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Hyde’s Strength Odyssey

Hyde said:
Wife took 2nd place in the Open 148lb women’s class this weekend at United States Strongman’s Nationals! 🥈 🏋️‍♀️💪

This is their biggest show annually - over 500 competitors all competing on a single day. The last time we came 2 years ago, she took gold in the Masters 148. After placing in the top third of the pack at a very stacked Arnold Pro-Am this year, she decided to step back into Open to show the younger ladies she’s still got it!

Easy small cut to weigh in at the limit of 148.3lbs on Friday morning (under 67.5kg). Saturday she took 3rd in the Max Axle Press I believe, opening 155 then hitting 165lb on her 2nd attempt, but missing 175 (only 2 successfully hit this out of 10 women in her class). Tied for 8th on the raw Axle Deadlift from floor, pulling 315 for a double (her worst event). The next event was a light arm-over-arm sled pull by a rope to you (seated with legs driving into a board to press off of), followed by immediately getting up to run to the other side and drag it back where it came from - she took 1st in this event with a blistering 22.4 seconds. The 4th event really shook things up: farmers carry down followed by a sandbag shaped like an atlas stone carried back. Unfortunately, the equipment fabricator for the show made the world’s slickest painted fat handles - turning the grip event into a hand size event. EVERYONE was pissed how terrible they were. What is normally an incredibly strong event for my wife turned into only receiving a distance score of 42ft out of 60 (if you dropped twice you were done). Still, some women couldn’t even budge them off the ground, so she scored better than most. Last event was a 175lb sandstone loaded over a bar for reps in a minute - the wife did 8 to tie for 2nd in this.

This left a clear 1st place winner with 41.5 total points, but a 3-way tie for 2nd at 36 points! One of the women was out on countback because she had no 1st place wins while my wife did (this made her 4th place overall), but the other gal had an equal number of 1sts, so they had to go to a tie-breaker event to establish the podium order: STONE OVER BAR, LAST WOMAN STANDING!

They had no advance notice to prepare mentally for this; the women were allowed to take a piss & grab their belts/shoes before meeting at the yoke to settle the score. 175lb sandstone (that they had already loaded for a minute straight as the last event) between them. Hot potato, 20 seconds to load it to the other side or you lose. Stone loading is THE most important event in strongman, so my wife was given advantage to go second as she placed higher on them in the final event. The other woman was absolutely determined to fight to the death, but she never had a chance. My wife is a podium stone-loader any day of the year, and I have watched her load a 160lb stone in the gym like this for HALF AN HOUR years back in training. Most all the athletes in the stadium circled around like witnessing a giant highschool fight. Every time the other woman loaded it, my wife would immediately send it right back over so she had no time to rest. The gal began throwing it over to try to make my wife have to drag it back further, so my wife began blocking it as soon as it came over, continuing to push her. Now she was standing so close, my wife began fuming & staring her down, turning this into a battle of wills. People were going wild! This went on for over 7 minutes straight, until her competitor broke on the 18th rep. Failing to load it, she collapsed in tears & exhaustion. While her friends went to comfort her on the floor, my wife stood triumphant in applause, flexing and roaring for all to behold.

So in typical fashion, my wife completely stole the show: there must have been genuinely 100 people that came up to us to congratulate her incredible victory before we left (which never would have happened if she’d just won 1st place even outright). It sure felt like she was the champion of the day after that display, something people from all over the country will remember for years to come.
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That is so incredibly awesome, and I know you guys are extremely proud, and you should be. And the Grand Finale sounded incredible, and super impressive. I mean that’s like a Championship level girl fight there.💪😎👍
And tell her congratulations on putting up such impressive numbers.🏆
 
Wife is an absolute beast! Meaning that in the best way possible of course. Congrats to her - and what a way to finish out! Nothing better than that 1v1 to settle the score in one last event! Awesome!
 
Thanks everyone! I’m really proud of all her hard work & dedication. It was an awesome performance, plus we had a really great trip. It’s always great to be with so many other lifters & see old friends. Brought the kids and my in-laws came to watch & help with my son as well. He had so much fun swimming with his cast finally off, playing video games with his grandpa, eating snacks, and everyone had a good time being together. We went out for a big celebration dinner Saturday night in Cedar Rapids.

She is competing at America’s Strongest Master (essentially Strongman Corp’s master’s nationals) in less than 10 weeks. I was initially worried about traveling 2 weeks out from my meet, but am excited to go now. We decided to make the 10 hour drive to Oklahoma, as it’s barely shorter to fly with layovers & will cost <$200 in fuel @$5/gallon. Plus odds of sickness are drastically reduced. I have time to figure out whatever I need to do to keep my peak on track.
 
Thats an awesome game plan and her comp is just going to keep your fire lit for yours too.

Its funny how midwest states be like that. I recall my old FIL choosing to drive to mandan from out here in puget sound for the same reason. He was able to rent a new Chrylser 300 back then and haul ass across Montana quicker and cheaper than trying to fly 3+ states away lol. Spokane is like that here too, about a 5 hour trip to drive, and a 1hr trip to fly, but +2hrs at the airport, parking, drive to airport etc, ends up being a wash but at least you have your own car.
 
Dustin07 said:
Thats an awesome game plan and her comp is just going to keep your fire lit for yours too.

Its funny how midwest states be like that. I recall my old FIL choosing to drive to mandan from out here in puget sound for the same reason. He was able to rent a new Chrylser 300 back then and haul ass across Montana quicker and cheaper than trying to fly 3+ states away lol. Spokane is like that here too, about a 5 hour trip to drive, and a 1hr trip to fly, but +2hrs at the airport, parking, drive to airport etc, ends up being a wash but at least you have your own car.
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Yeah this was the difference between 7-8 hours travel if we fly (and 7 is really pushing margins) vs a 9.5 hour drive plus any stops. Plus we can start the drive whenever it’s convenient to us instead of working around the flight times, so it’s basically a wash that also saves us $800-1,000 in airline & rental car fees. Plus we can pack whatever we want, and not worry about a rental.

Besides less seat time, nothing about flying js convenient. The airlines do not value your business, & they generally suck even when everything goes right.
 
6/9/26

BW 236.4 postWO

2 min Assault Bike
Push-ups

Bench, Texas Powerbar
45,135,225x5
275x3
305 4x2, 1x6+1 assisted

1-Boardpress
265 2x10

DB Laterals
30,35x15

DB Rear Delt Flyes
40,45x12

HS CSR
180x8
270,320x3
370 2x8

Reverse Hypers
230x15
270 2x15

The humidity has officially arrived. A pleasant 76* degrees this morning, but at 97% humidity everyone was pouring sweat and the floors were slick as owlshit. Doubled my intra sodium from 1,200 to 2,400mg and bumped water from 40 to 60oz.

Good bench day back to it. Body feeling great after skipping 2 training days; nothing in the lower body is remotely tight like usual. Put 5lbs on last week’s work no problem. Got in early to accommodate a buddy’s work meeting, so managed a couple back accessories with the extra time despite the fluid loss. Tomorrow late afternoon it’s supposed to be 90*, so probably going to be a Squat & Leave kind of after-work session.
 
Hyde said:
The airlines do not value your business, & they generally suck even when everything goes right.
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Every time I think they're starting to improve on a trip down, they totally F up the flight home and I realize they suck again, lol.

Hyde said:
Tomorrow late afternoon it’s supposed to be 90*, so probably going to be a Squat & Leave kind of after-work session.
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honestly I'm starting to love the occasional "just do it and go home" sessions. Sometimes it feels more productive.
 
8 weeks after last comp (March 1st) were 140 test c/wk.

Then 4 weeks of 10-15mg trest ace TOTAL added to that.

Last 2 weeks dropped the Trest & moved to 260 test c & 60 deca.

Sunday was 12 weeks out from comp, so it’s time to move from “Sports HRT” into a proper blast. As of yesterday, going to:

280 test c / 140 mast p / 60 deca / 30 tren e

for a 510mg total/wk split over daily shots. Using up an open Mast P and will adjust mast dosage to get water retention ideal (high as possible without gyno). Pulled the trigger on some GH, and will add that in soon. It should help fatloss, but mainly for injury prevention/recovery. I ran into a buddy at Nationals I’ve competed with in Indiana a couple times; very strong guy (2050 wrapped total) who was coaching one of my competitors this past meet (who I’ve also competed with in the past). Talking gear, the main thing that stuck out to me was that he felt GH was essential for recovery & stays on it anymore. We only have so many years left at the biggest weights, so if we can extend that we have better chances for bigger numbers before we’re done. At least with the cyclic keto and losing fat, I’m not worried about any HbA1C or insulin resistance issues either.
 
Hyde said:
8 weeks after last comp (March 1st) were 140 test c/wk.

Then 4 weeks of 10-15mg trest ace TOTAL added to that.

Last 2 weeks dropped the Trest & moved to 260 test c & 60 deca.

Sunday was 12 weeks out from comp, so it’s time to move from “Sports HRT” into a proper blast. As of yesterday, going to:

280 test c / 140 mast p / 60 deca / 30 tren e

for a 510mg total/wk split over daily shots. Using up an open Mast P and will adjust mast dosage to get water retention ideal (high as possible without gyno). Pulled the trigger on some GH, and will add that in soon. It should help fatloss, but mainly for injury prevention/recovery. I ran into a buddy at Nationals I’ve competed with in Indiana a couple times; very strong guy (2050 wrapped total) who was coaching one of my competitors this past meet (who I’ve also competed with in the past). Talking gear, the main thing that stuck out to me was that he felt GH was essential for recovery & stays on it anymore. We only have so many years left at the biggest weights, so if we can extend that we have better chances for bigger numbers before we’re done. At least with the cyclic keto and losing fat, I’m not worried about any HbA1C or insulin resistance issues either.
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I’ve heard so much talk about staying on GH for long periods, if not indefinite at low doses. I can tell a difference a 6 months on 2ius a day as far as body recomp.
 
GreenMachineX said:
So expensive…what do you think of mk-677 or other peptides?
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The healing peptides (BPC, Tb500, GHK etc) work and are absolutely worth it as needed.

The GH-releasing peptides cost as much or more than GH, take more shots/effort, and don’t work nearly as well for most (especially as you age). They are a scam, beyond being a legal loophole.

Mk677 isn’t much cheaper and is basically only useful as a temporary tool for appetite, waterweight, joint support, sleep. It will mess up blood sugar and insulin resistance worse than GH and also does not trigger lipolysis. It also won’t get IGF1 levels nearly as high unless you are in your 20s, and tends to stop working after random amounts of time (sometimes within a couple weeks).

Jimbabwe said:
That's why I make so much money; so I can run GH year-round
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😂 I mean even $20/day for a 10iu vial is of course affordable if it’s an absolute priority for anyone with a full time job… but that’s $7,300 out of pocket, which can do a lot of other things for most.

I did feel the joint and sleep benefits on 2iu were pretty darn solid for recovery/trainability, so looking forward to that.
 
I keep thinking this so I wanted to share: I am really enjoying my current diet! I really enjoy my food when I eat, the amount & what I eat, how I feel after or between meals during the weekdays. I experience hunger every day, but also satisfaction very often - what I’m doing isn’t a struggle at all. It does seem to be slowly leaning me out though. I don’t feel bogged down or sleepy as often.

Weekdays have been protein powder, things like pork ribs, chicken wings or drumsticks, rotisserie chicken, pork chops, Quest bars, Caesar salads, canned tuna, some eggs or pecans occasionally, plus coffee, energy drinks, diet soda as desired. I think switching my meats to bone-in & air-frying them has really increased satiety. I eat 1-2 fatty meals per day, a salad, 1-2 shakes or puddings, maybe some tuna or a chicken shake with leftover rotisserie breast, and a Quest bar.

Weekends is same: yogurt, fruit, cereal with milk, bagels & jam, bread, pasta/noodles, pizza, burgers, burritos, sweets & candy, family meals.
 
Hyde said:
I keep thinking this so I wanted to share: I am really enjoying my current diet! I really enjoy my food when I eat, the amount & what I eat, how I feel after or between meals during the weekdays. I experience hunger every day, but also satisfaction very often - what I’m doing isn’t a struggle at all. It does seem to be slowly leaning me out though. I don’t feel bogged down or sleepy as often.

Weekdays have been protein powder, things like pork ribs, chicken wings or drumsticks, rotisserie chicken, pork chops, Quest bars, Caesar salads, canned tuna, some eggs or pecans occasionally, plus coffee, energy drinks, diet soda as desired. I think switching my meats to bone-in & air-frying them has really increased satiety. I eat 1-2 fatty meals per day, a salad, 1-2 shakes or puddings, maybe some tuna or a chicken shake with leftover rotisserie breast, and a Quest bar.

Weekends is same: yogurt, fruit, cereal with milk, bagels & jam, bread, pasta/noodles, pizza, burgers, burritos, sweets & candy, family meals.
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It’s always nice to find what works, especially diet. I was telling a guy last night that I bumped into at the grocery store that diet is 75% of it. No matter how hard you work in the gym, if you aren’t eating based on your goals you aren’t getting anywhere. You have figured out what works for you. It’s funny to see guys bash keto but there’s a place for it and it works great for some.
 
First off, I have to ask, does noone have a video of that epic showdown you described? Someone had to have recorded that and dang it i wanna see it! She is a badass to step into the open and rock it like that.

Dietwise, I thought you were really focusing on keeping the saturated fats down previously, from the food choices it looks like that may have changed, is that correct? I have been contemplating lower carb again but one of the big draws outside of the stable energy levels and not feeling too full are the great food selections, but when limiting saturated fats a lot of those go away.
 
MrKleen73 said:
First off, I have to ask, does noone have a video of that epic showdown you described? Someone had to have recorded that and dang it i wanna see it! She is a badass to step into the open and rock it like that.
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its funny you say that cause the first thing I did when I read his post was run to youtube and try to find it, I was only able to find mens events though in a quick glance.
 
MrKleen73 said:
First off, I have to ask, does noone have a video of that epic showdown you described? Someone had to have recorded that and dang it i wanna see it! She is a badass to step into the open and rock it like that.

Dietwise, I thought you were really focusing on keeping the saturated fats down previously, from the food choices it looks like that may have changed, is that correct? I have been contemplating lower carb again but one of the big draws outside of the stable energy levels and not feeling too full are the great food selections, but when limiting saturated fats a lot of those go away.
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Just emailed you a Mail Drop attachment so you can grab it from the cloud (video I took is 7.5 minutes!).

Basically, research I read seems to indicate that in the low insulin & inflammatory environment, high saturated fat doesn’t seem to pose the same CVD risk. So I am not worried too much about it for now. I know moving to a blast this week may slightly change my inflammatory status, but it’s also only 510mg total and just THIRTY milligrams of Tren. Considering my HsCRP is under 1 at peak of blasts the week of meet on orals, I suspect it’s nothing currently.

Also, you can easily do a (cyclic) keto diet with lower saturated fat than me - using more lean meats/fish/shakes with nuts, olive, avocado, I was definitely under 30g per day consistently. Avoid fatty meat, cheese and lots of eggs. Another thing to note is that I could fit some berries or other veggies besides lettuce in if I actually wanted to, to add more fiber & micros from food.
 
6/10/26
BW 232.4

Tspine Mobility
Scap Pushups
Cat Camel
Bird Dogs
KB Suitcase Carries
RFE Splitsquat

Squat, Rogue Squatbar
55x5,3
145x5
235x3
+Inzer Ergopros
325x3
+belt
375,415,445x3
475,505x1
455x6

Hang from pullup bar

Deadlift, Texas Powerbar
45,155x8 RDL
265 2x3
331,353,375x4
+deadlift belt
397x4

First time on a squat bar or in the Ergopros since March 1st. It was hot & incredibly humid at the club in between thunderstorms, so I knew I was on a clock with profuse sweating & should stay in pocket to avoid injury. Ripped through my half gallon w/ 3 grams of sodium like it was nothing (had 2g preWO).

Just wanted to touch a bit of weight & get some good training in on this bar. Definitely could have made another 30lb jump up, or did more reps with 455 or another set after, but it’s week 1 of prep. This is basically what I did in a session 8 weeks ago, except I’m 13lbs lighter now.

Back is improving and weights I can use on deadlift are improving well. Felt heavy, but that’s just my body protecting me still.
 
glad the back is doing so much better!
tell me about those ergopros, how are they different from the standard 7mm blue? the ergos are 7mm too, right? just... longer?
 
Good to hear the back is improving. The heat seems to be hitting early this year, so great job getting some good squats and deadlifts in. And that is cool that is basically the same weight you were using a couple of months ago, but you’re 13 lbs lighter. Looks like everything is setting up and moving in a direction to hit those lighter body weight PRs at the meet.💪😎👍
 
Dustin07 said:
glad the back is doing so much better!
tell me about those ergopros, how are they different from the standard 7mm blue? the ergos are 7mm too, right? just... longer?
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It’s the new generation of neoprene for competitive powerlifting. The dimensions are still within the original specs, but they are radically stiffer/less flexible and you can set a 45lb plate on a stood-up one & it will not collapse. They probably give a legitimate 20+lbs of assistance at the bottom, and you’ll walk around as if you were in a lightly applied knee wrap. They take real effort to put on & off. Mine are a size large intentionally so I can do them myself no issues even when heavier, but many people get them so tight they need a friend to pull them off. Which seems a little counterintuitive to “raw” powerlifting, but this is what the current meta has become. 9/10 lifters use this hardcore style at comp now.

Now a terrific knee wrap squatter can get as much as 10% out of their wraps, so it’s not really comparable to that, but most people could get up to 5% out of this modern style I’d say. And they’re terrible for basically anything besides powersquats. But they definitely make my knees feel much more stable & safe while squatting, so I’m happy to be back in them finally.

Would not recommend unless someone is a competitor.
 
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