29 Dec Powerlifting and YOUR Health – What’s the REAL DEAL? Part 1

By: Brian Carroll

Lately, there is so much discussion taking place online about health and competing in any sport at the highest level. As you probably know, I’m a huge advocate of balance and having a life outside of lifting. To me you should have something outside of your lifting to keep you sane and grounded to life; well as much as possible. I say that jokingly because most of us are wired differently but most of us need something to distract us from being totally and completely obsessive about our passion or hobby.

We make sacrifices even though we have somewhat of a balanced life. Most of us will never be “normal” but we can lead a pretty normal life with friends, family and significant others. Even with the life we have to lead outside of lifting, we make many sacrifices as we try to push the envelope and excel in this sport we love. Most of us will do things that will not be promoting health in any way, and will most likely hurt our health in the long run.

You’ve heard the saying, “if you ain’t cheatin’ you ain’t tryin”. I’ll take it a step further; if you aren’t putting your health on the line to a certain extent, you aren’t trying. I know that sounds like shit, but if you are giving it your all to be a better athlete, you assume the physical risks of training and competing. That is the undeniable truth.

“But, Brian, you talk about longevity and balance and living life….”

Yes I do, all of the time, but that does not mean that while I’m driving and pressing hard toward my goals that I’m not putting myself at risk with the things I choose to do. I don’t even have to touch PED’s really (but I will) and each and every one of us uses a PED of some sort for your own training.

You don’t think you take something to enhance your workouts or your life? Think again.

Do you slam some coffee or pre-workout powder because you are feeling tired as hell before a workout? How about an energy drink as you’re prepping for your presentation or some valium when going through some family issues? Ever take some Advil, maybe popped some Vicodin or Percocet so you could compete or train? Have you ever used any over the counter supplements like testosterone boosters, BCAA’s, etc? These are all performance enhancing! Even Marijuana is performance enhancing in a way. It helps you to relax and recover, allows you to eat more, takes away anxiety and can potentially make sleep much more efficient and deep.

If you think, “well I don’t take steroids, so it isn’t a PED”, you aren’t thinking of all the extra “natural” stuff you take to help you train and be better.

Most of these are actually banned by the IOC/Boxing Commission, which means a few cups of coffee would possibly give you a positive drug test for them. That makes coffee a PED.

I could go on about Cialis, Adderall and others, but you get the general picture. What about those who smoke cigarettes to calm nerves?

The bottom line is this; we all take stuff to make us better whether it is legal, grey or prescription. Some more than others, some illegal and it is up to you to decide what you take and how much you take.

One thing I do get tired of seeing is the constant words, “drug-free” or “natural” pop up as a badge of honor. That is your choice and there is nothing wrong with that, but let your accomplishments as an athlete do the talking and screw the labels.. and ask yourself are you TRULY natural?

A good athlete is a good athlete, strong is strong and a world record in a federation is just the same whether or not you add your own label of “natural lifter” to it.

Drug tested is just that “drug tested” – it’s not necessarily drug free. Balco and Lance Armstrong taught us a mighty lesson with drug tests. But, at the same time – just as many clean lifters lift in “untested federations” and this only makes them untested lifters, not lifters that are using. See the difference? Only the lifter truly knows the contents of their protocol… or lack there of.

While we are at it, if you are on Testosterone Replacement Therapy you could tell everyone you are only taking a prescribed dosage; you know for extra internet points.

See how silly it all is?

This is a personal choice, what you do is up to you but be aware of all the health risks involved so you make the best decision for you. It’s really your business only.

In part 2, I’m going to talk about powerlifting itself, the pros’ and con’s of it’s impact on the body and finally; what you can do to help mitigate some of the damage, issues that arise and things of this nature that I’ve personally faced, beat and learned from.

https://GET THE 10/20/LIFE EBOOK HERE!

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Brian Carroll

Owner and Founder at PowerRackStrength.com

Brian is a retired world-class powerlifter with over two decades of world-class powerlifting. From 1999 to 2020, Brian Carroll was a competitive powerlifter, one of the most accomplished lifters in the sport's history. Brian started off competing in bench press competitions 'raw,' then, shortly into the journey, he gravitated toward equipped lifting as there were no "raw" categories then. You only had to choose from single-ply (USPF) and Multi-ply (APF/WPC). Brian went on to total 2730 at 275 and 2651 at 242 with more than ten times his body weight in three different classes (220, 242, 275), and both bench pressed and deadlifted over 800 pounds in two other weight classes. He's totaled 2600 over 20 times in 2 different weight classes in his career. With 60 squats of 1000lbs or more officially, this is the most in powerlifting history, regardless of weight class or federation, by anyone not named David Hoff. Brian realized many ups and downs during his 20+ years competing. After ten years of high-level powerlifting competition and an all-time World Record squat at 220 with 1030, in 2009, Brian was competing for a Police academy scholarship. On a hot and humid July morning, Brian, hurdling over a barricade at 275lbs, landed on, fell, and hurt his back. After years of back pain and failed therapy, Brian met with world-renowned back specialist Prof McGill in 2013, which changed his trajectory more than he could have imagined. In 2017, Brian Carroll and Prof McGill authored the best-selling book about Brian's triumphant comeback to powerlifting in Gift of Injury. Most recently (10.3.20) -Brian set the highest squat of all time (regardless of weight class) with 1306 lbs – being the first man to break the 1300lb squat barrier at a bodyweight of 303 lbs.

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