der wahrscheinlich momentan weltbeste mittelgewichtler...
Interview with Travis Mash
HOUSE: How about some background information.
Travis: I am 28 years old, I am from Jefferson, NC a small town in the Appalachian Mountains, and I went to Appalachian State University.
HOUSE: How and when did you get started in the sport of powerlifting?
Travis: I was 13 when I first competed at the local high school meet, and the rest is history. I was addicted!
HOUSE: What are your best lifts and where have you competed?
Travis: My best lifts are an 800 squat, 501 bench, and a 722 deadlift. All of these were performed at the WPO Semi-Finals in Orlando, FL. I have competed all over the US and in Vaasa, Finland at the 1996 IPF Junior Worlds.
HOUSE: Can you share your views on drug testing?
Travis: Bottom line is if you are taking then don’t compete is a tested meet. I guess that I am a big believer in integrity.
HOUSE: What supplements do you take?
Travis: Just creatine, protein and a multi-vitamin. I just keep it simple.
HOUSE: What is your workout regimen?
Travis: Basically it is Westside style with a twist. Monday is speed bench, Wendesday is speed squats and deadlifts, Friday is Heavy Bench word, and Saturday is Heavy Squats and rack pulls. We do an assorted variety of assistance including: a variety of good mornings, reverse hypers, glute/ham raises, log presses, JM Presses, DB extensions, etc. We also use a ton of bands and chains.
HOUSE: Chris had mentioned you guys train Westside with a twist, what parts of the Westside do you follow?
Travis: It is a great deal of the Westside Methodology, but we have catered it to our own styles, but that is what the Westside Boys do also. Basically look at your own strengths, limits, and weaknesses, and go from there.
HOUSE: What goals do you have in the sport of powerlifting?
Travis: Short term is to total 2120 at the Arnold Classic, and long term is to surpass King Coan’s mammoth 2400 total @ 220. I know that is huge, but my motto is "Why not".
HOUSE: What type (if any) supportive gear do you wear?
Travis: I am anything but an expert on equipment, but this time I am wearing all Inzer. Who knows! I definitely need coaching in this area.
HOUSE: What are your views on supportive gear?
Travis: Let’s take it all off and see who is the best, but I know that it comes with the sport. Actually it is kinda cool to watch all of these crazy bench shirts being worn.
HOUSE: Any funny stories that have happened to you in powerlifting?
Travis: Only story that I can think of was in Olympic Lifting when the bar got hooked on my belt during a snatch and I pulled myself off the ground and into the wall. Moral of the story is don’t wear a belt while snatching.
HOUSE: As far as training goes, what type of equipment do you use?
Travis: Basically 80 % of the year is spent with maybe a belt. I add the equipment only near a competition.
HOUSE: What organizations have you lifted in?
Travis: USPF, APF, IPF, and now the WPO.
HOUSE: What weight class are you in and do you hold any records?
Travis: 220 lb. Class and aside from some state record Ed Coan holds them all. I do hold the USPF Junior National Record in the deadlift as a 198 lber. I do plan on chasing all of Ed Coan’s records.
HOUSE: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment to date?
Travis: Definitely the WPO Semi-Final where I qualified for the finals at the Arnold Classic.
HOUSE: You mentioned to me in the past that you competed against Chuck Vogelpuhl, does his success drive you to train harder and what is it like competing against Westside lifters?
Travis: Chuck and all of the Westside guys are super nice, but I would be lying to say that I didn’t want to beat them. Truth is I want to form the Southside Club for lifters in NC and surrounding states because I think that without a doubt we could beat them. Anyone interested please call me, but only if you are serious and want to improve as a lifter.
HOUSE: What is your opinion of the WPO and the direction it’s going?
Travis: KK is doing a great job. Sure there are some growing pains, but that is true in every business. I am very excited about the WPO and the Mountaineer.
HOUSE: What is your favorite lift?
Travis: The deadlift because this lift has been performed since the first cave man said, "I bet I can pick up a bigger rock than you."
HOUSE: Any training tips?
Travis: Basically just keep changing your workouts up every three to four weeks. Our bodies are very adaptive, so if we keep changing then our bodies have to adapt by getting stronger.
HOUSE: Anything you would like to see changed in powerlifting?
Travis: I wish that the top two from each nationals in all the different federations could compete to see who would represent the US in the IPF Worlds.
HOUSE: Do you have any advice to the younger lifter regarding training and supplementation?
Travis: With training stick to the core lifts and work on technique. With supplementation stick to creatine and protein.
HOUSE: What are some of your interests outside powerlifting?
Travis: I am a very boring person guys. If I am not lifting, then I am with my beautiful wife and daughter. I do like to travel though.
HOUSE: Who are the people you admire and who inspires your lifting?
Travis: In powerlifting it has to be Ed Coan. Out of powerlifting it is my father who has had a very rough year having a heart attack and being diagnosed with cancer. When all of this happened I was living in Colorado, but then I knew it was time to return to NC to be close to my family.
HOUSE: What is the biggest challenge to your lifting success?
Travis: Definitely the economic strain that it causes it my family. I hope that a big year this year can at least partially cure that.
HOUSE: How important are training partners to you?
Travis: My training partner is Chris "Ox" Mason, and without him then I would be nothing. He is an incredible lifter himself, and he is going to the WPO Qualifier at the Arnold Classic where he will break the 2010 qualifying total in only his second full meet, Wow! This guy pushes me beyond belief. I wish you guys could witness the intensity that we train with, scary.
HOUSE: What does your diet consist of?
Travis: For a powerlifter I eat pretty clean. I take in over 300 grams of protein every day, and I eat at least six times.
HOUSE: How do you see the sport of powerlifting in the future?
Travis: I am very optimistic! The WPO and the Mountaineer are really catching on, and look what you guys are doing here in NC. I mean 75 lifters at a local Push/Pull, Awesome! I am really excited to be a part of NC Power.
HOUSE: Anyone in closing you would like to mention or thank?
Travis: My wife Carrie and daughter Bailed for putting up with me, my mother, father and sister for loving me, Jack King the owner for my awesome gym for making me believe in myself, the "Ox" and his lovely wife Kristi for supporting me many years, Steve F., all the guys at Jack King’s Gym, all of my family including my in-laws who are coming to the Arnold Classic (how cool), House of Payne for my interview, Mike and Linda Higgins for everything, and everyone else for believing in me. Last but not least, GOD for making it happen.
HOUSE: Any final comments?
Travis: There is an open invitation to our gym which contains: power bars, reverse hypers, bands, chains, tires, logs, platforms, Olympic lifting bars and bumper plates, and most important atmosphere. Call me or e-mail me at (336) 471-4137 or radkemash@hotmail.com. I am also personal training and consulting via the internet or in person.
