Athlete Interviews by Myles Wetzel

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?

How old are you?

I am 30 Years old, I will turn 31 in May 13 2010

Where were you born?

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Where do you live now?

Charlotte, NC at the moment but I might be moving back near Fayetteville, NC

How did you end up there?

Well I stopped by Myers Park High School in Charlotte just to say hello to Chris St. Clair.  I was coaching and teaching in Fayetteville, NC at Cape Fear High School and I new that that job was not going to allow me to compete at the level I wanted to in the highland games.  So I set out to find a new job and I was heading up for an interview at Lake Norman High School near the Loch Norman Highland Games and on the way back to Fayetteville I drove down I77 to see Chris St Clair.  Myers Park had just hired a new football coach and he was teaching in the room right next to Chris and I talked to him and they needed some coaches and the rest is history.

What do you drive?

2002 F150 XLT (I bought is when I got my first teaching job)

What do you do for a living?

I’m a teacher and a coach (football and track) and I consider the highland games part of my living as well

How did you get into that?

I knew from early on I wanted to coach.  I have no idea what sparked it. I have always loved sports.  I knew that one day when I was done playing that I wanted to coach.  It’s a great job.  I like helping kids and other athletes (highland games) get better.

You work at the same school with Chris StClair, do they just think highland games athletes are common?  What is that like?

It’s good now that Chris has started training again.  He took some time off to focus on his career and become a national board certified teacher and make some more money, and he was also focusing on strongman as well.  He has now started throwing and lifting again, which is good. We actually have thrown twice in the past three days.  All of my kids know what I do and they ask me how I do at competitions. 

Tell us about your education?

I went to South Brunswick High School.  I graduated there in 1997.  I then went to Appalachian State University and I graduated there in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education.

Tell me how you met your wife?

She is a Saint.  We met in college in our senior year. We both are teachers...well we both were teachers, now she is a stay at home mom.  We worked hard for five years so she could stay home.  She is a great woman, she has put up with me leaving for months at a time to throw.  She has also dealt with me coaching and being gone all hours of the night to football games, basketball games, wrestling matches and track meets.  I owe a lot of my success in the games to her.  Before we had kids I would coach a football game on Friday night till 10:00pm or so. Then we would jump in the car and she would drive 4 hours or so to Richmond, Stone Mountain, etc etc so I could sleep and then compete.  She is a great coaches wife and a great highland games wife.  I have never met anyone like her. I knew from the first day I met her I wanted to marry her and I am so lucky that we are together.  I cannot imagine what my life would be like without her she is the best.

Tell me about your kids?

Awesome.  I have two kids under two...life is busy. I have my Boy Wee Gregor Allen Brock 1-26-08, and my sweet little girl Kylie Adele Brock 10-24-09.... yeah we didn’t waste anytime.  The best part of my day is coming home and seeing my boy run up to the window screaming "daddy"."daddy” its great I can’t wait till both of em can run up to me.  I love being a dad. 

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

My first Job was cutting string on a tobacco stringer on my grandparent’s farm.  I would sit on the stringer, as the tobacco was being sewn onto the tobacco sticks and cut the strings in between the sticks.  I had me an old-timer knife and I was three or four so it was pretty cool to play with a knife when I was that young.  I also got to drive the tractor until I screwed up and ran over some irrigation pipes on the way back from the field with a load of tobacco.  I was six of seven then and I thought my uncle was going to kill me, but he was cool and sent me back to the stringer with my knife.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

My first organized team sport was Softball when I lived in Massachusetts.  My dad was working as an electrician up in mass and they stared my sister and me on a softball team, I had a blast.  I then started little league when we moved back to North Carolina in the 5th grade. I started playing football in the 6th grade.

Did you throw in high school and if so what did you throw?

I threw Shot and discus on my high school team and I also threw on a junior Olympic track team and I got to throw Javelin.  My high school prs in the Shot was 54'9" and 185'5" in the discus.... Javelin I cant remember I think I threw over 150 and got to go to nationals.  I was a big javelin thrower but it was fun.

Tell us about throwing in college.

Throwing in college was fun. I was on a football scholarship and they said I could do track...well that was not really the case.  I didn’t get to practice much because of football season, then winter conditioning, and then spring football.  At one point during college I was waking up at 5:30 to run until 7:00am with the football team, then I went to class all day and then track practice and them weight room.  I lost down from 305 when I reported to school to 255.  I was accused of being an underwear model because I was getting so skinny.  All in all throwing was fun.  I was two-time southern conference discus throw champion.  I also was named All-conference in shot put, javelin, and 35# weight throw indoors.  I wish I could have practiced more but I still had fun.

Tell us about playing football in college

Football was a full time job.  I had a lot of fun and learned how to deal with pain. I had a lot of injuries from football.  3 knee surgeries, elbow surgery and broken fibula.  Appalachian State Football is Great, I played from 1997-2002.  I started my last three years at guard. Our team won the 1999 southern conference championship and we made it to the 2000 semi finals.  I had some good tough coaches who taught me the right way to play.  I use what they taught me now when I coach.  I was lucky to have such great Coaches at Appalachian and It was a blessing to have been granted enough size and athletic ability to get to play at that level.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

1998 Grandfather Mountain

Who was at that game?

Kearney Smith, Donna Mcneilly, Greg Cameron, Todd Mcdougal, Chris StClair, Dave Lyttle, my team mate at app Adam Gilbert

What made you decide to try and compete at a game

Well my track coach suggested it and I thought it would be cool.  My cousin had told me about the games when I was in high school.  He had competed and showed me all his medals and tried to get me involved then but I was too busy throwing the shot and discus and playing football. Being that I knew he competed I called him and asked him to borrow his kilt.  So I woke up at 5:30 am and drove to the foot of grandfather mountain...about 10 miles from my house I paid for the shuttle up, paid the entry fee, and met over 30 competitors fighting it out for 10 spots.  I can honestly say I won the first event I ever did in the highland games...The Grandfather Mountain Stone (clachneart) Putt.  Which really pissed off the other throwers who had been doing it a while, because I was a "ringer"  but then they handed me the 56 wfd and I think I threw it 12 feet.  I was lucky enough to make the cut (and get my entry fee back) and I got my ass kicked in the rest of the events.  I left the mountain with the bagpipes ringing in my ear and reported to work as a dishwasher at Nicks restaurant until 2:00am...man that was 12 years ago.... memories

 You had to compete a lot with David Lyttle, KO, K Monster and the Clair when you started, what was that like.  Tell some stories about competing with them.

       David Lyttle:  We competed in our first highland games together at GMHG and I consider Dave a great guy and a tremendous athlete. Dave and I really had a lot in common with our track and field background.  Dave is a great guy and has worked hard to become a doctor. He is a wealth of knowledge and he has given back to highland games by putting on games, clinics etc.  Dave is a true southern gentleman and I value Dave as a friend and stand up guy

      KO:  One of my most respected rivals and a great friend.  Over the years Kerry and I have had some battles, we have also had some great times.  I love throwing with Kerry. Kerry and I have pushed each other to throw farther. Kerry and I share a common bond because we both coach football and throw. So we understand the work that goes into trying to juggle family, throwing, coaching etc etc.  Kerry is another athlete who is giving back to the sport by being an Athletic director and doing clinics and coaching and doing clinics etc.  He is a true southern brethren and I love him dearly.

     Kearney:  Kearney has been a trooper dealing with many injuries and still coming back.  Kearney loves throwing for throwing, He enjoys the games and I find him to be a very unique individual.  I can tell you that he can aggravate me more than any other athlete when I have to throw after him because half the time he is not ready to throw when its his turn.... but I still love the big teddy bear and I know he has worked hard to throw far.   Just don’t ever travel with him because Kearney time is not the same time as the rest of the world.

      Chris St. Clair:  He was my first training partner in Boone, NC.  He would come to Boone and we would train together.  I would play a football game on Saturday and be feeling like hell and then train on Sundays and have a blast. Chris is a good dude. I enjoy training with him and I ask him for advice on certain things and I try to help him when he needs it.  We have also traveled to a lot of games together this past year and I really have enjoyed our trips on the road.  We stopped at a Red Lobster on the way back from Virginia Scottish Games this year and had the all you can eat shrimp and man It was awesome.... all those little tasty morsels of sea delights...I’m hungry just thinking about that.  Back to Chris lol... he took some time off and I think he is ready to get going and have a good season this year.  Its good to have someone to train with and its even better to have a good quality thrower and friend like Chris around.

 What is your favorite event?

 Well it can vary from game to game.... but Id say I would rank it (Light Hammer/28 WFD/ 56 WFD/Heavy Hammer) 

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

Hammers---Short arms--low point floats.  Weights would be eating too much trig up at the back and not setting up the proper spring phase and fighting the weights

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport

One of the first people to really help me at the games was Donna Mcneilly. She was score keeping at Grandfather and I really had no idea what I was doing. She explained the etiquette of the games. Which I still believe in like (returning your implement, weights, sheaf etc.)  Chris helped me tremendously when I first got started, we were pretty good with training together.  I got help from Larry Satchwell's training video that I purchased from him at a game early.  Kay Cummings was a big part of the amateur scene.  I learned a lot form the old UHATV videos.  I would watch Alistair Gunn, Ryan Vierra, Francis Brebner, Steve Pulcinella, Peter Gundmundson, Karl Dodge, and the list goes on.  I still have all those old UHA TAPES and I love watching them.  I am a bit envious that that kind of coverage is not around these days.  Ross Morrison was a big help to me as well. Chris Chafin and I also would practice together a lot early in my career and we had a lot of fun. Chris and I would have all day throw a thons.  All the events over and over again....hot hot hot practices when we would throw and then go inside for twenty mins then come back out and so on and so on.  I think it made us good throwers. 

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

I did a lot of games in the southeast/mid Atlantic region (Grandfather, Loch, Charleston, Alexandria, Richmond, etc etc I also traveled to Massachusetts for the western mass games.)

What were your favorite amateur games?

Hands down Grandfather Mountain...even though as an amateur it is hard to get to but the spectacle that is grandfather is unreal.  It was my first game I ever did and I always hold grandfather as my favorite amateur games

 Talk about some of the pro games you have done and your favorites.

God has blessed me with a great family that has allowed me to travel the world and experience so many great places, games, cultures and people.  I have traveled to Indonesia which even though I got sick I still think that It was an awesome experience to get to see a place of the world that I never would have gone to unless it was for the games.  My favorite all time Pro games is The Aboyne Games.  Held in August Aboyne to me is what a true Scottish Games is.  It was very much what grandfather is in the US as far as implements, and the way the games run.  I also hold aboyne as a special place because that is where I first met the Great Bill Anderson. Aboyne to me is a game that for some reason I fell in love with.  If you win the game they engrave your name on a trophy, which has been around many many years.  My name is on a trophy with some of the best throwers of all time (Alistair Gunn, Francis Brebner, bill Anderson, grant Anderson, Arthur Rowe, Bruce Aitken and the list on that trophy goes on and I won it three times and I hope to one day when I’m old and beat up I can take my kids there and show them the Donald Dinnie trophy which stands about two feet tall and show them.

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

Ryan Vierra: The Greatest Highland games athlete in US history. 

Sean Betz:  Tough Competitor, great person, and awesome thrower

Kerry Overfelt: I can’t imagine not having KO around, awesome friend and competitor

Harrison Bailey: Awesome athlete and I respect Harrison greatly.  He is a pioneer in the sport with the spin and a great person

James Parman: underrated thrower in the games, Super talented thrower and a great guy to learn the ropes from. Awesome guy

Craig Smith: Talented thrower, great strength and down to earth.  Fun to hang and throw with. 

Greg Hadley: Funny guy with loads of power. We have had some fun together, we can always quote movies. Hadley has great determination and I respect him for all he does with his games in Nova Scotia...Great Fun

Alistair Gunn: He is a legend and definately pound for pound the greatest thrower of all time

Chris Chafin: hard worker and enthusiastic. I always enjoy seeing Chris at games

 There is a lot of people I enjoy throwing with and the list is really long.... a lot of the times I really enjoy are the times when we are not competing and just having fun.

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

Favorite Accomplishments: 2007 US Championships, World hammer Championships, I also like to win at everything I do...but I think the biggest thing I like is the fact that I can be consistent.  The greatest feeling I have ever had was turning the caber in Edinburgh this year at the worlds.

You once saw a thrower loose his balance and catch himself on another thrower, can you explain why the man was so vilified over this miss understanding, as he was clearly a victim of circumstances?

Things happen...maybe he had vertigo??

Talk about training and your philosophy in that area?

My job although is to throw far...I get paid to throw far. So I train to throw far.  My philosophy is to train like a thrower.  I lift to throw farther.

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

Football: 3 knee scopes, broken fibula, elbow surgery, tore ac ligament in shoulder

Highland Games: 1 Knee surgery, Herniated disc in neck, torn quad, ankle sprain...more to come lol

What impresses you now in the sport?

I’m impressed with level of throwers in the United States.  I also am impressed with the organization of the Canadian federation (csaf), I’m impressed with the athletic directors who devote hours to the games.

Who makes you laugh at games now?

KO, Chris Chafin, Craig, Sean, Harrison, Craig Sinclair, Tommy Debruyn, Eric f, hell I laugh all day lol.... I always have a great time

What do you like to do outside of the games?

Coach Football, Track, BIG HUNTER,

What other hobbies do you have?

None really I am really into hunting

What is your favorite food?

Steak and shrimp

 What supplements do you take?

Creatine, Amino Acids, fast twitch, protein shakes

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Water...I’m too cheap to pay for drinks

What beer do you like?

Highland Brewing Company and yuengling

Do you mow your own grass and what kind of mower do you have?

I have a push mower that was left with the house when I bought the house.... the plastic doo hickey that kind of stops the grass from shooting everywhere is broken off so when I cut the grass it shoots all over the neighbors yard...lol

Do you like to garden?

I would but I’m never home to water it

Are you a Democrat or Republican? 

Democrat but I’m open to whomever I like...but mostly democrat. I don’t vote straight ticket

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

Not into it but I am a Taurus

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

Baptist need to go more than I do but I am a Christian and I do believe in God

 What does your wife call you when nobody is around?

Larry

Where do you take the wife out to eat?

We only eat out if we have a coupon...so wherever we have a buy one get one coupon.

What would your wife say is your best body part?

All Of It

Chris Chafin says you have a Charlie Brown head, what part of him reminds you of a cartoon character? 

Chafin reminds me of dangle from Reno 911...now that’s funny right there...Chris is a lot of fun and has worked hard to throw far.

 What do you like to watch on TV?

College Football, Survivor, Grays Anatomy, Friday Night Lights, American Idol, CMT

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

Neither

What is there left in the sport you wish to accomplish and what are the goals this year?

I want to be world champion, but I feel that I am lucky to have done what I have done up to this point. There are many others in this world who have not been blessed with the athletic talents and health as I have been.  I know that I am lucky.  I try not to take what God has given me for granted. 

I would really like to thank all the great people in the games and all the great competitors, judges and athletic directors who put in a lot of time and effort that makes the games continue to thrive all over the US and the world

As Always

Steve Pulcinella is legend in the games.  If you don't know, he has been around and competed for years with so many wins you can't list them all.  The guy is one of the original strong men before it was cool.  If your looking for political correctness then you better stop now.  The guy is an original and a straight shooter.  He has worked for everything he has and in my eyes is a real champion.  I think you will find most of the big throwers love the guy.  I know from the very first time I met him at the East Coast Championship, the guy treated me first class.  This is someone the new guys need to watch, listen and follow to know how to do the games the right way.  So here comes the rooster.  
 

How old are you?

I’m 44 years old but feel wayyy older than that.

Where were you born?

Born in southwest Philly and grew up there until I was in 3^rd grade. That neighborhood used to be fit for decent people but it’s so bad there now you can’t even walk down the street.

Where do you live now?

I live in Ridley PA which is a suburb of Philly

How did you end up there?

My parents moved us there from the city when the neighborhood starting going downhill. I grew up in Ridley and still live there. It’s a kind of a nice blue collar area just minutes outside of the city. Plus I have Ridley on lockdown, everyone knows me, I’m kind of a big deal there.

What do you drive?

I’m whipping a ’08 Jeep 4-door Wrangler with my gym logos on it.

How long have you been in the gym business?

We started a 1600sq ft key club type of operation back in 1995, then got into a bigger 7200sq ft place in 1999 and opened a commercial operation up.

How did you get into that?

Isn’t it every gym rat’s dream to own a gym? I was just stupid enough to actually do it. I needed a gym where we could really hang and bang in and the local places just weren’t cutting it. I started small and just borrowed money when I could and just kept adding to the place.

Tell us about your education?

Nothing to tell, I spent most of my high school years reading muscle magazines in the back of my classrooms and watching the clock until it was time to get out and go to the gym. I never went to college. My real education came from the older guys in the gyms I belonged to. To me that was more important.

Tell me about your kids?

I have two total hotty daughters. Alyssa is 21 and Carmen is 18. I had my kids when I was pretty young with my first wife. Everyone always jokes about my girls having a big scary looking dad like me and I always give fathers this advice: Don’t worry about the guys they bring home, worry about the guys that they are NOT bringing home.

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

I was lucky enough to have a job waiting for me in my fathers printing shop which I dutifully started the day after I graduated from high school and stayed there for 24 years. I did tedious pre-press work at first and graduated to sales and customer service. It was a family business so all my family worked there.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

I never played an organized sport growing up. We played a lot of street hockey and pick up games of football and all but I just wasn’t a “team sport” kind of guy. In my Sr year of high school I was 235lb kid who could bench 365 and deadlift over 500 and didn’t play football….blasphemy! I hate football and the last thing I wanted to do in August was stop lifting and go run around the track at my school in full pads while the history teacher yelled at me.

Did you throw in high school and if so what did you throw?

I did join the track team in my Sr year to throw shot and discus. That was my one regret in school was not doing that sooner. I LOVED the discus the minute I picked it up. With literally no coaching I taught myself how to throw it and did ok. I had throws over 170 in practice the second day I ever picked one up. I think I barely broke 50’ with the shot by just skipping back and punching it.

How did you get into weight lifting and when?

I started pretty young, I was about 13 when I really got hooked. My older brother Joe was lifting and wrestling, my cousin Dave was doing it and since we were all pretty close it was just something that we did. Dave went on to be a really accomplished bodybuilder. When I think back to some of the goofy workout sessions we used to do in our basement back then. It makes me cringe. But we trained hard and learned a lot through trial and error.

Talk about doing strength sports and starting out in that?

I really think it all started with two things. The first few years of the Worlds Strongest Man contest were aired on Wide World of Sports right around that time and I thought those guys were awesome. Big huge guys moving all this heavy stuff around really appealed to me. I knew I wanted SIZE and STRENGTH. The other thing was a book that I had gotten when I was a kid called Inside Powerlifting by Terry Todd. Just looking at the pictures of Doug Young made me push hard so that I could look like that. Those factors are what molded me and what I wanted to do with these muscles I was trying to build.

Tell about some international games you did and some of the people there?

I was kind of lucky enough to be on that tail end of the generation before me and compete in meets with Jim McGoldrick, Paul Ferency, Francis Brebner, Kenny Starnes, Alistair Gunn, Dave McKenzie, Carl Braun Etc. And also compete long enough to compete with the current crop of studs like Kerry Overfelt, Sean Betz, Craig Smith, Harrison Bailey, Larry Brock etc. Then of course the guys I got to battle it out against almost every week like Kurt Pauli, Karl Dodge, Ryan Vierra, Mark Valenti, Chris Rusher, Petur Gudmunnson, James Parman, Art Mcdermott, Mike Smith, Harry McDonald, Dave Barron etc. When I look back at the level of talent that I have shared the field with its amazing.

Bethlehem wasn’t the nationals back then but it was more of an international invitational and it was one of my favorite games. Just being so close to home, a great time of year to throw and the guys that would be there was always a blast. Carl Braun used to run a nice international games that just didn’t quite take off financially. It was a shame, he always had a great field of throwers there.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

The first games I did were a small am games in VA called Scotchtown. I don’t think that festival exists anymore though. That was back in 1993.

Who was at that game?

I remember Dave McKenzie and Dave Strunk ran the show and guys like Greg Martz, John Stenard, Mark Landis, John Paul Wright, Mike Thompson and James Kieth were throwing. I had never even tried the events before so I remember some of the guys teaching me the throws during warm-ups. I did ok in a few events and was totally dumbfounded in a few but I loved it and was hooked.

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

There was a festival near me called the Delco Games in Devon PA. A buddy said I should go try it and I went up there but didn’t have a kilt and they wouldn’t let me throw. There were pros there so I watched them to see what it was all about. I remember it as Carl Braun, Frazier Pehmuller, Harry McDonald and Phil Martin. I was about 290 at the time and saw those guys and I was like “Damn, these guys are freaking big”.

You have seen the Highland Games change a lot over the years, what changes do you like and not like?

Ok, I’m partial to this one but I just don’t like the spinning WOB. I was always the top dog when it came to that event standing and then it all changed once day. Thanks HB! I do like how the games have a more legitimate qualifying system for the national championships now. Years back all the championships were still “invitational”.

What is your favorite event?

I love the caber, it’s the event that always gets that pop from the crowd. It’s always a great feeling to be the first guy to get a really big stick over and excite the folks.

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

I think the one wrong thing that people do is panic. It takes a lot of practice to pick a caber and wait till you maintain balance before you think about starting your run. When you are new to it you feel that thing in your hands and just want to get rid of it. Early on when I started throwing I would practice just picking the caber I had and walking all the way across the field slowly just to get comfortable with the stick in my hand.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

Paul Ferency lives only an hour and half from me so he would come down to my house or I would go up to his place and get together. We used to have a good crew of guys that we used to throw with back then. Me, Paul, Rich Costello, Troy Herr and this crazy dude Mark Moyer. We used to have some legendary practices.

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

I only did three small games as an am so really not much to speak of. There was such a shortage of pros on the east coast around that time that because I was big and strong that qualified me to move up I guess. I learned real quick after that though.

Talk about some of the pro games you have done and your favorites.

I loved Bethlehem, Loon Mt NH, Glasgow KY, Alexandria VA and Portland OR the most. Each was just fun, the crowds were always good. But there was one small festival that we would do each year in Oct. Anne Arundel MD wasn’t a prestigious game at all but it was the week after Bethlehem and all the guys would stay in the area and compete in it. It would just be a great relaxing day with awesome throwing and just tons of laughs. In 1996 we had Ryan, Petur, Harry, Troupe, Braun, Brebner, Pehmuller, myself, Costello, Ferency all there at once and I have a video of that meet and all you can hear in the background was all of us laughing our asses off. That was the day that Francis broke the world record in the 28. That’s when we coined the phrase “It’s all fun and games . . . until somebody breaks a world record.

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

Currently of course my boy Valenti has to be in my top three. I like throwing with Craig Smith, he’s just a cool cat to be around. I have gotten to share the field with Sean Betz, its awesome to see his focus and preparation. And you gotta love KO, he’s just always having a good time no matter what. As a master I had a few battles with my good friend Gene Flynn in 2008. We have had a great rivalry since we were both ams, then pros and now masters.

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

There are so many of the throws and games that stand out. The one game in my career that stands out would be the international challenge meet at Loon Mt HN in 2000. I won the overall in the field that included Harry McDonald, Petur, Alistair, Don Stewart, HB, Wout Zylstra and a few others all at the top of their game. I just had a career day where everything seemed to just come together.

There was one particular WOB throw that I made in 1998 at Carl Braun’s games. I was shooting for 16’9” to break the field record and David Webster was sitting right there on the mic telling the crowd that it was highly unlikely that this record will be broken. I was so pissed I looked at him and said “hey David, watch this!” and I freaking threw that weight a good foot over the bar and just walked off. I have video of it taken by UHA at the level of the bar and it was a whopper of a toss. Webster was speechless.

Another throw that I am pretty proud of was just last season in Ohio when only two guys could turn this nasty stick out of a field of top pros and I was one of them. I hadn’t touched a caber in over a year when I did that. I felt . . . less old after I did that.

Another thing I was lucky enough to be a part of was the short lived UHA series on ESPN. It was a blast getting filmed for TV and then actually seeing yourself in reruns and all. I remember being in a big sports bar one time and there we were all over the bar on TV and people were all looking at me in the bar. Glad I could be part of that era, sorry to see that it’s over.

Why don’t you post more on the NASGA board and what would you change there?

I still post there when I have something to add. I just don’t really check in on it that much.

Talk about training and your philosophy in throwing?

When I first started doing games it was obvious that I would have to practice a LOT. I would just throw until the sun when down. My philosophy was, get strong and practice a lot. Nothing fancy. One thing I always tell people that helped me a lot early on was video taping myself practicing. I always advise guys to do that.

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

I was bullet proof until I was about 37 and then it all came crashing down on me. In 1999 Carl Braun was winding a 16lb hammer during warm-ups like his life depended on it and the hammer head flew off. I was standing there waiting my turn and I was talking to Steve King and all the sudden this cannonball comes flying at us. It didn’t even one hop, it hit me clean on the fly and broke my leg. I told everyone there that I jumped in front of it to save the people in the sponsors tent. I recovered from that ok and the years that followed I have had four knee surgeries, one shoulder surgery, a torn achilles in one ankle and my other ankle totally reconstructed. All that stuff lead to my semi-retirement.

What impresses you now in the sport?

Kerry really does, how does a little fat kid like that throw so far?? Ryan always impressed me. I’ve seen him throw in so many games in the last 15 years and rarely have I ever seen him make a mistake. And of course you Myles, you are like that terminator that has no skin, bashed legs, one eye and is still coming at us. You take situations that would stop just about anybody else and you keep coming back hard. I’d share a foxhole with you any time.

Who makes you laugh at games now?

I met Chaffin last year in Ohio and we had a great time. Kerry never shuts the hell up and he’s funny as hell, I love his attitude. Valenti is always good for a laugh….for a long time we just laughed AT him. That has always been the best thing about the games. I remember traveling with Troy Herr, Rich Costello and Paul and just laughing so much our stomachs would be sore.

If you were watching Carl Braun wind up in the hammer and it slipped from his hands, who in the sport would you most like to see the hammer hit in the sack?

Uuugh don’t even say that, if that hammer would have hit me in the sack that day I think I would be dead. It sounded like a side of beef getting hit with a bat. THWACK!

When I mention these athletes names, just write a few words about them you think of when you see it.

Ryan; The best there ever was. Completely changed the sport

Harrison; Probably the best pure athlete in the games.

Gundmunndson; STONE KING! Man could that guy throw a stone

Alistair; Winner. Never count him out because he is always looking for a way to win.

Don Stewart; What else can you say? Ageless. He is getting better each year it seems

McGoldrick; precise. He was always a cool guy to watch.

Paul Ferency; A throwers thrower. He is so much a thrower that he wears shot putting shoes as sneakers 24/7. Who does that?

In all your years competing, what was the toughest loss and to who, that sticks in your craw and bothers you?

Seriously I’m so much more competitive with myself and the times I was most pissed off at games it was at myself. I was happy coming in 5^th or 6^th place in a big game as long as I threw well.

What challenge can you get up for now days?

Just the challenge of getting through my workouts without getting hurt. My body just seems so much more beat up than a 44 year old should feel. I’m always working around some aches and pains. The other challenge is just to get a chance to get the hell out of work to compete. I’m stuck at the gym so much and can’t seem to get away.

What training philosophy do you follow in the gym?

I’m totally instinctive. My training follows no rhyme or reason. I go as heavy as my body allows me on any given day.

What do you like to do outside of the games?

When I am not working I do nothing. I have no hobbies, I enjoy nothing, I’m basically miserable. I swear, all I do is watch TV and sleep.

What is your favorite food?

Lately I have this thing for chicken burritos from Qdoba. I crave them daily.  But am happiest with a really good cut of steak and a buttery baked potato.

What supplements do you take?

None. I know I probably should take something but I’m basically too lazy and cheap to actually go out and buy them and remember to take them.

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Crystal Lite ice tea. I drink that stuff by the gallon.

What beer do you like?

I know this sounds gay but I think beer is gross and never developed a taste for it.

Do you mow your own grass and what kind of mower do you have?

Yeah, I push that god damn thing around my yard once a week. I think it’s a Toro. I got it on sale at Home Depot. Cutting my grass seriously cuts into my sitting on my chair time. But I’m too cheap to pay anyone to do it . . . thus my dilemma.

Do you like to garden?

Every self respecting Italian guy from Philly grows tomatoes and peppers in their yards. It’s a good thing I know a lot of them that are willing to give me the tomatoes because I sure as shit aint doing no gardening.

Are you a Democrat or Republican? 

I’m really not political at all. But in Ridley it really pays to be a registered Republican. All the local politicians are Republican so it helps. Believe it or not but the last couple presidential elections I have been stuck at the gym from the times the polls open until after they were closed and missed being able to vote. Prisoners get to vote but I don’t.

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

Nah, I don’t pay that stuff any mind. I’m a Libra though.

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

I was Christened catholic but that was as far as it went. I probably could use a little churchin’ though.

What kind of music do you like?

I’m not really a huge music guy, I listen to a little bit of everything. I never owned any kind of iPod or anything. Not a fan of hard metal screaming stuff. I like Dave Matthews, saw him this summer in concert. I would rather listen to old school rap when I train than metal. When Paul Ferency comes down to train that’s what we put on and the other guys in my gym hate it.

 Do you have any nicknames?

The only nickname I ever had that only a few people ever called me was “Pickles”. Here is the story behind that name. Me and a few other guys were picking up Parman at the airport before Pleasanton I think, and James comes off the plane and sees me weighing 320lbs with a big neck roll and says in his winy Texan accent “Jesus Christ Pulcinella, that pickle on your head gets bigger every time I see you!” That was the birth of Pickles.

Where do you like to go to eat?

I like meat so any steakhouse is all good with me. I drag my wife to Qdoba once a week religiously so I can get my burrito. The Philly area is the awesome sandwich capital of the US so you can always get a good cheesesteak or hoagie just about anywhere here.

What is your best body part?

I used to call my throwing arm “the money maker”. Before big games I wouldn’t even use it during sex so as not to wear it out. It used to frustrate my wife.

What do you like to watch on TV?

I watch everything from cheesy reality shows to really boring educational stuff. The only sport I watch is baseball. The Phillies have been pretty exciting the last few years.

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

I’m really into neither but my favorite western has go to be high plains drifter. Clint was bad ass in that movie.

What are the goals for this year?

I told myself this year I wanted to do four or five pro games. Its really just a matter finding games that will let an old has-been in and whether or not I can get the hell out of the gym.

What are we going to see you doing down the road from now in sport?

I would really want to continue to be a part of the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem. The last few years I have been there doing the announcing and this year Paul has been named as the AD. We really want to build these games more and more and make it into the real culmination of the season for all the guys. Maybe I’ll get involved in a couple other games too.

 Let’s talk about your name first, who are you named after and talk about the pride in that some.

I am named after my father & grandfather.  To of the best men I have ever known.  I can't imagine what type of father or man I would be without them.  It is truly amazing to know that you were loved so deeply.  My great grandfather was believed to be an Irish sailor but I don't know any details.  That's were the "Bailey" came from. 

How old are you?

37 on 3/23/10 

Where were you born?

South Bronx, NYC 

Where do you live now?

Williams Township, Pa. (Just south of Easton, Pa)

How did you end up there?

I grew up in Lakewood, NJ and left for college in 1991.  Went to college in Easton, Pa. (Lafayette).  Never really left.

What do you drive?

Dodge Ram 1500 - Wouldn't drive anything else, except maybe a 2500.

What do you do for a living?

Assistant Principal at a high school for the past 9 years.

How did you get into that?

I originally wanted to go into public speaking.  I wanted to travel to colleges and talk to teams and college organizations about rape, sexual harassment and the male image in America.  Fortunately, I was a decent football player, and played a year of Arena 1 football for the Conneticut Coyotes.  After that, I knew I needed grad school and got a job at a teacher training school while going to Lehigh University.  At the end of getting my Masters of Ed. I decided I loved working with kids and wanted to be an administrator.  I truly believe that when we are lucky enough to recognize what God means for us to do, you can't walk away from it. 

Tell us about your education?

BA - Anthropology & Sociology at Lafayette College

M. Ed - Education (Spec. Ed.) at Lehigh University

Principalship Cert. at Lehigh University

Tell me about your kids?

Love them!!!!  HB4 is as smart as a whip.  He is 5 but says things that make you think he is 50. 

Torin James is almost 3.  He is my bull in a china shop.  He loves to get a rise out of you and then smiles in a way to melt your heart.  They are going to be quite the pair.  Actually, we have kept it under wraps but we are expecting a third.  I would love to have a girl but as long as he/she is healthy, that is all I need.  I just hope I am half the father my dad was.

Talk about your wife and how you met her?

She is a damn saint.  We met in grad school and the school we taught at.  She hooked me by drinking beers and smoking a cigar or two.  Ofcourse, all that ended when we got hitched!!!  She is like half my height but we are an incredible match.  Any woman that can put up with my work and HG schedule should be given a parade. 

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

I set up and broke down party rooms in a banquet house.  To this day I can't stand to touch other people's food.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

Soccer & Wrestling.  A million different backyard sports.  I didn't play organized football until 9th grade. 

Did you throw in school?

Yes, I threw discus and Jav. in HS. I even ran high hurdles.  It was awesome to watch other runners faces as they watched me take a throw in the discus, run over to the hurdles, race, and  run back to the discus.  Senior year I was 215lbs running high hurdles.  I threw 176ft in the discus in HS and 176.6ft in college.   I have never regretted playing football but I always wonder how far I would have thrown if I had been able to concentrate on it. 

How did you get into weight lifting and when?

Religiously, not until college.  It really all started freshman year with Big Paul Ferency as my throws coach.  He had me going hard core, old school lifting.  I was squatting, cleaning, benching, and throwing 3x's a week.  Hey, when you are 18 you can do that stuff.  Let's put it this way, from 11/1991 to 4/1992 I went from 219lbs running a 4.79 forty (electronic eye) to 237lbs running a 4.65.  He got me strong.  I have learned to listen to my body over the years and made some adaptations, but all in all I still use his appoach to lifting.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

Long Island , NY - 8/1997 - It only had 3 events: stone, caber, & w/h

Who was at that game?

Not many.  I know that it was my first intro to the pretty boy of the games - Roy Bogue.

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

I knew Paul did the games and after Arena football I needed to keep competing.   I asked Paul to train me and the rest was history. I owe him a great deal for my success.  I also had the chance to throw with Ryan Vierra and Francis Brebner when they stayed with Paul.  I was just a kid and they were bigger legends than I even realized. 

All athletes have reservations regarding the first time or two competing, but you crossed a barrier that most of our athletes don’t.  Talk about that and what that was like. 

Very good question.  Yes, I'm the first and only black guy to throw on the pro circuit.  Honestly, that has not been a very big issue for me.  I have met guys from all over world and I have had very few incidents, in the games.  If I am going to be honest, my mother always taught me that I was going to need to be at my best to get ahead.  So, I trained as hard as I could so that games wanted me there, regardless of their personal politics.  My only specific issue occurred when I was an am.  I got uninvited to the North South Challenge my first year.  It was going to be held in New Orleans and I was told that K. Cummings was worried about racial problems from Civil War reenactors.  Jim Pauli told me during a competition at Ligoneer and I think I hit 3 PR's that day.   I guess I could complain that I haven't competed in many games in the south but hey, neither have many other northerners. Most of the southern pros have treated me just fine, except that damn racist KO.  (Just kidding, for all you sensitive types.)

How has that changed now as the years have gone on in the sport?

I think people's attitudes regarding diversity has changed quite a bit.  Look at the strides Shannon Hartnett and all the women after her have made.  At the end of the day, we are all dreamers in pursuit of the big throws.  Regardless of race, sex, religion, etc., we can all appreciate a world record.  Honestly, I am at a point in my life that if guys are still stuck on that nonsense I feel sorry for them.  Evolve already!!!

You have seen the Highland Games change a lot over the years, what changes do you like and not like?

I think the Nasga board is one of the most progressive tools created in during my throwing career.  Hats off to K. Pauli.  I also think the work that Ryan V. has put in to help organize the US and now World Championships has been monumental. 

What is your favorite event?

That has changed from season to season.  I would probably say the hwd or sheaf.  Yes, I said sheaf.

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

WFD - They don't spend enough time practicing the first turn.  If you don't set the ball in the right orbit and your not landing in a drive position, the throw is over before you start.  Sheaf - Back swing, back swing , back swing.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

Paul Ferency for both.  I also got to throw with Ryan V. and Francis B. while  was in college.

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

Ligoneer, Alexandria, P-Town, Carlisle, Richmond, Long Island, Kansas &  Elizabethtown to name a few.

I honestly owe all of those AD's a lot. They let me get my foot in the door and when I was unknown.

What were your favorite amateur games?

Probably P-town.  It was my first national championship comp. and what a venue.  Every AM should try and experience that one.  Alexandria was awesome also.  East Coast Championships!!!

Talk about some of the pro games you have done and your favorites.

Sacramento  - Ususally the first big games of the year.

Alaska - Absolutely amazing people & great low key games.

Durness, Scotland - Most beautiful games

Ligoneer - My first pro games

Halkirk, Scotland - My "this is what scotland is about" games

Edinburgh, Scotland - Best throwing field venue

Fergus - Consistantly one of the best international comps

Rio, Brazil - Once in a lifetime

Cortland - Best low key games around

Portland - The old days at Portland Brewing

Detroit - Most thrower friendly games

Bethlehem - Hometown games, National Championship, Throw far or go home games, NEED I SAY MORE!!!

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

Barron Boys - Guys who love the games & just great fellas

Brock - win or lose great laughs

Vierra - An unmatched competitor, clutch thrower

Betz - I always watch him and say "how the hell did he do that???"

Zolk - Work horse and solid competior

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

Am - I broke 4 am records at Elizabethtown one day and Roy B posted it on Nasga.  That felt great.

Pro - New Hampshire right after 9-11.  I won and they played the National Anthem.  It gave me chills.

        Celtic 2001 or 2002 - breaking Paul F. WFH record and then breaking the world record.  Paul was there to congratulate me.

Why don’t you post more on the NASGA board and what would you change there?

I post when I have something useful to say.  I wish more guys took advantage of asking throwing questions on the board.  It is an incredible resource.  Maybe add a section were people could add video clips.  I am glad the old arguments seemed to have died (am vs pro, stand vs spin, clean vs dirty).  I am all for free speech but these issues tend to turn personal and end up unproductive.  

Talk about training and your philosophy in throwing?

From April through July, I try to throw 4 days a week.  Not more than 2 events in a session.  At this stage I work on quality over quantity but I put in good number of reps.  I use a lot of video.  If I had to do it all over again, I would have used video from the start.  I have been able to correct so many technique flaws by taking 3-4 throws, watching myself on video, and then throwing again.  I can always find something to fix.  I am also infamous for changing up styles.  For example, I have changed:  Stone - 3x, WFD - 3x, Ham - 2x, Sheaf - 2x, WFH - 3x.   These haven't always been monumental changes but I believe you need to figure out what works for you. 

What is your favorite drill you do and why do you think it helps you?

In the off season I do a lot of drive drills and position drills.  Ryan V once told me, "Position creates distance, not speed."  I have always believed that.  I don't care how strong or fast you are, if you can't get into the position to use it, who cares!

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

Separated shoulder, torn ham string, torn groin, torn achilles, torn bicep  (Those were the severe ones)

After the Achilles injury, talk about the mental aspect of coming back into the sport.

Being a competitive athlete is either in your genes or it's not.  I knew I would come back.  Hell, I competed 6 months after surgery and threw well.  The mental part was knowing how hard to push without additional injury.  The worst part was that it forced me into bad habits.  Because I couldn't drive off my right foot/toes, I started heel turning.  That bad habit killed my throws for a few years and still creeps back in when I get careless or tired.  I should have listened to my doc and wife and laid off it for the year.  But, I am as much of a games whore as one can be.

What impresses you now in the sport?

The level of competition has gone through the roof in the past few years.  There were always 3-4 guys at a time that were incredible but now there are a dozen guys in the sport that can hand you your jock at any games. 

Who makes you laugh at games now?

Brock, Chaffin, & KO. 

Funniest Time: ( Enumclaw 2 yrs ago)  We all walk into a Baskin Robbins, after dinner and Chaffin accepts the challenge to try and eat an entire ice cream cake at the counter.  After the dozen of us all place our bets, the workers and owner get in on the action and then every customer that walks in gets involved.  We end up with 20 - 30 people packed into this little store cheering on Chaffin as he deperately try to keep himself from puking.  Absolutely hilarious. 

When I mention these athletes names, just write a few words about them you think of when you see it.

Ryan;  Hands down the greatest thrower of all time

Overfelt;   racist, little people lover (Ha,ha), one of the most improved throwers on the circuit

C. Smith;  strong guy with a stronger opinion (but I respect him for his honesty)

Gundmunndson;  Best stone thrower I have ever seen

Pulcinella;  Extremely strong guy, if he had been able to put a few healthy seasons together he would have done awesome

Betz;  Great guy, class act, hell of a thrower

Brock;  Incredible technician & greatest hustler in the games

What fires you up now days in the games? 

Figuring out techniques in events that have killed me for years (caber, stand. wob)

What training philosophy do you follow in the gym?

Weight room: Late Nov - March   Reps: 10(Nov) down to 2 & 1(March)    Week Routine:  Day 1-lift  Day 2-Drill   Day 3-Rest   Repeat

Lifts - Pull (High pull (hang/floor/box),  Squat (Back & Zerch),  Deads (floor/box)    

I use bands almost every set until I want to go test heavy.  I don't go into my weight room after mid April.   This program really works for me.

What do you like to do outside of the games?

Hanging with the family, house projects, wood work, hiking and getting into sailing.

What other hobbies do you have?

Collect old tools

What is your favorite food?

Split b/w pizza and a good steak 

What supplements do you take?

A lot of vitamins, fish oil, protein shakes, & cell drive

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Green Iced tea

What beer do you like?

Guiness & Moosehead

Do you mow your own grass and what kind of mower do you have?

John Deere Rider (2 acres)

Do you like to garden?

That is the wifes thing but there is nothing like fresh veg. from your own yard.

Are you a Democrat or Republican? 

Absolute Democrat.  You know I'm loving this Obama thing, on sooooo many levels!

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

No. Aries

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

It might sound nutty but I consider myself very spiritual but not very religious.  Definition:  I love, praise and respect god but don't get into all the ceremonial church stuff. 

What kind of music do you like?

Mostly R & B, some Hip Hop & funk, old Rat Pack stuff, and some old rock when I train (Kiss, ACDC)

Where do you like to go to eat?

5 Guys (Burgers) and Don Pablo's for Mexican.  Pizza is my common downfall.

What does your wife think is your best body part?

Good question??????

What do you like to watch on TV?

Sit coms - Modern Family;    MSNBC - Politics;     Dramas -  Brothers & Sisters

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

Actually more of a comedy & action guy but if I had to pick, sci fi. 

What are the goals for this year?

How old are you?

I am 36 years old. But my body feels 50.

Where were you born?

Hulst in the Netherlands. Is a small city just across the Belgian border. In the war 250 years ago this was a little piece of Belgium which Napoleon Bonaparte did not gave back.

Where do you live now?

I live in Belgium for more than ten years now. But the border is nearby.. just 10 minutes..

How did you end up there?

I married a beautiful Belgian girl and she has her own company  here and I already had a company in Belgium so we decided to stay here. Dutch people easier go the Belgium than the other way round.

What languages do you speak?

Dutch which is my native language. English , German and some French but the last one is not that good. I can understand it. Also a bit Afrikaans because this is close to Dutch.

I therefore hope that my English when it comes down to writing will be good enough for everybody to read in this interview

How did you learn these languages?

Belgium is a bilingual country like Canada. So when you go to school you learn both languages. It’s mandatory. I only went to school here when I was really young. I went back to the Netherlands to school and there German is a second language. Not in the country but on school. Don’t ask me why. We fought to get these people out 60 years ago. Some of them still stole my granddads  bicycle to get back.

What do you drive?

An Audi A6 . I know it’s a German car.. But he is fast !  

I also have a van which is handy for al my throwing gear.  I am looking for another car now. A BMW X5 or an Audi Q7. I am looking for something bigger..

What do you do for a living?

I run two businesses..

I have a security company for over ten years now.  I have more than a hundred guys working as security guards. In all sorts of security work. Stores, harbor, factories, festivals, clubs etc.

I also run what you Americans would call a Bunnyfarm.. I already had three athletes who applied for a job.

Larry Brock: Bartender

Ryan Vierra: Food and Beverages

Greg Hadley: Wants to work the door..

How did you get into that?

I worked the door with my brother and half brother years ago at some big clubs in Belgium. We did good work and were asked on other jobs as well. After a while it was so busy we had to ask other guys to come and work for us. After some years I started a official company and started to do more kinds of other security work. For clubs you didn’t need a license more than ten years ago. Now you do. Better this way because in the old days you had a lot of eastern European mobsters working the doors here.

The Bunnyfarm was run by a good friend of mine but he died a couple of years ago and I took over the business. It’s a legalized good and healthy business with all independent woman who earn a good living. We do screen all our clients.

Tell us about your education?

I am a chemical engineer. I studied at a University in Holland and worked several years at GE. A big American company you probably know. I worked at the plastic division. I have many technical diploma’s.  I also have a lot of diploma’s for security and also studied security management. You can compare this with a universal degree.

Tell me about your kids?

I have two beautiful kids. A boy and a girl. Duncan (Mcleod) and Xena (the warrior princess). 9 years old and 6 years old. Duncan plays soccer on a high level but also does track and field. He is quite good with the shot and wfd. I just let him play for now and will start his training in a couple of years.. You will see him one day in the NASGA rankings !

Talk about your wife and how you met her?

I am married for ten years now with my wife Sabien. She is a great wife who really support me in everything I do. She is also the organizer of the Belgian Championship and she is also the main organizer of the IHGF masters in Belgium. She also loves the games although she never competed but just loves to be part of it.

We married on 9/11  the day the planes flew in the WTC towers. Not a real great to marry but I never forget my wedding day..

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

I worked at a grocery store. I bought my first motorcycle with my hard earned money.. After my education I worked for seven years at General Electric .. I had a good job there but deiced to start my own business. A risk but my wife supported me and I took a chance.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

I wrestled, karate and played soccer. I started kickboxing at the age of 9 and competed in lots of games. I even boxed in Bangkok several times when I was between the age of 17 and 24.  I was not bad..

Did you throw in school?

We did not do a lot of sports in school. The system work totally different over here. Here you have sport clubs that are not owned by schools.  I wish the system was like in the US. It’s a great way to breed talent. I spend some time over at Ryan Vierra place and saw how he coached in college.. Great way to learn the throw.. He does a great job with the kids over there.

Talk about throwing shot and traveling to do that.

I started to throw the shot when I was 32 years old. When my highland games career started. Not earlier than that.

How did you get into weight lifting and when?

My older brother lofted weights together with my dad. He was a Olympic judo. He was a big guy just like me. Very strong. Bench pressed 364pound at the age of 15 !

He teached me to lift weights and I started at the age of 16.. I was tall and skinny but after a year I started to get stronger and gained weight.. Then I got really motivated.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

I knew Wout Zijlstra from the strongman circuit. I organized a strongman game several years ago for charity. For kids with muscle diseases. He was a great guy and we became good friends. My wife organized a highland game and I was a spectator and helped out with the games. When the final event the WFH started Wout asked me if I would like to try it one time. More than a thousand people where watching. I threw 16ft… Everybody got silent.. from then on I started to train at Wouts place.

Who was at that game?

Wout Zijlstra, Hans Lolkema. And several Dutch and Fries athletes.

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

I love to throw and the combination between strength and technique in highland games is great. I think it is absolutely one of the most underestimated sports there is.

Talk about some of your favorite games and doing them.

In Holland and Belgian you have some nice games in Destelbergen where the Belgian Championships are. In Holland I like Rotterdam and Tilburg. Good crowd and a nice people.

In Scotland you have many nice small games. Tomintoul, Inverary , Stonehaven..

I never competed in the US but I would love to do that one day.

I once visited Canada in Greg Hadleys hometown of Antoginish and that games was great.. Great town, good people..

You have seen the Highland Games change a lot over the years, what changes do you like and not like?

I am what Mr. Edmunds would call a traditionalist. I don’t like the Highlander Challenges. My personal opinion is that they invented it for two  reasons.

Some guys would not like the thing I say but as I said it is a personal opinion and I am entitled to have one. We have an old traditional and cultural sport which we have to preserve and cherish. Not f**k up.

I also don’t like the change in the WFH with the spin but I can except as an separate event.   

What is your favorite event?

The weight for height.

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

Not using their legs. Just bending their back.

Do you like the sheaf throw and do they contest that in Europe?

I like the sheaf throw but here in Europe they do not do it often.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

Wout Zijlstra. He brought the sport to Holland and Belgium and did great thing for the sport. He coached me in the beginning..

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

My buddy Jimmy who is the recent Belgian Champion. He is eager to throw and gives everything he’s got. He is also someone which I can talk on a professional level about training and the sport in general. Also my buddy Wulbert who does a lot to keep up our website and coordinates the athletes for all the games. He is also a good and passionate thrower.

In Scotland I like the American guys like Larry, Sean, Ryan and the little Canadian sasquatch called Hadley..

They are always friendly and willing to help you out.

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

I loved the two time I became Dutch and Belgian Champion and beated Wout and Hans Lolkema at several games.

I also loved the throw in Destelbergen 2008 at the Belgian Championships when I broke the Dutch record with the Braemar stone. It still stands.

What impresses you now in the sport?

What impresses me is that the speed of some events like wfd and hammer throw is still gets more.. Athletes become faster with more bodyweight.

Who makes you laugh at games now?

Larry Brock YEAH !! (he knows what this means)

And Koalaboy.. (That is how I call Aaron Neighbour)

Also Scrumbearilicious Ryan Vierra is a great laugh some times.

I love it when we can have a laugh at a game. We are professional athletes I know but a laugh relaxes me from time to time.

Your promoting a game this year for masters throwers.  Talk about this game, the people that are coming and the venue.

We decided last year to try to promote a big of bigger game for a small country like Belgium. We wanted to bring the games to a next level. I loved the idea of a class of the legends. Old champions and getting them motivated to compete again in a big international game. I did not had to trigger them because they were already fired up when the heard the idea.  

The games are held at a place where they always have a yearly Scottish festival. It’s a great castle in the East of Belgium. Before this game they only had some amateur throwing but mostly dancing and pipes.

When I mention these athletes names, just write a few words about them you think of when you see it.

Ryan; Great athlete, good friend, good coach and a person who changed the sport.

Brebner; great guy, top thrower and passionate about our sport. Does a great job with David Webster.

Gundmunndson; great putter ! Never met him but love his throws

Pulcinella; Looks strong. Never had the privilege to meet him.  

Gunn; The greatest and the smallest.. The giant killer. When he stands beside me he is as tall as my son. When you do not know him he is an asshole but he is a good guy.

What fires you up now days in the games? 

When Hans Lolkema is there..

What training philosophy do you follow in the gym?

Explosion.. Fast and hard..

What do you like to do outside of the games?

Spend time with my family. I am a family man.  

What other hobbies do you have?

 I am a hard rock and heavy metal fan and I love to visit concerts.

I also collect comics and love to watch movies.

What is your favorite food?

My mother’s homemade spaghetti …

What supplements do you take?

Amino acids, creatine, whey protein and sometime I use some energy boosters but nothing more..

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Water, lots of water..

What beer do you like?

I am more of a whiskey drinker but I love some good heavy Belgian beers that are brewed by the monks.

Do you mow your own grass and what kind of mower do you have?

I have a penthouse..

Do you like to garden?

I do but I do not miss it.

In America we talk Republican or Democrat.  What would I ask you about politics in your country?µ

Republic. But Bush was a nitwit..

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

I do not believe in all of that crap.. What sign ? I am born on the 10^th of September which makes me a virgin.

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

I was raised catholic. And still am.

What kind of music do you like?

Heavy metal.

Where do you like to go to eat?

Somewhere where my kids are welcome and the steaks are big !

What does your wife think is your best body part?

My third leg..

What does your wife think about you competing?

She loves the games. She really supports me. When she is not working she comes along.

Lets talk about injuries and how you got them.

I have a bad right knee which I have been struggling with for two years now. I am not competing this year because my doctor has advised me to take a year off with competing to let the injury heal completely.

How I got it is a good question. I twisted my knee sometimes but mostly it damage due to heavy training

What do you like to watch on TV?

Series like 24 or Sons of Anarchy and the Sopranos.

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

Absloutly SCI FI.. I am a great Star Wars and star trek fan. Love to watch it.. also Stargate and several other shows you have on Sci Fi channel

What are the goals for this year?

Recovering is the priority. But besides that I am still involved with the Dutch and Belgian Highlandgames Federation. Helping out with games and coaching some of the new athletes. But the mail goal is getting ready again for next year. I will be back

Thank you brother.

647 years old.  Born in the 13^th century into a community of Celtic Druids, I am an Immortal. I stopped aging when I was 32 – as I appear now.

Where were you born?

In the Ancient Pagan district of New York City.

Where do you live now?

Syracuse NY

How did you end up there?

After spending most of my life in the Northeast, I moved from Maine out to Colorado to explore more of the country (which was awesome). Then my wife was accepted into a Ph D. program in Syracuse and we came back East.

What do you drive?

I just got a new company car – a brand new Toyota Corolla. I love it. I used to have a Black Toyota Tacoma like my buddy Kerry Overfelt but eventually ran out of money to put in its gas tank.

You ever change your own oil?

I assume lawn mowers count.

 What is your heritage?  Italian, German?  Give some percentages.

I am very exotic and diverse. If you’ve ever heard of the United Kingdom you may be familiar.  I am part Welsh, Scottish, Irish and English.

Have you gone green?

I did institute a recycling program at my last 3 employers and my wife and I use cloth diapers for our daughters that we launder ourselves.  We buy much of our vegetables from a local organic farm. But I wouldn’t say so…well, maybe.

What do you think about global warming?

I am terrified that the overwhelming scientific evidence that even scientists employed by Oil companies agree with is true. I am even more terrified by how little most people seem to give a shit.

What do you do for a living?

I am a sales rep for Pella Window and Door Corp. – the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 “Energy Star Company of the Year” – which is an award given by the Environmental Protection Agency

How did you get into that?

After college, the only direction I had was wanting to learn how to someday be able to build my own house. So I started framing houses in Northern Colorado, then managed a skylight and passive solar installation company and eventually got into sales with an Energy Star vinyl window manufacturer. I have worked for 2 different window companies previous to starting this job with Pella.

Tell us about your education?

I went to a small liberal arts college in rural Maine – Colby College.  I started as a Philosophy major and then decided to change to Anthropology. It was a pretty intense academic school and I really was excited by studying Anthropology - but am not sure what benefit I thought it could possibly have given me after college. Oh well.  It was a pretty fun place to go to school with plenty of opportunities to hike, kayak and snowboard.  I played drums and guitar in a bunch of college bands and it was in one of the bands that I met my wife.

                      I spent half a year living in Kathmandu, Nepal doing Anthropological studies, living in a mud hut and sleeping on the ground.  For the last month of the trip I studied with an 85 year old Swami (a Hindu Holy Man) who spoke like 9 languages and had lived alone in the wilderness for 10 years and came back to teach others about the Universality of all religion. I stayed at his Yoga ashram (temple) at the top of a small mountain (you had to hike the mountain to get there)

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

I worked with my friends father doing odd land-scaping jobs and stone wall building. Plus the old favorite task of insulating attics in the middle of summer with fiberglass insulation.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

I won the softball throw with ease in elementary school. Every kid in little league feared me. I had many games with at least 2 home runs. I was 200 lbs and almost 6’ in 7^th grade. I was a pretty good center on my middle school basketball team. I played football and wrestled for 2 years in High School but quit after that as I was just bored and sick of spending so much time at practice. I finally picked up the shot and discus and throwing took over my athletic interests from them on. Well, that and ultimate frisbee….(which is throwing!)

Did you throw in high school and if so what did you throw?

I threw shot, discus and javelin. My crappy High School bests were: 49’, 149’, 165’

Did you fight with your brother when young?

Nope. Wrestled yes.

Tell us about Dave, what was he like as a young athlete?

Very similar to me. Quit football to focus on track. He was (is) a better shotputter than me. I could (and still can) shame him throwing the baseball though.

Tell us about throwing in college.

I loved it – but my passion for throwing was mostly related to Highland Games.  I was pretty obsessed with the games starting in ’97. I eventually gave up the shot put and discus as it was too time consuming to travel for a whole weekend track meet just to compete for 2 hours in my two events and it conflicted with too many opportunities for my band to play a show. Plus, my college team had the nations #1 Div. 3 Hammer Thrower – Jamie Brewster – so he kept all the spotlight.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

My first full amateur competition was in 1994 at the Round Hill Highland Games. I was 15 at the time. 

Who was at that game?

 Besides my brother, I believe Don Mackenzie, Bill Sutherland, Ed Stephens and a puny Roy Bogue.

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

I pretty much wanted to do everything that my brother was doing.

What is your favorite event?

The 28 lb. weight throw.

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

Performing the second spin only slightly faster than the first. It should be an all out blitzkrieg. (I know, cool word).  I also have a different starting cast technique than most throwers which is what some call the “figure 8”. I learned this from watching Matt Sandford’s enormous weight throws and believe that this is the secret to throwing far in the weight throw events. There are some excellent youtube videos of Matt throwing the World record at Estes Park for those that want to see what I am talking about.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

Dana Florence, Eric Sauve, Don Stewart, Art MacDermott, Bill Sutherland, Don Mackenzie

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

I did all the big ones and loved it. East Coast Champs at Alexandria, Estes Park, Pleasonton, Kansas City, North South Challenge, USA vs Scotland…

What were your favorite amateur games?

Kay Cummings and his family did an incredible job of organizing championship amateur competitions that made us feel like real celebrities - like the North South Challenge in New Orleans, and the Usa vs Scotland in Newtonmore Scotland. Pleasonton was an amazing experience for me the year before I went pro. I had 4 personal bests and placed 2^nd to Ken Lowther. Sean Betz and I battled it out that whole weekend and pushed each other. He’s a little better than me now…J

Talk about some of the pro games you have done and your favorites.

The Fair Hill games has a small field that is overlooked by a huge bleacher area that puts the crowd right on top of you. It is an outstanding venue for crowd support and probably the competition I look forward to the most every year (since its usually the first games of the year for me after the long winter.)

The Celtic Classic really is the most exciting venue to compete at.  It usually has been a tough effort to qualify and its an incredible reward to get to compete in front of so many spectators. The festival doesn’t charge admission and as a result the crowd swells to absolutely enormous numbers. Its just awesome. The Pleasonton games are equally as exciting.  I have done a handful of games in Scotland and really loved throwing over there. The most beautiful of all the games in Scotland for me was the one amateur games I did in Newtonmore. Other North American favorites are Estes Park, the Glengarry Games in Maxville, Ontario, the Portland Highland Games and the Maine Highland Games.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in the games?

Well, I am proud to have held the Amateur World Record in the HWD at one time. Placing top 5 at multiple Pro National Championships and winning the IHGF World Team Championships with Sean Betz in 2009 at the Antigonish Games.

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

Just about all of the pros in this sport have gotten to where they are as pro Heavies because they truly love the Highland Games events and festival atmosphere. It’s awesome to spend a day throwing with all the other pros as all of a sudden you are surrounded by guys who understand and share your love of throwing heavy shit with kilts on. I love all the guys I share the field with.  Its also really great to get to compete with my brother as often as we do.

Let me mention some names and you comment on them;

Vierra; - Ryan is one of greatest people to have made his mark on the heavy events. His domination of the sport was unbelievable and yet he still is always incredibly friendly and happy to offer coaching advice. One of my favorite guys to go out to eat with. My passion for food increases (if possible) when he is around – the man gets truly excited. Really glad that he is at the helm of IHGF with Francis and David Webster.

St.Clair; - Chris is just an awesome guy and I wish I traveled more these days down to games in the South to see him. This man is freaky strong. He has turned the biggest cabers I have ever seen. Got to travel with him in Scotland and had a great time.

Brock; Kerry Overfelt told me back in like 2002 or something that once Larry stopped focusing on football that he would develop into the World Champion. Larry’s focus and drive in this sport motivates me a ton. Also a really great dude. Really happy to see him finally take the World title.

Craig Smith – When I first met Craig in 2003 I did not expect him to kick everyones ass so badly. But he and I became friends immediately and I have met few guys on the circuit as nice as this guy.  His laid back personality always helps mellow me out on the field.

KO; I wish I had a KO that lived in my town.  No one – NO ONE tells stories as well as Kerry.  I am usually conflicted about going out to breakfast before a comp with him (not really) because without fail I will physically be sore from laughing when it comes time to throw.  Probably the nicest guy in Highland Games.

Betz;  -  Sean has truly helped me become a better athlete throughout the years. One of the best examples of champion sportsmanship and humility. He will without a doubt be World Champ again. A really good friend as well.

Lyttle; David was the first southerner in the games to welcome me when I started traveling the circuit down south. He has given me an enormous amount of valuable coaching both on the field and in the training hall and he’s also kicked my ass plenty of times. One of the few athletes who can say they defeated Ryan Vierra…Another guy I wish I saw more often.

Talk about training and your philosophy in the area of throwing?

I have spent 10 times more time on the throwing field than in the weight room. I just love throwing. I have way more fun throwing the stone 100 times than doing squats…withouth a doubt I would have bigger pr’s if I spent more of this energy squating. I have spent lots and lots of hours watching video of other top throwers and experimented with lots of technique ideas. I think that watching video, hitting pause and going out to try something with the implement helped me throw farther. But after obsessing over technique for the last 12 years – I am now trying to spend a lot more time in the weight room.  That being said, I think the most important part of throwing far is being totally rested, injury free and crazy caffeinated.

Talk about a practice and what you would go out and do with drills or throwing with implements and reps?

Karl Dodge taught me to do a dynamic warm up before throwing – high knees, skipping, karaoke etc. No throwing until you are sweating a bit.  After about 10 minutes of that and a little stretching, I just throw all out. I rarely throw less than 100% in practice. But only do about 10 – 20 throws per event, 1-2 events. At my highest volume I will throw 4 times a week. I have never done drills. Not that that’s a good thing…

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

After competition had ended, I was fooling around with a light caber and accidentally dropped it on my big toe at the Costa Mesa Highland Games. Ryan let me wear his flip flops since with my toe nail sticking straight in the air I couldn’t wear my shoes. I struggled to throw well for a while after that (about 2 months). I haven’t really ever had any major injuries.  Pretty damn lucky – I know.

Would you say your more of a fighter or negotiator?

100% a negotiator. I have never been in a fight.  I avoid scary people.

What impresses you now in the sport? 

Anybody who can turn really heavy cabers and stand 17’ + in the WOB.

Talk about a couple of funny moments you have had at games or while attending games?

I dropped a caber on my big toe at a games in Costa Mesa once. Later on, Ryan was daring me while we both cracked up to rip the toe nail right off the toe with pliers. I eventually did….

Also, I once threw the Haggis directly into the crowd during a haggis hurl. I own that North American record by the way. Stole it from Larry Brock.

Have you almost ever killed anyone at a game?

Well this is a little awkward…Why yes, I almost killed you once with a stone. Sorry again about that.

If you were watching Larry Brock wind up in the hammer and it slipped from his hands, who would you most like to see the hammer hit in the sack?

Tie between Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin.

What training philosophy do you follow in the gym?

Hmmm. I like to do cleans, snatches, push presses and front squats. Heavy as possible. Sometimes I do deads too.  Those are hard. I once followed a Russian Front Squat routine…

When did you start lifting weights and what got you started?

After benching 200 x 3 when I was 14, I was told by my football coach that I was strong and should try to get stronger. I followed a power lifting routine occasionally and did a benching meet in 10^th grade. Then I discovered hang cleans and loved them. Squats, bench and cleans became my staple when I graduated high school.

What do you like to do outside of the games?

I play guitar in a folky bluegrass band with my wife and I love to go camping with my family (usually before a highland games).  I also love to play tennis with my wife. 

What other hobbies do you have?

I played African hand drums and Australian didjeridoo in a band before – I still enjoy playing those instruments on my own.  I enjoy mountain biking and kayaking too.

What is your favorite food?

Indian food, fresh bagels or pizza. 

Do you BBQ up there?

Sure. Couple times a month.

Do you BBQ on the grille or does your wife do that?

 I’d say its about a 50/50 split.

Coals or gas grille?

Gas.

What supplements do you take?

Multi vitamin, whey protein shakes about 3x per day and occasionally Con-crete creatine.  On competition day I will drink an NO-Xplode or something similar.

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Usually water or sometimes beer or wine.

What beer do you like?

I prefer to drink a microbrewed beer. Recently, a Geary’s Pale Ale from Maine is my favorite. I also love Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sometimes flavored fruity beer is my thing (especially Blueberry Ale.)

Do you live in a house, apartment or ?

We live in a house. 

Talk about your family, talk about your plans for a family in the future.

We have two daughters. I could be content with just the two girls -  I love them so much…but my wife wants like 5 more…I am unsure about such things.

Do you like to garden?

Nope. Am I made to? Yup.

Are you a cat or dog person?  What do you have?

We have 3 dogs.

Are you a Democrat or Republican?

Before George Bush was president I was enrolled in the Green Party and voted for Nader.  Since then I have been a democrat trying to undo what was done.

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

My wife is super into astrology and is very knowledgeable. I am not. She is my handy almanac – should I ever decide to start paying attention. I am an Aquarius with a Taurus Moon sign. I am unsure of my Sun Rising sign.

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

Grew up congregational, withdrew from my confirmation class, was a religious studies minor and was blessed and initiated by a Hindu Holy man into Yogism. Nothing really these days – but thinking of attending a Unitarian Universalist Church.

Talk about some of the music you listen to at different times.

My favorite artists are Bela Fleck and Leo Kotke. Both are amazing instrumentalists (banjo and guitar). I also love Celtic music like the Chieftains and Albanach. I do like to listen to Metallica and some other heavy stuff too – especially in the weight room.

Where do you like to go out to eat?

We have the #2 Nationally ranked BBQ place in the country – Dinosaur BBQ. Also Indian food.  My favorite meal to eat out though is breakfast.

What do you like to watch on TV?

I don’t really – although I did watch 24 this season and I watch football and the Olympics when they are on. I used to watch Southpark. Gotten too stupid though (the show – not me)

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

I do love Sci Fi. The Matrix is probably my favorite Sci Fi.

What are the goals for this year?

Get strong! Qualify for the Celtic Classic. Have fun.

Thank you brother.

Interview with Matt Sandford (6/21/10)

Here he is, the legend Matt Sanford.  Enjoy reading about a guy who had some wild numbers and won a lot of games. 


How old are you?

 39

Where were you born?

 Melbourne Australia

Where do you live now?

 About 5 miles away from where i was born

How did you end up there?

 Family mainly

How big were you in your prime, height and weight?

Best throws about 117 to 122 g  191cm

What do you drive?

Izuzu 4 door small truck

You ever change your own oil?

Used too, but not anymore

How many languages do you speak?  And what are they?

Just English

What do you think about global warming?

 Little unsure ,lot of propaganda in the press

You ever recycle anything?

 Yeah lots of stuff  ,Where i live you get three bins  landfill, recycle,green waste

What do you do for a living?

 Carpenter

How did you get into that?

 Left school a little early and done a little carpentry before

Tell us about your education?

 Left school when i was 17 and then trade school off and on next 2 years

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

 Brickies labourer

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

Soccer  Track @field   Aussie rules football

Did you throw in school and if so what did you throw?

 Started throwing in little Athletics at 5 years of age.

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

 Geelong which is about 1 and a half hours drive west of Melbourne

Who was at that game?

 Joe Quigley is the only name that you will know

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

 I was pretty much training full time with the wire hammer then and a few guys said to give it a try

What is your favorite event?

 Hammer

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

I think a lot of people tend to bend their arms and shorten the radius