Relationship Goals

Five Ways To Be More Athletic and Imp... Weekend Reads February 17

Relationship Goals

We all see images and videos on Instagram of couples like @jackedandjill. But is that realistic for most of us? Last year, I asked several strength athletes who I respect greatly to talk to me about their experiences with including their significant others into their love of fitness and strength. Those were some of my most popular posts last year so I’m bringing them back for those of you who might have missed them.

Steve Goggins: Should You Train Your Significant Other?

Steve Goggins is an Iron Game legend. He battled successfully against Ed Coan and Kirk Karwoski. Steve was the first to squat 1102 lbs in competition at a bodyweight of 263 lbs! He was also the first to squat 500 kilos and pull 400 kilos in the same meet and the first 242 pound lifter and under to squat 1000 lbs. As a coach, Steve is quite familiar with the pitfalls of training someone when you’re in a relationship with them.

Justin Bethune: Training Your Significant Other

always funny watching people’s reactions when a 130lb woman is handing off 450+lb bench presses in a competition

Justin Bethune is quietly building an impressive resume in powerlifting. Justin’s performance last year earned him an invite to the prestigious Boss of Bosses powerlifting meet sponsored by Dan Green but he’s the first to admit that his success would be impossible without the support of his wife Toni Lynn, an accomplished bikini competitor and motorcross athlete. Nothing says relationship goals like watching a woman hand off over 400lbs on the bench press to her husband. Except maybe watching that same husband cheer passionately for his wife when it’s her turn on the platform! Find out how these two awesome people balance career and family.

A Home Built Around Strength: Kyle and Samantha Coleman

Samantha Coleman the first woman to deadlift 600lbs and her husband Kyle

Kyle making sure Sam is ready to go before a Viking Press event

“There is nothing like having a home built around strength. The best feeling in the world is having your husband or wife be your training partner, meal prep helper, massage therapist or mental consoler”. Wise words from the husband and wife team that are familiar faces on the platform and at strongman competitions. Samantha was the first woman to deadlift 600lbs among other accomplishments and she gives credit to her husband Kyle for his coaching and support every step of the way. These two are definitely a match for each other. Read about it here.

Partners in The Gym; Partners In Life
John and Naomi Greaves at the Savage Race wearing Garage Gym Life

even when we’re lost at a Savage Race, we’re lost together

I couldn’t finish this without mentioning my gratitude for the relationship I have with my lovely Puerto Rican assistant. Our relationship goals include joining each other in our activities. We don’t do everything together, but we do as much as possible because we’re friends as well as lovers. Naomi and I have been together through too many adventures to list here. In fact, it would take several blog posts to explain our approach to fitness and here’s one to get you started.

For those garage athletes who are single today, thanks for making it all of the way through this post. I leave you with this from @katiebell2016.