One thing is for sure, I have some damn strong friends. And many of them just happen to come and play on Christmas Eve at The LAB. One vision I had when formulating this place was as a haven for the normal population/weight loss/and preventative health world, BUT also as a hub for extreme strength athletes in the sports of Olympic Weightlifting, Strongman, Powerlifting, and the Sports Performance field. But, I am not just speaking about your average Joes here. I am talking about some of the best in the business…And, I saw a very good glimpse of that dream on Christmas Eve, thank you Santa!
Fernando Reis: Snatching 160kg (363 lbs), 2010 American Open Champion, 3rd Place at Junior Worlds in the Snatch (173kgs!), and much more! Look for him in the 2012 Olympic representing Brazil.
Derrick Johnson: Easy power snatch warm up with 80kg. Derrick is a St. Louis native and multiple time national champion. He is also the coach of national champions and currently is the head coach for Lindenwood University’s Weightlifting Team (and Strength and Conditioning).
Mike ‘Technique Optional’ Lane: Yoke Pressing 200 something plus pounds. Mike is a powerlifter, strongman, and overall strength enthusiast with legendary deadlift strength (673 lbs at under 190lb bodyweight!). Mike is currently working on his Phd at Kansas. Mike also has a lifelong dream at beating Justin in a strongman and Olympic lifting meet;)
Jeff “Champ” Wittmer: Jeff toying with a 140kg power clean. Another St. Louis native who should need no introduction. Jeff has been the premiere 94kg weightlifter in the USA for about 5 years narrowly missing the 2008 Olympic team by 1 lift. Jeff has one multiple junior and senior national championships with many junior national records to boot (last time I checked). Look for him to represent the USA Olympic team in hopefully 2012, and 2016!
Scott Charland: Log pressing 200 something plus pounds. Scott is one of the head Strength and Conditioning coaches for my alma mater St. Louis University. Scott is a coach, powerlifter, and father. With a demanding load to balance Scott has amazing pressing strength balanced with overall leg and back power. Rumor has is Scott can bench over 405lbs! There is nothing I respect more than someone who can COACH IT and DO IT!
Jimmy Duke and Tony Grana: Snatching away! 2 St. Louis natives throwing up some easy weights. Jimmy is a national level weightlifter lifting at the American Open and National Championships. Tony is the head coach of the Kirkwood Weightlifting Club at Nipher Middle School. Likewise, Tony is another guy who can coach it and do it! Tony has snatched upwards of 130kgs and clean and jerked over 160 kgs at a bodyweight of under 200lbs. Pretty awesome for a guy with a demanding full time job!
Adam Weaver: Preparing for a 310 log clean and press. Adam is a St. Louis native strongman who just finished in the 29th at the North American Strongman National Championships. Adam is just getting started in his strongman career but has tremendous potential with his amazing athleticism and enormous size. He has just begun! I saw him throw an easy 1 handed press with a 185lb dumbbell! Watch out for him in the future in strongman!
Me (Justin Thacker): practicing ‘snatch throws’ with 125 kgs;) Notice the weight I just threw about 3 feet behind me. Actually, I just missed a snatch behind..definitely not intentional. But, people always ask me what happens if you miss and this is basically it.
Thought you might like to see what the rats are doing on the other side of the wall!
Last thing, I had to share this. My (almost 2) year old nephew got a sweet present for Christmas (I swear I had nothing to do with this…I would wait until he is at least 2 years old to begin lifting;)
Mason Thacker, after successfully cleaning 7 kg, setting up for his first jerk attempt. He makes it with 3 white lights!
The LAB Holiday Party is coming soon (Jan 15th)!!!
