HOP: How about some background information.

WH: I am 22 years old, I live in Boone, NC where I attend Appalachian State University, pursuing a degree in physical education. I plan to attend graduate school as a graduate assistant in strength and conditioning. My goal is to be a division 1 head strength and conditioning coach. I am originally from Albemarle, NC where my parents still live. I have one sister who is 22 years old. I have a Pit Bull named Tank who lives with me in Boone.

HOP: Carolina powerlifting is really taking off! How and when did you get started in the sport of powerlifting?

WH: I played football 3 years at East Carolina. My coach (Logan) was fired last fall, so I decided to transfer. I knew that ASU has a good program and I have a lot of friends in Boone, so I picked ASU. The second game of the year I was informed that I was ineligible, because I didn’t transfer enough hours into my major from ECU. I joined Appalachian Fitness and met Wayne Pennell and Nate Rotten, who first got me interested in powerlifting. At ECU I was the best squatter on the team, so knew I had some potential. I consulted Coach Jeff Connors at UNC ( who was my strength and conditioning coach my first year at ECU), and he encouraged me to start powerlifting. I started messing around with the 3 lifts. I had never squatted so deep, never deadlifted, and never paused on the bench, so it was a new experience. I entered my first meet in Richmond VA in October 03 as a practice meet. I totaled a-501 squat, 340 bench, and 550 deadlift. 6 weeks later in Monroe NC I hit-600 squat, 355 bench, and 585 deadlift at 198 lbs raw. My biggest lift came in the State AAU meet in Greensboro where I squatted 620 raw. I am entering the USAPL and looking forward to a lot of really good competition.

HOP: I heard you recently hit a 600lb plus squat raw, what are your best lifts and where (cities, states, etc) have you competed?

WH: I covered most of this question above but my best raw gym lifts to date are 600*5 squat, 640 squat, 415 bench, and 630 deadlift. I am about to start training assisted, so well see what happens.

HOP: What organizations have you lifted in?

WH: I have only lifted in AAU, but look forward to the USAPL.

HOP: What weight class are you in and do you hold any records?

WH: I am currently in the 220’s. I do hold the American 220 open squat record and the American 198 open squat record. I hold all the state junior records, and the State open squat records for each division.

HOP: Can you share your views on drug testing?

WH: I believe in drug testing. I don’t think it is fair for a guy on "drugs" to compete against a drug free. But the fact is that it happens and it will always will. I believe if you are going to compete in a drug free meet, don’t do drugs. If you are going to compete in a non-drug free meet, do what you gotta do.

HOP: What supplements do you take?

WH: I take creatine and glutamine.

HOP: What is your workout regimen? Do you follow a set style..ex Westside or MM?

WH: I have been a progressive lifter but have just recently switched over to Westside. Travis Mash calls it "Westside with a twist".

HOP: What goals do you have in the sport of powerlifting?

WH: My long term goal is to be the best all-time at whatever division I’m in. My short term goal is to win the USAPL Jr. nationals, then try for the IPF jr. worlds.

HOP: What type supportive gear do you wear?

WH: I have never competed assisted, however I have an Inzer Hardcore squat suit, and an Inzer Phenom bench shirt.

HOP: Any funny stories that have happened to you in powerlifting?

WH: Nothing is funnier than someone "letting one loose" at the bottom of a squat. That cracks me up every time.

HOP: As far as training goes, what type of equipment (free weight, machines, etc) do you use?

WH: I use a Squat Rack, Bench, Dumbells, and a couple machines. Mostly free weights. I like to do some Olympic lifting too.

HOP: Have you used a Monolift? Your view of it being used in competition?

WH: I have never used a monolift. I think walking the bar back is just as much a part of the squat as doing it. But they sure do look nice.

HOP: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?

WH: My greatest accomplishment is a 620 raw squat at the bodyweight of 208. It’s a shame I can’t go raw anymore, cause I think I could post some raw squats in 700 range, I will truly miss it. While playing football at ECU I won the ECU footballs strongest man competition with a 49 out of 50 points. I also posted the 3^rd highest squat all time at 730(we didn’t go quite as low), and I posted the 2^nd highest vertical leap of all time at 42 inches, I also covered 40 yards in under 4.4 seconds.

HOP: What is your favorite lift?

WH: The bench press is my favorite lift. I know squat sounds better, but I’m being honest.

HOP: Any training tips?

WH: Ask questions. I ask the same question to about 50 different people, just to hear the different answers. Its funny cause when I ask 50 different people the same question, I usually get 50 different answers. Ask people who know what they are talking about. The trick with asking questions is to be able to pick out the right information to keep, and what to throw out. Knowledge isn’t everything, but its close.

HOP: Anything you would like to see changed in powerlifting?

WH: If I were the president of powerlifting, I would be fired the first week. I would allow no suits, drugs, monolifts, and you would weigh in 2 hour before you lift. I might consider keeping suits, because that is our only source of endorsements, and I know that if powerlifting is going to start bringing in big time money, its going to be through out suit makers. But the suits would all be single ply with no denim. I would also like to see all the federations come into one. I would also like to see the big boys start getting million dollar endorsement deals. However the great thing about powerlifting, is that the love for the sport is definitely not money motivated.

HOP: Do you have any advice to the younger lifter regarding training and supplementation?

WH: Train heavy and hard! As far as supplements, read your federations rules on supplementation and go from there.

HOP: What are some of your interests outside powerlifting?

WH: Outside of powerlifting, I like to play golf, bass fish, and hang out with my friends, family, and dog.

HOP: Who are the people you admire and who inspires your lifting?

WH: I have always admired Travis Mash. He started powerlifting at Appalachian Fitness as well. It’s great to see a local North Carolinian as one of the top powerlifters of all time. It gives us youngsters in the sport, hope. Travis has just recently been working out at Appalachian Fitness again which has been a blessing. Not everybody get to train with and study the best in the world, right in your back yard. Every time I see Travis lift, it inspires my lifting to get bigger and bigger. Besides Travis, Ed Coan obviously is another guy I admire.

HOP: What is the biggest challenge to your lifting success?

WH: I’m almost 6 feet 3 inches, and weight around 210. That’s obviously tall and lanky. If I can put on some weight, I think my lifting will reach new heights. I can’t compete in the 220’s too much longer. A 6-3, 210 cant compete against a 5-7, 220. My ideal weight as a lifter would be in the 275-300lb range. Now I just have to find a way to start packing the lbs on. I have been consulting with Travis about my diet, so maybe that will help. I do however want to compete in the 220’s as a jr.

HOP: How important are training partners to you?

WH: I’ve never had a full time training partner. If anyone in the Boone area needs one…give me a holler. I’m sure it would help a lot.

HOP: What does your diet consist of?

WH: I can eat one meal a day and be happy. I’m working on eating more. I’ve never been a big eater. I do understand that in order to achieve my powerlifting goals I have to EAT!!!! My diet was the first thing Travis got onto me about. I am going to be more dedicated to my diet.

HOP: How do you see the sport of powerlifting in the future?

WH: I see the sport of powerlifting in the Olympics. I see the sport of powerlifting getting ESPN coverage such as Worlds Strongest Man. I see Nike and Addidas sponsoring powerlifting. I see the greatest powerlifters in the world living in mansions and having 10 cars. Oh well, I can hope cant I?

HOP: Your thoughts on the internet and powerlifting!

WH: I met a lot of great people through the Internet. It is a great way to learn and talk to people that you normally wouldn’t get a chance to talk to. I think its fun to hear the different views on equipment, drugs, suits, etc. I think the internet is great publicity for powerlifting. It’s also an easy way to order equipment.

HOP: Anyone in closing you would like to mention or thank?

WH: I would like to thank my parents for passing on the genes to be a decent powerlifter. I would like to thank Travis Mash for helping and getting my lifting to a new level. I would like to thank Coach Connors at UNC for all his help. I would lastly like to thank www.physicaladdictions .com for their great deals on supplements, if not I couldn’t afford them.

HOP: Any final comments?

WH: I look forward competing in the USAPL. I will represent North Carolina with the best of my abilities. Thanks to HOP for the interview.

God Bless.

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