Thom Van Vleck

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Viewing 15 posts - 271 through 285 (of 715 total)
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  • in reply to: APOLLO’S AXEL #22983
    Thom Van Vleck
    Participant

      I was impressed, I was there and saw it! He is explosive and athletic…long arms, long levers….stay away from the highland games..hahaha. Benzel would do well at anything that needed strength, size and speed…..and a nice guy, too!!!!

      Thom Van Vleck
      Jackson Weightlifting Club
      Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

      in reply to: reeves DL #22991
      Thom Van Vleck
      Participant

        ET….are you selling subscription or sumthin….hahaha

        Funny you should mention Gerry Cooney. A couple of nights ago on a comedy show this Irishman was talking about going to Gerry Cooney Elementary….and I wondered whatever happened to him.

        Thom Van Vleck
        Jackson Weightlifting Club
        Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

        in reply to: Al Springs #22997
        Thom Van Vleck
        Participant

          That’s Great! My Uncle Wayne lifted with him back in the day and will be glad ot hear he’s doing well.

          Thom Van Vleck
          Jackson Weightlifting Club
          Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

          in reply to: Not a pretty sight #23004
          Thom Van Vleck
          Participant

            Easily the worst one I ever saw was a guy squatting and prolapsed his colon.

            I did counseling with a guy that attempted suicide by shoving a shotgun under his chin. Evidently, as he reached down for the trigger his head tilted back causing the gun to blow off his lower jaw and nose. They did reconstruction but it was disturbing to just look at him. I have a good poker face as he told me when we were done (he had to write his responses) that I had treated him more “normally” than anyone since the injury. I never mentioned it, I never looked at him other than right in the eye or away, and I tried to treat him with respect. I still have that image pop up in my mind. I can only imagine what soldiers go thru seeing stuff worse than that and more of it. Puts it in perspective.

            Thom Van Vleck
            Jackson Weightlifting Club
            Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

            in reply to: Steve GArdner #23023
            Thom Van Vleck
            Participant

              Great story on Steve. I didn’t know all the strongman and Highland Games history. Really enjoyed that!

              Thom Van Vleck
              Jackson Weightlifting Club
              Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

              in reply to: Chuck’s French Press #23025
              Thom Van Vleck
              Participant

                That’s the guy! I recall that being 1981….. He had freakish triceps.

                Thom Van Vleck
                Jackson Weightlifting Club
                Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                in reply to: Peoples & Prechtel #23033
                Thom Van Vleck
                Participant

                  The stuff Bob did would today gotten him kicked out of almost all commercial gyms AND most everyone would have laughed at what he did, claimed it was extremely dangerous, and ridiculed him. There’s a lession in there.

                  Thom Van Vleck
                  Jackson Weightlifting Club
                  Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                  in reply to: What constitutes a close grip bench? #23052
                  Thom Van Vleck
                  Participant

                    ET….so you are saying Al is a Joke! haha

                    I think sometimes when we reply on message boards and we are in a hurry the inflection of the message can be easily lost. Al is just a big, ol’ cuddly teddy bear….just ask Chad.

                    I get a little frustrated with different things with the USAWA, but at the end of the day….UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL.

                    There’s a big push in the states to focus on “diversity”. I think we need to focus a lot more on “unity”, the things we have in common and share. For example, A HUGE one is the drug issue. The IAWA and USAWA can wholeheartedly agree on that one!

                    Thom Van Vleck
                    Jackson Weightlifting Club
                    Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                    in reply to: Glass article #23045
                    Thom Van Vleck
                    Participant

                      I just got to say how impressed I am with the “release and catch” with the Inch DB. I use that as a regular grip training exercise but I could never dream of picking up the Inch let alone doing that!

                      Thom Van Vleck
                      Jackson Weightlifting Club
                      Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                      in reply to: Having competitive kids #23070
                      Thom Van Vleck
                      Participant

                        …..so does she take after he Dad or her Mom!

                        Thom Van Vleck
                        Jackson Weightlifting Club
                        Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                        in reply to: Minnesota meet #23079
                        Thom Van Vleck
                        Participant

                          That was an amazingly close meet! Al keeps pulling out wins!

                          Thom Van Vleck
                          Jackson Weightlifting Club
                          Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                          in reply to: Making Weight Part 1… #23106
                          Thom Van Vleck
                          Participant

                            I’m glad I have always lifted heavy weight and the only time I ever had to make weight was to GAIN weight to make my class (which, hard as it is to believe…..I didn’t gain enough weight!!!!) because the only time I have monitored temperature was when my wife and I were in the baby making business!!!!!!

                            Thom Van Vleck
                            Jackson Weightlifting Club
                            Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                            in reply to: Battle in the Barn #23417
                            Thom Van Vleck
                            Participant

                              I may have a strongman show that saturday night. Well, I guess I could lift in Columbia, drive to Kirksville and do a strongman show that night, then get up Sunday and go lift at Eric’s…..

                              Thom Van Vleck
                              Jackson Weightlifting Club
                              Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                              in reply to: The first year #23130
                              Thom Van Vleck
                              Participant

                                Steve beat me in a powerlifting meet in 1986. We both lifted in the 220lb class!!!!

                                Thom Van Vleck
                                Jackson Weightlifting Club
                                Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                                in reply to: The first year #23133
                                Thom Van Vleck
                                Participant

                                  Guys named Thom/Tom are very similar:

                                  Al says that “I got wondering the other day, just when was the official beginning day of the USAWA?”……hey, Al, I was wondering if when I ASKED YOU WHAT THE OFFICIAL BEGINNING DAY OF THE USAWA was when you “GOT WONDERING”.

                                  Sure, never give your muse any credit for your inspiration! HAHAHAHAHA

                                  Thom Van Vleck
                                  Jackson Weightlifting Club
                                  Highland Games athlete and sometimes All-Rounder

                                Viewing 15 posts - 271 through 285 (of 715 total)