meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Iron Culture

Ep. 105 - Powerlifting, Community & Opening Your Own Gym

Iron Culture

The MASS Crew

Sports & Recreation, Health & Fitness

4.8827 Ratings

🗓️ 8 February 2021

⏱️ 99 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Opening a community gym in the middle of a pandemic: crazy, or if done safely, sorely needed? That’s exactly what Mike Farr (Silent Mike) and Jim McDonald did. These Nor Cal natives return from their previous episode alongside Alan Thrall and Eric Helms where we discussed what the heck is in the water in Sacramento that produces so many iconic lifting groups. They join us today to talk about their experience of pulling the trigger on their dream of opening a gym in Sacramento, despite the challenges of COVID. Philosophically, they have the outlook that you can only put your dreams on hold for so long, and that there will always be a reason not to do something. Ethically, these two didn’t cut any corners in pursuit of their dreams. They realise that for folks like us, lifting has to find a way, because it’s something we need. Learn how they provide their members the space as an outlet, while protecting their health, and not going bankrupt in this episode.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Eric, it's time to give the people a little bit of culture because check it out.

0:04.3

We talk a lot about the historical perspective, but what about the modern day Avengers

0:08.7

doing the damn thing?

0:10.0

So actually trying to contribute to this community, make it a better place.

0:13.2

We have some we actually had on before.

0:16.1

Two Sattown Boys, my good friends, Cilincio McKell, Mike Farr, also known as, and Jim McDee, the Jim

0:23.4

McDee, coming on to talk about their new venture. And this is interesting because they finally

0:29.0

decided to open up a gym, no less during a pandemic, which is a very bold move. Let's see what

0:34.3

happens. It's very interesting, though, because they've been participants

0:38.2

in the powerlifting space, and I would say the greater fitness space for now, almost a decade,

0:44.2

shaping the course, as we know right now, of the modern power lifting scene. And I think all of us

0:49.8

have that intent of wanting to change the industry slowly over time, and you can see that manifests itself in their new venture, Third Street Barbell, their gym.

0:58.5

So it's kind of cool to kick it, talk with other people, like-minded peers about what they

1:02.4

like, what they don't like, what they want to see change, and how they're actually doing the

1:06.0

damn thing, rather than, as it seems like on social media, not targeting anyone in particular,

1:10.2

just complaining about

1:11.1

things. It's like, oh, if you don't like the culture, so to speak, why don't you try and positively

1:14.7

change it? And that's exactly what they're doing. Yeah, no. Mike and Jim are, guys, if you know them,

1:21.9

and if you've seen what they've done over time, you just want them to win. Because if they win, it means we all win.

1:28.3

And I think this is a really good reminder, not only just during the COVID era where we are more disconnected.

1:36.3

And when we are connected, it's probably digitally.

1:39.3

But even prior to that, I think we talk a lot about this in this episode.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from The MASS Crew, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of The MASS Crew and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.