How old are you?

27 (Dec 5, 1982)

Where were you born?

Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada

Where do you live now?

Still in ‘The Nish’. I’m all about small towns and don’t see myself leaving. 

What do you drive?

2007 Jeep Wrangler X. I love that machine.

You ever changed your own oil?

Never. It’s shocking how little I know about the inner workings of a vehicle.

How many languages do you speak?

Just English. I took French in school until grade 10 but dropped it first chance I got. I actually regret it now.

Have you gone green?

Flying every weekend of the summer to competitions and driving a gas guzzling Jeep probably wouldn’t put me into that category, but I do recycle.

What do you think about global warming?

We should probably chill out on fossil fuels.

Do they push global warming in Canada?

I don’t think so. Our media gives it a good deal of coverage and I think most Canadians are willing to make some lifestyle changes.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a high school history teacher. I teach grade 12 global history (post WW2) and Canadian History.

How did you get into that?

Honestly, growing up and becoming a teacher wasn’t on the radar screen as I really wanted to be in the RCMP. But as I started narrowing down career choices in university it seemed like a good fit. It’s challenging, entertaining and allows me the time to keep throwing. I can’t say I’ll be at it for an entire career, but I do enjoy it. 

Tell us about your education?

I have a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from St. Francis Xavier University here in Antigonish; a Bachelor of Education also from St.F.X and last year was due to begin a Masters in Political Science but had to put that on hold due to changes in my teaching position.

As a kid growing up, what was your first job?

I cleaned telephones for the phone company. Every summer my Dad (who works for the phone company) would put me to work cleaning dorm room phones from the university. It was flat out nasty but pretty legit scratch. I would wear two pairs of rubber gloves to avoid touching the filth those squalor-living university students would jam into their phones.

When you grew up as a kid, what sports did you play?

I grew up playing basketball, but gave that up as I stopped growing up and started growing out. I still love the game and can see myself coaching someday. I studied Tae Kwon Do for seven or eight years and earned a black belt. Former Canadian Highland Games Champion Doug MacDonald was actually my instructor. I played football in high school and threw track. I also played football for 4 years at university. 

Did you throw in high school and if so what did you throw?

I threw shot and disc. I can’t remember what my best distances were, but they were nothing special. My football coach was also my throwing coach. He had very little experience and would often simply tell me to “get pissed off and throw this thing”. Good times.

Tell us about throwing in college.

My university didn’t have an official track and field team at the time so I competed almost as an independent. I remember asking the cross country running team coach if I could throw and maybe catch a ride or two on their team bus to meets. I had no facilities so I just grabbed a 16lb indoor shot and started training in the main gym. I sent a lot of emails with video to people asking for advice. I ended up with a best collegiate shot distance of 15.83m. Not bad I suppose for no coach, facilities or team. 

What was your first Highland Game and when was that?

My first heavy events competition was in 1996 when I was 13 years old. My hometown games (Antigonish) has a junior program for kids 13-18 that gave me my start. Doug MacDonald, who was just getting into the games himself, asked me if I would be interested in competing as he and another local thrower were starting a junior program. I grew up watching the sport so I jumped at the chance.

Who was at that game?

Just a bunch of skinny kids. Some stayed with the sport, others moved on after turning 18.

What made you decide to try and compete at a game?

I could remember watching the heavy events as a young kid with my father every summer at the Antigonish Highland Games. I guess I was always fascinated with strength and because I was a bigger kid, it seemed like a good fit. I had a ton of fun that summer and knew this was something I would stick with.

What is your favorite event?

Probably the 56lb WFD. I also dig the hammers and caber. I’m in the process of drafting a formal petition to ban the 28lb WFD from highland games competition. Any fellow 28 haters want to back me up on this?

What is a common mistake you see people make in that event?

Not sinking and driving with the weight. I think the key with the HWFD is the middle phase between rotations. If you are patient, sink and really drive it’s amazing how the weight will take off and do the work for you. Once I discovered that I was in HW heaven.

Who were the first people to influence and coach you in the sport?

Doug MacDonald and Marty Gilfoy. Doug’s accomplishments are well known: Cdn Champ, World Caber Toss Champ and one of the best caber tossers of all time. Marty Gilfoy is a local, recently retired thrower who enjoyed a good career and now coaches the junior program. He has been a tremendous help to me over the years. Both these guys have been instrumental in my development as a thrower. Great guys and even better friends.

Talk some about throwing games as an amateur, what games you did and where.

My amateur career is a little grey. Throwing in Canada didn’t give me the luxury of competing in amateur-only competitions, so I cut my teeth in the much debated “Open Class”. Prior to turning pro I did the Nova Scotia circuit with the odd competition in Ontario. In 2003 I decided to try my hand at some bigger AM games (most notably Pleasanton, after some advice from Matt Sandford) and had some good results. I officially turned pro in 2004.

What was your favorite amateur games?

Without a doubt Pleasanton. It was 2003 and I was having a great year. After checking around, everyone kept telling me that if you really wanted to see where you are as an AM, go to Pleasanton. So, I and two other 19 year old backwood Nova Scotians boarded a plane and flew to San Francisco. We landed on a Friday and did a frantic sightseeing expedition before heading to the hotel. Steve Conway was a tremendous help to us, something I’ll never forget. I ended winning the competition and having a ball.

Talk about some of the pro games you have done and your favorites.

It’s tough to narrow it down. I love competing at home and at some of the smaller games here in Nova Scotia. Pleasanton will always have a soft spot in my heart. I love Maxville, Fergus, Victoria, Calgary, Ohio and Texas (there are some great people at those games). I also love competing in Scotland. Competing at the Worlds last year in Edinburgh was among the most memorable events of my career. I really have been lucky to get to some great games run by great people.

Other than Canada, what country do you enjoy competing in the most, and why?

I always dig spending time in the good ole US of A. I have some great friends south of the border. I’ve been to Scotland twice....awesome. This summer I’m competing in France which should be unreal. The travel is one of the best parts of the games.

Who do you enjoy competing with and why?

Now this is a tough question. In no particular order; Dirk Bishop (my homie), Adam Ogilvie, Lyle Barron, Ryan Vierra, Brock, Sean Betz, HB3, Zolk, Scott Rider, Gonzago Gonzales, Will and Dave Barron, CSmith, Mark ‘CPAP’ Valenti, Danny Frame, Matt Doherty, Doug Steiger, KO, Tommy DeB, CSinclair....man, I could go on.  Everyone of those guys are great people. We have a ton of fun and it’s an honour sharing the field with them.

Let me mention some names and you comment on them;

Vierra; The biggest influence in my heavy events career and the best highland games competitor in history.

St.Clair; Fellow history teacher. I don’t see Chris all that often but it’s always a pleasure to throw with him.

Brock; HB nailed it....”I’m a hustla baby, and I want you to know.....” Great guy. We had a ball in Scotland last summer. Looking forward to meeting up with him in Paris.

Craig Smith; Straight shooter. Shoots from the hip. No love for his consistent front squat beat downs and interweb lingo (imo, +1, etc.)

KO; Piece of work. Too many laughs to remember. Just don’t take him gambling.

Will Barron; Great guy. Was a pleasure to invite him to Antigonish in 2009. I get a kick out of his training regime....shadowboxing anyone?

Dave Barron; Rockstar.

Betz; Another tremendous influence on my career. One of the most humble and impressive throwers I’ve ever met. I love seeing Sean do well.

Talk about some of the throws, games and moments you are most proud of.

Winning the Canadian title the last five years is the accomplishment I am most proud of. It’s an honour representing Canada and has opened a lot of doors for me. Winning the AM title in Pleasanton was another unforgettable moment. Competing at the World Team Championship last summer in Antigonish was another standout competition. I could go on.

Talk about training and your philosophy in the area of throwing?

Hard work. I’m short and stubby, so I have to put in the time to compensate for those shortcomings. All my offseason lifting is centered on throwing. I lift 4 days per week and usually work in 1 dedicated plyo/indoor throwing session. As the weather gets nice I’ll back off and spend more time outdoors getting reps with the implements. The bottom line is that is takes a long time to get good at this sport so you have to put in the time. No one lift or drill is going to make you good, it’s a matter of spending hours refining your technique. I tell people you have to embrace loneliness because it’s a lonely road.

Tell us about some of the injuries you had as an athlete.

Knock on wood I have had no major injuries. I get the usual aches and pains and the odd abdominal strain, but so far so good. I do have to say that I am keeping a closer eye on injury prevention in my training as of late.

 What impresses you now in the sport?

2 things. The level of competition and the growth of the sport in Canada. It’s amazing that you can go to top level games, throw numbers like 52’, 43’, 81’, 108’, 130’ and 15’ and still finish in the middle of the pack. There are so many freaks out there now who are focusing their training on the highland games and the results are reflecting that. I think Ryan Vierra revolutionized the training aspect of throwing. I don’t know too many athletes who don’t follow a Vierra-inspired training regime. It’s also been great to see the level of competition increase so much lately in Canada. More Canadians than ever are travelling to international meets and doing well. The sport has come a long way in the Great White North.

Who makes you laugh at games now?

Dirk Bishop is a riot, as is fellow Nova Scotia thrower Danny Frame. Both those dudes get me in stitches. Tommy DeBruijn is priceless as well. Brock and KO know how to keep it light.

If you were watching Larry Brock wind up in the hammer and it slipped from his hands, who in the sport would you most like to see the hammer hit in the sack?

This is a beauty question. Either KO or CSmith. KO needs something for that autograph stunt he pulled on me last year in Ohio (I’ll save that story for another time). I’m pretty sure CSmith would take the hammer in the balls, laugh, and walk away as if nothing happened. I think that would be cool to see.

Have you always pushed hard in the gym or is this a recent thing with you?

I’ve always been a hard worker, basically because I’ve never been a guy who can pick something up and automatically be good at it. I’ve taken that approach to both my sporting and professional life.

What training philosophy do you follow in the gym?

I think the highland games are best represented with 5 movements; Front Squat/Box Squat, Hip Power Snatch, Behind the Neck Push Press, Deadlift and a Core Movement. I make my programs to maximize my performance in those lifts. I also do a lot of jumping and have seen a noticeable improvement in my throwing since starting a dedicated plyo program. I lift heavy all offseason and have never been big into periodization. When I’m tired I rest. My training philosophy is pretty simple in that regard. I also use a lot of variety in my lifts. I allot about 5 months of true offseason lifting during the year....that isn’t a lot of time so I hit it hard. I like lifting just as much as throwing.

When did you start lifting weights and what got you started?

I started when I was 16 after some encouragement from my father. Both my parents are/were avid weightlifters, in fact my mom still hits the weight room hard. We always had a home gym set up in the basement for my parents to use so I grew up around it. As soon as I was old enough, I started training. Initially it was to help with my performance in football, but when I was around 20-21, I started focusing my lifting specifically for the highland games. I was always into strength. I had used to tape the old World Strongest Man competitions when I was a teenager and watch them over and over. I also had a few stacks of Flex magazines....

Are all the plates in Kilo’s in Canada?

Everything is in kilos. EVERYTHING!

What do you like to do outside of the games?

Spend time with my family/girlfriend/friends. I’m very close with my family so we hang out a lot. I do some reading, mostly books on politics, war, and stuff like that and some volunteer coaching when I’m not training for the highland games.

What other hobbies do you have?

Not much outside of work and training. I like watching movies, though.

What is your favorite food?

Za. Steak. Sweet potatos. Salmon. Rice. Anything chocolate. Ice cream. Chicken. Tuna. Dub Cheese from McDicks.

We all know Mexican or Cuban food, but what is Canadian food?

Think American. Just served colder.

Do you BBQ up there?

Like you wouldn’t believe.

What supplements do you take?

2 protein shakes per day (about 80g total). 4 fish oil capsules daily. Tribulus every once in awhile. That’s about it. A good diet is all you need.

What do you drink with a meal at home?

Usually water or skim milk. I drink a lot of OJ & Cran. I’ve never been big on pop...or “soda” as you Americans call it.

What beer do you like?

Canadian stuff:  Alexander Keith’s, Labatt’s Blue. I also like Heineken, Stella and Coors Light.

Do you live in a house, apartment or?

A house by a nice river.

Do you like to garden?

I don’t.

Are you a cat or dog person?

Neither. I don’t care for animals.

In America we have Democrat or Republican, what do you have in Canada and what are you?

We have the Liberal Party, Conservative Party, New Democratic Party, Green Party, Bloc Quebecois and a few smaller ones. My Dad was a union man so I have traditionally supported the New Democrats (liberal), although I find myself lately drifting a little bit more toward the center. Much like Valenti, I’m all about universal health care, second chances, and strong welfare systems.

Are you into Astrology?  What sign are you?

I used to read my horoscope every morning, but haven’t lately. Maybe I should start again. I’m a Sagittarius.

Are you a religious man, and if so, what do you practice?

I am officially retired from religion.

Talk about some of the music you listen to at different times.

I am all over the place. I like a wide range of music. When I train it’s usually heavy metal (Disturbed, BLS, Maiden, Zombie, Manson) or gangsta rap. At home it’s everything from easy listening to alternative. I’ve been on a big Smashing Pumpkins and Nirvana kick lately. I’m also a big 80’s metal fan. I’ve seen Motley Crue a bunch of times. Sometimes I wish I was in my prime in 1985. I’d love to see Phil Collins live.

Where do you like to go out to eat?

Usually higher end restaurants. I love fine foods and wine. When it’s fast food, always subway.

What do you like to watch on TV?

I don’t watch a lot of TV anymore. Any spare time and I'm usually floating around the web. My favourite show by a mile is Seinfeld. A close second is Curb Your Enthusiasm. I love watching UFC and crime dramas. HBO is cool.

Are you a western movie or sci fi person?  Tell a favorite.

Def sci-fi. I’ve never been into westerns. Is Back to the Future sci-fi?

What are the goals for this year?

Defend my Canadian title, something that is getting harder every year. Moving up internationally is another big goal. I hope to be consistent and improve my all around game.

Thank you brother.