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Ervin Gainer - 114 lbs.
Ht:5'2"
Hometown:Indianapolis, IN
Family: Wife Angela; Ervin Jr, Jessica & Tyler
Best Lifts:
SQ: 447 BP: 314; DL: 518; Total: 1,279
Ervin Gainer burst onto the National scene in 1996 when he was runner up in just his first National event. Since then he has left the competition in his rear view mirror as the USA's top 114 lber. With a balanced approach that has shown him make steady progress over the years, Ervin has become a cornerstone of the lighter weight classes.
This year Ervin will have a greater challenge in front of him: With the IPF eliminating the 114 lb. class, Ervin is forced to move up to 123 lbs. and challenge Doc Holloway as the new kid on the block. Look for a supreme showdown between these two because when the bell rings, the stakes will be high!
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Q: Years competing:
A: 13 Years
Q: Gym you train at:
A: National Institute of Fitness, aka NIFS, in Indianapolis, IN
Q: Powerlifting Team
A: Quest Nutrition
Q: Prior sports background:
A: Basketball, Soccer
Q: What made you decide to compete in powerlifting?
A: 1) To set an example for my children that goals can be achieved when you set your mind to them and believe in your plan and 2) To challenge myself to see how strong I could actually become.
Q: At what point did you have the lightbulb moment and realize "Hey, I actually have a shot at being the National Champion"?
A: The 1996 ADFPA National Championship. I finished in 2nd place and it was after the meet while evaluating my performance that I know then I could/would one day be a National Champion.
Q: Tell us about your profession: what do you do for a living?
A: I’ve worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance Group for 9 years in various capacities, for the past 2.5 yrs I was a Claims Manager for the Maryland office, I received notice after Worlds that Liberty Mutual wanted me to assume the role of Regional Operations Mgr for the Indianapolis office so I’m back in Indianapolis as of 12/06.
Q: Give us some idea of the types of struggles or hardships you've had to endure in your training…or life.
A: Life: I don’t know if I would call this a struggle or hardship because it was more of a motivation than anything else. I was a single parent for 5 yrs prior to marrying my beautiful wife, Angela. The sole source of my energy was my son Ervin Jr. I wanted to provide the best possible life for him at the highest level. Training: The toughest struggle I’ve had to deal with was the recovery from the rotator cuff tear I sustained in March of 2005. I had surgery May of 2005, just one week after Nationals. It took me a year to fully recover and regain my strength & confidence.
Q: What are the most extreme conditions you've had to go through in training?
A: Early in my career with Liberty Mutual I was trainer and traveled often between IN & NH. At the same time, I was pursuing my MBA at IU Kelley Graduate School of Business. It was during this period were I was forced to train at odd hours, back to back days etc. It was taxing at times but I was motivated to succeed on the National & International level of powerlifting.
Q: Tell the readers what your daily meals consist of as the contest gets closer.
A: Morning: Oatmeal, eggs w/bacon or sausage, milk & orange juice Mid-morning snack: tuna sandwich, protein bar or Muscle Milk/ Quest-Plex. Lunch: Baked chicken w/veggies. Mid-afternoon snack: protein bar, Muscle Milk or Quest-Plex. Dinner: Baked fish w/veggies
Q: Now tell us all of the foods you'll eat in the weeks after the Mens Nationals
A: Spicy shrimp scampi, fried fish (whiting), fried shrimp & clams, lots of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream basically what ever I want.
Q: The all-time best meal you've ever had: where was it and what was it?
A: This is tough because every meal my wife cooks is good or the best, I’m not a big fan of going out to eat my wife is an excellent cook.
Q: You are stranded on an island: What CD, book, food and drink would you have with you
A: Bible, book: "How to Win Friends and Influence People", food: Any good pasta dish that consist of shrimp or chicken, drink: water
Q: When not lifting, what are your hobbies?
A: Hanging with the family; wrestling our youngest son, Tyler
Q: What kind of collection(s) do you own? And what?
A: I don’t collect anything
Q: People would never guess this about you:
A: I used to be 6’ 5" with an afro.
Q: You are not too ashamed to admit in high school you used to:
A: Sleep through just about every class except for gym, I’d wakeup for a good game of dodge ball shirts against skins.
Q: What type of intensity can we expect to see from you once the bell rings and the fight to keep your title has begun?
A: You will not see much commotion from me on the platform, I will maintain my normal quiet demeanor. I will approach each lift as if it was the last lift God would allow me too attempt. You’ll see focus, you’ll see the fire in my eyes that burns deep within me, the fire that does not accept failure.
Q: People you would like to thank who have had a hand in your success:
A: God, Angela, Ervin Jr, Jessica, Tyler (family), Frank & Alice Gainer (Parents), Greg Simmons, Sherman Ledford, Brad Gillingham, Wade Hooper, Tony Harris, Dave Ricks, Tony Cardella, James Townsend, Pete Alaniz, Peter Thorne, Mike & Angie Overdeer and numerous other folks.
Q: Single most life changing experience:
A: Giving my life to Christ.
Offical Sponsors for the 2007 Mens Nationals
