http://s80.photobucket.com/albums/j198/tmutaffis/?action=view&current=300x4Overhead.mp4

http://www.facebook.com/StrongmanTomMutaffis

Now on to the reason why most of you are reading this – lifting heavy objects. My journey into strongman started in June of 2006 at New Jersey’s Strongest Man, although technically it started years before that when I first discovered my weight lifting abilities and desire to test the limits of my mind/body. Over the past 5+ years I have lived in three different states, transitioned into different roles and markets with work, got engaged, bought a house, adopted a dog, lost a close family member, became a professional athlete, and a number of other life-changing events. Strongman has been one of the most consistent aspects of my life, and has always provided me with both a great challenge and a lot of enjoyment.

Every since winning the North American Strongman National Championships in 2007 things have always been a bit complicated with regard to my training consistency and keeping a “balance”. Despite the challenges I have continued to make progress in the sport and have also worked on alternative solutions such as building a well-stocked gym in the garage of my house including a number of strongman implements (stones, giant tires, sand filled kegs, etc.). At this point I feel like I have let my training go for a bit too long but the fire still burns inside, and I still have a passion to get back to attacking and dominating new PR lifts.

I have decided to post this update for a couple of reasons:

#1 – I would like for people to follow along as I venture back in to training consistently, to help to keep me motivated and to provide feedback / tips / etc.

#2 – I want to share information about my training so that others can benefit from my experience in strongman / weight training.

As I type this I am sitting at roughly 220 lbs body weight, and have not touched any nutritional supplements in months other than an occasional pre-workout drink or protein shake. My diet has been sometimes good and sometimes not so good – but for the past couple of weeks have been gradually making positive changes.

Time to get started on the path back to becoming a “machine” again!