Matt Christie Nov. 2014
November 2014 - Matt Christie
Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where were you born? Etc. Give the readers some background about yourself.
I am Matt Christie, I am 32 years old and currently live in Loganville Ga. I have been competing since I was 18 and lifting since I was 12. I started out with doing some push/pull meets and progressed into full meets within a year or so of starting out. I have lifted in just about every federation out there. I have lifting in state, nation, pro and “world” meets in a bunch of places.
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?
I lift wearing gear and always have. I am currently in the 231/220 class.
What was your last competition and how did you do?
At competed at the 2014 Georgia State meet last month. I place first in the 220 equipped class and won Best Equipped Lifter for the 2nd year in a row.
When was your first competition?Spring of 2001.
How did you improve from your first competition to your most recent?
What is your next competition?
I plan on lifting at the Arnold sports festival in March.
What do you plan on doing differently for that meet if anything?
Just trying to stay healthy and listen to my body. Try to come in confident and healthy.
Where are you located in Georgia and where do you train at?
Well I am still in one piece, so I guess thats good. Its hard to state how much I have improved over such a long time and so many meets.
I am Loganville, I train at my gym Khaos Barbell (that hopefully soon will be in my basement).
What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)?
I like traveling with my wife and daughter and watching football. I also enjoy reading up on current events.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I guess that I have never done a raw meet.
Is there anything about powerlifting you would like to change or wish was different?
I wish people would appreciate the sport for what it is and always has been. We have too many people coming into the sport that think the sport should conform to their vision of what it should be. They need to do some reading and research about the sport. People need to know that the term “raw” is relatively new, that back in the day there was no “raw” division. And “raw” is not 2.5 meter knee wraps or even squezzing your self into the smallest set of knee sleeves you can. Anything, I mean anything i.e belt, you use can add pounds to your total. Everyone works hard and there is no reason to down grade what people have done just because it's not your cup of tea.
What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa?
I am a firefighter and yes there are times it interferes with lifting, can only do so much running with sleep deprivation.
How did you get into powerlifting and how many years have you been competing?
I walked in the George Herrings gym wanted to get “ripped”, 5 months later I was doing a bench meet and was hooked. 14 years.
Are you involved in powerlifting in any way besides as a competitor?
I have judged, helped run and run meets in the past. Maybe again some day.
What are your biggest squat, bench press, deadlift and total numbers? And how do your best training numbers compare to your best competition numbers?
So far my best USAPL numbers are 711/562/655@230 and 733/523/650@219
What advice would you give a new lifter just starting out?
Be consistent, pick a program and run it for a while. Don’t jump programs and learn to listen to your body. Powerlifting is about what you do a meet day, no one gives two s**ts what you did 6 weeks out. Frankly no one with some time under the bar cares what you have to say, keep your mouth shut, fingers off the keyboard and go to work!
What are your short term goals now as a lifter?
At this point I just want to stay healthy and make constant progress.
What are some long term goals you would like to achieve?
I want to put up a decent total at The Arnold and be competitive at Nationals next year.
Who is your favorite powerlifter of all time?
I don’t know that I have a favorite, I like certain things about many lifters.
Can you describe your training philosophy and/or a typical training session?
My training is kinda of a hybrid of a few different philosophies. I use a little different approach for each lift. I have found speed work, doing some box squats and using different bars, i.e Westside, works well for my squat. With the bench I have found that I can do more volume, I try to bench twice a week one day focusing on heavier bench be it raw or shirted, on a 2nd day I focus on more volume and hit direct shoulder work. My deadlifts tend to lean toward a moderate volume and intensity approach. I pull twice a week but the intensity is relatively low. I am a “back/hip” squatter so all my squatting really adds my pull. With that my back will also get overtrained very easily.
What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three and why?
The Total, thats what its all about!
Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?
Not sure on who I have competed against, but on who I have seen lift its Dave Hoff, Blaine Sumner, Nick Weite and Ian Bell is insane considering his age. Do you have any rivals in powerlifting?
If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what would be the reason?
Yep, myself. Thats the only thing you can control in powerlifting. Anyone can beat anybody on any given day, depending how some many variables. I could win a huge meet but if I don’t satisfy myself than nothing else matters.
I made it through the year injury free and put up some competitive numbers. Anything else you’d like to add?
I love and respect all types/styles of lifting! I wish people would just appreciate peoples time, dedication and effort, quit with all the BS that goes back and forth. Also young lifters need to know this sport in a marathon not a sprint, just stick with the hard work and results will come.