I've got my third, and probably final week of paternity leave covered by a gentleman that I used to Coach!

Total full-circle moment here. Love it.

Chaz Maclay is a native of northern Vermont. He's an Exercise Science major at Northern Vermont University (nerd alert) and a savage of a human being competitive powerlifter with multiple state, regional, universe, national records.

As his once-upon-a-time Coach, I take full credit.

Kidding, kidding.

But really, Chaz has worked incredibly hard to get to where he is now, has earned his success, and I am honored (and thankful) that he reached out with an awesome guest post for us all this week.

Thanks Chaz!

Any time you compete in organized sports, you are able to take home a variety of lessons. In my time as a competitive powerlifter, here are 5 lessons that this sport has taught me about life, fitness, and of course, getting ruthlessly strong.

1. Patience.

The almighty gains will flow fast when you start your fitness journey (what up, neurosystem?) but will slow down as you become more of an intermediate/advanced lifter and your level of skill increases.

What I constantly remind myself is that strength is built BRICK BY BRICK! Your house was not built in a day, rather, built over time, brick by brick. Your goals and new PRs (personal records) will come, stay patient and keep laying down those bricks.

What's a fitness 'brick'? Every rep in every set in every training program. Brick.by.brick.

​

2. Leave your ego at the door.

In high school I always wanted to be the guy lifting the most weight out of whoever was in the gym.

What I eventually learned is that the strongest folks very well may be lifting less than what they maximally can so that they can place a greater emphasis on form, technique, and longevity.

Stop trying to impress others, and start impressing yourself with the consistent outcomes of each training session.

​

3. Be a sponge.

Soak up as much as you can, you’ll be able to weed out the B.S. as you progress in your fitness journey . I still, to this day, after 6 years of competing in powerlifting find the oldest and biggest lifters at a meet or in the gym to pick their brains. Get your questions answered and apply it to your own training routine. If anything, you have a chance to make a new gym-buddy!

​

Casey add in- I've said it in newsletters before, if you ever have a question, send it along...I respond to every email!

​

4. Individually united.

The sport of powerlifting is individual. It's you versus the weight while trying to compete against others in the same weight class. However, when you step off the platform, powerlifting is inclusive and positive. I’ve met the most amazing folks through this journey. The same dude who’ll want to lift more than you, will be yelling “GET IT UP!” as you’re lifting a PR that may be beating his last lifting attempt.

Everyone wants to see each other win.

​

Casey add in 2.0- I think this parallels the fitness industry as a whole. Gym fear is real, however everyone is incredibly supportive and wants to help. The scene can get a tough wrap, but largely is more positive than negative.

​

5. Life.

Almost all things we learn in the gym can be utilized outside of it. Life lessons and motivations can be applied . Put the effort in (workout with consistency) and reap the rewards (gains!). Though I may not want to do something on a particular day, I reframe the task as a stepping stone or building block to the end result.

Build the foundation and keep your tool belt full. You never know when you’ll need to apply that lesson learned.

​

Last, never give up, and always be a positive powerhouse for those around you!

-Chaz Maclay

For more, Chaz Maclay, check out his personal website, right here. 

In case you missed it…

Start Here, our free 12-week training program, is now out and available for download! Jump start your fitness goals for 2022 and get started today!