I’ve never read a book cover to cover, not even in school. To this day, if something is too wordy or messes with my head too much, I won’t keep looking at it. I’ve never been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer, yet here I am, Editor-at-Xtra- Large of Power Magazine. How did I get here?

BACKSTORY

On Dec. 13, 2008, I jumped into my first single ply meet. It was a great day of lifting for me and I broke the 308-lb. United States Powerlifting Federation (USPF) record. I was feeling good, because any all-time USPF record is pretty damn tough to beat.

The next day I got a phone call from my dad. “Michael is dead!” he shouted. “I am so sorry. Michael is dead.” The news hit me like a bomb. My oldest brother, my hero, was dead. Mike got me into weight lifting, football and pro wrestling, and gave me the nickname Smelly. Some brothers don’t get along, but growing up it was always the three of us — me, Chris and Mike — and we were always close.

There are rumors and theories about how Mike died. The reality is that he was bipolar and addicted to drugs. Over 15 years, I watched him rot before my eyes. It broke my heart, and I worried about him every day. I love you and miss you, big brother.

FAST FORWARD

Ever since my brother’s death, my mind races. I think more clearly — or maybe I’m finally thinking period. It’s like a side of my brain has awakened. I started thinking of new business ideas for my gym, Super Training; my website; even designing my own line of Super Training equipment. And, in this flurry of brainpower, I created Power.

POWER

Power is dedicated to raising the profile of the strongest athletes in the world. Powerlifting is made of up of the strongest men and women on the planet, and we want to give them an international platform to show the world what they can do. Bodybuilding has become popular through print magazines; the same can be done in powerlifting. I’d like to become the Joe Wieder of powerlifting, minus the big ’stache.

POWER LINEUP

Power’s outstanding lineup of powerful writers will give people the kick in the ass they need. Here is a quick snapshot of a few members of our advisory board:

Scott “Hoss” Cartwright is one of the greatest squatters in the world right now, with a 1,025-lb. single ply and a 1,160-lb. multi-ply squat to his credit. After seeing him train every day, these massive numbers are no surprise. Hoss is a throwback lifter. No frills. No gimmicks. He fixes problems with hard work, aggression and maybe some duct tape, if needed. His days of shoveling shit and digging trenches on a milk farm helped mold him into a great powerlifter.

Gene Rychlak is the only man to ever squat and bench press a grand. He was also the first lifter to break the 1,000-lb. bench barrier. Big Gene is the International Powerlifting Association chairman and is getting ready for a return to the platform. Gene provides readers with a rant they won’t soon forget.

Rob “Belly Bencher” Luyando has smashed world records at a frantic pace from 220 all the way up to 308 lbs. Rob’s mental toughness and full-bore training style made him one of the best benchers ever.

These contributors, as well as many others, will help us make POWER the best powerlifting magazine out there. As you will see with this premier issue and the others to follow, this is not your average strength magazine.

As my brother Mike once stated, “I'd rather be dead than average.”
Thanks for reading,

MARK BELL
Editor-At-Xtra-Large

The debut of POWER was outstanding and I want thank everyone involved from the writers to the readers. We had some excellent feedback from our subscribers. Our goal is to absorb what is said, both positive and negative, and allow that information to help guide us.

In this issue, we’ve added “Coaches’ Corner” and a Strongman article by Pro Strongman Karl Gillingham. Karl is one-third of the strongest trio of brothers to walk the face of the earth: the Gillinghams. Karl and his family have been around the strength circles for years and they know their trade well. Look for more Strongman articles in upcoming issues of POWER.

Coaches’ Corner has Chris Carlisle, the head strength coach at the University of Southern California, and New Jersey’s own Internet icon Zach Even-Esh. Their coaching tips may help you become a better coach, trainer or crazy parent that forces their kid to kick everyone’s ass at their given sport.

“Hoss” Cartwright writes about his top-secret spreadsheet training and the benefits of goal-setting. The underrated Brian Carroll gives you a look inside his current training system. He’s hit some huge numbers lately and approaches his lifting by training hard and using his fat, bloated head.

Laura Phelps, who graces our cover, reveals some details about her big squat and … her big butt? Seriously, take another look at the cover and appreciate her lower body development. It’s unreal. Laura competes at 165 lbs. and routinely bangs out reps with 100-lb.-plus dumbbells on the bench, hammers out tons of reps on pull-ups and has totaled well over 10 times her bodyweight. Read her article and try not to feel like you should jump off a bridge because you’re feeling inadequate.

By the time this is in your hands, my fat face will be thinner; I’m moving to the 275-lb. class. Wish me luck — I’m going to need it. As my wife always says when I’m walking out the door for a meet, “Good luck at the weigh-ins.” Knowledge is POWER,

Mark Bell
Editor-At-Xtra-Large