flexibility and commitment from a few of his friends, Pat Myatt, Chris Petrie, Dave Forner and Brad Kennedy, John was able to get into his gear and through his planned workouts most of the time. Overall training was going well and John had set a few PBs and with 2 weeks left to go, John tweaked his back walking out with a 760 lbs squat. Having caught the walkout on video, it was clear one of his legs had buckled from the tweak in his back. John headed back to the chiropractor and was informed he had a rotation in his lower spine and his left leg was an inch longer than the left. After the adjustment, John was back in the gym. Finishing off his training program feeling like his last few John’s face is determined and almost fierce looking as we workouts were rushed and worrying about the fit of his sit and watch the category B 105 kg lifters. His weigh in is gear, time had run out. in 1.5 hrs and at last check he still needed to drop 300g. As I watch him, his hands are fidgeting a little, and I can imagine that teenage boy who was almost too shy to enter his first competition, now sits here as a solid grown man who has worked for 14 years to earn his place here at the men’s Open World’s through blood, sweat and determination.
On the eve of his first Open World’s John is feeling ready to go, anxious to perform. Reflecting on his training plan he executed in preparation John feels like he is yet to fight his battles with big numbers. This time he’ll fight on the platform as opposed to his previous training prep where he would fight it out in the gym prior to meets and often arrive with injury or in mid-rehab. On the day of the competition, John sits with coach Joel Boulianne discussing strategy, they are both hungry and motivated for success. John is appreciating the support and advice, Joel is eager to push John to his limits and see him fulfill his potential. John trains alone most of the time, getting help when schedules work out, from local powerlifters in the gym (now at Island Performance Elite Strength Training Center). John knows his body and what it can do, but he is still humble and open to learning and listening and getting coached by Joel.
I’m used to seeing John in our local gym where he is the most experienced and he is “the teacher” offering corrections and tips to all lifters of all levels. But here I see a man quietly observing and taking it all in. Whether listening to Joel or talking bench shirts with his sponsor Derek Brixius of Titan Support Systems-John is never cocky and listens to everyone’s advice. Here John is soaking in all of it, and will bring this experience back to PEI and continue to inspire, share and guide other lifters locally. The meet starts with a 322.5 kg squat, John was successful in this attempt, but he was not feeling great about the fit of his gear. A few adjustments in the knee wraps would result in 340 kg finish, being his easiest squat of the day. Bench proved to be quite a rough day for John successful only on
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