Athletes Corner
An Interview With Travis Clary

1.  Please state your stats (age, height, weight). 

23 years old, 6' 2", 243

2.  How long have you been lifting?  What got you into it? 

Been lifting since high school, about 5 yrs.   Started lifting for high school athletics, I wanted to be a better athlete.

3.  What is your favorite strongman event?  Why?  

Old school here, Tire Flip.  This event was naturally easy for me, so I caught on quick.

4.  What do you think your biggest weakness is?  What are you doing to improve it? 

Deadlift and Log Pressing.  I have been concentrating on bringing the overhead pressing up in the weight room and developing complimentary muscles to help with pressing as well.  Deadlift used to be my favorite gym lift, but has come back to get me lately.  I need to put in more effort to bring that aspect of the strongman game up.

5.  Talk a little bit about your first experience in strongman? 

High Desert Challenge 2005.  It was a great experience.  I had never touched implements until the day of the contest, and I was hooked on strongman after the contest.  I also met some great guys there as well, i.e. Clay, Warren, and Chan.  I remember being a nervous wreck before each event, because I had no idea how I would do.  In the end I had a good showing finishing 3rd.

6.  What are your goals in the sport? 

To compete in the World's Strongest Man, and one day be the World's Strongest Man, with Clay a close second. haha  For now I want to win more contests, either in my weight class or overall.  I would also like to see and help this sport grow in New Mexico.

7.  While diet isn't as important to strongmen as it is to bodybuilders, how big a role do you think it plays for you in this sport?  

I feel it plays a big role in my training.  I feel I am at a constant battle to maintain what little size I do have, and I also make several attempts to get to the lightweight class, but have yet to make it.  So diet will play a big role if I ever get the courage to make a full run at getting to a lightweight.

8.  Any advice for those just starting out? 

Don't get discouraged.  It's a process just like any other sport, you have to work at it to get better. If all else fails, blame Clay.

9.  How has your faith helped you in your training? 

Faith is the biggest aspect of my training.  The Lord has blessed me and other strongman athletes with this physical strength.  We wouldn't be able to do what we do without faith in Him.

10. What's your proudest achievement in strongman? 

Promoting my first competition.  I was able to compete and promote; the contest was great.  Oh
yeah, I finished first in my weight class.

11.  What's the coolest thing you've seen or done, either in training or at a competition?

It was amazing to see the guy in the wheelchair at the High Desert Challenge 2006 pull a Jeep 50' with his wheelchair.    On a personal level, it has to be pulling a tour bus for 100' up in Windsor, CO.  I didn't think it was possible to do.  As competitors before were pulling it, I was so scared I was going to be the only one not to move it.  I was able to pull the bus for the full 100'.  Small achievement in some guys books, but huge in mine.
 

Thanks very much to Travis for his time and we all wish him the best.