Jo has a very demanding job that requires flying 3-5 times a week, every week. I have developed a program for him that works around his crazy schedule and still allows him to get stronger each week.

He is very gracious with his words and I would definitely NOT call myself a “training genius” by any means. What I have learned to do is help people get strong by applying two major components: Smart lifting, with a simple, effective and easy to follow plan. You Lift heavy things with good form the way I tell you, I schedule strategic deloads and program a variety of assistance work that will attack whats missing in the major 3 lifts, to improve them so you hit PRs.

Jo is a good example. 5 months ago, he could’t even pull 315.

“Upon concluding my first 10 week program with Brian there were two things that were apparent. First, the man is a training genius. Second, I had to keep working with him. And continue to work with him I did.

I just finished week 5 of my second program and there was zero disappointment. Five weeks ago I hit 2 all-time PRs and matched a previous PR on the bench. In 5 short weeks I set 3 all-time PRs.  I went from a 405 squat to a 415, 420 would have been in the bag if I attempted it so that’s a lesson learned. While I previously went for a small PR in the Deadlift, I decided to push it hard this time around. My dead went from 485 up to 505!!  The smallest PR weight wise actually had the biggest impact on me this time around. I’ve never been a strong bencher and have had many issues along the way. I’ve attempted 295 more times than I care to count and have never completed the lift, until now. Thanks to the programming and dedication of watching my videos and critiquing me, Brian helped me achieve this major milestone in my powerlifting journey.  

My diet program is nothing if not in line with my training. Brian knows I want to compete in the 242 class and I’m on my way. I’m currently at 225lbs carrying the best I ever have. That means I gained about 7lbs in 5 weeks while still looking damn good and getting stronger every day.

I have 5 weeks left on this current program and I can’t wait to see the progress this time around. I’ve already talked to Brian about what’s going to happen after these five weeks.  My meet is in Egg Harbor, NJ in November and I have all the confidence in Brian to get me through it and no intention of stopping my training with him even after my meet.  Now if only I could figure out how to get him to New Jersey for the day of the meet.”

Mike is new to powerlifting, and I believe he was competing in his 2nd or 3rd ever powerlifting meet, the weekend I spent time with him. Mike is a great guy who has a big desire to train hard, and in some ways I think that has hurt him in the past. Going back to the competition, Mike missed a 500 raw squat and was disappointed. He went on to have a pretty good meet and finished with a 410 bench and a 575 pull.

He and I discussed a plan, I put together a simple 5 week program for him, and all BUT promised him that he’d squat the 500 which he missed and pull the 600 he missed. In short, Mike Killed 500 within 5 weeks, and in the same week smashed 600 and 622 in a meet, without a deload of any kind and with heavy doubles the week before. This is all without peaking for a meet etc, just rolling with training and getting a feel for the progress we made. Also, if I’m not mistaken, he matched his best gym bench as well.

Mike is super gracious in his overview of the first 5 weeks, and I dont really feel worthy of it, but thats just the kind of guy Mike is. Check mike out at his website which is listed below – He has a MASSIVE crossfit gym in Ft Lauderdale. Great facility.

“I first met Brian while reading the Power Magazine approximately a year and a half ago and numerous issues since. I was amazed by this man, his strength, and the training programs Brian discussed in his articles. It was all new to me as this was also the time that I got into Powerlifting. At the time I was using the Westside Conjugate System and I had pretty good results in a year and a half. As I began making progress and moving some weight, I started dealing with certain issues in terms of burning my self out and not being able to recover properly. The highs and lows were rather drastic and I found my self having to take a week off completely every 3-5 weeks. Although I had attended Powerlifting Seminars by Louie Simmons; Shane and Laura Sweatt; and Mark Bell and Jesse Burdick, I still felt like I was missing something. This is no way a bash on the Westside system, I just think that I needed more guidance as I began handling heavier weights. It was obviously my fault for not knowing how to properly adjust. I guess that is why everyone needs a coach.

Fast forward to April 14, 2012… We were very fortunate to host an SPF Meet at our gym – www.CrossFitFtLauderdale.com. A few weeks prior to the meet I was introduced to Brian through a mutual friend and I learned that Brian was going to be attending the meet with his team – Team Samson, and that Brian was going to be benching. I was pumped to finally meet the man and pick his brain about the Powerlifting Game. Needless to say Brian and I made a deal to have Brian and his team do a Powerlifting Seminar the following day after the meet. Besides the fact that the seminar sold out in a day, the information provided by Brian, Clint Smith, Adam Driggers, and Tony Garland was straight up dope and covered pretty much everything that has to do with Powerlifting – not just the three moves which we had all went through with extensive instruction.

It was during these 2 days that Brian got to watch me lift and I was very fortunate to be able to pick his brain over a few hours that we had to chill together. Brian told me that he can help me and that he will be willing to coach me. Brian told me that he will give me a diet plan, vitamin plan, and the training plan which he has structured by 5 week cycles. According to Brian, he was going to take care of everything and “all I had to do was LIFT”. That was perfect for me as that was the only thing I wanted to worry about. Brian’s program was a lot different than what I had been used to and was based on 3 days a week with one max effort session every 5th week. I was used to maxing out 2 times a week and training 4 days instead of 3. I never doubted the program for a second, but I did ask Brian numerous questions about it and how it works and if it was enough for me. Besides getting a proper explanation for every one of my question, Brian said “trust me” and that I did. On the fifth week of the first cycle I hit a 20lb Squat PR and a 42lb Deadlift PR. Throughout the entire 5 week cycle I felt well rested, prepared, and always on top of my game. I don’t think I’ve felt like that since I started Powerlifting. Don’t get me wrong, the sessions and hard and brutal and last 2-3 hours. But I feel better than ever and this is the off season. Can’t wait to finish my second cycle and test again on the week of June 25th.

Thanks Coach!”

<i>It is Richy Walker again and I would like to tell how my training with Brian has gone up to this point. I have been training with Brian now for a little over 35 weeks with two full power meets being in the mix. Training for the first meet went extremely well but by the time the meet came around in November 2011, I had some personal issues come up that took me out mentally. As a result I bombed. I called Brian from the meet location and told him that since I had basically wasted his time that I would not blame him for not working with me again. He got me calmed down and explained things would be different at my next meet. The goal of this meet was for me to hit a 2000 pound total for elite in my third every full meet.

I started the following week back to training under Brian’s guidance. He changed my training up, put me on a diet and also instructed me as to which supplements to use. At the beginning things were a little tough still dealing with mental drama. Brian finally told me to get my mind right and the training really picked up. Even though the training was different, more time in the gear, I felt real solid as to the direction Brian was taking me in. As the weeks past and the weekly emails continued my lifts got better and better. Three weeks out from the meet I really tuned in the diet. I had a starting body weight of 348 pounds. My strength was real good but my gear was way too tight. I knew I needed to get some weight off for the gear to work properly. During this time I was also taking my openers and seconds and everything felt right on track.

The meet had arrived and I was more than ready to go. I weighed in at 326 pounds and was shocked. I knew I had dropped some weight but to lose 22 pounds over three weeks and still fell strong was a bit of a surprise. My best lifts in a full power meet was a 680 pound squat, 500 pound bench and a 600 pound deadlift. I felt real good about blowing past these numbers. Brian had also given me some advice as to what my openers should be since he had kept a close eye on my training numbers.

The day started with me taking 700 pounds for an opener on the squats. I lifted the weight no problem with three white lights. I moved on to 745 pounds for my second. Once again three whites and the weight moved quickly. My training partners talked me into taking 780 for my third attempt. It was 25 pounds more than I had done in training but decided to give it a ride. The weight felt light at the top and not to bad half way back up. It got a little tough just before lock out but I got the lift.

Next was the bench. I took 600 for my opener. Got the weight but was red lighted for my hips coming off the bench. Took the same weight for the second attempt and could not lock it out. I was a little concerned at this point since I had one attempt left and did not want to bomb again after all the work I had put into this meet. I was called to the platform and killed 600 for my third. I left some weight on the platform but was happy to still be in the meet.

Once I got to deadlift I spoke to Brian by phone. We came up with a strategy for my opener and what I needed to pull. I opened with 575 to make sure I got a lift in. I went to 620 on my second attempt. If I got this lift, it would be the 2000 pound total I was looking for. The lift came up very easy. I spoke to Brian again and agreed to attempt a PR pull for my third. The most I had done in training was 640 so I called for 650. The pull was fast from the floor but stalled at my knees.

All in all it was a good day. I meet my goal of a 2000 pound total. I had also put 220 pounds on my meet total. That is something I only hope to achieve again. I am already in the process of working with Brian for the third time and will continue to do so for as long as I compete in this sport which I hope is for a long time.

Thanks once again Brian for giving me the tools to make a dream a reality and giving me the guidance only someone with your experience can.</i>

 
Richy

I have my plans for the next few months, but this time, I will not keep the updates so far apart. I get tunnel visioned, and next thing I know, its been 2-3 weeks between video updates or anything in general.  Hit me with any questions you may have, and thanks for the support!!

I’ve had a busy week back, and wanted to update before today, but what can you do?

The wife and I took off for C-bus early
Thursday morning and touched down about noon without any problems. I was
about 6lb over at that time, and was already carb depleting so, I kept
it the same and let the weight continue to come off as I slowly cut down
my water. No lasix or sweating, but I did pass on some meals that I
was really missing. I woke up and headed over the weighin and hit
273.5, and was ready to grub down.

Videos soon…