Christianiron Interviews World class bencher J.T. (Big Willie) Hall
Christianiron.com is thrilled to have the opportunity to talk with JT, who is a well-known natural lifter with an awesome bench press, and Records Chairman of the Kentucky NASA organization, and a member of its executive committee.
JT has degrees in Biology and is also a CPT.
He has been competing in powerlifting since 1994, and has competed in 10 states and 11 different organizations.
He is also a member of the Omega-Force Christian Strength team, which uses strength demonstrations to get the gospel across.
JT, I know you have benched over 500 equipped, but give me your best recent numbers, raw & equipped, please?
I compete in the 220 class. My best-equipped competition bench press is 562 at the Sept 1, 2008 USAPL Bench Press Nationals. My best competition raw bench press is 491 at the Nov 9, 2008 NASA Wv Regional Championship. My best gym raw bench press is 500.
Tell us about your equipment; single ply, double, what exactly do you train and compete with?
I compete and train only in Inzer Advance Designs single-ply Rage X bench press shirt.
I saw in your Critical Bench interview that you constantly vary your main and secondary exercises from one week to the next. Have you always done this or did this evolve more recently, and please tell us more about this?
Rotating various exercises from one week to the next is based off the WestSide Training Priniciple. I like doing different exercises each week because it keeps the workout fun, help increase strength and prevent plateau.
Your number of exercises per workout is pretty low, relative to some bench specialists out there, and you seem to stick to the basics. Do you consider yourself “old –school”, or do you use some Westside style techniques and other ideas?
I believe in quality instead of quantity. You don’t need to do 5 different chest exercise and 4 different tricep exercises to increase your bench press. Just stick to a simple workout and over time your bench press will go up. This is especially true for drug free lifters.
Please tell us about your diet and nutritional supplement plan?
I have a high protein and low carb diet. I eat 8-10 times a day. I use USP Labs Prime to help increase strength and USP Labs SuperCissus RX for joint health. I use Quest Nutrition protein powder called Ana-Pro to keep my protein intake level high. I use German creatine to help increase strength too. Here is an example of my meal plan:
1st meal
Protein shake with milk, German creatine, and V-8 V-Fusion
2nd meal
Tuna fish, banana, and green tea + SuperCissus RX & Prime
3rd meal
Yogurt and a banana
4th meal
Baked chicken breast, apple sauce, + Prime & Omega3-fatty acid
5th meal
Baked chicken breast and SuperCissus RX & Prime
6th meal
Protein shake with H20 and German creatine
7th meal
Cheesy chicken breast rice enchilada
8th meal
Protein shake with milk and German creatine
JT,
You specialize in the bench press, but do you train and compete in the other lifts?
I compete in curl competition and competed in a strongman contest 7years ago.
JT,
Please tell our readers more about your involvement in the Omega Force team; what do you do, how’d you get involved, etc.?”
Omega Force Christian Strength Team is founded by Randy Richie. I joined the team about 8 years ago because I wanted to use my strength to win souls for Jesus Christ. I like to do rip phone books, bend steel poles, bench press a heavy log and bench press an engine block.
JT,
Do you train with other Christians?
I train every Friday with a group of lifters and majority of the lifters are Christians.
Please tell us about your Salvation experience?
Well, my parents are Christians. The denomination I attended was Church of God in Christ. I was around 8 years and my parents asked me do I want to get saved and live for Jesus Christ. I said yes and the rest is history.
There seem to be quite a few Christians involved in Powerlifting these days; do you think they are setting good examples for the most part?
I think majority are setting good examples for upcoming lifters. The only problem that I have is that when a lifter says he is a Christian, but he uses steroids. That’s not my job to judge him, but Christian powerlifters should stand on the word of god and live by it. One of my goals is to inform the Powerlifting Community that you can bench press big weight and be truly drug free. Here are 6 major principles why Christian Powerlifters should not use illegal supplements:
1). 1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
2). 1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
3). Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
4). Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
5). Phillippians 4:13 I can do all thrings through Christ that Strengthens me.
6). Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Tell us a little about your Spiritual life, how you “train” for Spiritual fitness and growth?
I currently attend a non-denomination Church and the pastor (Don Adkins) is a Rhema college graduate. Rhema College was started by the late Kenneth Hagin. So, my spiritual life is influence by Pastor Don Adkins teaching. I train my spiritual fitness and growth by hearing the word of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God.
Do you think Powerlifting as a sport is heading in a good direction?
I think Powerlifting has grown a lot since the first IPF World Powerlifting Championship and it is headed in a good direction. The largest federations are the drug-tested federations. Also, largest payouts of pro meets are from drug-tested federations. So, this is always a great sign.
What do you think of Strongman competitions?
I love strongman competition. I did a strongman competition in 2002 and truly enjoyed it. I got a chance to watch the 2008 Worlds Strongest Man Competition in person.
Do you have any Spiritual and/or Powerlifting Mentors?
My spiritual mentor is Pastor Don Adkins. My powerlifting mentors are Rich Peters, Greg Van Hoose, Anthony Clark and James Henderson.
How does your family feel about the sport? Supportive??
They like the sport and support me 100%!!
Do you want to share any Christian books, movies, music that you find inspiring?
The best Christian book is the bible. My favorite Christian movie is the Left Behind Series. One of my favorite inspiring Christian songs is Awesome God.
Any closing words you wish to add?
I would like to thank Christianiron for the interview. Thank my wife and beautiful daughter for their support. Also, I would like to thank NASA for giving me a great opportunity to give back to the Powerlifting Community. Finally, I would like to thank my sponsors for there support: Inzer Advance Designs, USP Labs, BMF Sports, Adrenaline Gear and Quest Nutrition.
God Bless!!
Thanks so much for your time, JT, we wish you all the best in all your future endeavors and hope we can keep in touch in the future also.
Interview with Pastor Daniel Isaac
Champion Kickboxer/Pastor
Hi Dan
We’re glad to have you here to tell our readers about yourself.
Can you tell us how long you have been a Christian and how your conversion experience came about?
Hey bro , thanks for arranging this interview for me.
I was born into a conservative Christian family.
When I came to the age of understanding my ‘limited’ mind found it difficult to comprehend the ‘unlimited’ concept of God and thus I chose to become an atheist.
I tried the ‘ol’ ‘Moses on the mountain with God’ trick and called out to God quite a few times , challenging him to appear to me , it didn’t happen and that became a stronger ‘testimony’ for my atheistic belief.
In 1994 , I had an allergic attack which stopped my breathing for a few minutes , I got to experience death as my life slowly slipped out of me , I actually experienced moments of the after-life as my soul was being dragged away by death , I could see my lifeless body lying on the bed ... when my father came over to my lifeless body and said Daniel breath in Jesus’ name.
The name of Jesus put my soul back into my body and gave me new life.
.That experience changed my life forever
.You can read more about my testimony on :
http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/ffc/realstories.html and watch the video clip on : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty0MkMOusaE
Your father taught you initially in the martial arts. Did he fight professionally?
My father taught me the martial arts ever since I learnt how to walk , he was always my hero , he retired from the Indian Navy [where he learnt the martial arts] but before that he was a prize fighter , in those days [back in the 60’s] they had something called ‘carnival fighting’ where ‘free-style’ fighting paid a days wages to fighters who were interested to brawl for audience entertainment.
My father fought at many of these carnival fights before joining the Indian navy.
What are some of your highest achievements in your sport? (Please don’t be modest)
Between 1990 and 1993 I won numerous martial arts championships at state and national level and In 1993 I won the WKC [world kickboxing council] flyweight world title and in 1994 won India’s first gold medal at the WAKO kickboxing Olympics in Crimea.
Unfortunately, when I stopped competing, MMA just started getting famous so I never actually competed at an MMA fight show.
You can watch some of my own videos here: 1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDspJuMYIIg
2] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJKjde-jX5I
3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oCe3JhIRSw
Are there other Christians in the Sport that you know of?
There are many MMA fighters and Kickboxers who are born again Christians like Rich Franklin , Matta Hughes, Vitor Belfort and Quinton ‘rampage’ Jackson and who make regular mention of their faith in their interviews.
What is it like trying to maintain a Christian witness in your chosen sport?
Are most or all of your pupils confessing Christians?
Well its tough at times trying to teach the concept of “Love” to guys who make a living out of beating each other up senseless[lol] but yes quite a few of my students / fighters are Christians.
Do you have a spiritual mentor?
Jesus , the man
Are there any pastors, books, etc that have really helped your Christian walk?
Rodney Howard Browne is da man , also Rod Parsely …
What kind of physical training do you do other than the various martial arts forms themselves?
Weight training , aerobic workouts , running , swimming to name a few.
Are you learning and applying new things on yourself and your pupils, and if so, please describe.
We as martial artists and fighters are always in a learning process , updating the old and adding the new and effective.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Psalm 119 : 11
Do you have any favorite Christian music groups or songs?
Third Day - Thief
Do you have to deal with any persecution in your being a Pastor where you are?
Yes there is quite a bit of persecution in my work :
As a pastor im criticized for being a martial artist
As a martial artist im criticized for being an outspoken christian
What are your coaching goals for the future?
I want to be the promoter of the first Indian mma fighter to compete in the UFC
What are your spiritual goals?
I would want that every one I have ever met in my life makes it to heaven and eternal life
Some folks might question how your sport(s) is compatible with A Christian worldview.
How would you answer them?
I wouldn’t , I would agree with them that my work is very controversial [lol]
How do you feel about young people using steroids?
Im absolutely uneducated about that subject bro
Do you or your pupils use vitamins, protein or other natural supplements to help in training intensity or recovery?
Yes
Do you feel that MMA training would be a good way for the average person to get or stay in shape?
Yes both as a way to keep fit and also as a confidence booster and self-defence.
Do you have a word of advice for anyone who wants to get started in your sport?
Jump in ! [lol]
Any closing thoughts, testimony or anything else you might wish to add?
Love God , Love yourself , Love everyone … enjoy your life with good principles.
Interview with Mike King
Mike has been a regular at Christianiron.com for several months now. He recently competed in his first Powerlifting competition at the age of 46.
Mike is a missionary with the “Youth for Christ” organization.
Mike has agreed to speak with us about both of these passions.
Mike, first off, thanks for doing this interview with us.
When you first contacted Christianiron, you mentioned your being involved with the Youth for Christ organization.
For those who are not familiar, please tell us a little about the organization, what they do, etc.
Youth For Christ was started in 1944 and the first paid staff person was Billy Graham.
We are a Para church organization, which means we come along side the church to minister.
We focus on the kids who would not darken the door of any church. I do campus life ministry which means I am on the high school campuses building relationships with kids. I have built a great trust on 3 campuses with staff and teachers as well.
We also have a teen moms program and a youth guidance program that works with kids in the juvenile justice system.
If you would like to know more about our ministry just go to the YFC website.
How did you become involved in this ministry, and when was that, Mike?
I started in YFC in June 2003. I found out about YFC through my brother who was pasturing out here in ND.
Tell us about how you came to know Christ, Mike?
My brother became a Christian while I was in the army in 1982. When I got home in 83 I was like a wild man out of control. I was drinking and doing drugs and getting into all kinds of trouble. My brother was a counselor at a bible camp in Montana and invited me out to go horseback riding and hiking. While I was out there I heard about a God who loved me just as I am. I gave my life to Christ out there and started this awesome journey.
Tell us a little about your family and yourself; where you are from, hobbies, etc
I am married to an amazing woman named Patty. We have been married 23 years. We have four children, Nate who is 20, Noah is 16, and Chelsey is 14 and Joshua who is 11, and of course two dogs. We live in Arthur ND, which has a population of about 480 people. I do a lot of duck hunting with my boys. It is a great bonding time.
Tell us about your home church or place of worship?
We go to the Methodist church here in town. This is the first Methodist I ever walked into. My sending church is an Evangelical free church in Wisc.
What challenges do you see with reaching our young people for Christ and/or in discipling them afterwards?
I believe there are many ways that we can share Christ with our youth. The biggest chalange is time and workers. People are so busy that they don’t have time in their schedules to give. These kids need an adult to love them unconditional and walk with them through adultness.
Part of our mission statement is to get these kids into a church were they could be descipled. But many of these churches are not ready for these kids. I am doing a bible study with our kids in Arthur to help grow them.
You wrote me about a Colorado trip on which you took over 40 kids back in August. You told us 20 kids got saved there. That is awesome!
Is this a trip you do on a regular basis?
Please give some details of what goes on during these trips?
We started doing this trip 5 years ago and we had 5 kids. Last year we had over 40 and I know this coming year we could probably fill two bus’s.
We do white water rafting and repelling and high ropes course, horse back riding and mountain climbing but if you ask the kids what there high lite is they will say the speaker and encountering God in a radical way. There is something about being in the mountains and getting the kids out of their envierment that they can hear and see God. It is AWSOME.
So, Mike, you recently entered your first powerlifting competition. How did that go, and what led up to it?
How did you get started in the sport?
When I was in the army I started lifting to get in shape. When I got out I dairy farmed for 11 years so that kept me in shape. Now that I work with youth I needed to keep in shape so I started lifting again. I wanted some kind of direction so I thought I would do a power lifting routine. I like the discipline aspect of this style of lifting. I had a great time at the Comp. It was a push, pull. I bombed on the bench, which I started to heavy and messed up on the command to press, but I did do a personal best pulling a 475 in my DL.
You train & compete RAW. Correct?
Yes.
Do you plan on staying that way? Please elaborate
Yes. For one I am a missionary on a very tight budget so I can’t afford all the gear. I also like the Idea of knowing that it is all God and me putting up weight.
Do you feel your being involved in the sport has helped you in any way with other endeavors in life, such as your ministry?
This last summer I was asked to help with strength and conditioning program at our school. It gave me the opportunity to get to know the coaches and not just tell kids how to lift but lift with them. It also gives me the opportunity to be a light in the environment of power lifting. To show and tell these guys and girls that I give all the glory to God.
What organization did you compete with (if any)?
It was an open lift.
Are there a lot of people interested in powerlifting in your area?
A hand full at most. There are some guys who put together a gym in their garage and train together.
Where do you train, and do you have any partners?
I train at Northern Cass School on Mondays and Fridays and Wednesdays and Saturdays I lift at the old school in Arthur were I have my own equipment.
I lift most of the time with the Lord and myself. In a way it is part of my one on one time with the Lord and it is awesome to worship the Lord as you lift.
What type of programs or routines have you tried, and have you found any that seem to work best for you?
Right now I am doing a Patrick nymans Prilepin bench program, Coan/phillipi dead lift program and a power mag squat program. I like the gains that I have gotten and I really like how it guides you in the assistance work.
What are your powerlifting goals for the future?
My short term goals are 350 bench, 500 DL, 400 squat.
My long term goals are 400 bench, 600 DL, 500 squat.
What kind of Christian music, movies or books do you enjoy?
When I work out I crank up the tunes from bands like POD, Kuttless, Flyleaf, Red, Pillar and other bands of this type.
I really don’t have much time to watch movies.
The book that I focus on is the Bible. It is the only source of truth that feeds my soul.
Favorite verses?
My life verse is John 14:6
Romans 11:36
Do you have any Spiritual mentors? (Pastors, Evangelists, Authors, etc.)
Not really.
Any closing thoughts or comments you wish to share?
I want to challenge ALL of us who claim to be followers of Christ That in what ever we do that we always give God the glory. It cannot and will never be about us.
To Him be the glory. Romans 11:36
Steve Mathews Interview for Christianiron.com
Dr. Steve, Please tell us a little about yourself.
Dave, thanks for this interview. I am pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Lenoir, North Carolina. I’m 31, and am proud to have been married to my wife Dawn for 11 years. Our sons are Isaac (8) and Dorian (6). I met Dawn at Florida Baptist Theological College, where we both graduated with degrees in theology. I went on to earn a master’s degree in philosophy from Trinity Theological Seminary, and the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. I recently completed my M.B.A. from Liberty University as well.
Tell us about your home church, New Life Baptist, in North Carolina?
New Life is a great church! We have contemporary worship music. Our praise band, Beyond Leviticus, is a bunch of really talented guys who love the Lord and love music, and they really rock it! The people of New Life are as genuine and humble as any I have ever met. Dawn and I love and respect our people so much. New Life is the church I would worship at if I were not the pastor! You can check us out on the web at www.newlifelenoir.com .
So tell us about your salvation experience, please? How long have you been a Christian?
I was saved at the age of 14 at a youth lock-in in Ellaville, Georgia. My parents did it right- I was raised in church, and attended a Christian middle school and high school. When I was 17, I was called into the ministry, and right after high school I went to a great Baptist college, where I met Dawn. I took my first pastorate at the age of 19, and have been in ministry or seminary ever since.
How long have you been training in the martial arts and using kettlebells and weights?
My martial arts experience started in 1989, when I was 12 years old. My mother enrolled me in the only martial arts school in Americus, Georgia, Young’s Taekwondo School. I studied there and at the Hae San Martial Arts School in Perry, Georgia. After high school, I got out of it for several years. Today I am a second degree black belt, preparing for my third dan test, and teach a class of kids at New Life Baptist Church.
Like most kids, I started lifting weights with an old concrete-filled vinyl set with a hollow bar. It was the DP Fit for Life set, I think! It must have been about 80 pounds, total. Of course, I was young and had no idea what I was doing, so I didn’t really get results, and I quit. A few years ago, I severed my left ACL during my second dan test. I had to have a cadaver ligament implanted, and start the long road of rehab and recovery.
When I severed my ligament, I realized that as a martial artist, my knowledge and technique were good, but I was weak. I had not been doing resistance work, so when I planted my foot and twisted, my body couldn’t take it. Working with several physical therapists in my church, I realized that I had to get tough and strong all over, or I was out of Taekwondo. I did some research, and realized the traditional bodybuilding routine of high rep isolation work would not give me the results I needed. I read about the training effects of ballistic work with kettlebells, and it was just what I needed. I ordered a 35 pound kettlebell, and have never looked back. That was about a year ago (fall of 2007)
What does your training routine look like?
Steve's Bentpress technique demo pics above
Today I use kettlebells and barbells. My training is built around two lifts: the kettlebell snatch, and the bent press. I got these lifts from Pavel Tsatsouline’s book “Russian Kettlebell Challenge.” He quoted Bob Hoffman as saying that if a lifter practiced the snatch and the bent press, he would be strong all over, and have a great physique to match. I don’t want to live in the gym, so Pavel’s “Program Minimum” of the snatch and bent press is right up my alley.
I do the snatches for high reps. A typical snatch workout for me includes about 200 snatches with a 52 pound kettlebell, or 400 with a 35 pound kettlebell. The snatch burns fat, builds explosive power, and builds resilience in the tendons. The eccentric portion, where the kettlebell comes back between the legs and is snatched overhead, has a plyometric effect on the hips, knees, lower back, shoulders, and elbows, which makes a lifter more resilient overall.
I do the bent presses for lower reps, and much heavier weights. I warm up with 5 reps with the 52 pound kettlebell, then go to 3 reps with the 70 pound kettlebell. Then I do singles with a 100 pound hex dumbbell, or with a heavier barbell.
I do some variety work, such as deadlifts and pull-ups, but for the most part I stick with the snatch for explosive power and the bent press for overall strength, and I’ve had good results with each.
If anyone is interested in learning more about working with kettlebells, I recommend they go to www.dragondoor.com and check out Pavel Tsatsouline’s books and videos.
What are your best lifts and/or accomplishments in martial arts?
I don’t lift competitively, so I don’t train for PR’s. I suppose my best lift is a 120 pound bent press. Lifting 120 pounds overhead with one hand sounds impressive, until you remember that Arthur Saxon did it with over 340 pounds! I have a long way to go!
In martial arts, my best competition showing was last June, where I took gold in forms competition at the State Games of North Carolina. I hope to repeat that next year.
I like to think that my best accomplishment in the martial arts is the class I teach, in which I mentor children and build character and leadership skills. My kids have come a long way, and do well in competition, and I’m really proud of that.
What are some of the awards you have won in competition?
When I was younger, I competed in a lot of regional and local karate and Taekwondo tournaments, and won my share. Today I compete much less. As an adult, the State Games is my best showing yet.
Do you hold any records?
No. I don’t lift competitively, and if I did, I doubt I would be a major threat!
What are your thoughts on steroids?
I can’t respect anyone who uses steroids. I have a training partner, Larry Lewis, who has been a competitive powerlifter. I believe in his competition days, he could put up over a thousand pound total in the 181 class, and he did it naturally. I can respect that.
Do you take supplements or do you follow any special diet or eating program?
I take a multivitamin, and drink a post-workout protein shake. Depending on where I am in my training, sometimes I use Creatine. As far as diet, I try to eat clean and lean.
Can you tell us how you train for spiritual fitness?
I love the way you asked this question! Spiritual health requires training- it won’t just happen because you go to church any more than you will get strong just hanging around the gym. I find that the more intentional I am in the spiritual disciplines, the more my spiritual life grows. Through prayer, Bible study, worship, ministry, I try to stay close to God. Some of the deepest times of spiritual growth that Dawn and I have experienced have been during times of fasting.
You lead a Taekwondo class at New Life Baptist; please tell us about that, and how that got started?
I teach a class of homeschool kids. Right now I have 23 children, which is a handful! I have a friend, Jeff Ray, who helps me out with this. Jeff is a brown belt, working on his black belt, and a corrections officer. He is an excellent martial arts technician, and is great with the kids. He has a lot of ministry experience and education, and is a very mature Christian. I really respect and appreciate him.
The class started in the fall of 2006. Some of the homeschool moms in my church knew that I studied martial arts, so they approached me about it. Actually, I had been praying about this since 2005, so when they approached me, I went for it. We meet twice a week, and my students range in rank from white to blue belt, and in age from 7 to 15 years old. I don’t charge for tuition, the class is free. These are homeschool families- they live on single incomes because they believe they should teach their own children at home. Dawn and I homeschool as well, so we understand the sacrifice it takes. My goal is to help these families, not to add another burden to their lives. So classes are free, and are held during the day, so that families can be together in the evenings.
I saw something about a “Karate for Christ” organization you are affiliated with. Please tell us more about that. Do they have a website we can link to?
My school is called The Master’s Taekwondo School (the Master, by the way, is Christ, not me). We are affiliated with two great organizations. We are chartered by, and I am certified by, the International Sungja Do Association and Karate for Christ International. Karate for Christ is a network of Christian martial artists and schools who use martial arts for discipleship. They are on the web at www.karateforchrist.com .
The International Sungja Do Association is run by Grandmaster George Petrotta. He has been the greatest friend our school has had. I train under him, and my dan ranks are issued by his organization, as well as the Kukkiwon. To give an example of the kind of support he has given us: a few months ago, an instructor closed his school and gave Grandmaster Petrotta over $1,000 worth of Taekwondo sparring and training gear. He sent me an email and told me to come get it for the school. We could never have afforded that! His website is www.sungjado.org
How do you mesh your physical training and/or competition with your faith?
The Bible says that physical exercise profits a little, but spiritual exercise profits everything. Life can’t be all about moving iron. But there are some parallels.
First, you need self-discipline in your spiritual life. Sometimes it’s hard to keep praying when you feel discouraged. Sometimes it feels impossible to walk away from temptation. But the same self-discipline it takes to finish a high rep set of snatches or perfect a kick, can help a Christian stick to his spiritual disciplines. The focus and resolve we show at the gym can help us in our Bible study- staying with the hard passages until we figure them out.
I also believe that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. I believe God is more glorified in a healthy body than a weak, sick one.
Finally, I realize that whatever I will do for Christ on this earth, I will do in this body. I have known many people who let their health get so bad that they spent the last decade of their lives chained to an oxygen bottle, too weak to serve Christ. I don’t want to live that way.
Do you have a favorite scripture?
First Peter 5:10- “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Who do you admire in the sports field and why?
Most of my sports heroes are from the past. Steve Stanko, Eugene Sandow, John Grimek, and Sig Klein top the list. These were natural lifters who were incredibly strong before the days of steroids, protein shakes, and shiny padded weight machines. These are the men who inspire me. Steven Lopez is a great Taekwondo fighter and Olympian, as well as Diana Lopez. They are Christians who speak openly about their faith. I respect that.
Who are your heroes of the faith, and why?
My greatest mentor and hero of the faith was Dr. Jerry Falwell. I have studied his ministry for years, and met him several times. In my lifetime, there has not been another pastor who has inspired me like that with his leadership and ministry. I am proud to be a graduate of his seminary. I am also inspired by the elders at my church. They are men of wisdom and grace, and the time I spend with them deepens my faith.
What are your goals for the future?
Physically, my goals include completing 200 snatches with the 52 pound kettlebell in under 10 minutes, a 200 pound bent press, and increasing my skill in Taekwondo. Personally, I want to be a better father and husband, and to know the Lord in a deeper way. As a pastor, I want to see growth and maturity in my people.
Do you have any favorite Christian books, music, movies, etc you’d like to share about with us?
I just finished reading God’s Smuggler, by Brother Andrew. I recommend it to anyone. Additionally, Oswald Sanders’ Spiritual Leadership is a great read. I just took my wife to see Fireproof- what a great movie! I recommend it to every couple.
Any final comments?
Thanks for the interview, Dave. I hope you see great success with your website. I’ll surf by often!
Interview with Tim Shockley
APFL Player
Hi Tim,
We’re glad to have you here to tell our readers about yourself.
Can you tell us how long you have been a Christian and how your conversion experience came about?
Well i have been a Christian all my life or so to say in the Church all my life, i grew up in a christian household, my both my mother and father were ministers and then became pastors, so i had no choice. Through the years, i went through my ups and downs, got involved with negative people and just kind of went through the teenage years and kind of wanted to do my own thing, i got caught up in a few situations while in high school, but my situation still didnt get any better because i went to college and lost the understanding that Jesus even existed, so he had to bring me to a state of depression and a few suicide attempts to bring me back in relationship with Christ. But I've been a in church my whole, but accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior about 2 years now.
You played Arena football, can you tell us about your college career, and how you got involved in the Arena league?
My college career was somewhat shaky, it was up and down. Out of high school i was one of the best in the nation, i was highly recruited by big time programs across the country, such as Michigan, Oklahoma, Kansas State, Colorado State, and etc. I had good stats on the field, but my problem was off the field, i didnt want to do right with my academics. I ended up signing with the University of Kansas, but was academically ineligible. So i signed with a community college Northland Community College out of Thief River Falls, MN, had a very productive year, started as a freshman at right guard. after that year i transfered to Rochester Community College had a successful 2 1/2 years i redshirted my first year and started my second year there at fullback i rushed for about 300 yards and had 10 touchdowns on the season, after that season ended up signing with the University of Minnesota out of the Big Ten to play fullback, yet again i was academically ineligible. So i attended some combines, i attended the MSL Combines ran by All Pro Running Back Chuck Muncie, he worked with me, and he gave me a very good review on my athletic ability, so after unsuccess that year i ended up sitting out of football that year and i kind of fell into a depression mode i stopped working out and watching football. I had a NAIA school call me which was Kansas Wesleyan University they wanted me to come in at semester to play, so i did, went through spring ball and performed at a very high level. But after spring ball i decided not to return. I tried to try at the Professional level, sent out film and bio and got a call a week later by the Kansas Koyotes of the American Professional Football League (APFL). Went down and worked out 2 days later they signed me. i was very excited played mainly special teams, but i started 2 games at center and 1 at defensive tackle. Finished out the season winning the APFL title. I thought for my first year that was alright with me. My second year i went into camp with the Witchita Wild, but didnt make the squad, but a little bit later i signed with the Kansas Kaos (NAFL) who i now play for, which is going very well now we are 6 0 so far ranked number 5 in the country.
What positions have you played?
I played pretty much all positions, from linebacker, guard, center, fullback, defensive tackle to defensive end.
Were there other Christians on the teams you were on?
In my opinion they all claimed to be christians from the Coaches on down, but very few lived out what they claimed to be. So it was a great opportunity for me because I was looked at and up to more than anybody i knew.
What is it like trying to maintain a Christian witness in professional sports?
Maintaining a christian witness in professional sports is very hard, because you have so much going on around you, that seems so pleasing to our natural bodies, such as women, drugs, alcolhol and etc. This business is also considered a entertainment business. Involved with this is fame, fortune and glory. But at the same time you have to be apart and not be apart. I had to learn to associate myself at the appointed time. So certain stuff i could never jump into or involve myself with, because who i serve. I definitely had to learn balance.
Do you have a spiritual mentor?
My spiritual mentor happens to be my pastor, by the way is my father Timothy V. Shockley Sr.
Are there any pastors, books, etc that have really helped your Christian walk?
I am a very informational person, i read non stop, it seems like from business to spiritual, but i read various books and most of all the bible, read from Dr. Tony Evans to Dr. Creflo Dollar, i love their simplicity in their teaching and thats what has helped me alot with my walk with Christ. I love and admire their ministries. I also had to find an understanding of the word of God for myself. Now I thats all i read, i used to think the bible was really boring. But i said to myself that in order to develop a deeper and intimate relationship with God i had to allow him to speak to me and since we serve a God that is in the Spiritual realm, it was important that understand the bible. And also what has helped me was taking my time and not trying to read the whole bible in a certain amount of days or reading it like a novel, because the word is not like that. So the understanding of the scriptures have helped me out tremendously.
What kind of physical training did you do (especially weight training) in College and in the Arena league, and what are some of your best lifts?
Through my college and professional career i did alot of stuff. Of coarse every team and every program in America has a different philosophy on whats good for your body and whats bad for your body. I had coaches say squats was good for you and i had coaches say squats was bad for you. But i can definitely say that in college we worked out like maniacs, but it was one of those things that we had too, or we was going to be doing either extra laps, staying after practice it was some sort pf punishment, but when i got to professional ranks i had to learn quick because they werent on your case about working out or conditioning, because if you didnt come to camp in shape they were going to cut you and they dont care because its a business, you have to come to the job at your best. they werent messing around they were going to keep going no matter what. In college we did alot of squats and circuit training, alot of stations. We never really trained alot of strength stuff, of coarse we maxed out every once and a while, but mainly a lot of endurance training, at the time i thought different, but that was the type of leadership i was under, and we did an unbelievable amount of running, such as 30 hundred yard sprints, 22 110's, gasers, bear crawls 100 yards, etc just a lot of running. But as i went professional i spent alot of time strength training with high reps, in college it was low weight with high reps. In professional, not only was it alot of strength training, but the running increased as well, at this level you have to endurance, because everybody has talent and everyone is good, but it comes down to whos in shape and whos not. It kind of sucks because you have to be ready at all times, even when you are not on a team, because you never know when your gonna get called.
Some of my best lifts are 535 squat, 425 Bench, i rep 225 pounds 43 times. I run a 4.9 40 yard dash, my incline is 330, and my powerclean is 300.
What are you up to now, are you still pursuing a football career?
Actually i am in the middle of my football season, i now play with a minor league team out of the NAFL (North American Football League) called the Kansas Kaos, right now we are 6-0 and ranked like 5 in the country so everything is going well, i have also been contacted by some teams in europe and the New Orleans VooDoo a team out of the Arena1 league, so i am still pursuit.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
My favorite bible verse is John 3:16. I think that scripture has everlasting significance to it. No matter how many times you read it or look at it, it has much dept and meaning too it. For me it sums up my whole walk with Christ.
Do you have any favorite Christian music groups or songs?
Actually i do, right now i am big into, christian hip hop, and comtemporary worship, some of the people i like are Shock Muzik, Lecrae, R Swift, Israel, Tye Tribbett, Fred Hammond, but i love music and i try to stay around it, as a matter of fact in the season i help manage a record label by the name of Shock Muzik which my brother started, they just came out with a cd entitled Champions. It is very good.
What are your lifting goals for the future?
i want to bench 600 here in the next year or so, and i want to rep 225 about 50 times, those are my lifting goals right, im trying to get into competing for weight lifting, probley something i am definitely going to look into once my football career is over.
What are your spiritual goals?
My spiritual goals are to keep progressing and go deeper into the Kingdom of God, so that the reflection of my life may be effective in someone elses life. I want to continue to understand Gods word more and more. So that I can recieve everything that God has for me and more.
I just want to thank you for taking the time out for me to do this interview with you all. My God continue to be with you all the ministry that God has placed on your hearts.