Introduce Yourself

[BendtheBar]

Originally Posted by Isaku900

hi.

powerlifter

275/308 weight classes
best total single ply: 1950@275 (elite)
best total multiply: 2006@308
-i had a multiply suit, single ply bench and dead and i dislocated my lower back...

771/600/705 best lifts @ 308

Welcome to the forum Isaku. Great looking numbers.

[DaRidler]

Hi, my name is Dave Ridlen and Im currently from Saint Joseph MO, but hometown is Imperial Ne. I have been lifting as long as I can remember thanks to the legends like Arnold, Lou, Lex Luger, Road Warriors, and others like many of us that grew up in the late 80's. Before I started powerlifting in 09, I was they typical gym rat. Looking in the mirror and flexing and did more talking about bars, girls, stupid crap ect ect ect instead of lifting like we dedicated people are suppose to.....then this happened....

A new chance at life...........
For the past 2 months I was sick from something, couldn’t bend over, neck was stiff, constant headaches; my first doctor said I was just sick but didn’t know what from. Then on December 30th, 2007 my wife found me passed out on the master bath floor. She took me to Urgent Care and they worked on me, got me decent enough to go home and said don’t go to work tomorrow... me being the stubborn one did. Jan 3rd, 2008, my bosses pulled me into the office and said go to the doctor or go home. I went to the doctor’s office and passed out in the examining room. I woke up in a room with a lot of people around me and they said I need some help quick. I had a EKG, CAT Scans, X-rays, more blood drawn then I make in 5 years, tried a MRI, I was too big and claustrophobic. That night at 7:30, I went blind for 4 1/2 hours, which was the absolute scariest moment of my life. The next day, they told me they believed I had Spinal meningitis and needed to get a MRI to help find out the source of my sickness. I was in the hospital for 14 days, 3 tries in MRI (finally knocked me completely out which they didn’t want to do cause of my condition and heart rate), then woke up to a SPINAL TAP!!! I went from 288 to 233 in 23 days, was told I was going to probably not make it by 3 Infectious Disease Specialist, that was nice to hear, and my lifting career would be over if I live. I went home after the first 2 weeks for 4 day, then back to the hospital for 2 more weeks for relapse. I then went home for 6 days, and then spent a day at Liberty Memorial Hospital with Dr. Adiga for more test, the finished up on bed rest for 2 months. It had come back that I had Wes-Nile from a Mosquito bite, the worse type, and should have died, but my conditioning and continued nutrition saved me. I got it back in Nebraska when I was back for vacation to see my family and friends.
Now against doctors’ orders, once healthy for the most part, I went back to the gym in September 2008. They said if I was going to lift, only bench press, no squat or deadlift. It’s been 3 years of pain, ups and downs, many doctor’s office trips and treatments, but now, I am back doing it all. I wanted to do more with my life than just be the "TYPICAL" gym rat, I wanted more now, to be somebody and have a bit fame amoungst my family and friends and something I can be proud of.

I will do my first full meet February 12th in Joplin MO for the NASA Missouri State. I have current American and World Records, many state records all in the raw bench division and plan on breaking some in the squat and deadlift. I was nominated for 2010 Athlete of the Year and became attended the Pro Power Sports meet last October placing 3rd.

Competitions & Placing: 2009-2010
NASA Kansas Regionals (1st place in all categories) Novice, Open, Sub-Masters Pure, Sub-Masters 1 and Team Champions
NASA Natural Nationals (1st place in all categories) Open, Pure, Sub-Masters Pure, Sub-Masters 2 and Team Runner Ups
Iowa State (1st place in all categories) Novice, Open, Sub-Masters Pure, Sub-Masters 1 and Team Champions
2010 Iowa Games (1st place in Open and Over All Champion) New Iowa Games Record with 510lbs bench
2010 NASA PRO PowerSports: 3rd Place over all, 1st place in the Bench Press, Winner of the Tom Manno award for largest bench press.
1st and 2nds and 3rds in many little meets trying to get good enough to get with the big boys!
Nominated for 2010 Athlete of the Year
Ranked 20th in the Country in the 275lb Raw Division on Powerlifting Watch in 2010 and 31st in 2009.

Lifts/Weights/Records:
485lb Raw bench- MO state record- Novice and Sub Masters 1
507lb Raw bench- MO state record- Open, Pure, Sub-Masters Pure and Sub-Masters 2
507lb Raw bench- NASA American Records- Pure and Open
507lb Raw Bench- NASA World Records- Pure, Open and Sub-Masters
510 Iowa Games Record Holder

I am currently in the Top 100 Men’s Unequipped Bench Press in the 5th place as of Feb 1st 2011.
Full Name: David M. Ridlen
Age: 36
Current Residence: Saint Joseph MO.
Hometown: Imperial NE.
Organization: N.A.S.A, just joined and will be competing soon in USAPL.
Categories/Divisions: RAW BENCH PRESS
Pro? Y/N: YES
Height/Weights 5’10”/275lbs on season; 290lbs off season

Measurements:
Chest:54 ¼”
Arms:20”
Legs:25 ½”
Neck:20 ½”
Calves:19”
Forearms:14 ¾”

[Abaddon]

Welcome to the forum, DaRidler. That's quite a history. You have come to the right place.

[BendtheBar]

Welcome to the forum Dave and very inspirational story.

Looking forward to seeing you smash some records.

[Chillen]

Hope this day finds you well.

Here is a brief background on me:


Name: Don

Age: 49 (50 years old in August, 25, 11)

Height: 5’ 7” (with high...heal shoes on)

Weight: 161 (BF 7.8%)

Marital status: Married 26 years (once, 27 years on april, 26, 11); two children 22, 25.

Years training: 4+

Personal Goals accomplished:

This isnt exaustive, but just a general background introduction.

2006-2007: (First Fitness Goal Attempt)

Starting Weight 2006: 190 pounds (approximate), "very fat", overweight with man boobs. Body fat very high.

Didn't check so not sure on Percentage.

Ending Weight May-June 2007: 152-154 pounds, over 40+ approximate pounds lost.

Ending Body Fat June 2007: 8% (DEXA)

Goal met: 40 pounds of weight lost. Defined ab core, maintaining/building as much muscle--as possible. Reduce back pain, take care of health and dexterity to be in a position to provide care for my wife as we get older.

Ending Pics at age 47/48 years old:






================================================== ========

June 2007 (Second Goal Attempt)

Weight Starting: 152-154 pounds

Body Fat: 8%

July 2008 (approximately):

Ending approximate weight: 161-162 pounds

Body Fat: 7.8%

Goal Met: One year (approximately) on a careful bulk to "net" a 7-8 pound increase in overall weight, and dip under 8% Body fat.






Currently, I am at about 7% BF, and 170 pounds.

Look forward to meeting you all, and helping where I can, and being a productive, and motivated member. Wes Referred me to the forum, and he is one good dude.

Best wishes,

Don

[BendtheBar]

Welcome to the forum Vitality. Physique looks great. Looking forward to seeing you smash some goals.

[Chillen]

Originally Posted by BendtheBar

Welcome to the forum Vitality. Physique looks great. Looking forward to seeing you smash some goals.

Thanks, for the welcome, BTB. Plan on making a journal here soon, and ready to rock this year out of the park, and bring in 50 with a new personal meaning.

Best wishes,

Don

[nighttrain]

welcome aboard Vitality

[wesrman]

Vitality is a very good friend of mine and one of the most stand up people ive ever known. Hes also one of my main inspirations not only in training/diet but in life in general. Im sure that with his positive outlook, vast knowledge, and friendly personality, he will be an asset to the community.

Welcome to the forum Don. Glad to see you decided to sign up.

[edurne]

Hi everybody,

I am Edurne and I am a forum participant from muscletalk and weightrainer.net forums.

A forum member should me this website which I like a lot!

Regards
Edurne