Trae Hobby
You’ve probably heard me say it before. I’ve been lifting for close to two decades. I’ve done more wrong than wright. But the one thing I know I did correctly, was keep showing up. Through college, a long distance relationship, internships, career changes, moves, a baby, and more. I kept showing up to the gym. Today we talk to my dude Trae Hobby. Trae isn’t a powerlifter, but him and I share the same views on lifting. Showing up is the key ingredient to being successful. Whether we are talking about literally just showing up and participating in the GGC to win a prize (of which Trae has done TWICE). Or we are talking about keeping the wheels on while making big life changes. Or in Trae’s situation, after a pretty gnarly accident.
Lets Meet Trae Hobby
I’m Trae. I was born and raised in Marietta GA and I work in commercial roofing. I like woodworking. Most of my spare time is spent building something or doing home improvements. I like to stay busy.
How/when did you start lifting? Why?
I started at home when I was 16. My parents had a setup in the basement. A bench, adjustable dumbbells, and one of those wobbly cable machines that would let you do 10 different exercises.
At 18 I signed up at a local gym. I met a powerlifter, Joe Majors, and he trained me for a couple of years. Most everything I know about lifting is from Joe.
I’ve focused primarily on hypertrophy. The GGC is the first time I’ve focused on strength in awhile.
Any injuries or issues you have overcome?
In December 2021 I had a pretty bad fall. I was on a flat roof and the section I was on collapsed, and I landed on concrete.
I fractured my hip, wrist, scapula, skull, nose, orbit, and 5 bones in my face and I also had a traumatic brain injury and some brain bleeding. They put a nail in my femur, a screw in my hip, and a screw in my wrist.
I woke up a week later in the hospital with no idea what happened. My eye was swollen shut. My jaw was messed up so I couldn’t eat much. I lost 30lbs in 3 weeks. Muscle goes fast. A nurse told me I wasn’t allowed to lift anything over 2lbs with my wrist and my first thought was: 2lbs for how many reps?
I spent over a week in the hospital, got home on Christmas Eve, and started lifting with 2lb dumbbells in January 2022.
Recovery went as smooth as I could hope. I still struggle with leg day. I’ve been working through thigh pain. A bone started to grow in the muscle of my hip a few weeks after surgery and that causes some mobility issues, but I broke some PRs on bench and deadlift for the 2022 Fall Garage Gym Competition. All’s well that ends well.
Tell me about your gym…
I never planned on a home gym setup. I went over to a friends house for a workout and he had a half rack. That changed my mind. Initially I just wanted enough to get a good workout on days where the drive to the gym wasn’t manageable. Now it’s taken over my garage. It has been a little over a year since I started. I was splitting my workouts between the garage and a commercial gym but now I’m in the garage full time.
I started with a rack. I’ve added some dumbbells, a preacher curl from FB marketplace, a functional trainer, and most recently a leverage squat machine I won during the Garage Gym Competition.
Are you eyeing down any new toys for the gym?
There’s a grip trainer made by Gorilla Strength that I want. One of my old gyms had one. I loved it for forearms.
Do you train by yourself? Pros and Cons of lifting at home?
For the most part. Occasionally a friend will come over for a workout. The convenience is great. I love having the freedom to setup the space how I want. Only con I can think of is the cost but it’s a worthwhile investment for me.
What got you interested in the GGC? How many years have you participated?
2022 was my first year. I came across the GGC while recovering from my fall. I think I found it on the home gym subreddit.
What has been the key piece to your success, in the GGC and lifting in general?
Consistency. I wish I had more to add but that’s it. I’m okay with good workouts and an occasional bad workout but not missed workouts. My recovery is the first layoff I’ve had since I started lifting and that drove me nuts. I couldn’t wait to get back. It’s just a part of life. I can’t sit still. I always need to be doing something. Lifting is a great outlet for that energy.
What do you think of when you eye down a big lift? Go to PR son?
I try not to. I try to approach big lifts the same way I approach warm-up sets. If I get too much in my head I’ll fail the lift before starting. It’s hard to pick one. I’ll say The Regulator by Clutch.
What’s the most important thing people should know about you?
I try to have gratitude no matter what situation I’m in. It makes the difficult times more manageable and the good times better. I try to be present and make the most of the time I have.
Thanks Trae Hobby!
For more on Trae Hobby, check out his Instagram.
