Up & Coming Star Mike MULE Miller - Ironlife Magazine Issue #23

The date was January 8, 2005. MULE stepped up to squat. He was competing in Johnstown New York at the 2nd annual International Powerlifting Association Gorilla Warfare Full Power Meet. His opening squat beat the record at 1150lbs. As if that wasn't enough, he followed it up with 1200lbs on his second attempt.

Name: Michael C. Miller "MULE"
Age: 37
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 365
Years Training: 5 yrs as a powerlifter, weights and hay bails all my life
Website: http://www.nazbar.com

*Sachet: Hiya Mike! Please tell us a lil about yourself so we get an idea of who you are as a person. For instance, where you grew up, your family life, educational backround and what your interests are outside of powerlifting.

*Mike: I grew up in Bushkill twp PA. I spent my summers working on a farm and cutting firewood. I spent a great deal of time in the woods hunting and fishing. I was an outdoor kid, my mom couldn't keep me inside. I was an only child.

I currently live in Tatamy PA, I was a police officer for 8yrs prior to owning Nazareth Barbell. I have 5 kids and one on the way, I try to spend as much time with them as I can we usually go fishing and swimming in the summer and in the fall and winter we play football on Sunday. Outside of powerlifting I would say I like doing strongman events, spending time with my kids, going to the highland games, I would like to start hunting again this year ...

*Sachet: We're practically neighbors! You're obviously a big guy.. have you always been strong and were you into sports growing up?

*Mike: Yes, I graduated high school at a body weight of 315. I played football and wrestled. As far as strength I have always had it, my mom's family are highlanders and very large people. I think this is why I have such a calling for stone lifts.

*Sachet: It wouldn't surprise me! How did you get into powerlifting?

*Mike: My wife deb got me into it. I met her at a gym. She was already on a team and suggested I try it.

*Sachet: It's probably great being with someone who can relate to your training and prep work. How many training partners or spotters do you use when you're working out?

*Mike: My buddy JT, Kyle Millheiser who totaled 2,200lb at 275 at 20yrs of age, Murph, Dan and my good friend and ART guy Chris Reidy.

*Sachet: You're fortunate to have that many people wanting to train with you. I always hear guys complaining because they can't find anyone to train with them. What's your opinion regarding the use of supportive equiptment used in powerlifting today?

*Mike: Well I would like to see it made universal and have a limit put on it. But for now it's what's going on and if you can't work the gear, you're missing out.

Mike's weekly training schedule

Monday
Accessory work
glut hams
sled
rev hyper
stone lifts

Tuesday
skill work bench press
flat bench or incline/ decline
triceps
biceps

Wednesday
off

Thurday
shoulders / upper back
rack pulls
shrugs
front side raises
t bar rows

Friday
squat

*Sachet: Is there anything different in the manner in which you train compared to other powerlifters?

*Mike: Yes, it's a 90% based system that my team and I do it's called ESP training. The system we use at Nazareth Barbell is based off of a 5 week wave, Zero Momentum Work and CNS (Central Nervous System) Overload. This system is designed to optimize strength by using a maximal amount of weight through active resistance, zero momentum and progressive force training. We also use the Conjugate Method which allows use to train all year long free of injury and we continue to get stronger. These methods are some of the best in the world and have produced some of the strongest powerlifters on the planet, if followed correctly you will maximize your strength in a very short period of time.

*Sachet: That CNS overload caught my eye. I'll have to look into that more. What advice would you give someone just starting out?

*Mike: Golf. You'll make more money and people won't hate you if you're good.
Work with someone who has some experience under their belt. Lift for yourself and have FUN. Don't take it so seriously that you forget what's really important.

*Sachet: Golf? *lol!* That was pretty funny.. I like golf though. How many calories do you consume in a day and what's an example of your daily menu?

*Mike: I consume 5,000-8,000 calories a day.

breakfast
8 scrambled eggs
2 slices wheat toast
2 cups rolled oats

snack
protein shake
3 cups diced chicken with mayo

lunch 19-24 oz red meat
cup of green veggies
MHP up your mass shake

snack
2 cans tuna or chicken

dinner
grilled chicken salad
or steak, chili
some sort of protein

*Sachet: Does your diet change much just prior to competing?

*Mike: I add some carbs the week before but that's really about it.

*Sachet: Do you use any suppliments? If so, which ones have you found work best for you?

*Mike: I use MHP brand supplements, Like up your mass, Trac etc.

*Sachet: You mentioned doing 'stone lifts' as part of your workout.. what are they? Are you talking about those boulders like the ones used in the strongman competitions?

*Mike: Yes, we have 5 different stones ranging in weight from 180 -355 they are a sh*tload of fun, we do them for time and reps.

*Sachet: I use a weighted ball to workout sometimes and it definately works your muscles differently. Have you ever competed or do you have any future plans to compete in a strongman competition?

*Mike: I will be competing in strongman this year..not sure when.

*Sachet: Which strongman event is your favorite to watch or you'll be participating in?

*Mike: Without a doubt the stone lifts...

*Sachet: That's probably my favorite to watch. How do you feel about today's powerlifting as a sport? Do you think it gets the respect it deserves?

*Mike: No and it's the fault of the athletes. We have no one to blame but ourselves, everyone is so caught up in the drug and federation bullsh*t that they can't get out of their own way. This sport is full of bad calls, bullsh*t lifts and hate. Until they get rid of the 800 different federations, this sport will never really go anywhere. And I honestly think because it is mostly an amature sport, this is the way it will stay and this is also a reason for all the sh*t talk on the internet. Name another sport where a 15 year old kid can talk with a professional athlete on the internet.

*Sachet: I guess unless you're directly involved, you really don't have a clue there's a problem. Unfortunately, it takes alot of people to get angry before something gets done to make positive changes. In your opinion, who are the best powerlifters out there?

*Mike: Holy sh*t thats a big list..Bill Crawford hands down is the most consistant big bencher out there he hits it on the nose everytime. Gary Frank, Mike Ruggiera, Beu Moore, Brent Miksell, Andy Bolton . Joe Mazza, Kyle Millheiser, Kara Bohegian

*Sachet: Who are your favorites?

*Mike: I'm friends with most all of these guys so picking a favorite would be tough..Bill C. is a close personal friend as well as Kyle and Joe so I would have to pick them.

*Sachet: What's on your powerlifting horizon? Any competitions coming up soon? Within the next year?

*Mike: I'm not really sure, I'm ready for the APF senior Nationals, but right now with my wife expecting a baby and with the controversy surrounding my squat, powerlifting has just put a bad taste in my mouth. The sport has become very hateful.

*Sachet: Well.. you know, time heals all and I hope you're able to shake off negative feelings quickly since it's extremely obvious you have such a love for the sport. Where have you competed and what are some of your top lift accomplishments so far?

*Mike: I won the IPA natioanls last year as the APF NJ states. I took second place at the first bench america I got to lift with the real big boys. I bombed The Arnold. I recently shouldered a 250 lb stone which I thought was pretty cool. I picked up a 700lb anvil and have run 200ft in 19 sec with a 500 lb sled. I just recently inclined 550 for 3 raw.

*Sachet: Do you hold any titles?

*Mike: Well I have the biggest squat of all time 1,200 lbs. I was the 36 man to bench 700 the 4th to bench over 8 I have the 2 highest subtotal the 5th highest total and the 6th or 7th biggest bench.

*Sachet: What is the highlight moment of your powerlifting career to date?

*Mike: The best lifting day of my life, well there were two. The first time I benched 700 lbs with my friend and mentor Bill Crawford and the first time I squatted 1,000 in front of my daughter.

*Sachet: What's your opinion about the Powerlifting rules and regulations. Would you like to see anything changed or are you happy with the way things are run?

*Mike: Unless the sport becomes unified under one federation or set of rules, it will stay just the way it is stagnant and with little to no pay.

*Sachet: What has been the driving force behind you reaching the level that you have?

*Mike: I always try to be the best at whatever I do. I guess fear of failure more than anything else drives me.

*Sachet: Can you rip a telephone book in half? *lol* I had to ask.

*Mike: Yes, I actually have a friend who was an old time strong man who taught me the technique it's really not hard...

*Sachet: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview Mike. It's been a pleasure talking to you.

Rules and regulations within Mike's federation:
www.ipapower.com