STRONG LIFE Powerlifting with a Purpose

Inaugural Issue * October 2020

INSIDE: Florida State Championships

Pure Strength Push Pull Girls Gone Strong: Welcome Panther Powerlifting

MORE !!!

“Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”

Ephesians 6:10

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

EDITOR: Dr. Spero S. Tshontikidis

STRONG LIFE 610 LEADERSHIP TEAM: Dr. Spero Tshontikidis, Strong Life 610 President / R.A.W. United Founder

Bill Beekley, R.A.W. United Masters & Florida State Chair Tony Conyers, R.A.W. United Chaplain

Olivia Figura, R.A.W. United Youth & Teenage Chair Caryn Tshontikidis, Strong Life 610 / R.A.W. United Secretary &Treasurer

STRONG LIFE 610 ADVISORY BOARD: Tom Armstrong

Jim Cantrell Larry Dromerhauser

Wolfgang Kermer Steve LeClair

Matthew Thompson

STRONG LIFE: is the quarterly newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. and America’s Christian Powerlifting Federation, R.A.W. United. During the 2021 powerlifting season, the newsletter will be published in January, April, July, and October. STRONG LIFE will feature contest reviews, training articles, lifter spotlights, and Christian teachings, and is offered free of charge to the STRONG LIFE 610 / R.A.W. UNITED powerlifting family.

“Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”

Ephesians 6:10

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

ON THE COVER: Editor’s Review of the October 2020 issue of STRONG LIFE

CONTEST REVIEWS & UPDATES: 2020 Florida State Championships Review

2020 Pure Strength Push/Pull 2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza Update

POWER FEATURES: Girls Gone Strong: STRONG LIFE 610 Welcomes Panther Powerlifting &

Reviews 2020 Panther Power Day

CHALK & CHURCH: Ephesians 6:10

“Be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might”

CONTEST CALENDAR: Upcoming Meets Sanctioned by R.A.W. United

WHAT’S NEXT: A Preview of the January 2021 issue of STRONG LIFE

CONTACT US: STRONG LIFE 610, Inc.

107 LaCosta Street, Unit 402 Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

321-505-1194 stronglife610inc@gmail.com

Idaho State Chairman Dr. Mitchel Thornton at the 2020 Pure Strength Push/Pull

“Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might”

Ephesians 6:10

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

ON THE COVER:

THE OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE OF STRONG LIFE

The “inaugural” edition of STRONG LIFE marks the return of Christian powerlifting to Florida’s east coast, the expansion of R.A.W. United’s ministry into the Pacific Northwest, and the renewal of the federation’s commitment to be America’s premier Christian powerlifting federation. For those that became a part of the R.A.W. United family after I went on a three-year, blues-rock, world tour with Caryn and our band mates from Unit Five pictured below, we look forward to meeting you over the course of the 2021 powerlifting season. And to those we have had the good fortune of knowing since we founded the Strong Life 610 ministry and R.A.W. United Powerlifting Federation, I am stoked to share the platform with you once again!

From left to right: Caryn, Spero, Matt, Digger, and Steve performing live in Viera, Florida

Before we review the contents of the October issue of STRONG LIFE, lets pause and give thanks to God for our brother, friend, and powerlifting’s greatest ambassador, Coach Bill Beekley. Bill took over the reigns of R.A.W. United when Bob Gaynor and I decided to take a break after 30 years of running meets together. Bill will continue to serve as Florida’s State Chairman and will also take charge of our Master’s Division at the Federation level (see the “MEET THE TEAM” column of the January issue of STRONG LIFE for more information).

Bill getting ready for another record lift and training the ladies at Strong Life Tampa Bay

Within the pages of the “inaugural” issue of STRONG LIFE, we will review the 2020 Florida State Championships, introduce the lifters of the Pacific Northwest that competed in the 2020 Pure Strength Push/Pull, and welcome the girls from Viera Charter School in our review of their 2020 Panther Power Day. In addition, we will update you on the upcoming Tony Conyers Extravaganza (November 21), discuss our ministry’s defining Biblical scripture, Ephesians 6:10, in the “CHALK & CHURCH” column, and list upcoming meets in the “CONTEST CALENDAR.” Finally, we will also look forward to the January issue of STRONG LIFE in the “WHAT’S NEXT” column.

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

CONTEST REVIEWS & UPDATES:

2020 FLORIDA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS On Saturday, August 22, Bill Beekley and the team at STRONG LIFE Tampa Bay hosted the 2020 Florida State Championships. The 2020 Florida State Meet was low in numbers due to the Corona virus, but the energy level was pumping throughout the day as the Records Books were shattered in every division! Before we get started, however, many thanks to Bill Beekley and Tony Conyers for hosting the event and keeping powerlifting alive in the state of Florida! And, most important, thanks to Bill and Tony for keeping our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in charge of it all! From my end at the score table, it was great to see everyone again and meet so many great folks! Thanks so much to all of you for supporting Natalie both on and off the platform, and Natalie and I are STOKED to be back in our great sport and look forward to hosting all of you at future events in our brand new gym at Viera Charter School – more to come! Many more thanks to Bill, Tony, James Jacobs, Burl Morgan, Everton Frances, Tiffany Mitchell, and Caleb Vance for officiating, spotting, and loading throughout the day – without these folks, meets just don’t happen! And more thanks to Suzanne LaForge and Tony Conyers for presenting Bill Beekley with his most-deserved Appreciation awards – Bill is without a doubt one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors! And finally, thanks and praise to the Maker and Creator of all things, our source of TRUE STRENGTH - Jesus Christ! And now to the lifting …

Natalie Norcross set the standard in the Youth Division

WOMEN’S DIVISION

WRITE-UP & RESULTS Eleven-year-old Natalie Norcross, who will be Team Captain of the recently revived “Girls Gone Strong” team now headquartered at Viera Charter School in Melbourne, Florida, started things off by breaking records across the board in the 77 pound class. Val Wolfe of Tampa buried a 250 pound squat and went on to total 670 pounds in the 132s and capture Best Lifter honors. Dr. Tanya Gold of Strong Life Tampa Bay finished at 410 while providing free bone density scans to lifters and spectators. Sierra Ramone of Tampa went 245, 115, 265 to top the 148s, and Strong Life Tampa Bay lifters Janet Reynolds (78) and Bonnie Thurston (80) rounded out the Master’s class with 430 and 360 totals, respectively. Mary Verardi, representing 24 Hour Fitness in Sanford, won the 165s with her 505 pound total, and took home Best Lifter Honors in the Masters division. Heidi Christiansen of Tampa was right behind Mary, with lifts of 165, 110, and 205, while 90 year old Trudy Daxon of Strong Life Tampa Bay went 30 and 115 in the push-pull. Brandie Bennett of Valrico nailed an awesome 265 pound squat en route to a record breaking 735 pound total to win the 181s. Thirteen-year-old Evelyn Haner, also representing 24 Hour Fitness in Sanford, broke all the Youth Records in the 181s with lifts of 175, 110, and 190 to set a new standard in the Youth division. Powerlifting phenom Taylar Stallings was back on the platform to grip it and rip it as well, and she didn’t disappoint, pulling a strong 500 pound deadlift! And Master lifter Lou Ann Petersen of 24 Hour Fitness in Sanford closed out the women’s competition, with a 305 pound total.

WOMEN 77 13-U Natalie Norcross 87 50 125 262 132 OPEN Val Wolfe 250 135 285 670 45-49 Tanya Gold 120 100 190 410 148 OPEN Sierra Romero 245 115 265 625 75-79 Janet Reynolds 125 100 205 430 80-84 Bonnie Thurston 105 65 190 360 165 50-54 Mary Verardi 165 115 225 505 45-49 Heidi Christiansen 165 110 205 480 90-94 Trudy Daxon n/a 30 115 145 181 40-44 Brandie Bennett 265 165 305 735 13-U Evelyn Haner 175 110 190 475 OPEN Taylor Stallings n/a n/a 500 n/a 198+ 65-69 Lou Ann Peterson 75 80 150 305

MEN’S DIVISION WRITE-UP & RESULTS

On the men’s side, Baskal Korkis of Strong Life Tampa Bay went 375, 275, and 455 to capture the 181s before heading to the airport to catch a flight – safe travels, brother! Delon Thomas of Strong Life Tampa Bay finished with an impressive 1240 total to win both the 198 pound class and Best Lifter honors. Stanley Domino of Titusville (50-54) and John Bertalan of Tarpon Springs (70-74) both pushed Master’s records in the bench with lifts of 345 and 167, respectively. Virgil Diaz, also from Strong Life Tampa Bay, got the crowd fired up on every lift, going nine for nine and a 1260 total in the 220s. Adam Winterstein of South Daytona, coached by Master’s legend Larry Russell, finished on top of the 242s with lifts of 380, 310, and 560. Dr. Thomas Dozier of Strong Life Tampa Bay (60-64) posted incredible numbers to tally a 1205 total, and teammate Chris Dunbar finished at 1095. James Allen of Jacksonville nailed a 365 pound record bench in the 50-54 year old age group, and United States Marine Corps and Iraqi war veteran Jbo Harrison pulled and impressive 585 pound deadlift – thanks for your service, brother! Strong Life Tampa Bay Master lifter Raymond Hodges finished out the day with lifts of 600, 505, and 705 to take home the title in the 308+ class and Best Lifter honors in the Master’s division.

MEN 181 OPEN Buskal Korkis 375 275 455 1105 198 OPEN Delon Thomas 420 315 505 1240 50-54 Stanley Domino n/a 345 n/a n/a 70-74 John Bertalan n/a 167 n/a n/a 220 55-59 Virgil Diaz 470 265 525 1260 242 40-44 Adam Winterstein 315 310 580 1205 60-64 Thomas Dozier 415 330 460 1205 OPEN Chris Dunbar 370 275 450 1095 50-54 James Allen n/a 365 n/a n/a OPEN Jbo Harrison n/a n/a 585 n/a 308+ 40-44 Raymond Hodges 600 505 705 1810

Spero and USMC / Iraqi combat veteran Jbo Harrison at the Tony Conyers Extravaganza

2020 PURE STRENGTH PUSH / PULL We are STOKED to welcome Dr. Mitchel Thornton and the great folks of Idaho and Washington to the R.A.W. United family! Mitch will serve as both the Idaho State Chairman and the Regional Chairman for the Pacific Northwest, and we are hoping to coordinate with lifters from Washington to establish a presence in the state.

WOMEN’S DIVISION WRITE-UP & RESULTS

Six ladies from Idaho and Washington participated in Pacific Northwest’s first meet sanctioned by R.A.W. United. Crystal Paul’s 135 bench and 315 deadlift in the 148s topped the class and earned her Best Lifter honors. Amanda Klempel registered a strong 150 pound bench en-route to her 400 pound total and Carrie Silva finished with lifts of 105 and 225 to round out the Open 148s. Master lifter Jen Melberg, also lifting in the 148s, finished with a 270 pound total to set the standard in the Washington State Record Book. Roseanne Jezerinac and Taylor Carter competed the 181s with Roseanne finishing with a 490 total on lifts of 115 and 375 and Taylor going 95 and 185.

Ladies of the Pacific Northwest

WOMEN 148 OPEN Crystal Paul 135 315 450 OPEN Amanda Klempel 150 250 400 OPEN Carrie Silva 105 225 330 45-49 Jen Melberg 95 175 270 181 OPEN Roseanne Jezerinac 115 375 490 OPEN Taylor Carter 95 185 280

Best Lifters Issac Fleming and Crystal Paul

MEN’S DIVISION

WRITE-UP & RESULTS Idaho State Chairman and Meet Director Mitch Thorton led off the men’s side with impressive lifts of 245 and 330 in the 148s. Zach Webster also went unopposed in the 165, posting a solid 255 bench and 385 deadlift. Cody Bloomsburg and Chase Spencer battled it out in the 181s, with Cody finishing at 755 and Chase at 630. Steve Carter went 275 and 600 to finish on top in the 198s, followed by Daniel Gonzalez at 745 and Master lifter David Atwood at 645. Brendan Essig and Dylan Russell finished at 784 and 745, respectively, in the 220s, and Master lifter David Atwood posted a 315 single lift bench. 242 pounder Issac Fleming went 385 and 605 to capture Best Lifter honors, and teenage lifter Trevor Baune went 250, 515 in the 275s. Jordan Husted, lifting in his first powerlifting meet, went 235 and 450 in the 308+ class – welcome brother! MEN 148 55-59 Mitch Thornton 245 330 575 165 OPEN Zach Webster 255 385 640 181 OPEN Cody Bloomsburg 300 455 755 OPEN Chase Spencer 225 405 630 198 OPEN Steve Carter 275 600 875 OPEN Daniel Gonzalez 310 435 745 55-59 David Atwood 225 420 645 220 OPEN Brenden Essig 295 490 785 OPEN Dylan Russell 290 440 745 45-49 Darin Boyd 315 - - 242 OPEN Isaac Fleming 385 605 990 275 14-15 Trevor Baune 250 515 765 308+ OPEN Jordan Husted 235 450 685

Jordan Husted

2020 TONY CONYERS EXTRAVAGANZA UPDATE

On Saturday, November 21, Bill Beekley and the team at STRONG LIFE Tampa Bay will host the 2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza. The meet is shaping up to have a huge turnout, with full teams from STRONG LIFE Tampa Bay and Viera Charter School already committed to compete. Plan on a two-session day as lifters from all over the state have already signed up. It’s gonna be a lot of fun, so get your entry in now!

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

POWER FEATURES:

GIRLS GONE STRONG: 2020 PANTHER POWER DAY

STRONG LIFE is STOKED to introduce you to “Girls Gone Strong,” the newly established powerlifting team at Viera Charter School (VCS)! On Saturday, October 24, the girls “hosted” an inter-squad meet to introduce both the lifters and their families to competitive powerlifting. All the girls did one attempt on each lift so they could experience all the “ins and outs” of the meet experience in preparations for the 2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza.

If lifters could get white lights for being cute, these girls would never miss a lift!

The girls range in age from seven to twelve, and their technique, and weights, are getting more refined week by week. In an effort to limit the potential for injury and ensure the girls would be ready to train the following Monday, they recorded light openers so they could focus on following Bill’s commands and completing their lifts successfully. With our 2020 Panther Power Day behind us, the girls are extremely excited to compete in Tampa, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the 2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza!

Row 1: Greyson, Hailey, Mia, Lacey, Hannah, Audriana, Ashley

Row 2: Carolina, Amelia, Bella, Sara, Mariam Row 3: Natalie, Eliana, Madison, Gaby, Ari, Nalani, Grace

Row 4: Coaches Spero and Olivia Many thanks to Bill Beekley, Detective Wolfgang Kermer, and Yanni Tshontikidis for judging, Coach Olivia Figura for getting the girls warmed up, Jen Weber and her daughter, Madi, for announcing and scoring, our parents for affording their daughters the opportunity to experience the world’s strongest sport, and VCS Assistant Principal Tom Armstrong for his support of our girls and program! Finally, and most important, thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all He has done for us both on and off the competitive platform!

GIRLS GONE STRONG 66 10-11 Ashley Polacek 45 30 75 150 10-11 Greyson Decker 45 30 75 150 8-9 Audriana Buitrago 35 15 55 105 7-U Hailey Goizueta 35 15 55 105 7-U Hannah Goizueta 35 15 45 95 8-9 Lacey Pittman 35 15 35 85 77 8-9 Mia Spragis-McMullen 45 20 65 130 88 10-11 Natalie Norcross 75 35 115 225 10-11 Gabriela Buigues 65 30 85 180 97 10-11 Ari Snavely 45 25 65 135 105 12-13 Grace Stapleton 65 35 95 195 10-11 Eliana Burrs 65 40 85 190 10-11 Mariam Mizyed 55 25 75 155 10-11 Amelia DeLaCruz 55 25 65 145 12-13 Carolina Wright 45 25 65 135 114 10-11 Bella Fallon 55 35 85 175 12-13 Nalani Arce 55 30 75 160 198+ 12-13 Madison Hirsche 65 35 95 195

Lacey Pittman gripping and ripping at the 2020 Panther Power Day

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

CHALK & CHURCH:

EPHESIANS 6:10

“BE STRONG IN THE LORD, AND THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT.”

Ephesians 6:10, which reads: “Be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might,” has been the spiritual battle cry of Strong Life 610, Inc. and the R.A.W. United Powerlifting Federation since their inception in 2007. The verse lends itself as a metaphor to the world’s strongest sport, but it is its full context that truly aligns our mission with the Apostle Paul’s teaching. Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:10-18:

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and the power of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the

devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against

the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes of the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish

all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 Take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

As you can “see,” Paul addresses the practical application of Christianity with a famous series of metaphors. Here, he describes the “armor of God.” In this passage, Paul uses the allegory of a Roman soldier’s basic equipment to show how the components of Christianity work together as we strive to serve God. The soldier’s tools include a belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword. In parallel, the Christian’s implements are truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. Christians are also given prayer. Just as a soldier’s equipment is designed for their earthly battle, a Christian’s equipment is meant for spiritual warfare. Only by relying on God, through these spiritual tools, can we overcome spiritual evil and succeed at living out God’s will.

REMEMBER,

IT’S NOT ABOUT POWERLIFTING, IT’S ABOUT PEOPLE!

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

CONTEST CALENDAR

2020:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza Strong Life Tampa Bay

Tampa, Florida

Contact Bill Beekley * beekley220@gmail.com * (813) 362-1908

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12

2020 Beast of the Bench! Rove Crossfit

Lewiston, Idaho

Contact Mitchel Thornton * Dfitptc@gmail.com * (208) 750-8676 Contact Daniel Gonzalez * danielgonzalez84@icloud.com * (208)553-3371

2021:

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

2020 Idaho State Championships BA Nutrition & Fitness

Lewiston, Idaho

Contact Mitchel Thornton * Dfitptc@gmail.com * (208) 750-8676 Contact Daniel Gonzalez * danielgonzalez84@icloud.com * (208)553-3371

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

2021 Girls Gone Strong Women’s Open Viera Charter School

Viera, Florida

Contact Spero Tshontikidis * stronglife610inc@gmail.com * (321) 5050-1194

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MAY 15-16

2021 Florida State Championships Viera Charter School

Viera, Florida

Contact Spero Tshontikidis * stronglife610inc@gmail.com * (321) 5050-1194

THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, & SUNDAY JULY 29, 30, 31 & AUGUST 1

2021 R.A.W. UNITED FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS Viera Charter School

Viera, Florida

Contact Spero Tshontikidis * stronglife610inc@gmail.com * (321) 5050-1194

MORE TO COME !!!

The Official Newsletter of STRONG LIFE 610, Inc. & R.A.W. United Inaugural Issue * October 2020

WHAT’S NEXT:

THE JANUARY 2021 ISSUE OF STRONG LIFE

The January issue of our STRONG LIFE newsletter will cover the 2020 Tony Conyers Extravaganza, the 2020 Beast of the Bench, and preview the 2021 powerlifting season. We will also update readers on our expansion efforts, discuss the newly created FEDERATION CHAMPIONSHIPS scheduled for July 29, 30, 31, and August 1, and examine how these two efforts will impact single lift and full power records moving forward. In our “Chalk and Church” column, we will take a deep dive into Proverbs 16:3 (“Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed”) in relation to our vision of being America’s premier Christian powerlifting federation. Until then, stay strong in the Lord and we look forward to seeing everyone on the platform! God Bless, Spero