April 2015 Lifter of the Month

Who is your role model and why?

My role model is my dad, Jared Bidne. He has helped in molding me into the powerlifter and person I am

today. He not only has helped me, but he has helped hundreds of athletes perform to the best of their abilities. I will always look up to him for being a selfless person and putting his athletes first. Thanks to his training, I have been in many sports and have excelled. What is something that most people don’t know about you?

Most people don’t know that I cheer. I don’t cheer at my high school because they don’t have a co-ed competitive team. I cheer on a co-ed competitive team in Peachtree City. I feel my strength has helped me be successful in all of the stunts I have learned. With my powerlifting background and being a world record holder, I have gotten more attention from college coaches.

Is there anything about powerlifting you would like to change or wish was different?

I have made several friends while powerlifting. We have been very encouraging of each other even though we were competing against each other or were from other countries. I think there should be more comradery among the powerlifters.

What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa? I am a student in high school. As a junior, I am in the busiest time in my life trying to figure out where I want to go to college and what field I want to study for a career. As busy as I am, I try to go to the gym every day. Some days I can’t so I push myself harder the next day.

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

My dad’s dream was to own a gym of his own so he could help athletes get bigger, stronger, faster, and mainly more explosive. He opened Explosive Mechanics in 2008. I was not always fond of the gym or working out until I finished 6^th grade in 2010. The end of this grade had marked the end in my mind to the bullying and name calling that I had experienced since I had lived in Georgia. I am a red head and I was short and scrawny, so when all of these come into the mix, you get called many different names. This was the foothold I needed for my life to get better, so I started working out. After almost 5 years, I can say that this was the greatest decision I have made in my life. Another great decision I have made was to compete in powerlifting because it is a skill I am proud of.

Are you involved in powerlifting in any way besides as a competitor?

No, but I think it would be a huge accomplishment to be a judge.

What are your biggest squat, benchpress, deadlift and total numbers? And how do your best training numbers compare to your best competition numbers?

The personal records that I have accomplished are a 424lb squat, a 314lb benchpress (sub-junior world record), and a 479lb deadlift totaling 1219lbs. I am currently training for the 2015 border bash where I hope to get a total of 1276lbs.

What advice would you give a new lifter just starting out?

The advice I would give to a new powerlifter would be to always listen to the commands. When you are training, always have someone to compete against even if they’re not in your division or class. This will help them to set goals and achieve them.

What are your short term goals now as a lifter?

I would like to get a high enough Wilks score to be able to compete in the Arnold Classic.

What are some long term goals you would like to achieve?

I would like to continue training through college and compete as a collegiate athlete.

Who is your favorite powerlifter of all time?

The most outstanding powerlifter that I have witnessed is my brother, Cody Houser. Cody is my favorite powerlifter because he has been with me since the beginning of my powerlifting career. It was a small start for Team Explosive, Cody, Jack Peurifoy, and I were the only three lifters, but Cody has been with me through it all. We went to Bench Press Nationals (2013), RAW Nationals (2013), and many more local meets in between. He went to 2014 RAW Nationals the same summer I went to the International meet in St. Croix. We were both recognized for our lifts, but I left the Caribbean with a world record and Cody left Colorado with an invitation to the Arnold Classic and RAW Worlds in Finland. He is just the best lifter in my book.

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

In training, peope should outwork the best or the person people believe is the best. It drives you to be the best.

My typical training session is written by my dad. It includes a bench or squat day with auxiliaries.

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

My favorite lift is bench. I guess because people are amazed not usually at my lifts, but mainly with my bench press. The comments and encouragement drives me to work harder at my bench and arm strength. I believe it’s my best lift due to my arch.

Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?

Asa Davis, and he is one great guy. We have battled head to head for a few years and he has become a great friend. He was my first true rival and it seems as if he was my only real competition. Not many people are freaks, but he had one strong lower body. I truly respect him. Strength in powerlifting is what brings us all together in my opinion, because usually you don’t walk up to an opponent in your division or weight class and tell them that they did good on a really light lift, the big weight being lifted is more respected.

Do you have any rivals in powerlifting?

I would say myself. I have overcome many obstacles in my life and each time I lift, I push myself to overcome my next obstacle even if it is 5 lbs more.

If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what would be the reason?

In regards to powerlifting, I hope to be celebrating my bench press and being one of the top 5 lifters in the world. As far as my future, I hope to have a scholarship for cheerleading at one of my top choices for college.