Interview with Kerry Overfelt (12/22/09)
Here is my interview with Kerry Overfelt. Most of you know him as a top
thrower in the pro ranks. And that he is. He is also our clown prince
of the games. I mean that with all respect, as the guy puts on a
show. He knows the people are there in the stands to see a show and he
delivers. Not only does he throw far and high, he has a great time
doing it and puts it all out for the fans.
I met Kerry at my
very first game. It was an SSAAA game with Kay. I brought my mom, dad,
wife and one daughter to the game and did not know what to expect. I
had not even seen all the events before this. Kerry, K Monster, David
Lyttle, Larry Brock, St.Clair were all there. I was doing weight for
height and ending my day and I was doing pretty decent. I was about 10
feet out in front of the bar and I tossed a 15. Kerry told the others
not to tell me anything. Of course he was joking as Kerry has helped me
as much as anyone. I have literally taped him on the phone and gone
out to throw while listening to him. He is a very good man, a good
friend and an ambassador for the sport. So here you have him.
How old are you?
38 Years old
Where do you live now?
Loretto, Kentucky
Tell us some about your
wife
My wife is a hard working
woman, she is a great person and a great mother. She
owns her own salon and is also very hot.
Tell us about your kids,
names and ages
I have four step kids. Heather
who is 19, Jaren is 18, Hannah is 12(your biggest fan), and Christopher
who is 11. All my kids are very involved in
sport.
Tell us what you do for a
living
I own a personal training business.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in rural Kentucky
and then at the age of 6 moved to Cave City.
What sports did you play as
a kid and tell us about it.
I played football in high
school, I was not a very good athlete.
How did you get into weight
lifting and at what age?
I started into weight training when I was 16, I had no
idea what I was doing but I was looking at Muscle and Fitness and I
started doing some of the exercises in the books.
Tell us about you in high
school.
I was chubby until my senior year and I grew some and it
made me look like I was husky, not fat. I was
not very athletic, or I did not think so. I had
lots of friends and was always trying to mack on some girl.
Hahahahahaha.
Tell us about after high
school, what you went into.
After high school I went one year to Eastern Kentucky
College, then got out and tried working. During
my time at Eastern I got into weight lifting big time. I
entered into 4 bodybuilding shows and was hooked on working out.
What was your first game
and who was there?
My first game was the Glasgow Highland Game. Todd McDougal was there. He won
that day. I never really started into the games
until 1998 when I was done with football.
What was your favorite game
as an AM?
My favorite game as an AM was all of them.
I loved the Jacksonville games in Florida. I
loved any southern games in the early part of the year.
How did you get onto the
Highland games?
One day while working out with Brett Underwood who owned
the local gym in Glasgow, he decided we should go try these games the
Glasgow Highland Games. Bam, that was it, I was
hooked even though I sucked.
Who did you first train
with and who coached you?
I always have trained myself, but I have had many
coaches along the way. David Lyttle, Kearney
Smith, Ryan Vierra was a big help a few years ago and still is. Don Stewart helped me a few years ago with my lifting
routine. I have never had someone throwing with
me that has coached me, I am self taught for the most part.
You had to compete with
David Lyttle, Chris St.Clair and K Monster a lot, what was that like?
Competing with Dave is always a blast. That
guy is a top notch soul that I feel it is an honor for me to know him. K dogg and I have been together for a long time, I
consider him to be a dear friend. St.Clair is a
big time bragging machine, hahahahaha just kidding. St.Clair
and I have been through a lot of battles together and I always love me
some Chris at a game. I love each of these guys. The have helped me a lot through my career. These guys have been so much fun to compete with. I have so many stories and memories with these guys.
What is your favorite
event?
56 for Distance because I
feel so confident with that implement.
When you talk to your fork,
what do you say?
My fork and I have a special relationship.
I try and talk it into getting that bag over the bar. Of course the crowd loves it so a lot of times I just
jibber to it.
When you lift, what
philosophy to you follow? Arnold, Kaz, Louie, Dorian, ect...
My lifting philosophy is basically geared more toward
Louie Simmons I guess. Years ago it would have
been Dorian Yates style. My arms looked good, but
I did not throw as far, lol. So now I am geared
more to explosive power workouts.
What kind of lifts do you
enjoy?
I enjoy training period. Bottom
line is I just love coming in and torturing myself.
What are you strong at?
I enjoy all the lifts, but I am strongest in the dead
lift.
With your diet, what are
you trying to accomplish each day?
Oh boy my diet, lol. Years ago I
was super clean on my eating, then I let it go and started eating
whatever. I never say any difference in my
throws, so I just kept eating like crap. I have
done better this year and eaten cleaner this off season, but I always
try and eat 300 grams of protein a day.
What kind of foods do you
enjoy?
I love sweets, but I have to stay away from them. Red Velvet cake with cream cheese icing, mmmmmmmmmm.
What beverage do you drink
with your meals?
Water or un sweet tea.
What kind of music do you
listen to?
When I am working
out, old school rap or hardcore rap, Ronnie Coleman style.
I like to piss off the want to be hard core lifters that are 170
and have to listen to heavy metal junk. I am not
a huge music lover.
When you go out to eat,
what do you wear?
Depends on the restaurant. Usually
a polo or button up shirt with shorts or khakis. On
the road with the fellows a t shirt and shorts.
Are you a republican or
democrat?
I am not a democrat or republican.
What do you like to watch
on TV?
I like college football and Sienfeld. Sons
of Anarchy is my favorite right now.
Do you mow your own yard
and what kind of mower do you have?
I do mow my own yard, I don’t even know what I bought.
Are you a sci fi or western
movie guy and what is a favorite?
I like both but westerns are my favorite.
I love Once upon a time in the West. Anything
with Clint Eastwood .
You travel with Craig Smith
a lot, what is that like?
Craig is a total tool. LoL
I would have to say that traveling with Craig has been
some of my best times ever in the this sport. Traveling
with him is constant humor. We have started off
for Virginia and look up and we are headed to Indiana. That
kid gets us lost a lot. He has gotten better
though. LOL. He is truly
one of the best friends I have ever had. He and I
have had some great times. He has to be an A-1
guy to put up with my constant yacking the whole trip.
When you do a game, you
seem to play to the crowd, how did that come about?
Playing the crowd came about when I figured out the AD’s
want you to entertain the crowds, so in order to get invited to more
games I started acting the fool.
What can we look to see
from you this next year on the field?
I hope to be even fatter than last year, LOL. No, seriously I am working even harder this year than
ever. I hope you see a really explosive fat kid.
Do you compete for money,
or the love of the sport?
I love the sport, but who does not love money? I do it for the competition. I
like pushing myself past what I think I can do.
Tell me about being a
Christian and how and when that came about?
I have been a Christian since I was in High School. I just never practiced it much. I
have become more spiritual as I have gotten older. I
also have kids and I want them to grow up knowing Christ as their lord
and savior.
In our sport who and what
impresses you?
Craig Smith impresses me with his athletic ability. Larry Brock with his sick technique and pop. Sean Betz with his hammer speed. Ryan
Vierra with his dominance in the sport for so long. Myles
Wetzel with his never say die attitude, work ethic and drive to keep
going. Dan McKim with his sick caber power. Mark Valenti with his complete stupidity, LOL.
Anything else you wish to
add?
I would like to add that I really enjoy this sport and
cherish it. I know that god could take this from
me at anytime so I try and stay very humble. I
don’t think that I am better than anyone. If
anybody ever needs help with anything on the field, all they have to do
is ask, I am easy to approach.
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