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01-31-2015, 11:37 PM #1
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Mike Johnston is Rx Muscle's February 2015 Member of the Month!
Mike Johnston is Rx Muscle’s Member of the Month for February 2015!
Johnston is the Rx Muscle Strength Central editor and host of the Rx POWER Hour! Mike is a physical therapist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and currently trains at Strength Haven in Elkart, Indiana. The 45-year-old, 5’9”, 255 lbs. Johnston counts fiancée Crista, son Michael, and daughter Sissy as his greatest fans! Let’s learn more about this South Bend, Indiana Strongman!
Q: How did you get introduced to the iron – by family, sports, friends, your own interest?
A: I read muscle magazines when I was a kid, hanging out with older kids that lifted weights. And I was a comic book fan.
Q: How did you discover Strongman competitions?
A: I watched it on TV.
Q: And how did you become associated with Rx Muscle?
A: Rx Muscle started to cover the promotions I was involved in. I started by answering injury questions on the forum.
Q: What’s the best part of being the host of Rx POWER Hour?
A: The opportunity to speak with the guests and to learn from them.
L-R: Mike Johnston, Arnold, Dione Wessels
Q: What are your goals as Rx Muscle Strength Central editor?
A: My goal is to include more voices from the strength community. I want to provide a variety of ideas and perspectives.
Q: What sports did you play growing up?
A: Football, baseball, lacrosse, wrestling.
Q: Do you perform any specific grip-work?
A: I use a variety of grip devices, but I am mostly a fan of functional strength.
Q: In a sport rife with injuries, what are you doing to prolong your strongman career?
A: Pray....
Q: Who do you normally coach?
A: Alan Colley, Dan Gibson. I have given a variety of Pro and amateur athletes injury advice over the years.
Q: Any advice for those wanting to get into the sport?
A: First, get your gym lifts solid. It is STRONG man. Then just get out there and try it. Most of the events have tricks or techniques that one can learn over time.
Q: What is your overall training philosophy?
A: Train hard! Put the time in the gym with a focus on technique.
Q: How long have you been training seriously?
A: Over 30 years.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration or mentor in the strength game?
A: I have been fortunate enough to train with some strength legends. Donnie Thompson, Chuck Vogelpohl, Willies Wessels, Van Hatfield, Jon Andersen…
Q: What are some of the lifts you are most proud of?
A: 1014# squat @ 242, 780# deadlift @ 242, and 1000# 18" deadlift @ 231.
Q: What are the contests you are most proud of?
A: Winning the 2004 Amateur Strongman National Championship.
Q: What does your weekly nutrition, eating, meal plan look like?
A: Crap. Nutrition has never been my strong suit. I am kind of a fat kid!
Mike and Crew at Strength Haven!
Q: Do you recommend any supplements?
A: Food. Eat food. I do use Carnivore protein. Whey makes my belly hurt!
Q: How much sleep do you get each day?
A: 6-8 hours.
Q: What is your favorite movement at this time?
A: Deadlift. Always!!! It is just man against iron!
Q: What does your current training split look like?
A: Upper body, lower body, auxiliary movements. Repeat. Maybe a touch of cardio.
Q: What are the three most important movements for people trying to build strength?
A: Squat, deadlift, press.
Q: Strength training, hypertrophy, or both when starting out?
A: Both. Always.
Q: What is the worst competitive experience you’ve had (injury, etc.)?
A: My first Pro Strongman show was rough. I cut a bunch of weight and felt horrible. It was a super light show and I felt like I was running in quicksand the whole time.
Q: Any advice for regular people trying to take their training to the competitive level?
A: Commit. And find a coach in your area.
Q: Training partners, yes or no?
A: It is a must. It can make or break your training.
Q: Any shout-outs?
A: All the fans and potential fans of the Rx POWER Hour and Strength Central and the Strength Central Boards. This is your place for great information, conversation, and more. Post on the boards, listen to the show and LEARN!
Q: How can people contact you (email, social media, etc.)?
A: [email protected], Rx POWER Hour Facebook page, Rx Muscle's Strength Central Facebook page, and @rxmstrength on Twitter.
Mike, thank you for sharing part of your story. Wishing you continued success in the sport and as host of Rx POWER Hour!
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Join Rx Muscle on Facebook!
Contact [email protected] to be interviewed!
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02-01-2015, 12:57 AM #2
Wow, no mention on Bryan.
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02-01-2015, 07:33 AM #3
I am embarrassed to admit, I have just started listening to the Power Hour and am now hooked, going back and listening to old episodes (and old Bryan Hildebrand, love him too!).
My foundation will always be old school powerlifting, having competed in it for many years. I will always testament that it is, after all, the best way to build quality muscle and strength, with the main 3 lifts! My main gym is predominantly a Strongman/Powerlifting gym so it's bizarre that I never listened much before this week and then Mike is Member of the Month. Now I listen to HMR during cardio and PH is on around the house while I'm making meals. Thanks for all the great talk radio!
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02-01-2015, 07:37 AM #4
Congrats mike!! Great interview. Very impressed about training with chuck. Did you train with Donnie at the compound?
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkDON'T BE AVERAGE!!!
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02-01-2015, 10:09 AM #5
Congrats, Mike!
Training / Prep / Off-season coach: Kevin McDowell / Extreme One
Journal: Hoss06 Training Journal
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02-01-2015, 10:29 AM #6
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
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Twenty-plus years! Saw the prize package thread moments ago. Congratulations and wishing you continued success in powerlifting and Women's Physique, baby muscle.
Encouraging everyone who reads this to check out Mike Johnston hosting Rx POWER Hour @ http://www.rxmuscle.com/strength-radio.html.
And fellow Bryan Hildebrand fans can check out past episodes of American Strongman Radio @ http://strongmancorporation.com/cate...rongman-radio/.
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02-01-2015, 01:44 PM #7
Congrats, Mike!
Great interview, Curt.2016 RX Member of the Year & March 2015 Member of the Month
https://www.instagram.com/sunny52kg/
https://granitesupplements.com/ideva...ate.php?id=127
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02-01-2015, 02:50 PM #8
Thanks Curt!
This is a great place to learn and grow.
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02-02-2015, 09:12 PM #9
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- Apr 2014
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- USA....coast to coast!
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Babymuscle,
Thank you for listening! If you have any questions or comments please send them in! [email protected]
Thanks again!
MJLast edited by Mike Johnston; 02-02-2015 at 09:36 PM.
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02-02-2015, 09:13 PM #10
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Thank you, Sunnyday!
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02-02-2015, 09:19 PM #11
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G-D,
I started with Donnie, Marc Bartley (Spud, Inc.), and Keith Ferrara back in 2002 at the Original Compound. For two years before that I was training at Donnie's first gym, Thompson Barbell (later South Carolina Barbell and Heavy Athletics.) I trained in group two at Lexen for the first year and then one day I got moved into Chucks group. I trained with Chuck for the next 2.5 years. Also, trained with Willie Wessels, Jon Andersen, Van Hatfield, Brad Dunn, David Hansen, Mike Cartinian, Tex Henderson, Rich Adams and Brandon Lilly.
Thanks!
MJ
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02-02-2015, 09:21 PM #12
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Honza,
No disrespect to Bryan, but he was just my radio partner for a while. We had good chemistry, but he went his way and I went mine.
Best,
MJ
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02-02-2015, 09:37 PM #13
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- Apr 2014
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Thanks, Hoss06!
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02-03-2015, 09:17 PM #14
Congrats Mike!
"Don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry" -Dr. David Banner
“Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart” - Anne Frank
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02-04-2015, 02:39 AM #15
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Mike J is DA MAN!
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