Austin Haye - Texas Strongest Man

Austin Haye, a dedicated GASP ambassador with a passion for those heavy lifts competed and won the Texas Strongest Man show this past weekend. His brother Sumner Haye was also one of the competitors and Austins 2 year old son Jack was one of the biggest fans there.

IMG 2052-2-1155x1280

We asked Austin some questions about the show, and in particular how he felt about having his family there to support. Did having your son at the event influence your energy? Absolutely. Jack has been my biggest fan and loudest cheerleader since I first brought him to watch me compete earlier this year at the Ronnie Coleman Strongman Classic. Ever since, he’s been saying “Daddy ‘wift’ weights!” and asking me if I’m going to the gym to train with “Unkie” (his name for my younger brother and training partner, Sumner). Seeing how excited he gets to watch me workout in the gym or compete makes me want to put forth that much more effort. There’s nothing to really compare it to until you have kids and they get really involved/start participating in your hobbies. Did being a dad influence your training leading up to the event? Yes – In both positive and negative ways, but mostly positive. The time I devote to training is minimal because I don’t want to miss out on too much time at home with him. I can manage off of 3 days of training per week which comes out to about 6-7hrs/week of training time. This has actually been a really big benefit for me because it has forced me to allow my body to recover more than in the past when I was training 5-6 days a week (12-14hrs total). With more recovery I get injured a whole lot less and I don’t plateau as easily during training cycles. The only negative influence I experience, and any parent can relate, is the lack of sleep that comes with just being a dad to a 2 year old. I wouldn’t change it for the world though. How did your son help you warm up? We got to the competition floor and as soon as we set our bags down, he was tugging on me to take him out on the floor so he could see what the other strongmen were doing and play with the implements. Having to focus on him and not getting warmed up right away took the edge off at the beginning of the competition. There’s always a certain amount of nervousness that hits you as soon as you step foot on that floor and see everyone starting to warm up and get into their own competitive zone. I’m usually right there with everyone else in terms of nerves being on fire, but with Jack there I have to focus on him and making sure he’s learning and having a good time while I get ready. Having him there waiting for me on the sidelines in-between events really took the edge off things throughout the whole day because I would have to turn off the intensity and just be “daddy” again while I waited for the next event.

IMG 2050-2-1280x1074

How was the atmosphere at Texas Strongest Man?  Electric to say the least. The competition took place inside of the Europa Games Fit Expo, so we had spectators on all sides watching, filming, and cheering for us. Scott Brockelman and Jacob Fincher (North American Strongman Co-State Chairs – Texas) did a great job getting strongman into this event. Other than the Bang Energy booth, we were probably the biggest draw for spectators.  

IMG 2051

What were the events there?  The first event was the log clean a press for reps. The weight for my division was 270lbs. A lot of athletes in my division struggled with this event due to the size of the log that was used and the uneven surface we were standing on. I managed only 2 reps which put me in a 3-way tie for 1st.

20190609 143129

The next event was the axle deadlift for reps. The weight for my division was 565lbs and I managed 10 reps in under 60 seconds. I only needed 8 to win the event, so I stopped at 10 reps with time to spare. I believe this was a rep PR for me at this weight. I don’t get to train axle that often, so it was good to see my heavy conventional deadlifting transfer over like that.

20190609 143212

3rd event was the farmers walk. The weight for my division was 275lbs per hand and we had to carry it 50ft. The quickest time won the event. A lot of athletes struggled with the grip on the handles because they had been wrapped with tape and the tape was beginning to peel off. One of the guys in my division lost a fair amount of skin on his hand just trying to carry it. I managed 4th in this event.

20190609 143303-1072x1280

Moving events have been a weakness for me since I started strongman, but lately I’ve been devoting more time to training them so that I’m not losing so many points. The 4th event was the Mouser Block/sled drag medley. The block weighed 320lbs and you had to carry it 50ft and then pull a loaded sled back 50ft for the fastest time. The thing that competitors struggled the most with on this event was traction: The convention center floor was slick concrete, so pulling a sled backwards proved to be very difficult. Luckily, I’ve encountered this before at other comps and learned that if you dampen the soles of your shoes with water then you’ll be able to grip the ground better. This little trick paid off and I took 2nd in the event.

20190609 143324

The last event was the sandbag carry for max distance. The sandbag weighed 250lbs. This event was brutal, especially being at the end of the day when your body is already fatigued, but I was ready. Sumner and I had been training this event with a keg, which is considerably harder to walk with for a long period of time than a sandbag. I believe training with the keg over the sandbag guaranteed me success on this event. I needed 225ft to win and I took it to 250ft and called it at that.     

20190609 1434031

Your brother got the number 2 spot, how did you feel about that? Sumner came in 2nd in the heavy weight division (231lbs and above). I was 1st in the middle weight division (231lbs and under). I was very proud of Sumner for his placing. Believe it or not, he was the lightest heavyweight competing weighing in at 260lbs. He was trading 1st and 2nd with the guy that ended up winning all day long – it was great to see him hang with some of the strongest guys in Texas.   What did Mary (your wife) think of you all being together there? She loved it. It’s hard at times trying to juggle Jack or keep him from running on the floor during the competition, but overall I know she enjoys getting to make these memories as a family.

IMG 2049-2-1280x1275

She deserves her own medal for being out there all day long when she’s 7 months pregnant, taking care of Jack, and making sure I’m eating, drinking, and stretching in-between events. She’s my secret weapon. Were there any other highlights to the event?  Yes! 1) Getting to have Jack out on the competition floor with me throughout the day. The best moment was when I was getting amped up for the last event and I hear my wife calling me from the sidelines and Jack’s holding out his fist to give me a fist bump before I went. I gave him a fist bump and said “we’re gonna win this.” 2) Standing up with the sandbag during the last event and realizing I had this competition in the bag (no pun intended).

More in Ambassadors

Se alla
  • Bigger Than Ever | Joe Mackey

    Bigger Than Ever | Joe Mackey

    We meet Joe Mackey a little over two weeks until Joe Mackey takes the stage at the 2021 Chicago IFBB Pro.

    Läs mer
  • Liv Roth - Pro Debut at the Europa Orlando

    Liv Roth - Pro Debut at the Europa Orlando

    Now we are back in Houston, Texas and Orlando, Florida in this video as Liv prepares to step on the professional stage for the first time.

    Läs mer
  • Get Hungry! Branch Warren & Martin Fitzwater RAW Shoulder Training

    Get Hungry! Branch Warren & Martin Fitzwater RAW Shoulder Training

    That particular killer instinct is a daily urge that isn't dependent on energy or motivation levels.

    Läs mer
  • Leg Training and Food Prep | Bodybuilding Reboot with Jonathan Irizarry

    Leg Training and Food Prep | Bodybuilding Reboot with Jonathan Irizarry

    We checked in with Jon Irizarry, now that he is 8 weeks out from competing at the 2021 NPC USA Bodybuilding Championships.

    Läs mer
  • Get To Know Calle Bolund

    Get To Know Calle Bolund

    Calle Bolund is a GASP and Better Bodies athlete residing in Stockholm, Sweden. He is passionate about bodybuilding and his journey.

    Läs mer
  • Brett Wilkin & Keone Pearson Discuss Their Time at Destination and Future Plans

    Brett Wilkin & Keone Pearson Discuss Their Time at Destination and Future Plans

    Brett Wilkin and Keone Pearson chime in to discuss their week at Destination Dallas, shooting with Per Bernal, and future plans.

    Läs mer
  • The Perennial Underdog

    The Perennial Underdog

    To Shaun it was the undeniable truth... he would be champion...

    Läs mer
  • Happy Birthday Johnnie!

    Happy Birthday Johnnie!

    Help us wishing Johnnie Jackson a very Happy Birthday!

    Läs mer
  • What Makes A Champion - Shaun Clarida

    What Makes A Champion - Shaun Clarida

    This video summarizes Shaun Claridas recent trip to Destination.

    Läs mer
  • Son Of Sahara

    Son Of Sahara

    Samir Troudi traveled across the world to visit the GASP & Better Bodies HQ at Destination.

    Läs mer
  • Cowboy Stadium - Chasing Greatness

    Cowboy Stadium - Chasing Greatness

    Join in for this trip to Cowboys Stadium and a less lesson in vision, having a plan of action, and then executing.

    Läs mer
  • Joe Mackey and Larry Wheels - Last Day In Dubai

    Joe Mackey and Larry Wheels - Last Day In Dubai

    Join in as Joe Mackey explores Dubai on the last day of his trip there.

    Läs mer
  • Ed Brown Universe Weekend Pro Card - Earned Never Given

    Ed Brown Universe Weekend Pro Card - Earned Never Given

    Ed Brown is a prime example of years of experience and plugging away hard core.

    Läs mer
  • Massive Pro Debut - Bernardo Costa

    Massive Pro Debut - Bernardo Costa

    Bernardo Costa is getting ready for his Pro Debut at Battle Of Texas.

    Läs mer
  • Bodybuilding In Dubai - Day In The Life with Samir Troudi

    Bodybuilding In Dubai - Day In The Life with Samir Troudi

    Spend a full day with Samir Troudi and see how a typical day looks like for him.

    Läs mer
  • Earned Never Given - Be The Hardest Worker

    Earned Never Given - Be The Hardest Worker

    EARNED muscle through legit, programmed lifting and constant progression is different compared to those of genetically blessed or younger lifters.

    Läs mer
  • A Day In The Life of Bodybuilder Branch Warren

    A Day In The Life of Bodybuilder Branch Warren

    Killing it in the gym or killing it in business it is always pedal to the metal. Passion has to meet with purpose with any goal that exceeds mediocrity.

    Läs mer
  • Goal Set For Mr. Olympia 2020

    Goal Set For Mr. Olympia 2020

    We have all heard that hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard...

    Läs mer
  • Get to know Ashkan

    Get to know Ashkan

    Ashkan Aghili has been performing bodybuilding specific training since ’97 and have had an active competing career between ’99-05.

    Läs mer
  • GASP - A Belief and A Totem - Introduction to Cao Yu

    GASP - A Belief and A Totem - Introduction to Cao Yu

    Cao Yu is a Chinese Bodybuilder and GASP Ambassador. Here's an introduction to who he is and an update on his future goals.

    Läs mer
  • Video: Q&A With Hunter Labrada

    Video: Q&A With Hunter Labrada

    Here we catch up with IFBB Pro Hunter Labrada and he answers how he keeps balance with business and his bodybuilding lifestyle.

    Läs mer
  • Henrik Lindh – Live Every Day

    Henrik Lindh – Live Every Day

    I live by the saying “we live every day but only die once”. By that I mean that I set goals for myself and I complete them, instead of just dreaming.

    Läs mer
  • Austin Haye - Texas Strongest Man

    Austin Haye - Texas Strongest Man

    Austin Haye, a dedicated GASP ambassador with a passion for those heavy lifts competed and won the Texas Strongest Man show this past weekend.

    Läs mer
  • Meet Sergey Kulaev

    Meet Sergey Kulaev

    We meet Russian Pro Bodybuilder Sergey Kulaev and ask him some questions to get to know him.

    Läs mer
  • Becoming A GASP Ambassador

    Becoming A GASP Ambassador

    To both existing and potential new ambassadors of GASP…

    Läs mer
  • Do The Necessary

    Do The Necessary

    Join us as we get to know Louis Moylan from UK. Louis trains out of Kings Gym, Croydon.

    Läs mer
Feel free to provide any description you would like related to current problem. It will help us with further investigation of this problem.