| Josh Bryant |
|
Back to Archive List |
|
 
|
Josh Bryant is twenty-four years old and
lives in Santa Barbara, California.
He received
his Bachelor of Arts Degree in December
2003
from Cal State University - Northridge.
Bryant
first competed in 1996 at the AAU North
American
Bench Press Championships at fifteen
years
old. At that meet, Bryant benched 308.5
pounds,
weighing 196 pounds. As a teenager, Josh won the USAPL Teenage Nationals, at 275 pounds, with an 1824 lbs. total in only his third full meet. Bryant was also ranked #1 by Powerlifting USA for Teenagers in 2001 in sqat with 727, and bench 512 and total 1835. Josh benched 523 before his twentieth birthday! Josh Bryant has increased his best lifts to 903 in the squat, 622 in the bench and 800 in the deadlift. The squat and benchpress were done June 8, 2003 at the APF Senior Nationals for a WPC Jr. World Record of 2276. The bench and squat were also Jr. World Records. The deadlift was done in Washington at Tommy Fannon's meet in February 2005. On May 15th 2004 Josh competed in his first strongman contest. The contest, the California Pro-AM, was NASS sanctioned at the Platinum Plus level. Josh competed against the top competitors in the country. In his first contest he took first in the Yoke and the log clean and press along with a very close second place in the farmers walk. Josh made a very strong showing in the tire flip and chain drag, as well as the Conan’s wheel. Josh shows potential to rapidly make an impact at a high level in strongman Outside of Powerlifting, Josh enjoys spending time with his family and his friends. Josh’s Dad, Dan, is an educator of over 30 years and was an NAIA All-American thrower in college. Josh’s Mom, Susie, is a pre-school director-owner and is the nicest person Josh knows. Josh’s brother, Noah, was a high school All-American in the shot put with a toss of 67’5” and was California State Champ in 2002. Noah is a scholarship athlete at USC and won the silver medal in the shot put at the Jr. Pan Am Games in Barbados in 2003 and was an NCAA All-American in the shot in 2004. Noah threw 19.02 meters with the 16 pound shot at age 19. Josh also enjoys taking road trips with his friends. Josh is a Christian and enjoys Republican politics. |
| What is your favorite scripture? When Jesus is tempted by the evil spirit in the desert and responds. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered "It is written man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Who were your childhood heroes? My parents! If you could meet anyone from the bible, other than Jesus, who would it be? I would definitely like to meet David. David trusted in God and courageously defeated Goliath. David was also far from a perfect man, and had issues he struggled with. I think we all have issues we struggle with, when the time came David trusted in God and courageously defeated Goliath. What is a typical day in your life like? I work as a personal trainer. I train very hard and heavy, which consumes quite a bit of time. I also try and hang out with family and friends; I really enjoy their company. By the world’s standards this may be a boring existence, but I feel blessed. What biblical figure do you most identify with and why? Probably King David, I have 100% trust in God and believe the Bible to be the infallible word of God. However, I am far from perfect and struggle daily! What trait do you like most about yourself? I am a very loyal person. What trait do you like least about yourself? My temper, if someone attacks Jesus or the Bible sometimes I feel like bashing their head. I know I should help try and save that person! When I see someone carrying an anti-creationism, anti-prayer, pro-abortion sign my first though is not wow, I would love to help that person. It is more along the lines of why even talk to the scumbag, this is harsh, I know. I am being honest. I am not sure if this what I should say but I’m being honest. How have you been able to represent God in your sport? I have failed here. I do have a Christian Powerlifting forum on my site. I try and lead by example and not stand on a soapbox, which turns non-believers off. When anyone sends me an e-mail I make sure to respond, and try and help that person. I am not ashamed of the Gospel, I am proud to believe in the truth. If you could change one thing about your sport, what would it be? Make one standard in powerlifting and have very limited equipment standards. If someone can’t bench press 600 without s bench shirt but does 900+ with one. It is no longer a lifter lifting the weight; it is no longer a test of strength. It is game of manipulation, finesse, and trickery! In strongman the events need to be heavier and involve less skill and more strength and power. The Arnold Classic Strongman show is on the right track, anything Terry Todd or Odd Haugen is involved with promoting seems to be in line with this philosophy. If you were to die today and go to heaven, what would you like to hear God say? You’re welcome after I thank him for sending his son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. |
|
| Thank you Josh for a great and honest interview!
We need more like you out there! |
|
| You can visit Josh's website at http://www.joshstrength.com | |
 |
|