Wander Talks: Episode 14 – Joseph Brooks the “Strongman”
Joseph Brooks understands what it means to compete on this level.
In this week’s episode of Wander Talks, I sat down with fellow USF Bull, Joseph Brooks. Joe is in the Exercise Science graduate program over at USF, as well as a Strongman competitor and Rugby player, both of which I am very new to. Luckily, Joe was happy to explain both in great deal, including both the sports themselves as well as the training aspect. To say that this guy is “very active” would be an understatement.
Joseph Brooks
The first ever “World’s Strongest Man” competition was held in 1977 in Universal Studios, California. From then on, it has grown in both popularity and recognition. The Strongman “Hall of Fame” include champions like: Bruce Wilham, Bill Kazmaier, Phil Pfister, and Brian Shaw.
This sport includes so many different events, as Joe described, and sounds like an insanely exciting show. Certain events include: vehicle pulls, keg tosses, and fridge carries. All of these are exactly as they sound, these guys are pulling firetrucks, lifting ridiculously huge stones up and over their bodies, and deadlifting objects that seem impossible to lift off the earth.
As for training, Joe trains both in gym, in Strongman fashion, and for Rugby. I’ve watched him train in USF’s Campus Recreation, and it is incredibly impressive. Joe’s work ethic and determination for these worlds carry into his performance in all three fields: he won one of his first Strongman competitions, and he can squat over 400 pounds (with beautiful form, might I add). On top of all of these activities, he also manages to keep up with his school work for graduate school.
The purpose of the USF graduate program in exercise science is to prepare fitness professionals that are equipped to meet the needs of adults in their pursuit of health, performance, and optimal body composition. Exercise science professionals work with adults in leadership roles in areas such as directors of corporate worksite health promotion, all levels of athletics, wellness clinical rehabilitation, personal fitness consultant, and sport performance positions. In addition, graduates of this program will have the educational background to pursue doctoral education and other advanced degree programs.
