“My strength and fitness journey began 34 years ago at my first powerlifting competition in junior high. I won my first state title setting two state records; one for the squat and another for the deadlift which still stands to my knowledge. The fact that I was able to lift more than most kids my age (and some adults!) was like a drug. It was intoxicating to me. I was hooked!
My path in powerlifting continued several years after high school where I met a group of lifters at a local gym in Tulsa. I befriended Hugh Dunagan who at the time was one of the top lifters in the world. Hugh was a student of Rickey Dale Crain who was recently inducted to the powerlifting hall of fame. Hugh along with others took me under their wing and showed me how to cycle training, how to target weaknesses and how to properly peak for competition. I took to this way of training like nothing else I have ever done and rapidly climbed the powerlifting ranks in my own right. I achieved top three placings at national and world competitions and had “arrived”, so I thought.
In 2002 I met a gentleman by the name of Wes Wright who completely changed my lifting life forever. He came to a state competition that I was hosting and struck up a conversation with me. His knowledge of the lifting game impressed me but what impressed me even more was his boldness and conviction of what he said he could do for me as a strength athlete. I didn’t know this guy from Adam, but he went on to tell me that he could make me one of the strongest men in the world.
Well, I believed that I was already there, but I agreed to take his challenge. I have not been the same since. He showed me things that I had never seen before. He told me of ways to become strong without handling max poundage week in and week out and crippling my body. He killed me in about 20 minutes using nothing more than two 36-pound kettlebells and a bicycle. To make a long story short, he helped me put over 100 pounds on my squat, 35 pounds on my bench, and 50 pounds on my deadlift; all in a matter of 4 months!
I can never begin to repay Wes for the knowledge that he passed on to me. He influenced numbers of people over the years from boxers, MMA fighters, power-lifters, strongmen, and the average Joe at the gym just trying to feel better about himself. Wes was truly a special person and I truly miss him now that he is gone. His influence still lives in me and I strive to use Pillar Strength Gym as a platform to share this knowledge and experience to influence and help as many people as I can. Wes had a vision for the strength and fitness world. I hope to continue his legacy and build one of my own in my effort to offer up one of the most unique gyms around.”
- Jim Gorrell - Pillar Strength Gym Owner
