“A new lifter who would impact Westside forever was Chuck Vogelpohl. I was going to Toledo to get my 5th Elite Total and this was Chuck’s first meet. I was weighing in at 232 about 15 min outside of Toledo and started drinking Gatorade until I was over 242. After standing on the scale I was 240 and had to drink 3 more Gatorades to go in the 275’s. And yes, I made the 275 USPF total for Elite. Now on to Chuck: He was a National champion in 1987 and WPO World champion in 2007. On the way he broke many world squat records and constantly had the #1 ranking from 220 to 275. He was also just one of a few to win two divisions in the WPO, plus WPO World champ. Chuck was a great training partner and made it possible for me to lift the weights I did in my 50’s. I came close to dying in surgery in ’91 and had to be trached and have chest tubes placed. After intensive care for 5 days and a couple more in the hospital, Chuck and my wife picked me up and drove me to the gym. This was Tuesday and I did not need to — to talk. So on Sunday I drove to the gym for speed bench, but Chuck said, “You need to max out mother**cker.” So I did. I made 350 with a hole in my throat and stitches in my side from the chest tube.” – Louie Simmons #westsidebarbell #conjugate #strength #powerlifting #gym #motivation