AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Mayor Cole Stanley awarded the keys to the city to two local powerlifters who won gold medals in the Mr. Olympia competition.
A power washer by day and powerlifter by night, Heath Dodgen found the motivation to weight train after facing many hardships in his life, including alcoholism and the death of a child.
“It’s been four years since I stopped drinking because I didn’t know what to do, and my son was so proud of me. My son died a month and a half after I stopped drinking. “I did,” Dojen said. “And all I had to do was train. I didn’t know what to do anymore on Friday and Saturday nights. The phone wasn’t ringing anymore. So on Monday I started working out. ” 7 days a week. ”
APD Officer Josh Jenkins trained and competed alongside Dodjen. He says weightlifting and lifting heavy weights go hand in hand.
“It’s about overcoming that weight. The deadlift bar may be hurting your knees, or it may not be lifting. But locking out is the same thing in life. Maybe you’re going through a difficult time. “I know I’m going through this, but I don’t believe in myself.” “If I can shut out this deadlift, I can get through this.” “You can overcome any situation,” Jenkins said. They can overcome obstacles in the gym, and they can definitely overcome them in life. ”
Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Dodgen express their gratitude for the award.
“After many hours of training, it was hard, but it was worth it and very rewarding.I felt better mentally, mentally and physically, but it was great. ” Jenkins said.
“What an honor to have the keys to Amarillo, Texas,” Dougen said. “It’s part of my story now that I’ll take with me to my grave. I’m really grateful for it.”
Both men plan to compete in Mr. Olympia again next year.
