Arin "AC" Canecchio Interview

Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where are you from? What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)? Please give the readers an idea of what it’s like to be you.

My name is Arin Canecchio, I go by A.C.. I am 22 years old and I am from Roswell, Georgia. Other than powerlifting I like to longboard, shoot videos, huge fan of Call of Duty. Not so much with black ops, but I am a Modern 2 kinda guy. Basically my life consists of training, eating, being in love, slaying zombies in COD, and looking as stupid as possible.

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

Currently I am in Statesboro. It’s known as the anus of the south. I train at a 180 fitness here. It caters more to me than the school gym does.

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

I love to wear cut-off jean shorts

What is your occupation?

Bouncer

Do you find that your occupation interferes with competing or visa versa?

My job is debilitating when in comes to training/competing. More training than the other. When you stay up on your feet for 5 hours and are constantly on edge it drains you at the end of the night AND you are sweating for those 5 hours, remember it's statesboro. It is 95 degrees here at night. Not to mention when I work I don’t go to bed until 4. The next day I am a zombie. Hard to do anything. If you see me don’t cut my head off.

How many years have you been competing?

Roughly two years

How did you get into powerlifting?

My dad competed and I have always been around the gym. When I got on a linear progression, towards the end I had a craving to compete. So I grabbed the old mans singlet and started.

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

In competition it goes in order: 534, 380, 568. Out of competition I have done better. Recently I have squatted 530 for a triple and pulled an easy 570 so I am excited to see what I can do shortly.

What titles, records and achievements did you accumulate in your powerlifting career?

I have a few state records for Juniors and Mens open in USAPL. I really don’t consider those much of an achievement though. I am not saying that the caliber of great lifters isn’t there, but I am not impressed with what I have done.

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

Training philosophy? Yikes. Never been asked that. I think that, unless you’re a freak, you have to put the time in under the bar and make sacrifices, but have fun doing it. Period. My dad always told me to have fun while I train and compete. He asks me at every competition if I'm still having fun. He says that if you aren’t having fun and loving what you are doing then stop. I think this has led me to have such a carefree attitude when it comes to competing with anyone else but myself. A typical training session usually consists of me crying while stretching, grunting, and making noises like a piston when I squat. It is pretty laid back. I goof around with my friends until it is time to lift. Nothing more, nothing less.

Do you compete equipped (squat suit, bench press shirt & deadlift suit) or unequipped (no suits) or both?

I compete raw. I don’t believe in geared lifting. I’m sorry I’m not sorry.

What weight class(s) and divisions(s) do you compete in?

Mens and Juniors 220. I’ll be 23 this November so just men’s shortly.

What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three?

I used to love deadlifts, but the more I train the more I love to squat.

Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?

Like I said earlier I don’t pay attention to whom I am competing against. I really only go to beat myself. The only people at meets I really remember are Dale Mclaren and Stephen Winburn. I only remember them because we have talked and goofed around at the meets.

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

Doug Young. He is all that is man. Competed with broken ribs.

When was your last competition & how did it go?

Last years USAPL nationals. It went great. No matter what happens at the meet I always have fun.

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

USAPL nationals again this year. Scranton, PA in August.

How do you prepare for an upcoming competition?

I wear my singlet every day 4 weeks out.

Describe your nutritional intake for an upcoming competition?

I really just eat a lot. I don’t think my diet will be changing for the next meet. Chic-Fil-A should sponsor me considering how much money I spend there. I have enough buffer to eat a lot before 242

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

Not really.

How many meets do you compete in each year?

I try to do 2 o 3 a year. I get burned out real easy between school and worrying about the meet so I tend to do less than the average lifter.

Who is your greatest competitor/rival?

I alluded to this earlier, but it is myself. I only go to beat my old numbers. O, and the LawDragon. He is my fiercest competition and a benevolent adversary.

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?

Have fun. There is no reason to get all butt hurt about competition. We aren’t getting paid and it’s something we do as a hobby. Love lifting or move on.

How has powerlifting changed your life?

It has made me more confident in the past few years. It’s also made me way more jacked then I have ever been. Nothing feels better than getting tan when you know how muscular you are.

Do you stay in touch with lifters you compete against?

Sort of. There is various shit talking on facebook that occurs. Mainly Dale. He keeps telling me I should stop training. What a guy, right?

Why did you decide to compete?

I really got an itch for seeing my full potential. I trained hard and had nothing to show for it that was really tangible outside the gym. It gives me a goal to achieve.

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

I’d have to say it was nationals. I felt really cool getting second. I didn’t even know I placed and then they called my name. That goes to show you how much attention I pay to anything but the lifting.

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

I wish. There is not a whole lot of that going on here in Statesboro. They have highland stuff in savannah every year. I always wanted to give that a shot.

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

My favorite memory would have to be any time that my dad was at a meet. Hitting a lift a seeing my dads eyes light up really sticks with me. O and my friend Chris was dancing in the warm up room at Nationals. F*cking gold.

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

There are too many to thank. They all know who they are. My friends, family, pretty much everyone that puts up with my shit.

Anything else you would like to add?

I am madly in love with Brooks Conway and make sure you check out 70sbig.com

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

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