Inspirational Story of a weight lifter DONT MISS
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source:
http://www.chicoer.com/localsports/ci_3404453Lively still living life to its fullest
By SCOTT WILSON-Sports Writer
Gerald Lively wants to boldly go where no man has gone before.
Well, at least he wants to go where no powerlifter has ever gone before. And considering all the obstacles he's overcome in his life thus far, it's not out of his reach.
While most people his age are working on sailing off into the sunset, the 67-year-old is living the life of someone half his age.
"My goal is to lift for three more years," he said. "I'll be 70. There aren't any records for a 70-year-old. All I have to do is get there, make some lifts and I'll have the records."
One distinction you won't find Lively flaunting, or showing any ill effects from, is his three bouts with cancer. In all three cases, you could say Lively won by KO.
His story is one of perseverance and courage in overcoming the debilitating effects of cancer, chemotherapy, radiation treatments and surgery.
"Those were interesting in and of themselves," Lively said.
Lively was a deputy county administrative officer in Chico before he moved to the frontiers of Alaska, where he was a city manager of Yakutat from 1989-1990. He left because "he didn't feel right."
He was later diagnosed with cancer, specifically Hodgkin's lymphoma, or Hodgkin's disease, in the winter of 1990.
Hodgkin's disease is a form of cancer that starts in lymphatic tissue. Lymphatic tissue includes the lymph nodes and related organs that are part of the body's immune and blood-forming systems.
Lively underwent surgery to have lymph nodes removed to determine if they were cancerous. After his prognosis he had chemotherapy for seven months. It took a toll on him physically.
"Imagine the worst hangover you have ever had," he said, "and have it last for seven months. It was miserable."
Lively said he had to have a blood test every two weeks to ensure his body was cancer free, and for three years it remained that way. In the summer of 1993 doctors diagnosed him with prostate cancer. He had surgery in August of that year to remove the afflicted area.
He also had emergency gallbladder surgery in 1994, which Lively said was, "the most intense pain I've ever felt." In 2000 cancer had struck again in his prostate, but instead of surgery he underwent 36 radiation treatments.
"Surgery is relatively quick," Lively said. "Radiation runs you down. They waited a while before they would let me exercise.
"I was in really terrible shape. I wasn't chomping at the bit, but my doctor said I had to get into an exercise program."
Lively took those words to heart, and began what has turned into one of his passions.
After working out at home, he joined Fit One in Chico and hired a trainer, Hillary Arthur, who is now the head coach of the Western Nevada Community College women's soccer team.
He had an auspicious start to his new weight-lifting regimen. He injured his ankle the day before his first day of working out, and he showed up on crutches.
"Someone coming in on crutches, you don't usually see that at a fitness facility," Arthur said. "He was so dedicated. He was determined and he was (angry), and because of those two, he was motivated.
"I consider him a great man. He's a fighter and an inspiration. He is very fiery, and that's what makes him Gerald."
Lively has also followed the direction of his first cousin and chief of police at Chico State University, Leslie Deniz. Deniz has the credentials to share information about powerlifting.
She was named the strongest woman in the world in 1981, she won a silver medal in the discus at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and she had a long career spent in the weight room.
Their first meeting was more of a chance encounter than a planned training session.
"We ended up at the same gym," she said. "It was like, 'oh my gosh' and that's how we started working out together. It was nice to have a family member to work out with."
Deniz said she knew that Lively was having some health issues, and it was very nice to see him at the gym.
"It was also very inspirational to see somebody move on and still be in such high spirits," Deniz said. "He's very self motivated. I'm very proud of him."
After putting in enough training to be prepared for competition, Lively entered his first contest in February of 2004.
Lively owns three national and four state records for the American Powerlifting Association in the 65-69 age group, 242-pound class. He also owns a pair of state records in the 275-pound weight class for his age group.
He has the top squat (360 pounds), deadlift (300) and total combined for all three events (910) at the national level. He also has the top bench in the state (250). Lively is humble about his exploits despite his success.
"There are some guys my age who can out-lift me," Lively said, "but they're just not at the tournaments."
Competitive powerlifting combines the bench press, squat and deadlift. Each movement must be done precisely, lowering the weight and returning it through the designated range of motion. A referee decides if each lift meets the appropriate criteria.
"I went to my first tournament, got a few trophies and I was inspired," he said. "I was thrilled by the competition. Powerlifting is a full-body conditioning regimen. These guys that do full power are something to see. It's really inspirational to see."
In his second year of competition Lively competed in four tournaments total, all in Sacramento, sanctioned by the APA. He competed in local tournaments and won all three lifts.
All of this led to his record-setting tournament on Nov. 19. Lively also had some disappointment at the event. While attempting a new world squat record for his age group, his completed lift was disallowed by a referee's decision.
"I missed it by one-quarter of an inch, according to the referee," Lively said. "'Another quarter inch,' he said and I would have had it. Next time I go to a tournament there will be no doubt about my depth."
Lively isn't just a jock, he's also written an unpublished science fiction book and he has a Web site (
www.livelyroots.com) that covers genealogy.
"I do lots of different things," he said. "I built half of the house I live in."
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