I was excited when we got the news that another KCSTRONGMAN competitor was crowned national champion.  I got the chance to ask him a few questions to get his insite on how things went:

ET: Congrats, Zack on your national title and thank you for taking the time to do this interview.  First of all, what is your athletic background (non strength sports). What
accomplishments did you have there?

Zack: I played basketball and football in highschool.  I was good, but not great.  In my early 20s I missed competition and I did a few bike races and 5ks, but I found lifting again at 23 and I've been lifting seriously ever since.

ET: What is your strength sports background? what all strength sports
have you been involved with or tried? what accomplishments have you had in 
all of them?

Zack: I'm very big into RAW, drug-free, full meet powerlifting.  I've got 1st place in the Cornhusker State Games 2006 & 2007, The AV Sorenson meets in 2006 & 2008, and the 100% RAW meets in 2007, 2008 and 2009.  I've also won several best lifter and top lifter awards and hit elite totals.  I love the challenge that I get from powerlifting, me versus the weight.

ET: How did you get involved in Strongman?

Zack: I was searching the Omaha area for powerlifting meets and stumbled upon the name DJ Satterfield.  I think we sent a couple emails and phone calls back and forth and then he invited me over to Jesse Jobe's place in Council Bluffs.  I can remember "playing" with the implements for a couple of hours and going home so exhausted I could barely see straight...and I loved it! 
        After my first day of training DJ said I was ready to do a contest and that I should do the MacPherson meet that was coming up.  I ended up winning and I was instantly hooked.  The competition was such a rush!  Every event was up for grabs and the points that came with it were so important - I still think that's why I like the sport so much. 

ET: Describe your training group/facility.

Zack: My #1 training partner is my brother Josh. The guy is right there with me everyday in the gym and we push each other hard. He'll train late, early, long or short and always give it 100%.  We train weights/powerlifting together at Golds in Omaha.

        My strongman training group is Jobes.  I owe a lot of thanks to Jesse Jobe for letting me train there. He always has good insight on events and different training techniques and is an all around good guy.  There are a bunch of good guys in our group and we have a great time training events together.

ET: Tell us about what your training looked like leading up to nationals.

Zack: I started back training events in July (I hadn't touched implements since Master Nationals in October)  I would hit 2 events a week for the next 4 weeks, then I upped it 2-3 events twice a week.  I trained them all at contest weight with a lot of intensity.
        I also started dieting back in August.  I was weighing 283 and I considered going 300# class, but my brother helped me understand that I was carrying too much fat and that it wasn't going to help me for these type of events.  I went on a low fat/high protein diet and I dropped the weight fast.  I got below 265 in early October and I maintained that weight until weighins at Nats.

ET: Describe your nationals experience

Zack: I was very focused.  I knew that if I went out and hit the same numbers that I'd been hitting in training that my placing would take care of itself.

ET: Now that you have won a national title, where do you go from here?
what goals do you have for yourself in the next year? Over your career?

Zack: I'm still not sure.  I love competition and I know that I'm still getting stronger and better so I hope to still compete.  I don't see myself becoming a LW or HW Pro, but I enjoy what I do and I plan on keep doing it as long as it's enjoyable for me.

ET: What is life like outside of strongman (Family, job, etc)?

Zack: My girlfriend Lacy and I have been together for 3 years and we just bought house.  I like hanging out with my brother Josh and his family when I can.  I enjoy doing any type of activity that is sports or game related.

ET:  Thanks, Zack, for taking the time to share with us.  And Congrats on becomming yet another KCSTRONGMAN National Champion!