Michael Red Tomahawk Sr.

The GGC invites everyone. And sometimes that means bringing in some of the most talented lifters out there. Today, we talk to Michael Red Tomahawk Sr. He hasn’t competed in a GGC yet… but has been grinding in his brothers basement to get after the 2022 Spring event. Michael is an accomplished competitive powerlifter in the USPA, holding state records and working towards a Nationals invite in the Masters 100kg class.

Michael struggled with addiction and in his own words “Lifting has changed my life.” He is a coach and works with athletes, as well as working in the sobriety and recovery fields. He has taken lifting and made a career, a passion, and a way to help others. Let’s talk to Michael.

Michael, tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Michael Red Tomahawk Sr., I’m 43  years old and have been training seriously for 2 years. I was born in Fort Yates ND and currently reside in White Shield ND. I have an AAS Degree in Small Business Management from United Tribes Tech College in Bismarck ND. I have a family of 4 Children and 2 Grandchildren.

I am a certified personal trainer in sports specific training movements working in White Shield ND. Outside of training I also work in the sobriety & recovery fields for the state of ND as a State Certified Recovery Coach and Peer Support Specialist.

I have been in sports since grade school – I have played basketball & football at the high school and collegiate level as well as some amateur/pro MMA.

I started lifting seriously 2 years ago on September 1st as a tool in my own personal recovery journey after being caught up in drug addiction for over 17 years straight.

What got you involved in the Garage Gym Community?

I came across the Garage Gym Community by a friend who was always showing me stuff to help keep me motivated and keep my mind focused on my goals.

I started from just a cheap hand me down old plastic covered shell concrete weight set with a bench and leg extension attachment only and 2 hex 25 pound dumbbells and a single medicine ball.

In two years’ time I’ve come to be in a fresh built multimillion dollar facility where I also work and help student athletes with training and recovery and mobility as well as relaxation and movements.

I am currently saving up for a Reverse Hyper and also a top-quality inversion table for our gym.

I have mostly trained alone or with my powerlifting team here at my gym lately but I have put in so many long nights alone grinding towards my goals.

I started competing in the United States Powerlifting Association North Dakota as a 100Kg MENS MASTERS CLASS and had some success in my first ever year on the platform.

I put everything I have into my sport. I LOVE POWERLIFTING. 

My first year I held the USPAND State Records for full power bench and deadlift only for a brief time in the NON-TESTED division at my classification.

I currently still hold the DRUG TESTED division State Records for full power bench only dead only.

I have taken numerous golds and bronze medals during my competing. 

I have only 1 GOAL now that is to get a 2022 NATIONAL USPA CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFYING TOTAL to punch my ticket to my first ever National Stage level of federation competition. (a goal or a dream that I wrote down my first week I stated at the garage style gym that my own personal journey started 2 years ago.)

Lifting has changed my life – I have a career now, my health is so much better than what it was when I started, I have met and worked with so many athletes and people that I have followed and looked up to in both amateur and pro levels and it’s all thanks to the iron, I would not be sober if not for lifting that is the bottom line. 

What are the keys to your success?

Some important key pieces to my success are a supportive lifting community, the guidance of the most positive influential coaches that I am blessed to know and work with as well as my peers in the lifting world. 

What motivates me each day is the fact that every day we learn something NEW either about ourselves or the people we work with & everyone is working towards the same goal. 

(Which is to be BETTER than we were YESTERDAY.) 

There is ALWAYS NEW THINGS TO LEARN in the lifting and gym communities. 

What do you think about when going after a big lift?

When eyeing down a potential HUGE LIFT I think of everything that has brought me to this point in time. I use all my feelings, emotions and focus it to complete the lift with a mindset of  “I shall not BAIL on any lift I shall complete or fail trying with everything I have leaving it all on the platform.”

Favorite lifting track 

“Throw it UP!” – Little John and the Eastside Boys 

“Enter Sandman” – Metallica (Black Album)

What is the most important thing people should know about you?

The most important thing I want people to know about me is that I will ALWAYS give my sport, my federation, and my lifting 100 percent. I have worked my ass off and sacrificed so much to get to this point in time in my life & I will never let yall down. This is more than just a sport to me this is my LIFE.

I am currently preparing for the 2022 Garage Gym Competition with an obsessive some say possessed work ethic. I just want to thank you all for your time and keep working hard because consistency is the key.

A gym took me from only owning a backpack and 3 changes of clothes to my name to a career a vehicle a home and a NEW life competing in a federation and making my story known. 

I am now the #23 National Ranked Drug Tested MENS MASTER 100kg lifter and also the #4 National USPA Ranked Push-Pull lifter in the Drug Tested MENS MASTER 100kg division & it’s been nothing but hard work & I aint done yet. 

Thanks Michael.