Greg Panora Interview
Greg Panora Interview:
Irongladiators.com sat down with 2006 APF Senior National 242lbs Champion Greg Panora from Westside Barbell.
IG: Gregg you shocked quite a few people in Vegas why don't you let our readers know 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?
GP: Im 25 years old, single, I grew up in a small town outside of Boston and went to school at the University of Maine Orono. Currently, I live in Columbus Ohio and train at the great Westside Barbell with the A.M crew. I work as a Youth Specialist dealing with troubled kids at a residential home. I got started because I wanted to get ripped abs and look like Marky Mark, somewhere along the line my goals changed and I joined a powerlifting gym.
IG: With that being said if you could start over, knowing everything you do now, what would you change as a beginner and intermediate lifter?
GP: I would have never picked up Muscle and Fitness! Actually, I had pretty good guidance and did a lot of research so I learned pretty quickly. I was obsessed with Westside Barbell throughout high school and college and did my best to copy their routines.
IG: It seems you were destined to end up as a Westside lifter! What does a typical workout look like?
GP: I pretty much do actually what Louie Simmons says to do. There is no arguing with his success and I do a standard Westside Barbell template. I do a lot of dumbbell presses and extensions for my bench, and tons of hypers and weighted abs for my squat.
IG: Where would you like to see the sport go? Do you envision and support a mainstream or “Pro-Powerlifting” organization?
GP: Man, I would love to see powerlifting on TV. Money and groupies might be cool too. I think we deserve some notoriety as a legit sport like any other. We do some pretty amazing things. But, I would hate to see powerlifting lose its edge as an underground sport. To me, that is a huge part of why it is so cool.
IG: What is your greatest memory or moment in powerlifting, and what is your worst?
GP: My best memory was winning the last Senior Nationals with the final deadlift. Chuck Vogelpohl gave me some advice before I stepped out onto the platform and I realized that I was living out my dream. How many people can say that about a moment in their lives? And then hugging my Dad afterwards and realizing that life can’t get any better than this. My worst moment was injuring my back a few years ago. I thought I was done powerlifting, and that meant losing my whole identity and who I am. It was a horrible few months. I have to thank Eric Cressey and Louie Simmons for rehabbing me.
IG: Now that you are a national champion what is the next for you? What are your goals?
GP: I don’t really set goals. I would just like to retire having left my mark. Hopefully, I can have the same influence on younger lifters that some of the greats have had on me. Also, I can’t wait to be part of the WPO.
IG: Can you share with us some of your most impressive numbers, both in the gym and on the platform?
GP: My best contest lifts are 942 squat, 644 bench, and a 782 deadlift in the 242 class. I’ve box squatted 845 in a pair of loose briefs, and done 550 plus 2 blue bands and a green band. I’ve deadlifted 745 off a 4 inch block and done a 635 pound goodmorning. My bench is usually a disaster in the gym, but I think I figured out how to use a bench shirt so look out!
IG: Who are your idols in the sport? Who do you look up to and aspire to be?
GP: First and foremost, Louie Simmons. Not only his accomplishments in powerlifting, but how he is as a person. He is has lived life by his own terms and been hugely successful. He is also the most giving person I have ever met and I am incredibly thankful for having him as a coach and friend. Also, Chuck V. for his intensity and longevity, Phil Harrington because he is a madman, Matt Wenning for his drive and knowledge, Mike Brown because he is freak, and Matt Smith and John Stafford because of their composure and mental toughness. But, above all, I aspire to be like by father because he is the best human being that I have ever met.
IG: What kind of equipment do you use, and why?
GP: I use a Ginny Phillips canvas (I’m going to give the Leviathan a try when it arrives), predator briefs, an old Inzer double denim, and a metal deadlift suit.
IG: What are the best ways to build a big squat, a monster press and a huge deadlift, in your experience?
GP: I believe in the Westside methods 100%. I also believe that intensity is the key to building big lifts. Crank up the music, forget about your girlfriend or job, and go balls to the wall. Also, don’t be afraid of weight. If it falls on you, it falls on you .
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. Louie Simmons for allowing me the opportunity to be part of Westside Barbell. My training partners for constantly pushing me. My roommate Chris Lucas for being a great friend , My friends at Union Street Athletics in Maine for helping me throughout the last few years. And a huge thanks to My Mother and Father for their support and guidance.
