Anthony Calhoun Interview

July 2012 - Anthony Calhoun

  1. Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where were you born? Etc. Give the readers some background about yourself.

  2. I am Anthony Calhoun, 53 years old Born in Dayton Ohio But Newnan Georgia is Home Married to Cynthia McDaniel Calhoun 4 children and 5 grand kids

  3. Where are you located in Georgia and where do you train at?

  4. I live in Newnan Georgia, and I train at Atlanta Fitness 2 locations in Newnan. Come in and see Scott Gaschler or Joe Wright if you are in Newnan.

  5. What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)?

  6. I like to do research on various things, and have been known to pick up a golf club on occassion

  7. What is something that most people don’t know about you?

  8. Several years ago I had a non-Q-wave Myocardial Infarction--- ( heart attack ). I have hypertrophy of the left ventricle, which means my heart don't pump blood as yours do. And yes all my Doctors know I train for and compete in powerlifting

  9. What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa?

  10. Retired Marine. not at all I have more than enough time for training, getting ready for meets, and enjoying a good conversation at the gym about all the good people I have met at meets and such ( ratchet Jawing )

  11. How did you get into powerlifting and how many years have you been competing?

  12. Some 2 years ago I met another Marine at the gym Joe Gonzalez. one day after watching me move some weights around, machine and free, he asked me to train with him. That went good until he asked me to start powerlifting. I thought I was to old until he told me his age. So that is where and how I got my start, a Brother Marine reminded me, yes you can ( LOL ) Competition wise I have been at it a year

  13. What are your biggest squat, bench press, deadlift and total numbers?

  14. I have some good numbers up to date, but I'd like to go on record as saying" The biggest and best lifts are yet to come"

  15. What titles, records and achievements have you accumulated during your powerlifting career?

  16. In the time I have really out there doing my thing, I am on record in Masters 50-54, and I have earned 6 Gold Medals, 3 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal, and with team Georgia at the battle on the border I earned a 4th place finish in a really talented Masters division

  17. Can you describe your training philosophy and/or a typical training session?

  18. Training Philosophy; No One trains for 2nd, So I always train to win it. My Typical training session, I want to make every lift and rep work to my advantage, I take training like it's a meet, I won't do it if I can't do it right. I get the mind set and ready before I go to the gym, when I get there, what ever is on the schedule that day: In the words of Larry The Cable Guy--- I git-er-done!!!

  19. Do you compete equipped (squat suit, bench press shirt & deadlift suit) or unequipped (no suits) or both and what weight class(s) and divisions(s) do you compete in?

  20. I compete Raw, 275 to SHW, usually Masters but from time to time I'll enter open as well

  21. What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three and why?

  22. All Three because in full power you must master them to be competitive, I'm yet to master them, so I'm a work in progress

  23. Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?

  24. In my brief stint I have met a variety of great lifters, so I can't put a finger on 1 say say thats it right there, they all have inspired me to get better and want to compete at a higher level

  25. Who do you think is the greatest lifter of all time?

  26. Don't know enough to have an opinion on this question, My personal greatest lifter is on High and watches over all of us

  27. When was your last competition & how did it go?

  28. March 2012, Battle on the border, Team Georgia won, therefore I was a winner too

  29. Do you have any upcoming competitions? If so, when and where?

  30. October 2012 USAPL GA & Southern States In Warner Robins Ga

  31. How do you prepare for an upcoming competition? Describe each aspect that you focus on as you prepare for a competition.

  32. Work hard, winning attitude, the more I sweat in the gym, the more confident I am with my meet lifts.. Technique, strength, attitude, conditioning and rest

  33. Is there anything you will do differently to prepare for your next competition that is different from your last one?

  34. yeah, you got to diversify, change up, break the routine or the body will adapt

  35. How many competitions do you compete in each year?

  36. So far 4 works for me, just waiting for the 2013 schedule to come out so I can see which meets I may be able to do, quite naturally the Georgia Meet!!

  37. Who is your greatest competitor/rival and why?

  38. not to sound silly but I am my greatest competitor, when you go out on the stage to make a lift, no one is there but you the weight and depending on the lift the equipment. The judges aren't going to lift, I try not to let the spotters lift, so as a competitor, I must conquer the Iron at hand, no one else is going to matter at that moment of lifting.

  39. What advice & tips would you give to a powerlifter that is just beginning? If you are just beginning, what advice have you received from other lifters or coaches?

  40. If you are thinking about it? make sure it's something you want to do, then train hard. over my time I have gotten some great advice from some great and Elite lifters and Judges, male and female, and if they read this article, they will know, yep he talking about what I told him on that lift about feet placement of grip etc

  41. How has powerlifting changed your life?

  42. oh you just don't know, I feel like I'm still active in the Marines, (a) I'm in charge of what I do, If I fail or succeed. (b) People ask me-- you really do that? aren't you ashamed to get out there and aren't you to old to be around all those youngsters ( LOL ). I absolutely enjoy the brief attention for the OldMan

  43. Do you stay in touch with lifters you compete against?

  44. Yes I do, I have them as Facebook friends, e-mail and a few of them I have their cell- numbers and we text, I have invited 6 of them to the meet in October so we can get together and lift up something 1 more time!

  45. What is your #1 or most prestigious meet you ever competed at in your career?

  46. Without a doubt as a part of Team Georgia in the Battle On The Border, against team North Carolina and Team South Carolina

  47. Do you compete in any other strength sports such as Olympic lifting, strongman, highland games, etc?

  48. are you kidding me, that stuff would kill me!! ( LOL )

  49. What is your favorite memory from any powerlifting competition or event?

  50. The first time I was called to the stage to get a medal, It was Bronze but to me it was double no wait triple platinum

  51. Do you see yourself still competing in ten years? If so, what are your goals for ten years from now?

  52. hopefully, If it's in the Plans of life. Sky is the limit, I got good friends in the 55 plus group, 60's and 1 even in his 70's . Who said a rocking chair was in the mix!

  53. Do you have any funny or interesting powerlifting stories that you can share with us?

  54. It's not funny but in my 1st USAPL meet, as I went to squat, I looked up and saw my wife and grandson, and dropped a good lift So I don't look at people any more before a lift

  55. Anyone you would like thank for helping you along the way in your Powerlifting career?

  56. Yes, My wife for putting up with me 30 years, Joe Gonzalez, Al Reiss,Mr & Ms. Tee-Man, Mr. & Ms. Dave Ricks, David Goodwin, Steve Goggins & Angela, Lissa Braverman, Shereen Bad girl and the man who I call Boss --Josh Rohr

  57. Is there anything else you would like to add?

  58. I would like for everyone who reads this to remember to take a moment for my 3 year old grandson Jaylen who is usually at all meets. He was diagnosed May 9th with Neuroblastoma, a form of brain cancer. He shall not and will not be stopped.

  59. Thank you for your time and best of luck in your upcoming powerlifting endeavors!

  60. Thanks! Any time

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