Meet The Power Rack Strength Team

Ben Sheard started powerlifting at age 13, competing in single ply from 1999-2004 back in his home state of Ohio. He started powerlifting again in 2014 after struggling with substance abuse/addiction for over 10 years. Competing as a raw powerlifter, he achieved an Elite Total at 198 lbs. Best raw lifts at 198 are 611 squat, 352 bench, and a 606 lb deadlift. Recently made a transition to Multi-Ply in 2017. Coached by Brian Carroll using 10/20 Life, he achieved a Pro Total in his most recent meet at 198lbs. Best equipped lifts in a meet are an 804 squat, a weak 463 bench, and a 700lb deadlift. He is a NASM certified PT, but works full time as a Supervisor at a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center in Deerfield Beach, FL. Currently training out of Boynton Barbell Center in Boynton Beach, FL. Ben will be competing next at the XPC Pro Day in Columbus, where he looks to secure a 2,000+ lb total at 198.

Brandon Crabill is a proud bearer of the mark of the beast, completing the 666 Challenge unleashed an unholy torrent.  Initially, the focus was on power and speed, but as time went along things shifted to further extremes.  Brandon would go on to total Pro and Elite in multiple weight classes both geared and raw, all while knocking out marathons and ultras.  In one 6 month period he would total 2150 equipped, 1705 raw, and run a 100K trail race with a top placing, all in a race that saw over half the field DNF.  The stats are legit, the stories are real, and the lessons have come with a price.

Danny has been involved in powerlifting since 1994. The first swing at a career was short lived due to a major back injury in 1999 that resulted in a 3-level spinal (lumbar) fusion. At that point, he took a 10-year break. Avoiding the gym all together because his body, and back, just never felt right. In 2010, Danny went to handle a good friend at a local meet. That experience re-ignited the fire within and he was back under the bar, never looking back. Danny established an elite total at his first meet back in 2010 and then accomplished a win at the 2012 APF Masters Nationals. Through his win at the APF Masters, he was training using the Conjugate Method, but he wanted a change. He needed a change. Danny reached out to a friend who stated that Brian Carroll and the Samson Barbell crew had it going on. In the process of connecting with Brian, he has endured a few setbacks. During his initial discussions, he had torn his rotator cuff and labrum, along with a separated AC joint. The surgery did not “take” and just nine months later, he was back under the knife for a “do-over.” During the healing process, he had lost feeling and strength his my right arm. Being pig-headed, he waited and waited. His choice to remain stubborn backfired, and Danny was back in the OR for another spinal (cervical) fusion. Now healed, and a few years under Brian, Danny’s total has moved to 1876 @ 165. Danny has posted many first-place finishes in the New England Open along with a recent win at the 2017 APF Senior Nationals. He doesn’t like to predict or talk about goals, but he does want more. Recovering after a freak accident which lead to another cervical fusion, Danny id rehabbing and looking forward to the WPO finals in November.

Will Kuenzel is the owner of Lowcountry Strength (www.LowcountryStrength.com) in Charleston, SC. Will started his athletic endeavors as a pole vaulter; finishing up his collegiate career with a best vault of 16’9” at a whopping 160lbs. He left the track and field world to pursue bodybuilding, his first show in 2005, he won 1st place in Men’s Novice as a middle weight. One year later he took 2nd as a Men’s Junior heavy weight. Since 2007 he has been a competitive powerlifter and totaling elite as a 220lber. His best lifts in multiply equipment are a 710lbs squat, a 605lbs bench press, a 615lbs deadlift and a 1930 total. In 2008 Will started Lowcountry Strength out of his garage. Since then it has moved into a 16,000 sq/ft facility and shares space with a mixed martial arts studio. With all disciplines of powerlifting, strongman, MMA, jiu jitsu and other sports in the Charleston area getting trained under one roof, Will heads up the strength and conditioning for a wide variety of athletes and clients.

Michael “MDLP” De La Pava is currently a competitive Strongman and owner of The Battle Axe Gym. Born in Miami, Florida into a Colombian household, Michael finished his schooling by attending Penn State University where he graduated with a Degree in Psychology. Having his roots in martial arts, he would go on to compete in various sports as a Muay Thai fighter, Powerlifter, and rugby player before committing himself fully to Strongman. During this time, he opened Miami’s first Strongman gym, The Battle Axe, where he currently coaches athletes from various disciplines including powerlifting, MMA fighters, Strongman, officers of multiple authorities and enlisted and active military operators. Competing in Strongman for over 6 years has given Michael the opportunity to rank as high as 15th in the nation (105kg), won Florida’s Strongest man (1st in 2014 and 2nd in 2015 in the 105kg class), lift and load a 420 pound Atlas stone, log press 335, pull 700, and most importantly, share the competitive battlefield with some of the best in the game. During this journey, Michael suffered what some would consider a potentially career-ending spine injury. It was at this time that Brian and Michael would begin working together to not only rehab his spine, allowing him to return to Strongman but also develop a new Strongman training program revolving around the 10/20 philosophy. Strongman and coaching have given Michael the opportunity to travel around the nation and the world to train, coach and be coached, as well as share ideas with various leaders in the strength community. Michael’s experience and network in strongman brings a welcome connection with the ever-growing sport of Strongman to the 10/20 team and PRS family.

Paul Oneid is an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, a CSEP Certified Exercise Physiologist and USA-W Certified Olympic Weightlifting Coach with 5 years’ experience as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at various NCAA Division 1, 1AA, Division 2 and CIS Universities. Paul holds an Honors Degree in Human Kinetics, a Master’s of Science in Exercise Science and a Master’s of Science in Sports Management. He has worked with many current and past NFL, CFL, CIS, NHL, MLB, MLS, NLL and MLL players. Paul hold’s Master of Science Degrees in both Exercise Science and Sports Management, as well as an Honors Degree in Human Kinetics. He has been ranked in the top 20 All-Time in both the squat and the total. His best lifts in competition are an 805lbs Squat, 430lbs Bench Press, a 725lbs Deadlift and a 1960lbs total performed unequipped.

Currently, Paul works as a Functional Rehabilitation Specialist, as well as a Powerlifting Coach. He is the President of 1-Life Inc. and acts as a consultant for numerous health-focused tech companies internationally. Feel free to follow him on Instagram @pauloneid, or on Facebook.

Team Samson was founded by Adam Driggers who built the Team Samson compound. Some of the biggest names in powerlifting have trained with Team Samson including: Dondell Blue, Al Caslow, and Gary Frank. What began as a small group of members has grown into an accomplished team of lifters that continue to chase after new strength gains. Team Samson is made up of pro lifters Brian Carroll, Clint Smith, and Jonathan Byrd along with lifters in various stages of their lifting career including: Adam Driggers, Keith Price, Filipe Gusmão, Jason Kowalewski, Paul Key, Shane Ford, Stan Mills, Shane Shepperd, and Tony Garland.

Tucker Loken is a Bodybuilder turned Powerlifter turned Powerbuilder from living in Venice, CA. Several years ago, he decided to take a step away from a standard bodybuilding routine and learn how to get strong. He worked with Brian for a year, added 200 pounds to his raw total and qualified as an Elite lifter in the 220 pound weight class. He returned back to bodybuilding much stronger and now incorporates the 10/20/Life philosophy into his training to keep himself healthy and making continual progress to his physique and strength. He is a nationally qualified NPC bodybuilder and will be competing to become an IFBB pro over the next few years. As a part of Team PRS, he brings his unique expertise of nutritional knowledge and how to balance Bodybuilding with Powerlifting to help athletes achieve their best potential.

Tucker Loken is a Bodybuilder turned Powerlifter turned Powerbuilder from living in Venice, CA. Several years ago, he decided to take a step away from a standard bodybuilding routine and learn how to get strong. He worked with Brian for a year, added 200 pounds to his raw total and qualified as an Elite lifter in the 220 pound weight class. He returned back to bodybuilding much stronger and now incorporates the 10/20/Life philosophy into his training to keep himself healthy and making continual progress to his physique and strength. He is a nationally qualified NPC bodybuilder and will be competing to become an IFBB pro over the next few years. As a part of Team PRS, he brings his unique expertise of nutritional knowledge and how to balance Bodybuilding with Powerlifting to help athletes achieve their best potential.