at the bottom- 225 x 5 w/u, 315 x 3, 405 x 1, 435 x 1, 465 x 1
Bench Press- 225 x 15, 315 x 10, 365 x 8 (getting my range of motion down after a shorter movement on the floor)
BB J.M. Press- 135 x 10, 155 x 10 x 2 sets
DB Rows- 120's x 10 x 3
- s.s. w/-
BW Neutral Grip Pullups- BW x burnout x 3 sets
Pushdowns- Stack- 250 x 12 x 3 set

ABS

Friday- Speed Day Lower Body

Squats- 225 w/u, 315-455 bar weight with 200 lbs band pressure at the top- 9 sets x 2 reps (squats done explosive, fast reps, coming off of a parallel box)
Deads- 225 w/u, 405 bar weight with 120 lbs band tension- 9 sets x 1 reps
Lying Hamstring Curls- same as max effort lower body day
Leg Press- 4 plates per side x 3 sets x 30 reps (done DORIAN YATES "swing" style).. involves more hams and hips
Calf Presses- 4 pps x 20 x 3 sets
T-Bar Rows- 5 35's on the bar x 4 sets x 10 reps

ABS

DONE!!

@ T O M M Y- BW is at 254 lbs.. just weighed in for ya. Any other questions hit me up... I can give some diff exercises I do if it helps

BB-

[T o m m Y]

Very strong work bro..

254? Nice man..

What you looking to get up to?

Do you rotate your ME lifts every week?

[J Wong]

Solid training, that is a lot of weight for a speed day! You must have a monster squat.

[ghost]

subbbbbbbbbbbed

[BamBam]

Very strong work bro..

254? Nice man..

What you looking to get up to?

Do you rotate your ME lifts every week?

I have done a 3 week pendulum wave system with my weights before to match what we did at West Side, but now I am gonna rotate every week for another 6 weeks or so. Both have worked very well for me thus far...

I am looking to get up to NO LESS than 290-300 lbs... If I am gonna do Strongman lifting.. gotta be a GIANT!!

[Vaze_06]

tsss, by time u come back!
this journey better last longer than the other ones lol
sub!

[BamBam]

tsss, by time u come back!
this journey better last longer than the other ones lol
sub!

Im always around girlie.. haha..and Im here to stay!

Sorry it has been a while since I updated last. Workouts going very well, life in general is going ok, and other than that I am thankful everyday to be alive. Better to be 6 feet above than 6 feet under...But, some news about me... I will probably moving here soon to the South Carolina or North Carolina area so any ANIMALS there hit me up. Also...

MAY 22, 2010
Eastern Kentucky Strongman Competition

I am weighing in at about 250lbs even right now, so the Middleweight Division is where i will be competing.. The lifts we are going to be doing are

Bench Press- 225 for reps
Hex Bar Deadlifts- 450 for reps
Tire Flip- 600lbs tire for reps, 60 secs. on a 50 ft course.
Log Clean and Press- 225 for reps, 60 secs.
Farmers Walk- 450 for distance, 60 secs, on a 50 ft course.

Im really happy and of course PUMPED for my FIRST Strongman competition. I plan on winning my division, and hopefully getting my name out there in the SM community for doing so... my goals are 50 reps on the bench, 25 on the deadlift (at least), 400 ft on the farmer walk, 12 reps on the clean and press, and tire flip is unknown..

Wish Me Luck.... nah, FUCK LUCK! Luck is for the weak.... Just wish me good health and gimme a HELL YEAH!!!

IN IRON,
BB-

[BamBam]

Solid training, that is a lot of weight for a speed day! You must have a monster squat.

Squats and deads are my best and of course favorite lifts. Im gonna do a meet after my strongman competition to prove it..

subbbbbbbbbbbed

Welcome my brother!!

IN IRON,
BB-

[BamBam]

Max Effort Lower Body- Monday, 4-12-2010

Rack Deads (1 inch below the knee)- 225 w/u, 405x2, 500x1, 675x2, 725x1, 765x1
Hex Bar Deads- 450 x 14 (this was done to kill myself and get ready for my competition and see what Im capable of deadlifting when Im tired)
Lying Hamstring Curls- 225(stack) x 12 x 4
BW Pullups- BW x 10 x 5
Low Cable Rows- 250 x 15 x 3
Low Cable Kickbacks (straight leg) for lower back- 120 x 10 each leg x 3

ABS!

Done! Good day.. felt strong on the rack deads and the hex bar deads were alright... feel like when Im fresh Im gonna pull at least 25 reps.. gonna smash that competition for the ANIMAL FORVM!!

IN IRON,
BB-

[Firedrake]

(ahem) HELL YEAH!

I just found this . . . make it happen, bro! Let's see YOUR name up there with Byrd and Poundstone.

[BamBam]

(ahem) HELL YEAH!

I just found this . . . make it happen, bro! Let's see YOUR name up there with Byrd and Poundstone.

Honored to have you in here brother... All in due time and Ill be slinging with the best of them!

[BamBam]

Weds.- MAX effort upper body- 4/14/2010

Illegally Wide Bench Press (max 6 rep set)- 225 w/u, 315x6, 325x6, 345x6, 365x4 (last 2 with help)
Incline BB- 315 x 10 x 3
-s.s. w/-
Incline Neutral Grip DB Press- 120's x 8 x 3
J.M. Presses- 135 x 12 x 4
Dips- BW x 20, BW +45 x 15, BW +90 x 15
DB Rows- 120 x 10, 130 x 10 (each arm)
Pullups- BW x 10 x 3
DB Clean and Press- 110's x 8 (each arm)
Bent DB Rear Lat Raises- 80's x 10, 100's x 10 x 2 (each arm)
Hammer Curls- 60's x 10, 80's x 10, 100's x 8 (each arm)
Decline Bench- 225 x 20

ABS!

Done!! Needless to say... Im fucking tired lol...

IN IRON,
BB-

[Nix0r]

Holy. Crap. Absolutely astounding numbers in here! Consider me subbed for this one. I'm gonna be following this closely, and get a much better idea as to how to properly utilize the Westside Method.