WOW! That is how it makes me feel to get to interview this person for the world. Not only is he my best friend, he is my training partner & my handler. He has elevated my game and as my game has gone up so his game has began. He has the biggest heart, strongest will, & a zeroed in focus like no other I have ever trained or trained with.

Brian: Tom please tell everyone a little about yourself? Family? Age?
Occupation?

Tom: I was born in Indiana and moved to Florida when I was 12. Been here ever since. I graduated from Plant High School where I played football. I also love to drag race in my spare time. I'm married with two daughters. Sara my youngest is my pride and joy. I am 40 years young and own a construction business with my brother.

Brian: How long have you been lifting? Competing? How did you get started in powerlifting?

Tom: I have been lifting for 18 years. I was also lifting the wrong way because I was magazine taught. I was a member of 54th Avenue Gym that you owned. We were also a sponsor. One day you came to me and asked if I was interested in becoming a powerlifter. I said I didn't know, because I ain't tried it yet. So you then started teaching me and that was 2 years ago now.

Brian: Where do you train and why? What makes the experience worth training there?

Tom: I train at Titanium Barbell Club because you bought 54th Avenue Gym and that's what you renamed it. The experience is worth it because of the atmosphere, the family of the gym, fun times, memories, and the brotherhood in powerlifting. Having you there as a training partner has made it worthwhile and I sure have learned a lot.

Brian: When you started what were your best lifts and how would you rate them now with all that you have learned?

Tom: My best lifts when I started were a 315 bench, a 300 squat and I had never experienced the deadlift. All these numbers were accomplished with poor technique. I would rate them now, keeping in mind what I now know, as a start and a foundation for my future.

Brian: What are some of your current best lifts in the gym and on the lifting platform?

Tom: Some of my current best lifts are: a 480 bench with a shirt of course, 565 squat, and a 485 deadlift. My best lifts on the platform are 535 squat, 475 bench, a 470 deadlift and a 1477.5 total in competition.

Brian: I know you are a WPA World & National champion in the bench press and strict curl. What was it like to win these events?

Tom: Winning these events, well it wasn't about winning; it was about all the preparation to move my numbers and to achieve my best. Also to just be a part of powerlifting because it is the best thing I have ever done with myself.

Brian: You also now have an APA national championship in powerlifting to add to this. What made this accomplishment different than the other titles in the bench press & strict curl?

Tom: The APA Nationals was only my second full power meet. It didn't matter if I had won the Nationals as long as I moved my numbers up. I am not trying to be number one just move my numbers up.

Brian: What were your lifts and total? Did you set any records that day?

Tom: I squatted 535, benched 472.5, and deadlifted 470 for a 1477.5 total. That day I set 2 APA Florida state masters records (Drug Free and Non-tested) 472.5.

Brian: I have personally trained with you now for the past 2 years and we have become very good friends. Tell the lifters that are up and coming what you believe are the most important things you can do to improve.

Tom: Set Up, Technique, and Power. Learn these things in that order, than master them. Don't brag about your lifts. Find a training partner that loves the sport as much as you. Don't dwell on the bad lifts, you will get better. Most of all you got to want it, to do it. Oh and don't let your board work numbers fool you, they are what they are.

Brian: Do you think nutrition and supplements are important to a powerlifter? How have they helped you and has this aspect helped with your general overall health?

Tom: Yes, just train hard, eat right, take your vitamins and protein shakes. Doing this brought my blood pressure and cholesterol down. Powerlifting has given me my health back.

Brian: You are a drug free lifter and have advanced very fast in the sport without steroids. What do you think about STEROIDS and there role in sports?

Tom: I think that steroids are a very dangerous and it is a shame that athletes use them for a little glory and lose part of their life because of health reasons. It is like giving a part of your soul to the devil for being great for a moment.

Brian: Is it hard to go out and know in the back of your mind that someone can use steroids to compete against you in some cases?

Tom: Not really, if they need to compete in the drug free class to feel stronger then so be it. The part that gets me is that it is not looked into more. Besides it is not worth killing themselves for a few years of glory. Too many lifters get caught up in the glory of winning, being the strongest or biggest name. You can only train to be the strongest for meet day and anything can happen on that day. I lift with what ever god gives me and I am going to be here for a long time.

Brian: What would you say to a new lifter on that subject of steroids or how do you deal with the issue?

Tom: Try training hard for a year, talk to people in the sport and learn as much as you can. Be open minded and when you learn something new that works utilize it. You are not a professional powerlifter, to be an elite powerlifter you must be willing to learn and dedicate yourself. Find training partners that have the same goals as you. When you are on the platform remember don't worry about everyone else, after all you're getting experience. In 1 year if you don't have a few new good friends and a lot of fun you will know it is not for you. Also remember that life is more important than a drug, so don't use steroids!

Brian: Want to share with the CriticalBench.com readers how you got the nickname "White Rhino"?

Tom: Not really, but if you insist it was a nickname you gave me because the White Rhino is the rarest of its kind in the wild. You must have thought I was a rare find in the powerlifting world because I"ve been by your side for over 2-years now.

Brian: Is there anyone you would like to thank? Family, Friends or sponsors?

Tom: First of all I would like to give the biggest thanks to God for keeping me safe and giving me strength. I would like to thank my wife for putting up with 20 hours of training a week. I would like to thank my daughter Sara for her endless support. I'd also like to thank my mom and dad for being in my corner. I would like to thank you Brian for the day you asked me to train with you and teaching me, hanging out, your never ending encouragement, and friendship. (I have much to thank you for.) Thanks to my friend Mike from Criticalbench.com for training with me and his team support. I would also like to thank JoJo for his support (He keeps telling me "God has not yet set my numbers.)

Tom Bodenbender with Gary Frank

Rhino Bench Pressing 520 Pounds Off A Phone Book

Interviewer: Brian "IrishOx" Highnote is the current owner of Titanium Barbell Cub in Saint Petersburg, Florida and is a multi-National and World champion Powerlifter. He is also the coach of the Titanium Titans Power Team. He has been coaching and mentoring for over 5 years.

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