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Q.1 When did you start lifting and did
you have any goals of competing?
I started lifting when I was 15 1/2 and at that
time I had no goals what so ever of competing,
just getting big and strong.
Q.2 What is your current training schedule
like?
Currently, I deadlift on Mondays, do overhead
work on Wednesday and then squat on Fridays with
one weekend day being for events.
My routine looks somethings like this:
Monday: Deadlifts; Rack pulls or good mornings;
stiff legged deads; back work, rows pulldowns
etc; and then finish it off with some hammer curls
and some grip and ab work.
Wednesday: Clean & Press or rack push presses
and cleans separately; behind the neck jerks;
seated dumbbell or barbell press; lateral raises
or Karlsen flyes. Again finished off with some
abs.
Friday: Squats, front or back; Karlsen Squats;
Leg Press; Leg Extension; Close grip bench or
skull crushers; seated dumbbell extensions; triceps
circuit consisting of dips and two types of pushdowns.
Q.3 How long have you been competing?
I have been competing for around 18 months.
Q.4 What are your main competitive achievements?
My first competition was in May 2006 at Fraserburghs
Strongest Man and I came 8th out of a field of
10, then a week later I competed in the Results
Gym strongman competition and came 4th of 10.
This year I competed at Fraserburgh again and
came 6th of 15 athletes. I then competed again
at the start of November this year and won this
event. I won 4 of the 6 events and only placed
as low as joint 3rd in any single event.
Q.6 What differences if any are there
in your training in the off season and contest
time?
I only real difference I do between the two is
more conditioning work when I'm coming up to a
contest.
I always train heavy and with a high pace.
Q.7 What are your current competitive
goals?
My achievements are first to qualify for Scotlands
Strongest Man 2008 and then see what happens at
the final.
I would like to win Scotlands Strongest Man and
also do well at Britain's Strongest Man and also
the UKs.
Q.8 What motivates you to put yourself
through the training every day?
My main motivation is to achieve everything I
can and prove to myself that I can achieve something
alot of other people don't think I can achieve.
Q.9 What supplements do you use and why
do you see them as being important to you as a
strongman/powerlifter?
I use a whey protein supplement for extra protein
in my diet. Glutamine to aid recovery and creatine
for strength.
I also use glucosamine for joint care, multi vit
and mineral for all my nutrients etc and fish
oils for some healthy fats.
I see all these supplement important to myself
as a strongman because I am pushing my body very
hard during training and need to keep it in top
condition.
Q.10 How much do you feel sports nutrition
helps your training? Do they make things easier
for you due to the convenience aspect?
I think that sports nutrition is important because
it would be very impractical to take in over 300g
protein a day and also creatine from meat only.
By using supplements it takes alot of time out
of the problem.
I also find supplements good for when I'm on the
go, it is easier for me to have a protein bar
or a shake and some nuts between classes then
a full meal.
Q.11 Who inspires you and who (if anyone)
would you like to thank over the years for their
help?
There are a number of strongmen who inspire me,
Svend Karlsen and also Bill Kazmaier are a few
examples.
I would also like to thank Andy Cairney for giving
me alot of tips since I started strongman and
for also pushing me during our training sessions
together.
Q.12 What else do you do when not training?
How would you relax?
When I'm not training I like to go out for meals,
watch films, and spend time with my girlfriend.
I find this a good way to relax and take my mind
off the toils of the gym.
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