Congratulation to @jedgarbovesauce, our @blackandredbb showing perseverance and dedication. A true inspiration. Awesome work, John! 🏋 #Repost ・・・ "You're getting closer," is what the announcer turned to me and said after my second miss. I was unsuccessful in my first two attempts at the same weight and followed myself twice. I momentarily acknowledged the circumstances (this was a warm-up weight I make 100% of the time but decided to take it on platform after I noticed the strength in my legs was zapped, I traveled nearly 4,300 miles to compete at this event, I invested countless hours in the gym, my supportive friends and teammates were awake back home well past 3:00am to watch my session live, and I had adopted what felt like the life of a monk for the past two months to be as mentally and physically sharp as possible). And then as I approached the bar for my third and final attempt I recited in my head, "This is why you train as hard as you do." For the first time in 19 competitions I was faced with a "do or die" attempt (i.e., you must make at least one attempt in both lifts to post a total), and it just so happened to be on the biggest stage of my lifting career. This is a situation I wouldn't wish on any of my fellow competitors but having triumphed it will forever be one of the most memorable makes of my lifting career. Weightlifting has forged a heightened level of discipline and mental fortitude that transcends athletics and aides me in every aspect of life. I consider everyone that shares my passion for this sport a brother and sister. Here's to sharing many more victories with y'all. #blackandredbb #usaweightlifting #mastersweightlifting #mdpvlwc #iwf #germany (at Heinsheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)