Remember your first time? Oh, I remember like it was yesterday. I have only shared this experience with my closest friends. Heck, my wife didn't even know until I wrote this article. Now she watches me very closely when I tell her I'm going "out"! This article is a very graphic description of a young adolescent coming to terms with the racing surge of testosterone that led to this momentous occasion. (I must caution readers, the following is for mature audiences only) I was only 14 (yes, many years ago), but oh, the memory of this blessed event will be forged in my brain forever. I had just returned from watching one of those "movies" that lead to this type of activity. I was desperately looking for something to try my hand at (no pun intended). As I searched around my bedroom, I realized I would have to do this thing solo. Then, there was an unexpected knock at the door. One of my older, high school buddies with wheels (actual wheels, not massive thighs from years of squatting) told me about a "secret" place that would fulfill all of my fleshly fantasies. We arrived at what appeared to be an old warehouse, but once inside, I realized we had entered the Temple of Pleasure. The bevy of beauties before my eyes caused me to step back in quick desperation as I considered what I was about to do. Several questions raced through my mind!! Would my mom approve of such activity? Could I be arrested for this? Will this do something weird to my young adolescent body? What if I catch something? All these questions were only for a fleeting moment. And, I do mean fleeting, because I could not take my eyes off the virtual playground before me. I was literally having a hard time breathing as I considered all the things I could do with these beautiful playthings. Oh, I forgot one other question! The ultimate question! How much will this cost$$$ (I mean, I had heard about these kind of places from more mature friends) Let’s face it, most 14 year olds do not have this type of discretionary income. Okay, I digress. I'm going to cut out the formalities that were required to get in this place and get right to it. I soon found myself experiencing the most incredible pleasure in my whole life (Yep, all 14 years of my brief life). I had never felt or "seen" this type of sensation. Oh boy, as my young body shook from this orgasmic experience, I felt euphoric, even heady. It was over way too quickly. I knew I was hooked, just like a junky; I wanted to do it again, and again, and again.. All my questions were answered in that one moment in time: 1. Mom would approve (hey, it's natural, right?) 2. It is legal, in most states 3. My body would never be the same (I never saw this part of my anatomy get so big in such a short time) 4. I didn't catch anything, at least not this time 5. Finally, how much was this experience going to cost? The "owner" of this establishment told me I could come back and do this as much as I wanted to for only $15 a month, to which he added: "You really enjoyed those squats, didn't you boy"

Take a moment and read this heartwarming powerlifting story over at Monster Muscle. It'll remind you of some of the purity of powerlifting and help you forget some of the nonsense which occurs in our sport.

The 655 was easy enough that I think I could get it in a comp, and I will be trying in 2 weeks!

Can someone explain to me, WHY do full grown men buy into KK's bullshit? It seems that Shawn has been booted by KK and the funny thing is why would anyone put up with his shit. From the first time I ever saw this guy (I know I am not the only one)I knew what a blow hard he was. Geez was a fat spoiled brat and mix that with crack and money you have a NUT. For a few years I have been posting about this dumbass and over the years he posts and a few people seem to see the screw ball that he really is, yet they still seem to buy into it? At first I thought it was lifters were so money hungry, they would excuse KK's shit. Then I thought it was lifters just like getting bogus lifts passed and lied to themsleves how great they really are. Now we have a well know lifter who seems like a nice enough guy(no I never met him) being kicked out of "HIS" federation? (what happen "for the lifter"). I am surprised (sorta) that many lifters do not come to Shawns defense then again I guess they don't what to"get in trouble" too! Again full grown, tough, strong, bad asses ? Sure .... KK is nothing but a mama's boy who is so in need for attention, I guess it seems from his Bizar posts that he gets all jacked on crack and then can't sleep and bored so he posts(I know I do ?). I have seen him make deals with a few of the WPO top dogs for lifts and (yes they know who they are) then when they find out he made deals with others they get all pissy and mad. Like they been double crossed or back stabbed! Who KK?... Remember what happen to Shawn can happen to anyone of you! KK has done zero for powerlifting and he never will.

Imagine the scene in the gym, what it's going to smell like, the music pumping in your ears. Feel the knurling on the bar and imagine how light it feels when you get as tight as possible. It sounds silly, but this kind of visualization can definitely improve your training! Next, make sure that you envision yourself succeeding. I've mentioned that point twice now and for a reason. Many people are so caught up on certain numbers or goals that they're actually beaten before they enter the gym! They simply can't imagine themselves being that strong or having the body they really want. You must do everything possible to eradicate this negative self-image and re-write it with a new, more positive one.

To: The World Powerlifting Congress and Interested Individuals Subject: SPORTS-FREEDOM In my opinion the IPF identify their governing organization as a patron and the lifter as a ward. This view is at direct odds of the vision of the World Powerlifting Congress which inspire the lifter to be in control and develop of his own destiny. The IPF statement, “you will be penalized if you lift somewhere else” implies lifters as servants. The WPC is a collection of individuals, (who happen to be the strongest powerlifters in the history of man), that share a common powerlifting heritage and are loyal to a shared powerlifting tradition with definite future evolving goals. The lifter should consider the Congress as a means of inspiration to achieve and improve. Not to blindly follow a self serving, minority-dictated, organizational goal. The lifter should ask what I can do “though” the WPC, which is to encourage and help achieve my goals and purposes. Not a Frankenstein-IPF to hinder and demean, always dangling the “Olympic”-carrot. To me the Olympics are a theatrical production. The world records greatly over-shadow the Olympic records. Sports-freedom is a foundation principle of the WPC. The Congress only has the concentrated power to insure your sports freedom and realize your trust. The Congress and I thank you for that trust. Newton, Curie, Einstein, Bohr, Shakespeare, Milton, Leibnitz, Da Vinci and all others of great accomplishment, produced in obvious genius or effort, through a climate that permitted variety, diversity, and inspiration, a climate that is continually strived for by the Congress. Side Note: When I read the biographies, I see the same personalities working in different “ways”. We as WPC- powerlifters are no different! WE DO NOT WANT TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST! WE ARE TRULLY THE ONLY ORGANIZATION THAT CAN BE DEFINED...SPECIES=POWERLIFTER Mike Sweeney WPC Executive Chairman 6 X Arnold Classic Official APF National Board Member