When I first started training Canadian Strongman Craig Bongelli, I saw potential in him. He was a great athlete. Initially, he seemed to lack some of the aggression that top athletes in Iron Sports have to succeed. Over the past three months, I have never seen such a metamorphosis in an athlete. When he goes into the gym, he declares war on the pig iron. This war does not end with 1,2,3 or even 4 tours, it is a daily battle. He attacks the weights, not like he is trying to put them in the hospital, but literally the morgue. In 12 weeks’ time, he increased push press from 325 to 370. His raw squat went from 605 to 700 and his deadlift went from 605 to 660 with a legitimate shot at 700 (he barely missed). Here is a cool story about Craig: After hitting a huge PR at 660 in the squat, he missed 700. He left the gym and when he was in the parking lot, a voice inside him told him to go back inside. He loaded 700 on the bar and attacked it with relentless voracity and smoked the weight as you will see in the video below. I wouldn’t recommend this practice to everybody. I am very proud of Craig. He went from a mentally average athlete, now I worry his testicles drag on the ground he has so much courage. Keep up the good work, Craig. We will see you in World’s Strongest Man someday. I am excited to see this Strongman season. Your mental and physical preparation play like a fine orchestra.

Here is Craig’s 700 Raw Squat

Here is the 370 Push Press