Old Time Strongman

strongmanmike (Michael) · #1 17-02-2015, 02:09 AM

I finally had a couple of old VHS's from my strongman days converted for web display and thought maybe some on here would like to have a good chuckle

I was at my peak in 1999 - 2002 and this is a (first time for me so rather amateur editing) quick 5min video compilation of just a few of the events during the 1999 Trans Tasman Strongman Challenge in Sydney - a Worlds Strongest Man qualifier....I missed out on qualifying and a trip to Malta by 1 point

Hope you have a good laugh...I did, watching my reaction to lifting all 5 Bundanoon Stones

Old Time Strongman

Mike

astroron (Ron) · #2 17-02-2015, 02:46 AM

Good one Mike.

I hope you don't have too many aches and pains in your old age.

Cheers

N1 (Mirko) · #3 17-02-2015, 07:49 AM

Pushing a 3000kg Ac(h)romat by hand, well done

multiweb (Marc) · #4 17-02-2015, 08:01 AM

Awesome. Pretty full on.

How's your back and joints, later in life. Everything still in the right places?

marc4darkskies (Marcus) · #5 17-02-2015, 09:46 AM

Just love it!! You haven't changed mate ... except that V-shaped torso is, well, somewhat more U shaped now?

How come you didn't tell the crowd you were a geeky astronomer?

Cheers, Marcus

PS: There's got to be a joke in there about those big balls ... but I can't think of one.

Dennis · #6 17-02-2015, 10:39 AM

Love the tight pants, bandanna, elbow and knee restrainers to stops brains, eyes, joints and other physiological bits from popping out under the enormous strain.

Well done on your entire clean lifting career – from just keeping fit at the gym with light weights, I can appreciate (to a small extent) all the discipline and dedication underlying your success.

Cheers

Dennis

PCH (Paul) · #7 17-02-2015, 12:29 PM

Hey Mike,

Wow - what a vid! You must be really happy to look back on that. In the first event, I can feel the strength ebbing away with each passing ball lift. Those things must be so hard to get a grip on, and the strain on your back must be enormous as you lift all that heavy stuff.

Very entertaining to watch - well done and congrats on a great result!

Rod771 (Rod) · #8 17-02-2015, 12:59 PM

Very Impressive Mike! Particularly lifting the stones, they must be hard to get a grip on?

Maybe you would have got your 1 point if you drove the van instead of pushing it?

Wombat68 (Trevor) · #9 17-02-2015, 01:29 PM

Nice going Mike.....am sure my mate from the UK qualified for the competition in Malta....Bill Pittock....would have been around the same sort of time he was competing

strongmanmike (Michael) · #10 17-02-2015, 01:33 PM

Pretty funny stuff huh guys?

That was 15 years ago now and after buying a Meade 12"LX200GPS in 2002 spelt the beginning of the end of my strength career and I retired completely from all strength activities 10 years ago in 2005...so, looking at this video was almost like watching someone else

Although I certainly did contemplate it a few times, it's true, I managed to stay true to myself and compete 100% drug free for the whole 10years I competed and I am indeed proud of this, especially in such a physically demanding sport rife with drug takers. Probably one of the reasons I am essentially injury/problem free now.

Anyway, bit of a laugh, hope it was entertaining

...incidentally, could you hear my young son Riley who you can see in the presentation at the end (he is now 22) screaming "come on dad" and "go baby bam bam" (one of my nick names then) in the background?

He was my regular assistant at training sessions at the local oval and in my gym after school, he was my time keeper and motivator, a true inspiration I must say, I never wanted to give up when he was screaming at me

Mike

xelasnave · #11 17-02-2015, 01:55 PM

I hope you still work out Mike.
Do you do any arm wrestling I expect you may have an edge there.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #12 17-02-2015, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

I hope you still work out Mike.

...ummm?...errr?...nup

Quote:

Do you do any arm wrestling I expect you may have an edge there

I used to arm wrestle everyone when I was younger (and usually drunk) two or even three people at a time on occasions

buuuuut soon learned that it wasn't good for the shoulder and rotator cuff..especially when not warmed up.. silly boy

Mike

xelasnave · #13 17-02-2015, 02:56 PM

Mike I would encourage you to work out.
My experience is that it holds back the aging process to a degree.
I think my back problem was the result of an epic arm wrestle five years ago but the victory was worth it.
You don't need to do stress work out, something to remain nimble and flexible is really important. And you must know this given your background....so starting tomorrow eh.

gary · #14 17-02-2015, 03:13 PM

Hi Mike,

Fantastic!!!

And yet there are people out there who still wonder how they ever managed to
build the pyramids.

strongmanmike (Michael) · #15 17-02-2015, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Mike I would encourage you to work out.
My experience is that it holds back the aging process to a degree.
I think my back problem was the result of an epic arm wrestle five years ago but the victory was worth it.
You don't need to do stress work out, something to remain nimble and flexible is really important. And you must know this given your background....so starting tomorrow eh.

Sadly for me....you are perfectly correct...need to take my own (former) advice

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Mike,

Fantastic!!!

And yet there are people out there who still wonder how they ever managed to
build the pyramids.

Ha ha, yeah, the Husafel Stone event is a bit Egyptian Pyramids like

Mike

gts055 (Mark) · #16 17-02-2015, 05:55 PM

Mike, that was great to watch with all those awkward to move objects. Even the barbell has a pipe on it to make it more difficult. A couple funny (to me anyway) thoughts went through my mind. Did you think of lifting the tyre once and rolling it rather than flipping it end for end, just to see the judges reaction. I guess the van started your astronomy pursuits

Mark

strongmanmike (Michael) · #17 17-02-2015, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gts055

Mike, that was great to watch with all those awkward to move objects. Even the barbell has a pipe on it to make it more difficult. A couple funny (to me anyway) thoughts went through my mind. Did you think of lifting the tyre once and rolling it rather than flipping it end for end, just to see the judges reaction. I guess the van started your astronomy pursuits

Mark

no we weren't allowed to roll it. At only 700lbs ish it was a fairly light tyre (that's a 160kg pickup each flip) so the comp organisers made us flip it further

I have some footage from the following year now, when I was even stronger, so stay tuned

Mike

Matt Wastell (Matt) · #18 17-02-2015, 08:50 PM

Loved seeing this Mike - thanks for sharing!
One question if I may. Why didn't you just roll the tyre? He, he!
See you at the SPSP!

astronobob (Bob) · #19 18-02-2015, 12:49 AM

Well, that is Funny Stuff Mike - 'Cause I Aint gunna Argue man

Bloody Champion

iceman (Mike) · #20 18-02-2015, 04:56 AM

Great memories, Mike! I enjoyed that

When you grabbed the Mic off that guy, you reminded me of The Rock

Alex is right - you should be doing something to keep fit and keep those old bones moving.
You'd enjoy CrossFit - functional movements, you've got the strength, you'd love the clean & jerk and squats etc. Not sure you'd love the burpees so much but they get you fit