John Bernor Interview
John Bernor Interview:
First off, thank you for agreeing to take the time to conduct this interview.
IG: Tell us a little bit about yourself, both in and out of the weight room. What do you do? Where do you live? What got you started?
JB: My name is John Bernor, I am 31 years old and I live in Long Island NY . I have been married to my beautiful wife Nikki for almost 5 years. I currently work as a youth minister at Grace Lutheran Church in Mastic Beach NY and I love my job. I have been training for over 12 years and competing for the last 10. I remember when I was 15 years old buying a Muscle and Fitness magazine and there was an article and interview with Dave Passenella. I was in absolute awe. A few years down the road the same magazine had the same type of article on Kirk Karwoski, that was it, 2 months after that I brought my first Powerlifting USA magazine.
IG: If you could start over, knowing everything you do now, what would you change as a beginner and intermediate lifter?
JB: I think the ability to train with other powerlifters from the start of my lifting career. For about 9 years (from 1994-2003) I trained with a small, always changing crew. None of the guys were into competing and it wasn’t until I started training out at Iron Island , about 3 years ago, that I was able to train alongside other competitive lifters. Chris Taylor, Eric Adolph, Pete Grosso and the rest of the Iron Island crew welcomed me with open arms and have been a huge blessing. CT and Joel Toranzo have been like the big brothers I never had.
IG: What is favorite style of training, whether it is one distinct training system or a hybrid of many?
JB: For all my raw stuff and my deadlifts I have always used progressive overload. In the geared squat and bench I have found a more instinctive system of training to work best. With the exception of pulls off the jump stretch platform every third week, I do everything pretty much with straight weight and no bands or chains.
IG: Where would you like to see the sport go? Do you envision and support a mainstream or “Pro-Powerlifting” organization?
JB: I would love to see the sport get real big, but I am not sure if that will ever happen. We all lift cause we love it and that is an awesome motivation. I would like to see less bashing of feds and just hope everyone lifts wherever they are enjoying themselves.
This sport is filled with awesome people and the friendships you get to make are awesome.
IG: What is your greatest memory or moment in powerlifting, and what is your worst?
JB: My greatest memory would have to be my first WPO meet in Atlanta where I bombed in the bench. Having been to small meets up until that (except for the APF seniors in Baton Rouge ) I was blown away by how quiet the warm up room was. These guys were all awesome and all really kind. I remember when we were warming up Brent Mikesell said, “Hey John, are you next?” I was like a little kid, and thought “Hey, he knows my name”, LOL. Also Paul Childress was awesome, I missed my second squat and just when I was getting ready to go out for the 3 rd attempt he said “ Now go nail it”. As far as worst memories, to be honest it has all been a huge blessing.
IG: What are your goals; where do you see yourself in powerlifting five or ten years from now?
JB: My goals, well I don’t really set goals. I just try, by GODS GRACE, to get stronger. I don’t like to think about numbers at all actually. Whatever happens, happens, GOD is in control. Being 31 years old, I would love to keep lifting for a while, but who knows what tomorrow may bring.
IG: Can you share with us some of your most impressive numbers, both in the gym and at competitions?
JB: My best meet lifts are 1102 squat, 777 bench, and 716 deadlift. My best total is 2551 lbs. About 2 weeks ago, again by Gods grace I hit an1150lb squat. My best gym bench is 845 lbs and my best gym pull is 765 lbs. My best raw numbers in training in the squat is 700x7 without a belt. I have pulled 675x5 and 745x2 (I have had a grip problem for a while, but thank God it is getting better) I just recently benched 390 x15 and have done seated shoulder press, well below the chin with 315x8. My body weight is around 335lbs.
IG: Who are your idols in the sport? Who do you look up to and aspire to be?
JB: Brent Mikesell, Ed Coan, Kirk Karwoski, Doug Furnas, Anthony Clark, Anthony “the annointed warrior” Conyers. Childress, Moore, man the list could go on and on, LOL. All these guys are amazing. As far as who I look up to and aspire to be, well without a doubt, it is Jesus.
IG: What kind of equipment do you use, and why?
JB: I use only Inzer gear. John Inzer is always on the cutting edge of gear technology and in my opinion makes not only the best product but offers the largest line of products.
IG: What are the best ways to build a big squat, a monster press and a huge deadlift, in your experience?
JB: I am from the old school train of thought that you must squat, bench and dead regularly to get big improvement in these lifts.
IG: Anything else you’d like to share or add for the readers?
JB: I would like to thank Iron Gladiators for the honor of this interview. John Inzer for his amazing support and awesome lifting gear. My training partners CT, Joel, Eric, Pete, CR, Len, Frank and all the Iron Island crew and East End barbell guys. Big thanks to my amazing wife for all her support and love (I truly don’t deserve you) and of course all GLORY and HONOR to JESUS CHRIST, who has blessed me tremendously. To all the young lifters remember this, Romans 8:31 “ What, then, shall we say in response to this”? If Godis for you , who can be against you? And Phillipians 4:13 “ I can do all things through God who gives me the strength”.
IG: Thank you John is has been our pleasure to interview you!
