Specifically why are you here in the T-Cell? No, not who invited you but what are your "qualifications"?

I got the idea for this thread by reading the juan tribunal. This is NOT a thread for comment on that or any other tribunal, however.

For many members especially those who have been around and posted frequently especially with photos, no explanation is necessary. Even then it might be nice to hear from "them".

I think everyone here might just have a niche that they can fill by their presence and posts. I don't want another bragging thread just a simple introduction of who you are and what your niche might be. This is intended to be part bio sketch and part "I'm trying out (or playing) for running back/lineman/cornerback/qb/linebacker because...._____________."

Me first.

I'm just an almost-48-years-old self-employed guy who lives in the backwoods of northwest Montana. I've been lifting for 13 years with only the last five being truly productive. Coincidentally that happens to be the length of time spent here on this website.

I trained out of the magazines for the first eight years in commercial gyms.

I now train in my own barn and I trudge up and down the hill to my barn 160 - 200 times a year and nobody is there to watch me, train me or motivate me. This happens when it is -30F and +100F (like today). I lift exclusively with free weights and I squat, dead, push, and pull.

I have trained no one except myself and to a limited degree my wife and 19 year old son. I have no qualifications when it comes to training others. I do not have the patience for that either, I think.

Therefore, pay no attention to me if you want to know what my 'clients' have done with my "fountain" of training and nutrition knowledge.

I used to lift to look good nekkid and that is still true to a degree (you want women to REALLY LIKE to be with you, trust me, no matter what your age if you have T levels over 100) but it goes way beyond that now. Now I lift for "when the wolf comes" and because I don't want to "be normal".

If lifting and bodybuilding ever become "normal" I will probably quit and start inhaling Cheetos and drinking cheap beer while watching TV a lot.

So what is my niche? I don't know for sure but maybe it's to inspire men in their middle aged years to get off their fat/skinny asses and get to work being "abnormal".

Maybe it's to inspire young bucks to get off their fat/skinny asses and get to work so that a 47 year old guy doesn't embarrass them by grabbing more women, lifting higher numbers and looking better than them. Yeah, shame the young SOBs.

There you have it. Hope I didn't break your "scroll rule". OK, I'm on first base. Who's up next? I'm not fast enough to steal second. I need someone to advance me around the bases.

[Edit]

Physical data:
5'8"
215
~15% bf based on the visual guide estimate. I can see my abs in the morning when I awake. I can see 'em when I lift. Can't see 'em the rest of the time. I'm speaking today - in the present.

Can lose weight (bf) easily. Do not have to try very hard so the 15% doesn't worry me at all. I DO HAVE to try hard to gain weight of any kind.

Deadlift 505 conventional raw - no belt, no shoes, no straps, no suit. If I could queue the riff at the end of Metallica's "Seek and Destroy" to coincide with my PR attempt I could probably pull an additional 25 lbs. LOL

Squat 375 - hams touch calves - (unspotted and alone - don't really know where my true 1RM is at. Will find out this summer) [Edit] 415 on 9/9/08

Bench - don't know and don't care. Shoulder problems allow/demand me this nonchalant attitude. Almost all pressing movements done with DBs. Best numbers are multiple sets of multiple reps with 110s - single arm 45 degree inclines.

Favorite exercise - snatch deads from a 2" deficit - two weeks ago did 8 x 2 x 420 with straps with 2 minute rest intervals. Tonight did 10 singles at 430. 90 seconds rest.
[Edit again] 14 singles @ 435 with 90 seconds rest.

I'm part of an outreach program for the sexually disadvantaged.

I'm here because someone thought I could bring a lot to this Cell. Quite frankly I disagree, but I like being able to ask the occasional question and then I just read the rest of the threads.

I also like the fact that nobody posts about getting "too big" like they'll wake up one day and be bigger than all the pros combined because they added 1lb to their bench.

To pay it forward

My niche is that I often crack jokes, but I'm serious when it comes to greeting new members, encouraging current members with their training, and progressing T-Nation forward with positivity and unity.

Personal Bio: Young man in his early 20's who wants to be stronger, faster, leaner, and more conditioned in his 30's and 40's then his late teens.

I'd like to open a hardcore gym or better yet, keep current hardcore gyms alive with donations and promotion.

I see the youth being devoured by technology and if possible, I'd like to get kids to be more active. Specifically my nephews and nieces.

And I want to retire. SOON.

I'm here because I actually want to get really big and strong (shocking). I want to be UNUSUALLY big and strong.

Back when I was around 16-17, I was getting a yearly checkup and the doctor asked if I "thought of myself as too fat and avoided eating". It took a moment to register that this doctor was actually trying to figure out if I was anorexic (I wasn't). I think I was 160 pounds at like 6'3" or something like that which was lighter than the year before.

Right now I'm around 230 and growing.

Also I workout alone and have always done so. In fact when I started lifting back in high school, I was almost always the only person who used the weight room. The gym teacher would have to unlock the room just for me.

Huh, didn't think I was going to open up that much. Anyway, I think I've started some pretty good threads in this cell.

So, ladies and gentlemen... if I say I'm a lifter you will agree.

I am 25 y/o, 6 foot 1, 222 pounds, 15% bf.

My main 'thing' so far is that i went from a fat 322 pounds down to 196.

I think once i got past how impressed i was with myself I started breaking down my fat loss and ripping it apart.

For example id be at least 15 pounds of LBM better off after the fat loss if i knew what i know now.

things like avoiding fats at all costs and eating nothing but plain chicken breasts! lol.


Now I feel I have gotten past being a (apologies) FFB, and am proud to say ive gone from 12--->15% in my current bulking progress.


what I bring to the alpha?
I think I could have been the worst kind of FFB fanboy. I did spend several months blurting out stories of my success and trying to judge everyone around me for not having the same willpower.

However ive had my baptism of fire and have gone the other way. I have put on around 15 pounds of LBM since January, and despite a growing waist line, my 'famous' willpower is holding and I will continue this month for at least a total duration of 6 months.

despite a constant need to overcomplicate everything im happy to say that I am practicing what alot here preach: lift big, eat big.

Me? Whether or not I deserve to be in here is an opinion that will vary from person to person. I've stepped on the platform in a powerlifting meet. I've put on about 60 pounds in a year and a half. I've contributed to discussion by asking well thought out questions, and when warranted giving my opinion. I mostly just read the cell, occasionally ask questions here, help people newer then I am in the beginner's section, and read/post in strength sports.

When I was 16, the varsity football coach expressed his concerns that I couldn't be an every down back; he wanted to move me to corner and use me as a "change of pace" back.

I can't describe how much that hurt. I can, however, express how much that experience has augmented my training intensity.

I don't know why i'm here.
I have not asked to the man who call me in...

What i have to offer? I don't know :)
i own a gym, i'm a "coach" (note the "...) and a trainee. I want to big stronger and bigger, in an unusual way as TermInNate wrote.

I have a good experience in strenght training and i love to "try" new system (as Poliquin wrote in the "5 element" article, i'm fire and earth). Nutrition (low carb) is also a field where i have good experience.

Also i've started the IFBB judge path, but need to stop cause of job/life issue, i think i try again next year.

About me, i'm 170cm "tall", my current weight is 190lbs at 15%bf. I gain weight and muscle very easy but i have trouble to cut the fat. I always been a fat boy... In december i start my "journey" to 10% bf...

My current best lift are:
BP 160kg raw 1RM
DL 150kg 3RM
MP 100kg 1RM
Row 110kg 10RM
chinup bw+31kg 5x5
SQ 190kg 1RM ATG
box SQ 120kg 5x5

My best results came from chest and torso (i have a big chest, around 128cm of circumeference).

My weak point: biceps and triceps.

Well, besides participation in 4est's outreach program and the desire to look good naked, I'm here cause I like to train, read about training and, to a lesser extent, post about training.

I have competed in bodybuilding off and on for the last 12 years. I own a small gym and train people ranging from soccer moms to college level athletes.
I am here to learn new ideas and stay fresh.
I am 33 and 5'9". Normally I walk around at 205-210 and currently weigh in at 186.
I lift alone and do not use any straps or belts etc. I do not use any machines just free weight and bodyweight.

Who the hell knows why I am here?

I don't have any real insights into the science/art of training.

I am not a nutritional guru.

I know a fair bit about AAS, but hardly innovative, or Duchaine-ish.

I just want to be big, and enjoy discussing that desire with others who share it.

Honestly - I think TC put me in here because he thought it would shut me the hell up. I'm sure he gets tired of my incessant, expletive-filled tirades on prospective customers.

Everything you would want to know about me (including pics) is in my profile. : )

As far as my "qualifications" to be here -

*All natural Bodybuilder for over 20 years.

*Nutritional Bio-Chemistry major.

*Years and years of experience, trying different things, amassing knowledge to the point where I feel I have a lot to offer in terms of training and nutrition.

*I also still have plenty to learn, and I'm open to good discussion and a civil exchange of ideas and methods.

Whether or not I belong here is not up to me to decide, but I feel that I've put in the time/effort/learning process, and have the physique to show for it (no I'm not claiming to be Mr. O, but it's clear that I'm a bodybuilder).

I'm just looking to hang out with like-minded people....

23 years old
6'5"
250 pounds
~13% bodyfat

I've been training for a year and a half. I started at 190 pounds. You'll notice most of my contributions here in the cell are asking people to elaborate on what they are trying to say, or to clear things up. Sometimes solely to play devils advocate.

I have my own opinions on most issues and I don't mind stating them, but I'm smart enough to realize that the more experienced guys' opinions carry more credibility and are paid more attention. I'm fine with that.

Edit: Basically, I take my training very seriously. I expect the same of everyone else in the cell.

Because-(In order of importance)


To represent the Seminoles.

I like to lift weights.

I have balls.

I like reading about training-nutrition mostly.

I have a big mouth.

I lost some weight.

I went from being a decent HS football player, to a decent Cross Country runner, to a fatass, back to a skinny dude, and now I'm slowly but surely climbing the mass ladder the right way.

As far as my posts go, I speak from my own experience and the knowledge I've gained through studying kinesiology. I've spent time helping people out here and there where I feel my knowledge could be of help.

Aside from that I train 4-6 days a week and I love it.

35 Years Old
5'9
183 Pounds
~12% BF

I looked in the mirror one day and did not recognise myself. My clothes did not fit, had been kicked out of my house, divorced, relocated to NYC and then lost my job.

Got back to the gym after an over 3 year layoff and started lifting again. Then someone told me about this site. I read, and read, and read, and read and low and behold some thing started to set in. All the bullshit excuses I had over the years about not having time, or wanting to get TOO BIG, or looking good nekkid suddenly became the biggest load of horseshit I had ever laid eyes on. That was the last time I saw that other ugly fucker in the mirror. I do not ever want him to come back.

I am here to learn from people who are smarter than me. I want to get beat up so I can be stronger the next time I fight. I want to answer questions with real answers based in science and fact. I want to keep changing my life for the better. This time last year it was a completely different story.

Goals: at 185lbs
Pull 405 for 5RM no straps - Jan 09
Bench 315 for 1RM - Jun 09
Squat 405 for 5RM no belt - Nov 08

Get my NSCA/CPT - Nov 08 and CSCS - Jun 09 - because I hate being a computer salesman

Hit 200lbs at 8% for Xmas pictures in 2009.

yep - that is my story and I am sticking to it.

I'm just the bass player.

I am here to ride your coat tails in to the oval office :)

I'm 38 years old and fighting getting older. I'm 5'10" and as of this morning I am down to 227 and if I had to guess some where in the neighbor hood of 15% BF. I've been lifting weights for about 23 years now. I've done a few bench press competitions but I wouldn't consider myself a powerlifter. I have a personal bench press record of 485 raw. I don't go too heavy on squats or deadlift because of some old Army injuries.

I've always toyed with the idea of doing a bodybuilding contest since I have so many friends that compete, but I have this thing about being in front of crowds, so I thing being in front of a crowd in tiny posing shorts would be the death of me. I've been bulking up over the last six months, so now my short term goal is dieting down to below 10% BF.

My longer term goal is to get my arms over 20 inches before I turn 40. They just over 19 now. Like most of us older guys on here that have been doing this for a long time, I don't have alot of qustions to ask, I just try to contribute by telling what has worked for me and others I've trained with.

Two reasons:

Posting my workouts and ramblings is first an accountability tool. Just one other way to drive myself on a day where i am about to just mail it in.

Second, i do not have a list of certifications or clients to make me credible when i write. i do not make my living at Training people. All i have is what i do in the gym or on the platform, and description of dealing with the real life distractions we all have to work around to pursue our goals.