PAUL CHILDRESS INTERVIEW

Background Info: Paul Childress is the current 308 LB. WPO Champion with a total of 2529. He finished first in the 308’s at the GNC Show of Strength WPO meet last November (third overall) and finished third overall in the WPO SuperOpen Finals at the Arnold Classic this past February.

Brent: First of all, thanks for taking the time to talk to me and let the readers into your life a little bit. Why don’t you start by giving us some background and personal information about yourself.

Paul: I live in Buffalo NY. I own my own personal training business and consultant for elite fitness systems. I graduated from Buffalo State College where I played football and earned All-American Honors as a Defensive tackle and earned my degree in Health Science. I did my post graduate work at Canisius College where I was graduate assistant in the strength and conditioning department.

Brent: How did you first get involved with your training?

Paul: My first experience with powerlifting is watching Don Reinholt on television in the world’s strongest man back in the late seventies. That Christmas I received my first weight set and have loved lifting ever since. I started competing in powerlifting in High School where I squatted 500 LBS., benched 305 LBS., and deadlifted 505 LBS. Through college I just concentrated on just training for football. After graduation I started to take powerlifting seriously.

Brent: And from that start you have now progressed to a 1085 squat. Tell us about that lift and how it felt.

Paul: The only think I really remember was taking the weight out of the monolift and it feeling like a house. After that it is pretty much a blank. But after seeing it on Video it was surprisingly easy.

Brent: What are your current bests in the bench and deadlift also?

Paul: Bench is 690. Deadlift is 782.

Brent: Let’s go back to your first meet. Tell us about it and what your numbers were.

Paul: My first powerlifting meet I was a junior in High School. I squatted maybe 400 LBS. Benched 250 and deadlifted 400.

Brent: How has training helped or hindered you with family, friends and job?

Paul: I am very fortunate that my family and friends have always been very supportive. My father came down to Orlando for my first WPO meet where we didn’t finish lifting until 3 AM. My mother is scared to death to watch me squat that she usually covers her eyes and asks when its over. And my little sister is my personal photographer.

My job allows me to work around my training schedule. So that I am able to train with my lifting partners. I have been with some of these guys for many years and I would not have the success that I have had without their encouragement and support at the gym and meets.

Brent: It seems to me you burst on the scene fairly fast. In your short career you have managed to stay injury free. Comments?

Paul: I have always been lucky that I have never been hurt at any sport I played. As for powerlifting I am very good about listening to my body and knowing when to take it easy and knowing when to push it. I also take very good care of myself, I see a Chiropractor, Massage Therapist and Acupuncturist on a regular basis.

Brent: Let’s shift gears. Thoughts on the WPO. Good and bad.

Paul: It is nice to see that we are getting a little recognition for all the hard work we have put in over the years. I think that the WPO is on the right track, by bringing all the best lifters together. I would like to see it grow to the point that we can make a nice living similar to that of the top bodybuilders and strongman.

Brent: A more general question, how about the status of powerlifting in general. What kind of vision do you see for the sport?

Paul: With all the federations there should be something for everyone, from single geared to multiple layers; from amateur to professional. It just would be nice that we all just came to an understanding that we do this because we love the sport.

Brent: Well, when powerlifting takes a back seat for a while, what other things do you enjoy doing?

Paul: To be honest with you powerlifting never takes a back seat. However when I do have some free time I am usually spending it with friends and family. I also enjoy going to car shows and I am really looking forward to buying a Harley next spring.

Brent: Back to the meet at the GNC Show of Strength in Atlanta, last November. You went a perfect 10 for 10 that day. Give us a rundown of how that day felt and how that day evolved for you.

Paul: Going into the meet my goal was to break the 308 record total and hopefully break the 2500 barrier. All my squats felt good and strong and got me on a roll. Going into the bench I was hoping to bench somewhere around 660. After my third attempt after 661, I was within the 20-kilo mark for breaking the WR bench. So, I took a fourth attempt at 690, which broke the WR by 500 grams. That set the stage for the deadlift, my second attempt broke the total record and put me over 2500. My third attempt was to set a PR deadlift. As for going 10 for 10, it was something I thought I would never do. What can I say it was a perfect day!

Brent: I remember seeing video of you before you squat and you seem to have some voodoo trance and talking you do to the bar before you go. Want to share what you’re doing there?

Paul: For those who know me I am pretty laid back meet day until my name is called. I hit the switch and it is time to go to work.

Brent: I also remember seeing you with Mike Wlosinski. I have a feeling he has been a big help to you in your success.

Paul: I have been training with Mike on and off for the past ten years. I have learned a lot from Mike from lifting techniques to meet day philosophy. Mike is pretty conservative when it comes to calling attempts and I guess I do the same. I never call an attempt that is out of reach. I would also like to mention Joey Dougherty (one of the best 181er’s in the world)-Joey is the one who pushed me towards the WPO. Along with Mike I learned a great deal from Joey over the last five to six years on training and meet preparation.

Brent: Well what’s next Paul? What are your goals?

Paul: Next meet will be the WPO meet in Atlanta in October, goals for that meet I would like to squat 1100, bench 700 and deadlift 800. To total 2600 at 308.

Brent: Any attempts at competing in strongman?

Paul: Not right now. I don’t have the desire to compete at strongman.

Brent: Tell us about your training-like how many days per week do you train? What days? How long? Etc.

Paul: I train 4 days a week, I follow the Westside Barbell Principles. You usually see me in the gym on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning for about 3 hours a day.

Brent: How about diet? Is that word allowed in your training or not?

Paul: I don’t follow a very strict diet. There are certain things that I don’t eat a lot of, fast food and junk food. But all and all everything else is fair game, especially a 48-oz steak.

Brent: It seems to me the sport is becoming more and more about science now with the 48 hour weigh in we see IV loads, sodium loads, hyper-hydration methods etc. Comments on that?

Paul: I don’t have a problem with it, everyone seems to be lifting at least one weight class above what they weighed in at.

Brent: Just curious-which lift is your favorite and why?

Paul: Squatting-because it is the lift that seems to have the most risk. It gives me that biggest rush-it is so hard to describe how it feels. It is just unbelievable!

Brent: I know you have your training posted on the net. Tell us about that.

Paul: I am lucky that Dave Tate has asked me to write for elite fitness and it gives me the opportunity to help out other lifters by giving advice and showing people what my actual workouts look like.

Brent: Thanks for your time Paul. I wish you the best in the future. Maybe you could leave some info for our readers as to how to get a hold of you.

Paul: You may contact me at Elite Fitness Systems www.elitefts.com