Name: Mark Wechter


Height:   6'    (183 cm)


Weight:   220 lbs    (100 kg)


Date of Birth:   9-19-71


Occupation:  Science Teacher

Previously:  Football, Baseball, Weightlifting, Track & Field

Currently:  Highland Games, Strongman


NW Strongman: Hobbies other than weight training:

Camping, Highland Games


NW Strongman: How did you become interested in Strongman?

I like competing, but was tired of powerlifting and wanted to do something athletic.  I saw WSM on tv many times, and heard Salem Gold's Gym was putting on a competition, so I decided to give it a try.


NW Strongman: When was your first competition?

Gold's Gym Northwest Strongman, July 1999.


NW Strongman: Tell us about your training.   Do you train alone or with partners?   Are you able to train the events year-round?   If so, how?

I train 2-3 times per week with strongman implements April-October.  The rest of the week I work out in the gym.  Off-season I train in the gym 6-7 days per week, but little to no implement or event training.


NW Strongman: Favorite Strongman event:

Tire Flip


NW Strongman: Strongman you most look up to:

Kaz


NW Strongman: During an event, what goes through your mind?   What do you do to motivate yourself?

During an event I think about consistency and intensity, and try to think about my pace on endurance events.  To get motivated I think about how much training and preparation was done, and I listen to music from the Olympics.


NW Strongman: What is a normal week like for you, with regard to training?

Tuesday, Thursday:  2-3 hours event training, 1 1/2 hours weightlifting.

Other days of the week 2 - 2 1/2 hours weight training and cardio.