Interview With Powerlifter Josh Stottlemire As told to CriticalBench.com by Curt Dennis Jr. "The Brute" of Planetrage.com - January 2009
Critical Bench: Introduce yourself Josh.
Hello, My name is Josh Stottlemire, I am a steel fabricator worker , and powerlifter in the U.S.P.F. with plans of branching out this year in IPA, UPA, APF AND other possible double ply feds, along with a raw meet, and doing U.S.P.F.
Nationals
Critical Bench: What are your Best PR's right now?
I compete full power in the U.S.P.F
SQ-611
B-507
DEAD-606
Critical Bench: How long have you been into powerlifting?
I have been full powerlifting, for about 2 years and my first bench only meet was 3 years ago, in an old blast shirt 198 class with a bench of 445.
Critical Bench: Tell us about your childhood and how you got into powerlifting?
I was always an athlete growing up, playing basketball, football, baseball through school, Was a lean athletic build but was getting addicted to lifting a little heavier towards the end of high school, to add size before leaving for the Army, Matt Mccase a meet director for the USPF took interest in working with me because of my raw strength, as we trained at the same gym and that's basically what got me started.
Critical Bench: Who did you look up to when you were coming up as a powerlifter?
I heard lots about Ed Coan, Kazmier on WSM, of course, some local guys Like Willie Williams a huge bencher in the 90's, Along with Matt McCase and his 700 plus deads at 198, and light 220's
Critical Bench: What would you say to a novice lifter or to a lifter who's just starting out in powerlifting?
Consistency do all three lifts , and learn the form, technique and taking in all the information you can from vets, and attend meets, to see a gym lifts, most def is not a competition lift lol!
Critical Bench: Do you have a favorite out of the three or is it all 3 lifts?
I have always liked to bench and on the verge of a 600 ponds bench in a single, and a raw of 500, but am def planning on taking on double ply shirts by Inzer, thanks to some help and coaching from Jay Fry and Brad Heck, both good friends of mine.
Critical Bench: What are the challenges of coming up as a powerlifter?
Having the right people around you. I live a in a town without even a stop light population less than 3 hundred, I travel at least 50 minutes to train, and from now on, on Wednesdays, I will be traveling to Westside barbell(3 hours away), to work my bench with Jay Fry, last year I even ventured ( A THOUSAND PLUS MILES DRIVE) to BIG gym to Meet Coach Hussey, Frankl, Briggs, Grandick, and stayed with Brad Heck to learn to train more efficiently and learn the gear and setting up each lift better, although at that time I remained in single ply.
Critical Bench: Tell everyone here the difference between someone who wants to look "pretty" and someone who does what we do?
The difference between a workout and a training session. Some ones wants to look pretty , just does there so called pre going out workout, pumping blood into their muscles through sissy weight, really watching their diets, and seem to always have an excuse not to lift heavy or with bad form, afraid to see blood on their shins, while pulling, or callused hands. Seems they are always wearing gloves and use straps on every exercise lol.
Complain about shirts and there markings , that when I let them now they are not for me to workout with, because I TRAIN! To me a workout is a workout go in and get one in, training is serious, intense and with goals with numbers and accomplishments in mind, ballz out!
Critical Bench: What would you tell a powerlifer if they are trying to get to the next level in the sport? Do you believe that powerlifters' have a lifestyle of their own?
I believe, I myself right now am trying to find that high or next level, I was very disappointed in myself, for just missing an elite total in only my third full meet, it was mainly mental let down, and stupid errors just barely missing depth on some squats and few incorrect set ups on the bench. I def have a different lifestyle, I will miss work for being real sick, just to have something in me at the gym. I eat and supplement regularly, no longer drink, and just have different mindset and think constantly about personal goals, for meets and long term as well.
So different lifestyle, A definite Yes!
Critical Bench: Tell us about your gym. What is it about?
I train normally at Spadores Fitness in Fairmont WV, lotsa bodybuilders and a few smaller name powerlifters with, fun more so in mind, but it's like a dungeon, and overall to be honest very hardcore for a public gym. I have been there about 7 years, with brief breaks but love it overall.
Critical Bench: How driven would people say you are about being a powerlifter?
How does it affect you outside of the gym? People would say extremely driven, and focused but to be honest, just for about the past 6 months, it cost me my wife and lotsa partying friends, but I AM HAPPY INSIDE AND OUT NOW, and I only allow though who are or remain supportive in my life now. It slows down the personal life a lil, but not too bad if I wanna make time for someone I will, but I train 4 day a week and work 50hours, so time is of essence.
Critical Bench: Do you have any training partners? How has they helped?
Well not so much, I recently have started my Bench training with Jay Fry , and sure looking for huge things to come! I am beginning to coach a few aspiring lifters and its tough at times, but they are supportive of me and give me the best help they can.
Critical Bench: What are your workouts like? How are they setup? What training methodology do you follow?
I do speed and recup work Sundays on bench light shoulders and some tris, I train back on Mondays, deadlift every other week, Benching now ME on Wends, and squats and train legs Fridays, I use various things form Westside, and Big Iron Gym, they have proved time and time again to be the best, and that's where I wanna be.
Critical Bench: What would you suggest to someone on how to get stronger on all 3 lifts?
Rest, train smart, in and out of the gym doing what u know needs done nothing more or less, listen to your body, and eat tons of protein! I film lotsa lifts to make sure of no breakdowns in form as well.
Critical Bench: What drives you as a lifter?
I am very driven from being an athlete all my life, then military so its in my nature, but I know through hard work and want too, one can become a Legend in this sport, and its you against the world no excuses, you just have to lift it!
Critical Bench: Was your training any different prior to your last meet?
Yes its was scary train was unbelievable and better than ever leading up to my comp, not even missing a lift , then fell apart with a 4/9 day with weights I had crushed in the gym I had peaked early and I have learned from that.
Critical Bench: Do you think using bench shirts/gear is cheating?
No, U have to be strong to handle the freaking weight to even get them to touch at times, its specialized, Its funny some guys I am working with are learning this now, u need to have a established raw strength, and unheard of top end strength to move the weight in a correctly fitted shirt, I myself still trying hard to establish through this transition
Critical Bench: What is your view on training in equipment and learning them?
Whatever it takes to hit big numbers, hardest part is having the correct spotters in place in my small town, or at time even spotters, lol at times I AM calling my mother to hold boards for me lol, scares her to death!
Critical Bench: What do you think is the reason for all the big numbers as of late like Kennelly's 1075 and Frankl's freakish total or Hoornstra's raw strength? Has strength training evolved?
I think its amazing, and those guys all works so hard and deserve so much more credit than they even receive they are amazing lifters, and training has definitely evolved because of the like of Louie Simmons, and Rick Hussey ,their thirst for constant improvements in their lifters, and methods, seems everyone just follows their lead, which is a pretty good idea with the numbers coming from there teams.
Critical Bench: Do you think the standards went up in the sport?
Yes in some ways, but in honesty I think at times judging could be stricter in some feds, so the validity of some of these big lifts would not come into to question so often.
Critical Bench: What is your nutrition like?
I basically try my best for 5 thousands calories not clean, and about 350-400 grams of protein a day, supplement with protein powder, Concrete creatine, BCAA, and ZMA, and tons of glutamine, and and basic joint supps. and fish oils.
Critical Bench: What changes are you going to have to make to go to the next level?
I will do whatever it takes but ultimately I am looking to move either to Columbus or Omaha, in order to be the best I can be, Columbus is closer to family and it would be an honor to be there full time.
Critical Bench: Is there anyone you would like to thank right now?
Yes, My friends Russell Yann, Willie Williams no one has been more supportive, my lift off man Justin Casteel. Ryan Celli, Brad Heck, and Jason Fry for steady advice, whenever needed, Matt McCase, for being a friend through out tough times and introducing me to powerlifting.
I would also like to thank you Curt for the interview and opportunity!
Critical Bench: Tell us about your childhood and how you got into powerlifting?
