The strength of a champion

Fitness trainer Jamie McDougal knows a little something about what it takes to be a champion.

McDougal, 37, a 1990 graduate of Conway High and a 2002 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, took home first place in two categories during a recent power lifting contest in Dallas, Texas.

McDougal, a lightweight competing in the 175-pound and under division, won the overall division of the Clash of the Titans III. He had a strong showing across the board starting with the squat (510), bench (420), and dead lift (600). He ended up with 1,230 points, which earned him $1,000 cash. He also added another $1,000 after he was crowned the winner of the Kings of the Bench III. McDougal benched 420 pounds. His closest competitor had a total of 320 pounds.

"I like to be able to do it all," McDougal said. "Some people just focus on one particular area, but you have to be able to do it all if you want to win first place in the overall competition."

McDougal is the owner of a Back2Basics fitness center in Russellville. He trains high school, college and amateur athletes. McDougal is a NATA-certified athletic trainer and he is a NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist.

.story-ad {

width: 310px;

float: left;

margin: 0 10px 10px 0;

padding: 4px;

}

- Advertisement -

OAS_AD('x22');

"I enjoy competing in power lifting events, and when there's money that makes it even better," McDougal said. "It gets pretty intense, especially when you're trying to make the right weight before the competition. You have to be dedicated because it gets expensive sometimes."

McDougal said he was not on any performance-enhancing drugs. He competes in an average of six events a year three bench press meets and three overall meets.

"I try to break it down like that so my body doesn't get tore up," McDougal said. "You have to have the proper amount of rest before these events."