IG: Tell us a little bit about yourself, both in and out of the weight room.  What do you do?  Where do you live?  What got you started?

SC: I live in Sacramento, California with my lovely wife Alice and our three Children (Jonah 8, Jack 5 and Karly 3). I sell technology to State and Local Governments for IBM. Been lifting on and off since 1985, but competed for the first time in May 2002. Played football at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo from 1989-1992, then moved to Hong Kong and played Rugby until 1998. Stopped training in 1998 and began swimming, biking and running. I then completed a number half Marathon’s and the Portland Marathon.  In 2001 I bought a PLUSA Magazine and realized that back in my rugby days I was fairly strong. I met Jason Burnell (USAPL CA State Chair) and he got me in touch with Mike Hara (2 time IPF Bench World Gold Medalist @165). Mike and the rest of the Sacramento crew opened my eyes to what strong really is, and I wasn’t.  

IG: If you could start over, knowing everything you do now, what would you change as a beginner and intermediate lifter?

SC: First thing I would change is when I found Powerlifting. At Cal-Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA there were USPF meets, and I never responded to any of the adverts. Today I wish I had.

I would also incorporate more Deadlifting earlier on in my training. When you are not good at something you many tend to ignore it, and I ignored the Deadlift.

IG: What is favorite style of training, whether it is one distinct training system or a hybrid of many?

SC: My first three years of powerlifting was spent doing progressive overload at a standard commercial gym. For the last 9 months I have been using Westside, with Mark Bell at Body Construction Zone Woodland, CA (Team Super Training).  The change to Westside methods has increased my total 200lbs. In-addition to the 200lbs gained after the first 9 months; I expect at least another 150 lbs more in June at the APF Nationals.

IG: Where would you like to see the sport go?  Do you envision and support a mainstream or “Pro-Powerlifting” organization?

SC: This is a tough subject. It would be great to have a Pro-Powerlifting organization that would allow lifters to focus on training. The reality is that there are too many options for sports TV and sports promotion. Given the disjoined state of Powerlifting, gaining mainstream advertisements and publicity will be difficult. Powerlifting is a cult sport with plenty to offer the public, similar to strongman. Unfortunately there hasn’t been that one person or group of people to take it to the next level. Although Kieran Kidder, Nick Busick and most recently Dave Cosnotti are giving the sport a real push in the right direction. At the end of the day people shouldn’t expect fame and fortune from Powerlifting.

IG: What is your greatest memory or moment in powerlifting, and what is your worst?

SC: My greatest memory was attending a local Special Olympics Powerlifting meet. A young girl was to squat 90 lbs. She used a walker to approach the bar. As she neared the bar they took the walker away and she proceeded to squat the weight. At that point I decided there is no reason short of paralysis ever to complain about a pain from squatting (so Bench only folks should step up).

Greatest Moment was Feb. 2006 at the USPF Western States Cup in Pasadena where I totaled 2204. My goal has always been to total 1000 KG single ply. In Three and half years I put on 726 lbs on my total.

The worst moment was bombing at the 2005 Mountaineer Cup. I came into the meet well prepared and ready to have a huge day. Blew my Squat suit out on my last warm up. Lowered my opener 75lbs and ended with a 749 lbs Squat, because of course I didn’t have a back up suit that fit. Then I bombed in the Bench Press. My mind was shot once the suit blew.  

IG: What are your goals; where do you see yourself in powerlifting five or ten years from now?

SC: Haven’t thought much about five or ten years from now, but I have thought about next year. I would like to redeem myself at the Mountaineer Cup and also would like to qualify for the WPO. They are somewhat short-term goals, but given ones propensity for injury in Powerlifting it is hard to think about things five years out.

IG: Can you share with us some of your most impressive numbers, both in the gym and at competitions? 

SC: Gym numbers don’t count. Meet best are SQ 942.5, BP 629 and DL 710 in single ply gear. 

IG: Who are your idols in the sport?  Who do you look up to and aspire to be?

SC: Mike Hara to me has always been the epitome of a sportsman. Mike will never make an excuse for why he missed a lift. Mike is a two time IPF Open 165 Bench World Champion. Mike has Benched 540 lbs @ 165. He’s been called for real ridiculous things in the IPF, but never once has he complained. Too many benchers today look to crowd for approval and not the judges.

Chad Aichs has fought his way up to the top of powerlifting. It’s great when a world-class lifter is willing to help some class one guy put a bench shirt on in a meet. Chad is that type of guy. Chad also squats 1200 freak’n lbs. how can you not want to be like Chad?!

Steve Denison gives more back to the sport then anyone on planet in my view. We should all try and do just 10% of what Steve does for the sport. If we all did just that 10% the sport would be more mainstream. Steve puts on 10 meets a year, while also judging and or supporting probably 15 or so more.  

Anthony Conyers, Beau Moore, Travis Mash and Phil Harrington I respect a great deal. These guys seem willing to lift in whatever gear and or fed that challenges them. Single ply or multiply they’ll step on the platform, because they are strength athletes. I aspire to be like them.

The lifter I look up to the most is Lee Moran. The guy was a freak! By all accounts he was one of those anywhere anytime type of lifters. Lee was fearless of any weight. I aspire to be that type of lifter. Plus some of the stories about Mr. Moran are priceless.

No list of idols and greats is complete without Mr. Ed Coan. Met Mr. Coan at the Mountaineer Cup, he had a funny smirk on his face when my squat suit blew out. Not a haha or you dumb rookie look, but one of those tough luck looks. Oh yeah, and he has pulled over 900 at 220, give me a break!  

I also admire my training partners. These guys will travel anywhere and or do whatever needed to help each other. Jim McDonald, Parker Flagg, Steve Zaretsky and Mark Bell are incredible. On days that I can’t make it to Woodland, I can call Jim McDonald and he’ll come over and spot me while I train in the garage. That’s freaky cool! 

IG: What kind of equipment do you use, and why?

SC: I have used only single ply gear for the past 4 years. The goal was to get that 1000 kg, and then make the move to double ply. It has been important to me to build a solid base by which to work, before adding extra gear. I have mostly used Inzer gear. Today I am feeling my way through all kinds of gear to see what’s best for me. The brand will never be important, as long as the gear feels right. I would never get married to a brand if it hurt my total. 

IG: What are the best ways to build a big squat, a monster press and a huge deadlift, in your experience?

SC: Persistence, patience and perseverance are the best ways to approach training. Never let one bad session set the tone for a whole training cycle. Have a memory like a quarterback after an interception. Just learn from your mistakes and move on. People get caught up in what training method is the best. It’s not always the method but rather the effort. Whatever method you choose, train hard and results will come. The most important factor of all is having support. Great training partners produce great lifters!  

IG: Anything else you’d like to share or add for the readers?

Thanks for your time, and if anyone has questions regarding Team SuperTraining please email me atjonahcartwright@yahoo.com.

IG: Thank you Scott!