So here’s the first gentleman we ran into literally about 5 seconds after walking in the door.
Tiny Meeker! Even though I’m not a gear guy, you gotta love an 1102 bench. I mean that’s just completely nuts.
Don’t know how many of you are familiar with Big J, but he has a great Youtube channel; check it out if you haven’t.
Anyway we met him next. He was easily the nicest dude there. Very, very friendly guy. Also I impressed him with my ability to close the CoC #2 for reps with no warmup. Made my whole day lol.
Check it out, Robert Oberst! Another super nice guy, and one of only a couple strongmen wandering the expo. He was hard to miss.
Mark Bell was manning the slingshot booth all weekend long. Turns out he actually is jacked and tan irl.
Here’s Richard Hawthorne. He seemed pretty stoked to give a picture with me and Chia even though we literally interrupted his lunch with his girlfriend…
Saw Jesse Norris pull 800 easy in the Animal cage. He was super chill the whole time. Seems like a really nice dude. Also he very much inspired me to correct my deadlift form. His form was so perfect from 135 to 800. I am genuinely excited to work on this.
And fucking look at this. Andrey Malanichev in the flesh. When’s the next time I’ll get an opportunity to take a picture with the strongest powerlifter of all time? Maybe never. I got serious chill bumps lol.
Oh and also I swear Andrey does that stupid touristy peace sign thing in all his photos. So Chia thought it would be funny to do that too, except then Andrey didn’t do it and we just looked like idiots.
And the coup de grace, the man himself Ed Coan. This was pretty much my entire reason for even going back to the Arnold lol. Chia and I actually chatted with Ed for a few minutes. He said “Anything you need, just let me know.” He had even seen one of Chia’s deadlift videos and said anytime we want to come up to Quads Gym just set it up and he’ll work on Chia’s deadlift form with him.
You have no idea how hard I was geeking out during this picture.
Chia made a cool little highlight video from the weekend as well:
The expo itself wasn’t as good as last year imo in regards to booths/challenges/prizes/merch. The feats of strength were definitely up to standard though. I don’t know if you watched it already, but Big Z won the strongman contest. He was really on point that weekend, bigger and stronger than I’d ever seen him. When he pulled that 1150 tire deadlift everyone just totally lost their shit; it was crazy. That was one of the most unbelievable things I’ve ever seen in my life.
Lmao the ed coan pic. Chris: “d…dad?”
Can we trade lives? Looks like it was a fun time! Hope you got a lock of Mr greens hair, he is super saiyan after all.
Dan Green is not of this world
So jealous!
Someone, whom shall remain nameless (coughJedcoughcoughcough) told me I had to choose between Arnold and ComicCon. So not cool 
Love the pics brah, and your bi’s are lookin’ swole.
I wanted to go this year, but I didn’t get to make it. I will definitely make it next year no matter what. Looks like you had an awesome time, how was your supplement haul?
We have the same facial hair. Props.
Super jealous! Memories for a lifetime right there!
[quote]Spock81 wrote:
Love the pics brah, and your bi’s are lookin’ swole.[/quote]
I noticed the bi swolage as well (that just sounds wrong)…