#378 "Powerlifting Saved Me From Cocaine Addiction & Foster Care" | Eugene Bazemore

Eugene "Big Gene" Bazemore is a 32-year-old Army veteran-turned-super-heavyweight powerlifter who clawed his way from orphan shelters in Hampton Roads, VA to a 2,050-lb raw total and an XPC Arnold Worlds title in barely three seasons on the platform. After military service left a competitive void, Eugene discovered powerlifting through Westside vs The World, self-coached his first meet in 2022, and has been stacking 2K-plus totals—and life lessons—ever since. In this conversation with Dave, Gene breaks down the realities of untested lifting, balancing an elite training schedule with day-to-day life in Marietta, nutrition that fuels 800-lb deadlifts, and why the barbell became the lifeline that kept him out of prison.

Connect with Gene:

LinkInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/not_big_gene/ Instagram

Alt. IG (legacy handle)https://www.instagram.com/halfnattygene/ Instagram

Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/eugene.bazemore.9 facebook.com

Meet resultshttps://openpowerlifting.org/u/eugenebazemore Open Powerlifting


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