I think it's time to move on.........

[Barry Williams]

As much as I've enjoyed this sport for the last three years, I've come to the conclusion thats it's time to quit. I still want to help Steve Maxon out @ the Iron Boy, but after that I don't know. At lunch today I went to the driving range and drunk 3-4 beers and hit some balls. That's when I decided I just don't want to compete any longer. As much as I love lifting, I just don't care for all the Bull shit that comes with it.

I feel safe in saying that I have met some of the best friends I could ever ask for in this sport. But as I said earlier, for every Chris Clark, Mike White, or John Pinder you can find ; you will still have those who are not legitimate, sincere people. I've had an opportunity to meet those that I consider "Icons" in the sport. They didn't impress me as much as the guys from Team Torture.

I wish everyone could go to some of the other gyms once in a while and meet the characters at them. Kyle, Pinder, and Bret in Clayton; the whole Granite City bunch (and their wives); Mike, Joe, Dennis, Mason, and Tim at AC Fitness. All good people that you should try to meet. Maybe Joey can post some directions for people in case they happen to have time to go to one of these.

From Phil staying at the house, to the trip to Nationals; I have had a ball. Even lately, getting in contact with the people that did interviews was fun. I just don't care for the trivial shit and the jealousy. To much shit talked about peoples lifts, who lifts in which fed, who's seeing who. I could give a fuck ! It should be about supporting whoever's lifting next !

I hope everybody appreciates the time Joey has put into getting all the APF stuff in order. I am having trouble staying up after I get out of work (3 AM) and typing the interviews. When I get Laura Phelps' done maybe Swanke can do some. He thinks in the abstract too.

Thanks to anybody/everybody who has helped me learn to lift. I hope there is nobody out there who can question how much I put into each meet. I have tried to beat everyone I could ever chance I got. God knows I respect those who beat me. I'm not what I would call "nationally ranked", that's a heavy title to wear for no more than I lifted. I just want to be a good husband and father for a little while.

Thanks, Barry Williams

"Not a good guy, not a bad guy, just a Helluva' guy"
Curt Henning RIP
I love that quote and I try to live by it.

[Greg Crook]

Barry, hate to see you leave the sport but i respect your decission, nothing anyone can say about a man wanting to be a good husband and father. I will miss watching you lift, the numbers you've done are amazing. Take a break and maybe we'll see you again competing. Hope this doesn't mean you'll stop coming to the meets anymore, i enjoy talking to you but meets where the only time i seen you. Well take care and I wish you the best.

[Barry Williams]

Greg, I still plan on going to meets to see my friends lift. I could care less about doing it myself though. A change in atmosphere is all I need for now. I think I'm going to join a small gym here in Winston Salem and concentrate on getting back up around 220. Anytime you want to get together and grab some food or a beer, just hollar.

Thanks, Barry

[jonathan]

Hey Brother, Even though you are an awesome lifter I really did not give a shit, I think you a are great guy who always had time to hang out and enjoy a little fellowship. Don't take this shit to serious and always make it FUN! Take some ME time and I look forward to seeing you again rejuvinated and ready to go to it!!

[clark]

anybody else notice how many references Barry makes to drinking? ;D

[firefightertom]

I posted this on powerliftingwatch and wanted to post it again here.

__________________________________________________________________________


you cant just quit powerlifting. You have to be carried off!

Seriously barry:

I think you are one of the top 198ers that I have had the pleasure of meeting. You are right about a lot of the politics in powerlifting. Never met Ed coan or many other Icons. They might not even look my way at a meet.
I met maxon at an sc meet this year and liked him also. I think you will feel better about things when you get healed up.

If not It was truly a pleasure to meet you.

sincerely,
Tom Isbell

[Barry Williams]

I appreciate whoever went on Powerlifting watch and noted that I was on the NSP board. What would have been really great is if you'd took the time to read the fuckin post. I asked Keith if he needed help Sat. with his meet. Last time I checked that was the right thing to do. I think most of us have lifted there before. As far as who I need to thank for helping me? I don't recall ever leaving the gym or a meet without doing that. I need attention because I'm not lifting? I was in Mt. Airy Fri. and my gym today. Most of us on here are grown adults that lift to be competative, not attention whores. But when I decide I do need to be noticed, I'll enter a meet and put things back the way they need to be.
Last time I checked, I still have I national APF record.* God knows it may get broke next week but I don't mind. I can still say I acomplished what I went in to do.

* www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com/APF%20Bench.htm

The SC state is coming up. Like always, everybody get off yor ass and go support the sport.

[firefightertom]

I saw that post on pl watch too. I dont know if you are trying to imply that it was me.
I always post with my name.
I said nothing but nice things barry. You can go read them.
I hate annonymous trolls too.

Tom Isbell

[Barry Williams]

Never considered it Tom. As far as where I post, who cares? I don't understand how askin' KP if he needed help was askin for attention ? I remember liftin' at Iron Boy meets myself. I don't walk one side of a fence, much less both. I said it was time to quit, so sayin it in CAPS really didn't prove much either. I simply don't care to get involved in all the BS. I had a good time Sat.. Enjoyed seeing TC, Eddie, Mason, Mark, Lovelace, etc., and just watchin'. If anybody has problems with that, then so be it. I'll probably be in SC next month helpin' Joey or whoever else is down there. Why is it so hard to just do that and nothin' else?
I always wanted to bench 500, and I did. People told me to try 600 and I did. I wasn't trying to prove a point; just lift and have a good time.

[firefightertom]

Just have fun. I agree.