I read in his autobiography that he'd lift until he threw up, shit himself or passed out. that cannot be good. And the sleep apnea.... did you ever experience anything like that? Do you think his swimming background was a benefit in that regard IE prepping the body? It certainly takes dedication just to eat that quantity.SeanBrennan wrote: ↑28 Jan 2024, 15:53Hi Steve. I'm lucky enough to have done a comp where Eddie was guest star slash ref. He was lovely, had time for everyone. I would say Eddie is a genetic phenom and athlete, his body could handle the does for a period. He is still huge but a lot healthier than when he was doing WSM. Read his writings though, he talks openly how he knew after winning 1 WSM he was to retire, he knew the impact it was having on his body. He gave up natural size to others so literally pushed it to the bone to win one. And I don't just mean PEDS. I think Eddie has the mindset and ability to be brilliant at any sport or endeavour he did, I tip my hat.Steveh583 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 21:56Fukk me that’s some strong pain medication. amitriptyline turned me into a zombie, horrible stuff. The other 2 are nice tho lol. Mate that sounds a harsh deal for so little in return. Do you feel it was worth it? What would you have done differently if you could go back? It’s fascinating hearing the ‘life after’ side of things. I watch Eddie halls channel, and he seems relatively free of injury. It that down to still being on PEDs do you think? Or is it all an act?SeanBrennan wrote: ↑27 Jan 2024, 07:01
you can ask me anything, of course. 39, 40 in May. I don't do heavy compounds anymore, I deadlift sporadically but never go above 220kg. I use machines. The biggest legacy strain in terms of wear and tear is my rotator cuff, did not have the surgery for it just physio, so it's something I do prehab with now, lots of stretches and little exercises to keep on top of it. Also had an imbalance in terms of pressing so much when I started training, so shoulders were rounded and that caused rear delt and upper back pain, so do a lot of face pulls and rear delt work. I stretch my hips a lot and also do a lot of hamstring work too for my back health. I've never done ice baths or cryotherapy, I do take hot bath every day for my hips (I sound ancient), and take various medications for pain management and the nerve damage - amitriptyline for the nerve damage, naproxen and tramadol for the back, and citalopram for the old noggin (been on the latter or similar for 2 decades, hence an interest in mental health). I take nothing pain med-wise for a week every 4 weeks though, and miss Sat/Sun, as I worry with the tramadol being an opioid and know it's less than ideal taking medication permanently. Also take an embarrassing spray for the heart where you have to sit or preferably lay down when you've taken it, which is comedy gold when you're at work. I have a super supportive company I work for though so feel very lucky. They know I work long hours (60+) so if I need to take time or work from home it's never an issue. If I was on a shop floor or the like I'd struggle.
I can have a spinal fusion but nobody I know who has had one, seems to have fared well and it seems to have degraded their spinal health further, so I've stuck with 2 discectomy and laminectomy surgeries and just plod on. I feel very lucky as my mate has MS so I have zero to whinge about, especially when my ailments are self inflicted from chasing a placcy trophy.
I drone on I know... :)
Was it worth it for me? I could do the cliche "I regret nothing as it made me who I am" - but I'd be lying. I massively regret ever taking anything, it ruined my health, contributed towards end of first marriage (a gram of tren a week is not conducive to empathy). I wish I had never taken anything other than protein powder mate. I live with pain and would happily go back and do it differently. The only good thing is I am massively grateful to be alive and have very good perspective. I am always positive and am known as someone who will help anyone. And I think going through some of the physical and mental health issues from my time using and competing, has helped me to get to that.
Mate thats horrible that you are in pain. Glad you have such a positive outlook tho. There is a "natural" strongman who owns a gym near me who is a gorilla of a man who competed and won after breaking his neck in the army. Makes me think you guys are just built differently. I wonder if hes natural or just natural by strong man standards, What are your main concerns as you age in regard to the effects? If you stopped lifting how would it effect you physically?