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Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

12/24/23 - Day 34
BW 272.2 post-training

Serratus Activation
Band Warmups
Miniband Pullaparts
2x25

Bench
45,45,135,201,245x8
285x5
320x3
340x2

CG 2-Boardpress
285 2x9

NG CG DB Bench
80x12
90x10
105x12,10

Miniband Pullaparts
2x25

Bench felt heavy today, so I made the call to pass on the single at 360 with a heavier day looming later this week. Probably heavy benching last Friday coupled with the poor sleep & all the stress of Christmas had me under-recovered, but the why doesn’t really matter as much as the decision to move with the current instead of trying to paddle upstream.
 
Intelligent decision as always Sir!
 
Weighing 267lbs this morning. I’m firmly at the weight I got up to last contest, but struggling to gain beyond. Starting the day with 8 chocolate chip waffles (800 calories) smeared with lots of cream cheese fruit dip/spread (no idea cals), about 400 calories Fairlife 2% milk, and a small bit of leftover Christmas ham. Plus some sugar-free syrup (just what we had in the house).

The chronic eating is really the toughest part.
 
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12/27/23 - Day 35
BW 267.2

I’m firmly at the weight I got up to last contest, but struggling to gain beyond. Starting the day with 8 chocolate chip waffles (800 calories) smeared with lots of cream cheese fruit dip/spread (no idea cals), about 400 calories Fairlife 2% milk, and a small bit of leftover Christmas ham. Plus some sugar-free syrup (just what we had in the house).

The chronic eating is really the toughest part.
Sounds rough bro.
 
Sounds rough bro.

I think appetite would be better if I was just on something like Test/Eq, but I’m sure compound selection has some impact here besides the body just getting sick of eating.

Meal 2 was 3 jumbo biscuits, heavy sausage gravy, leftover sausage egg breakfast casserole, and 550ml orange juice.

Meal 3 was a Yakisoba ramen pack, 400g full fat Greek yogurt, a bit of pineapple and a piece of Danish.

Drinking a full corn syrup energy drink now. I think this has around 4,200-4,500 cals so far. Looking to end the day with 6k. I have tremendous respect for the bodybuilders & lifters who can do this repeatedly on much cleaner diets.
 
12/27/23 - Day 35
BW 267.2

Serratus Activation
Cable Tri & Lat Warmup
Underhand Pulldowns Warmup

V-Grip Chin-ups
BWx12
+30 3x6 PR
BWx12

Corner Pec Stretch

Back-Supported Leg Raises
2x12

Partial Push-up Drills
4x10 narrowing grips

Haven’t been training Wednesdays the prior 2 weeks, and that seems to be working well for the bench peaking at the moment. Went in for some mobility, lats & abs.

Weighing over 270 in the gym after work today, so with the added db I was pulling 300 for 3x6 on chin-ups, which is definitely a PR. I think my previous 1RM from a couple years ago is ~320. I am excited to see my upper back stronger than ever as I move towards pressing more than ever.
 
12/27/23 - Day 35
BW 267.2

Serratus Activation
Cable Tri & Lat Warmup
Underhand Pulldowns Warmup

V-Grip Chin-ups
BWx12
+30 3x6 PR
BWx12

Corner Pec Stretch

Back-Supported Leg Raises
2x12

Partial Push-up Drills
4x10 narrowing grips

Haven’t been training Wednesdays the prior 2 weeks, and that seems to be working well for the bench peaking at the moment. Went in for some mobility, lats & abs.

Weighing over 270 in the gym after work today, so with the added db I was pulling 300 for 3x6 on chin-ups, which is definitely a PR. I think my previous 1RM from a couple years ago is ~320. I am excited to see my upper back stronger than ever as I move towards pressing more than ever.
You repping out pull-ups and chin-ups at 270 lbs is just as impressive, if not more impressive, as your lifts, and then you add a dumbbell for more weight, man you’re gonna have that Ronnie Coleman back . And I feel for you trying to put away 6000 calories, that’s rougher than a cut in many ways.
 
Merry belated Xmas and nice work on the progression and that PR!

Those high cal meals are sounding delicious, but I could see how the force feeding for growth could wear on you over time. For now though, just enjoy them!!
 
Congrats on the PR! it's crazy, but reading your breakfast made me salivate. That's how I know it is time to eat. All of that sounded so good, but way too much of it!!!! if you like mildy spicy sweet things this might be a nice add with your rice. It has a moderate heat if that, and is a nice sweet fruity mix with a good amount of sugar. They have another on there I couldn't find that doesn't have ginger in it but I love ginger and it can help soothe the digestive track anyway. ;)

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I explained to him that every day he should walk the inside of his assisted living complex, his end to the far end, every single day. As soon as that feels too easy, start adding half or whole laps/trips. Just progressively increasing the daily distance as you please, when it suits you. If the baseline of daily/weekly volume is increasing, so is your capacity.

But he’s kind of your basic American who knows damn well what they need to do, they just don’t execute. You can only lead a horse to water. I don’t lose any sleep over it anymore. It is remarkable to me that he’s still alive at 74, being obese & sedentary his entire life and was an alcoholic for over 20 years. Modern medicine is incredible.

I totally get it man. You truly can’t make them drink (the water that is).
We have a very similar setup, except mine never dropped alcohol and no idea how he is still kicking.
 
Merry belated Xmas and nice work on the progression and that PR!

Those high cal meals are sounding delicious, but I could see how the force feeding for growth could wear on you over time. For now though, just enjoy them!!

Thank you. I realize you have never been in a situation like this, so like the average person you can’t imagine how something you find enjoyable could ever become a burden.

Consider it like masturbating. Sounds like a good enough time, right? But we’re not talking about enjoying this once a week, or even once a day. Consider having to do that 4-5 times a day, every single day, for multiple months - or you simply can’t reach your goal. Just going 2-3x for even one light day will ruin your progress; you absolutely must finish at least 4 times every single day, and you must do all the work alone. Does that make more sense?

Congrats on the PR! it's crazy, but reading your breakfast made me salivate. That's how I know it is time to eat. All of that sounded so good, but way too much of it!!!! if you like mildy spicy sweet things this might be a nice add with your rice. It has a moderate heat if that, and is a nice sweet fruity mix with a good amount of sugar. They have another on there I couldn't find that doesn't have ginger in it but I love ginger and it can help soothe the digestive track anyway. ;)

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Ahhh I can’t stand ginger. That looks pretty good besides, as the non-ginger variety. Habanero is a great flavor when it’s presented very tame. I have been using an orange chicken sauce on rice when I have it that is pretty loaded, like 80 cal of sugar per serving. It all adds up!
 
Thank you. I realize you have never been in a situation like this, so like the average person you can’t imagine how something you find enjoyable could ever become a burden.

Consider it like masturbating. Sounds like a good enough time, right? But we’re not talking about enjoying this once a week, or even once a day. Consider having to do that 4-5 times a day, every single day, for multiple months - or you simply can’t reach your goal. Just going 2-3x for even one light day will ruin your progress; you absolutely must finish at least 4 times every single day, and you must do all the work alone. Does that make more sense?



Ahhh I can’t stand ginger. That looks pretty good besides, as the non-ginger variety. Habanero is a great flavor when it’s presented very tame. I have been using an orange chicken sauce on rice when I have it that is pretty loaded, like 80 cal of sugar per serving. It all adds up!
The one I really wanted to find for you was the pineapple habanero one they have or had at Kroger, it was sooooooooo good. Really made rice easy to get down. Speaking of getting rice down, I have noticed it is much easier to eat when I reheat it if I add extra water to the rice. By extra i don't mean just enough to reinvigorate it with steam, but about twice that amount. It just goes down much easier, less chewing, less sticking in my throat when swallowing it. Just easier to get down when the rice is a bit moister than usual.
 
The one I really wanted to find for you was the pineapple habanero one they have or had at Kroger, it was sooooooooo good. Really made rice easy to get down. Speaking of getting rice down, I have noticed it is much easier to eat when I reheat it if I add extra water to the rice. By extra i don't mean just enough to reinvigorate it with steam, but about twice that amount. It just goes down much easier, less chewing, less sticking in my throat when swallowing it. Just easier to get down when the rice is a bit moister than usual.

If you ever have extra fats you need to get in for some reason, a tbsp of refined coconut oil goes pretty well in rice as well that also helps slick it up.
 
If you ever have extra fats you need to get in for some reason, a tbsp of refined coconut oil goes pretty well in rice as well that also helps slick it up.
Oh yeah, that sounds good too. I love that he has me add olive oil to my rice meals. It makes such a difference in ease of eating as well as improving taste and consistency. I forgot my oil one day and was like why does this not taste as good as usual. Oh I need my oil!!!
 
Impressive pull ups! Pure strength man.

as far as some rice additions, one of my favorites and I haven’t had this in over a year!
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I've been a bad homie not checking in on logs without my computer but man you got a lot going on.

It's crazy 263 seemed large. At 218 you were within ten lbs of my 2023 high and below my ATH but 270 is like a mile marker, that's a big dude. That pic you posted though, **** dude, not fat! The traps and shoulders are looking yoked. The kinda guy you want by you when a guy like me picks a fight

Totally agree on Americans and people in general. I had so many people say "I wish I had time to go to a gym like you" and then they go home and binge watch TV every night.

Watching live to 100 I've tried to make daily movement a bigger staple in my 25yrs of gymrat life but there are also lottery tickets. Aside from the wine, my wife hasn't had a lifestyle that should have given her cancer. Fidel Castro smoked cigars from 13 into his 90s.

All you can do is live as hard as you can, love it all, and know each day is a blessing because as my cardiologist said "you might need surgery next year, or maybe not till you're 90, or you might get hit by an ice cream truck and killed leaving my office today"



Keep pushing the big numbers man!
 
Impressive pull ups! Pure strength man.

as far as some rice additions, one of my favorites and I haven’t had this in over a year!
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Thank you! You’re doing great getting into them; keeping hitting them full force and you will be amazed in a few months.

That stuff does taste great; I haven’t had any in probably just as long.

I've been a bad homie not checking in on logs without my computer but man you got a lot going on.

It's crazy 263 seemed large. At 218 you were within ten lbs of my 2023 high and below my ATH but 270 is like a mile marker, that's a big dude. That pic you posted though, **** dude, not fat! The traps and shoulders are looking yoked. The kinda guy you want by you when a guy like me picks a fight

Totally agree on Americans and people in general. I had so many people say "I wish I had time to go to a gym like you" and then they go home and binge watch TV every night.

Watching live to 100 I've tried to make daily movement a bigger staple in my 25yrs of gymrat life but there are also lottery tickets. Aside from the wine, my wife hasn't had a lifestyle that should have given her cancer. Fidel Castro smoked cigars from 13 into his 90s.

All you can do is live as hard as you can, love it all, and know each day is a blessing because as my cardiologist said "you might need surgery next year, or maybe not till you're 90, or you might get hit by an ice cream truck and killed leaving my office today"



Keep pushing the big numbers man!

Thanks, Dustin. I did think about that today, opening the last vial of Trest Ace Rocket gave me before he died. You can never know the number of days ordained for you, or what the future holds. I intend to make him proud!

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I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

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Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.
 
I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

Invalid Link Removed

Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.
Amen brother 👍
 
I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

Invalid Link Removed

Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.
He was a very good man, he will be missed. One of the first ones to follow my log in the beginning. My workouts sucked and I had no clue what I was doing but he always had nothing but positive things to say!
 
I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

Invalid Link Removed

Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.
Thanks for sharing this @Hyde, still hard to believe he's not around here anymore. Hope that some of our donations help the family out a bit.
 
Thanks @Hyde will do.
 
I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

Invalid Link Removed

Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.
It's crazy that he's not here supporting everyone and posting pictures of his massive SNS inventory from his dream home gym.
 
I want to take a moment to ask anyone reading this, if you enjoy any part of this log or feel like you have gotten some kind of knowledge, tidbit, or inspiration from any part of this, to please go here now & make ANY size donation in memory of Rocket, who was an incredible friend & forum member on AM who passed away earlier this year from Leukemia:

Invalid Link Removed

Everything I am doing now in training, this relentless drive to finally bench 405lbs, was ultimately inspired by his early passing. Losing an otherwise fit, healthy friend in a matter of months to his cancer reframed my perspective, reminding me how uncertain the future really is - how little time we may really have to do something meaningful to us.

Rocket believed in me, and he helped a lot of us believe more in ourselves. He was fond of reminding us that life is good - but he also reminded us life can be shorter than you think. And you can’t take it with you.

Thank you for sharing the fundraiser and the wonderful heartfelt words here.

I hope that we can all come together to help reach the goal of the fundraiser started in his memory by his daughter.

Rocket loved to help others and I know that raising money to help others with Leukemia is something that would make him smile.

I hope you don't mind me posting the link to this thread here, but here's a memorial thread to Rocket that was created with his family's permission and input, and it includes the link to the fundraiser and also some information about donating blood or people's next scheduled blood donations being in his honor.

 
Thank you everyone for the kind words for Rocket! I encourage you to check out the memorial link Steve posted above as well. It will put a smile on your face.
 
It's crazy that he's not here supporting everyone and posting pictures of his massive SNS inventory from his dream home gym.
I know, he touched every part of this forum. From his own log posting pictures of his awesome home gym, his supplements, his love of cars and racing, and the progress he made after 60 was amazing. But then he always found the time to support others goals in their logs, he gave great feedback on supplements and supported and promoted many of the great supplement companies we have here (he loved SNS and Steve’s products). There are memories in every section. 😔
 
12/29/23 - Day 37
BW 270.6 PR

Second day in a row waking up at 270 (previously hanging at 267). 2 days ago I bumped my Trest from 25 to 35mg, Dbol from 20 to 25, and Mk677 from 15 to 30. I also have consumed 5,300-5,800 calories both days, so about 7-1,000 calories more.

Instead of benching today, I’m lifting tomorrow morning at a friend’s CrossFit gym for their New Year’s lifting party. Supposed to take 360/370/380. I figure if I can do 380 on a suboptimal bench with an amateur handoff, that should give me a good idea of how ready I am for 405.
 
Own that **** man! Your name will become legend and uttered softly in dark corners of that gym. Watch a little CT Fletcher “Hulk Smash” and get your groove on!!!

on a serious note, nice to see the weight increase being steady. I know I add a few lbs at 30 vs 15 on the MK-677 plus it will keep that appetite up!
 
Own that **** man! Your name will become legend and uttered softly in dark corners of that gym. Watch a little CT Fletcher “Hulk Smash” and get your groove on!!!

on a serious note, nice to see the weight increase being steady. I know I add a few lbs at 30 vs 15 on the MK-677 plus it will keep that appetite up!

My exact thoughts, more water weight from it and appetite has been better these 2 days. I have had biscuits and gravy 4 days in a row now btw

The gym owner always tells people I’m an elite powerlifter, and I’m like hey I’m only masters level (the last tier before an elite total, not to be confused with the Masters class which is just 40+ age competitors). He’s like dude none of them have ever witnessed a 600lb raw squat - it’s elite to them 🥲
 
My exact thoughts, more water weight from it and appetite has been better these 2 days. I have had biscuits and gravy 4 days in a row now btw

The gym owner always tells people I’m an elite powerlifter, and I’m like hey I’m only masters level (the last tier before an elite total, not to be confused with the Masters class which is just 40+ age competitors). He’s like dude none of them have ever witnessed a 600lb raw squat - it’s elite to them 🥲
It’s like PH said, to that gym you are a legend, and as you walk by they whisper to each other “That’s the elite power lifter that squats over 600lbs”. To be honest there’s a lot of gyms out there that have never witnessed a 600lbs squat, so once you get to that level, to me that is elite.
Looks like you settled in at 270 being your new weight…..You keep eating the biscuits and gravy, and we may have to say you’ve got a little bit of the South in your blood. And man, if you throw in some grits and bacon it’s a official.
 
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It’s like PH said, to that gym you are a legend, and as you walk by they whisper to each other “That’s the elite power lifter that squats over 600lbs”. To be honest there’s a lot of gyms out there that has never witnessed a 600lbs squat, so once you get to that level, to me that is elite.
Looks like you settled in at 270 being your new weight…..You keep eating the biscuits and gravy, and we may have to say you’ve got a little bit of the South in your blood. And man, if you throw in some grits and bacon it’s a official.
I have never witnessed a 600lb squat. No bull ****. I sure as hell remember the first time a saw someone pull 4 plates for sets then 5 plates for sets. It was John Cena at age 19. All of 10 days maybe 2 weeks out from his first bodybuilding show. I wanna say it was the Yankee Natural show. He only worked at my gym. Normally lifted at Hard Nocks but couldn’t get there to train. He is yelling those reps up. Entire gym stops and stares after the 405 set, he somehow makes eye contact w everyone all at once lifts end of bar and slaps a fifth plate on, walks to other side repeat, slap goes the plate! Does 2 sets of 495 4-6 rep range. Forget the name, that weight 2 weeks out 6’ 225 he said 2% day of show so maybe 5-7% bf, That’s impressive sh!t. Took second in the show. He told me if I wanna be real impressed go to an untested powerlifting meet. So I will say that to @Hyde ’s point.

But my point is this, I had known him since pre-school(not friends, just same town/little league type stuff)this was summer of 1997. He went on to WWE and movies as we all know. To date, his demonstration of Alpha Strength , showmanship, and balls out attitude that day stuck w me more than anything he did WWE or in movies. His performance before fame has resonated more than the fame itself.
This proves gphagan1 and my point.
ONE OF THE SICKEST THINGS I SAW and I’m still talking about it 26 yrs later!!!
Be legendary Bro!!!

sorry for the long message. Been an emotional run lately. Wife’s sister went to bed x-mad eve 2014 and “didn’t wake up” so the holidays r less than fun for us sometimes. And a lot of reading about @Rocket3015 just has me thinking about anything and everything. RIP Brother!!!
 
I have never witnessed a 600lb squat. No bull ****. I sure as hell remember the first time a saw someone pull 4 plates for sets then 5 plates for sets. It was John Cena at age 19. All of 10 days maybe 2 weeks out from his first bodybuilding show. I wanna say it was the Yankee Natural show. He only worked at my gym. Normally lifted at Hard Nocks but couldn’t get there to train. He is yelling those reps up. Entire gym stops and stares after the 405 set, he somehow makes eye contact w everyone all at once lifts end of bar and slaps a fifth plate on, walks to other side repeat, slap goes the plate! Does 2 sets of 495 4-6 rep range. Forget the name, that weight 2 weeks out 6’ 225 he said 2% day of show so maybe 5-7% bf, That’s impressive sh!t. Took second in the show. He told me if I wanna be real impressed go to an untested powerlifting meet. So I will say that to @Hyde ’s point.

But my point is this, I had known him since pre-school(not friends, just same town/little league type stuff)this was summer of 1997. He went on to WWE and movies as we all know. To date, his demonstration of Alpha Strength , showmanship, and balls out attitude that day stuck w me more than anything he did WWE or in movies. His performance before fame has resonated more than the fame itself.
This proves gphagan1 and my point.
ONE OF THE SICKEST THINGS I SAW and I’m still talking about it 26 yrs later!!!
Be legendary Bro!!!

sorry for the long message. Been an emotional run lately. Wife’s sister went to bed x-mad eve 2014 and “didn’t wake up” so the holidays r less than fun for us sometimes. And a lot of reading about @Rocket3015 just has me thinking about anything and everything. RIP Brother!!!
That’s impressive about John Cena, really cool story. Sorry to hear about your wife’s sister, and I hope you and your wife, and all that follow Hyde’s log have a Happy and blessed New Year.
Hyde, I hope you and your wife and family have a great and Happy New Year, and may you both accomplish all your lifting and competition goals, and bring home those wins in 2024.🏆🏆🏆
 
I have never witnessed a 600lb squat. No bull ****. I sure as hell remember the first time a saw someone pull 4 plates for sets then 5 plates for sets. It was John Cena at age 19. All of 10 days maybe 2 weeks out from his first bodybuilding show. I wanna say it was the Yankee Natural show. He only worked at my gym. Normally lifted at Hard Nocks but couldn’t get there to train. He is yelling those reps up. Entire gym stops and stares after the 405 set, he somehow makes eye contact w everyone all at once lifts end of bar and slaps a fifth plate on, walks to other side repeat, slap goes the plate! Does 2 sets of 495 4-6 rep range. Forget the name, that weight 2 weeks out 6’ 225 he said 2% day of show so maybe 5-7% bf, That’s impressive sh!t. Took second in the show. He told me if I wanna be real impressed go to an untested powerlifting meet. So I will say that to @Hyde ’s point.

But my point is this, I had known him since pre-school(not friends, just same town/little league type stuff)this was summer of 1997. He went on to WWE and movies as we all know. To date, his demonstration of Alpha Strength , showmanship, and balls out attitude that day stuck w me more than anything he did WWE or in movies. His performance before fame has resonated more than the fame itself.
This proves gphagan1 and my point.
ONE OF THE SICKEST THINGS I SAW and I’m still talking about it 26 yrs later!!!
Be legendary Bro!!!

sorry for the long message. Been an emotional run lately. Wife’s sister went to bed x-mad eve 2014 and “didn’t wake up” so the holidays r less than fun for us sometimes. And a lot of reading about @Rocket3015 just has me thinking about anything and everything. RIP Brother!!!
That is pretty cool about John Cena, dude cracks me up in his comedy roles now too.

Trust me I know how you feel on things that happen around important dates causing residual emotional trauma when the dates come around. My brother was shot and killed at my 21st birthday party on my 21st birthday. I was a wreck around my birthday for probably 10 years, repeated bouts of horrible depression, and misplaced feelings of guilt. I feel for you man, and hope that you and your family can find some peace during these times.
That’s impressive about John Cena, really cool story. Sorry to hear about your wife’s sister, and I hope you and your wife, and all that follow Hyde’s log have a Happy and blessed New Year.
Hyde, I hope you and your wife and family have a great and Happy New Year, and may you both accomplish all your lifting and competition goals, and bring home those wins in 2024.🏆🏆🏆
Agreed, may it be a great year for all of us and our loved ones!!!!
 
I appreciate all of your comments; thank you guys for sharing the stories, the support, and the well wishes!
 
12/30/23 - Day 38
BW 273.2 pre-gym

Miniband Pullaparts, Presses, Flyes, Serratus Activation

Bench
45,135,225x8
245x6
285x5
325x3
360,380,405x1 PR

15 years. I had to train for 15 years straight & gain 110lbs to do it, but I finally benched 405 raw. There was a lot of emotion in this day for me. I nearly shed a tear as I looked at the bar loaded down with 4 plates per side before wrapping my wrists, thinking about everything it’s taken to realize this moment. The plan was only to take 380 today, but that press took less than 2 seconds to complete - I knew then that today was my day, what I was capable of.

I thought about sticking to the plan, coming back in a week or so to try it then, but then I thought about Rocket. How we’re never really guaranteed another day or chance. “How much time do you have left? When you start thinking about that, we don’t know.” is what I could hear Les Brown saying in my head.

This benchpress hung at two different points on the way up, taking every ounce of my strength to lock out, but there was never any doubt once I began. I knew in my heart I was already a 405 bencher, so it was just a matter of manifesting that truth.

Start:
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Chest:
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Lockout:
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Got that motherf*cker!!!
 
12/30/23 - Day 38
BW 273.2 pre-gym

Miniband Pullaparts, Presses, Flyes, Serratus Activation

Bench
45,135,225x8
245x6
285x5
325x3
360,380,405x1 PR

15 years. I had to train for 15 years straight & gain 110lbs to do it, but I finally benched 405 raw. There was a lot of emotion in this day for me. I nearly shed a tear as I looked at the bar loaded down with 4 plates per side before wrapping my wrists, thinking about everything it’s taken to realize this moment. The plan was only to take 380 today, but that press took less than 2 seconds to complete - I knew then that today was my day, what I was capable of.

I thought about sticking to the plan, coming back in a week or so to try it then, but then I thought about Rocket. How we’re never really guaranteed another day or chance. “How much time do you have left? When you start thinking about that, we don’t know.” is what I could hear Les Brown saying in my head.

This benchpress hung at two different points on the way up, taking every ounce of my strength to lock out, but there was never any doubt once I began. I knew in my heart I was already a 405 bencher, so it was just a matter of manifesting that truth.

Start:
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Chest:
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Lockout:
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Got that motherf*cker!!!
That’s awesome my man, congratulations…..all that hard work paid off. And I love it that you were thinking of Rocket so much as motivation. And what’s just as impressive is you did it at the end of your bench workout, so you had already had significant weight volume before hitting 405. What a way to bring in the New Year.💪🏆🏆🏆
 
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12/30/23 - Day 38
BW 273.2 pre-gym

Miniband Pullaparts, Presses, Flyes, Serratus Activation

Bench
45,135,225x8
245x6
285x5
325x3
360,380,405x1 PR

15 years. I had to train for 15 years straight & gain 110lbs to do it, but I finally benched 405 raw. There was a lot of emotion in this day for me. I nearly shed a tear as I looked at the bar loaded down with 4 plates per side before wrapping my wrists, thinking about everything it’s taken to realize this moment. The plan was only to take 380 today, but that press took less than 2 seconds to complete - I knew then that today was my day, what I was capable of.

I thought about sticking to the plan, coming back in a week or so to try it then, but then I thought about Rocket. How we’re never really guaranteed another day or chance. “How much time do you have left? When you start thinking about that, we don’t know.” is what I could hear Les Brown saying in my head.

This benchpress hung at two different points on the way up, taking every ounce of my strength to lock out, but there was never any doubt once I began. I knew in my heart I was already a 405 bencher, so it was just a matter of manifesting that truth.

Start:
Invalid Link Removed

Chest:
Invalid Link Removed

Lockout:
Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Got that motherf*cker!!!
405 is a milestone, congrats
 
Congrats @Hyde, Big accomplishment!!!
 
12/30/23 - Day 38
BW 273.2 pre-gym

Miniband Pullaparts, Presses, Flyes, Serratus Activation

Bench
45,135,225x8
245x6
285x5
325x3
360,380,405x1 PR

15 years. I had to train for 15 years straight & gain 110lbs to do it, but I finally benched 405 raw. There was a lot of emotion in this day for me. I nearly shed a tear as I looked at the bar loaded down with 4 plates per side before wrapping my wrists, thinking about everything it’s taken to realize this moment. The plan was only to take 380 today, but that press took less than 2 seconds to complete - I knew then that today was my day, what I was capable of.

I thought about sticking to the plan, coming back in a week or so to try it then, but then I thought about Rocket. How we’re never really guaranteed another day or chance. “How much time do you have left? When you start thinking about that, we don’t know.” is what I could hear Les Brown saying in my head.

This benchpress hung at two different points on the way up, taking every ounce of my strength to lock out, but there was never any doubt once I began. I knew in my heart I was already a 405 bencher, so it was just a matter of manifesting that truth.

Start:
Invalid Link Removed

Chest:
Invalid Link Removed

Lockout:
Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Got that motherf*cker!!!

Fukk yeah!! Way to kill it brother!
 
12/30/23 - Day 38
BW 273.2 pre-gym

Miniband Pullaparts, Presses, Flyes, Serratus Activation

Bench
45,135,225x8
245x6
285x5
325x3
360,380,405x1 PR

15 years. I had to train for 15 years straight & gain 110lbs to do it, but I finally benched 405 raw. There was a lot of emotion in this day for me. I nearly shed a tear as I looked at the bar loaded down with 4 plates per side before wrapping my wrists, thinking about everything it’s taken to realize this moment. The plan was only to take 380 today, but that press took less than 2 seconds to complete - I knew then that today was my day, what I was capable of.

I thought about sticking to the plan, coming back in a week or so to try it then, but then I thought about Rocket. How we’re never really guaranteed another day or chance. “How much time do you have left? When you start thinking about that, we don’t know.” is what I could hear Les Brown saying in my head.

This benchpress hung at two different points on the way up, taking every ounce of my strength to lock out, but there was never any doubt once I began. I knew in my heart I was already a 405 bencher, so it was just a matter of manifesting that truth.

Start:
Invalid Link Removed

Chest:
Invalid Link Removed

Lockout:
Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

Got that motherf*cker!!!
Dude I thought for sure you were gonna take a few more days, but **** man when you got it you gotta take it! Congrats on a monster!!!
 
Thank you everyone!

It was a really important barrier to break, for myself. I feel like doing this lift unlocked something in me, proving to myself that there aren’t any true limits, just plateaus that may get harder to overcome.
 
12/31/23 - Day 39
BW 270.0

DB Low Incline Bench
30x20
50,70x15
90x12
100x10
110x8
120x10

Spoto Press
135x8
225x5
275 5x3

Incline DB Williams Extensions
30,35,30,30x15

Widegrip Lat Pulldown
110x12
143,165x15
187x12
209x8

Seated DB Rear Delt Flyes
30 2x15

DB Hammercurls
30 2x12

Went in yesterday morning to finish up the rest of the upper body work for my last training session of the year. Pretty happy how strong & capable I felt considering the PR max out the day prior. The pumps from the Dbol were insane; I just started talking to people between sets of pulldowns to pass time because my lats had turned to immovable granite.

And on that note, there’s a few days worth of Dbol remaining but I’m dropping it (and obviously no more bench day Anadrol) - I need to try to get this acid reflux back under control & restore some lost appetite. I will attempt to continue with some daily Trest for now since the bottle is open (if it doesn’t appear to be a culprit), but I will stop that as well if necessary. Mk677 is also done, as it represented an extra strain on blood pressure and glucose. I hit my goal, so looking to get things back to a more balanced place. I am done force-feeding & overeating, and will be happy if I can get a few pounds off. Just standing up at 270lbs is tiring.
 
Yeah, you have been pushing calories very hard, I can understand why you don't want to just keep pushing. Congrats again on that PR!
 
12/31/23 - Day 39
BW 270.0

DB Low Incline Bench
30x20
50,70x15
90x12
100x10
110x8
120x10

Spoto Press
135x8
225x5
275 5x3

Incline DB Williams Extensions
30,35,30,30x15

Widegrip Lat Pulldown
110x12
143,165x15
187x12
209x8

Seated DB Rear Delt Flyes
30 2x15

DB Hammercurls
30 2x12

Went in yesterday morning to finish up the rest of the upper body work for my last training session of the year. Pretty happy how strong & capable I felt considering the PR max out the day prior. The pumps from the Dbol were insane; I just started talking to people between sets of pulldowns to pass time because my lats had turned to immovable granite.

And on that note, there’s a few days worth of Dbol remaining but I’m dropping it (and obviously no more bench day Anadrol) - I need to try to get this acid reflux back under control & restore some lost appetite. I will attempt to continue with some daily Trest for now since the bottle is open (if it doesn’t appear to be a culprit), but I will stop that as well if necessary. Mk677 is also done, as it represented an extra strain on blood pressure and glucose. I hit my goal, so looking to get things back to a more balanced place. I am done force-feeding & overeating, and will be happy if I can get a few pounds off. Just standing up at 270lbs is tiring.
I can attest to how much work it is being 270. I couldn’t feel it as much at the time because I was there for so long but after dropping weight it was amazing how much better I feel, knees don’t hurt anymore and just have a lot more energy/ endurance.
 
Weighing 263.0 this morning after a couple days of very light eating and stopping the Dbol & Mk677. Still on 25mg Trest Ace/day for now, but Bigger By The Day is most certainly completed.

Been feeling generally bad & exhausted last couple days, no appetite & frequent headaches, to the point I overslept my training alarm today and actually slept right up until needing to begin work. This was definitely the right move. Looking to get back into routine lower body power training again tomorrow night.

I would like to use the remainder of this Trest vial to bring my weight down a bit further to take advantage of the greatly enhanced nitrogen retention and nutrient partitioning it affords. I have found I can still feel pretty spry around 255lbs if I am implementing some routine walking (I haven’t been).

I can attest to how much work it is being 270. I couldn’t feel it as much at the time because I was there for so long but after dropping weight it was amazing how much better I feel, knees don’t hurt anymore and just have a lot more energy/ endurance.

Every 10lbs I can feel, and 20lbs is usually very significant changes in ability to walk, jump, sprint, and even just standing endurance. When I’m in the 260s, I’m always trying to lean on things and generally looking to sit as soon as possible as much as possible. It’s a bad time.

“Never stand when you can sit, sit when you can lay, or just lay when you could be napping.” - Stan Efferding, talking about preparing for powerlifting.
 
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