Hudson Power Team: Articles and Advice

Goodbye Messages

A number of lifting friends were kind enough to post some goodbye messages on the Illini Powerlifting discussion board prior to my departure from Illinois.

From Jeff Douglas -

It's nearing the end of an era in the local, and even broader, strength scene. John Hudson will move to Texas in less than a month. Those who arrived to this network of strength athletes after 2004 passed might not realize exactly how influential John has been, or how wide the direct and indirect effects of his efforts have reached. John was the driving force in creating Illini Powerlifting and promoted it and formed connections with U of I lifters as well as lifters all over Illinois and the Midwest. John created opportunities for U of I students, faculty, and staff to lift in meets as far reaching as high profile meets in Reno and Las Vegas, and developed an atmosphere on campus in which powerlifters actively recruited other powerlifters.

From a personal point of view, I know that without John I'd probably still be doing my same routine, wrapping knee wraps around my blue jeans for my weekly squats, and doing the odd deadlift competition in Tuscola every other year or so. Due to John, I've lifted in SLP, APA, AAPF, and WABDL. These days I'm primarily interested in NAS Inc strongman competitions. Even though John hasn't actively promoted strongman training, I can see my evolution to strongman as a result of John's creation of a flourishing and interconnected strength community. For example, I never would have met the Lock-Up crowd or the Ryanopower community if it had not been for the environment that John created.

It's probably fair to say that many of us have not always agreed with everything John has said or done or every opinion he has had, myself included. But it is undeniable that his efforts have had an enormous positive effect on a great great many of us, and only those who remain inactive or without opinions never face disagreement. If we all had more time and money, I think the best way to send John off to Texas would be a black-tie affair in the form of a Dean Martin-style roast. Ideally, we'd bring back a panel of Dan Finkenstadt, Janne, and Josh Powell, if the latter wouldn't prove too volatile. The current crowd of potential roasters looks good too with Lance, Royce, and David Bergman. However, that's all in a fantasy world. Maybe I should just conclude with a top ten list of things John has achieved here at U of I, and let others add to the list.

10. John created Illini Powerlifting along with others, and enthusiastically labored to see the task through to completion.

9. It is possible that John has coached as many as 100 lifters since 2004.

8. John deftly created a cooperative relationship with campus rec that has resulted in great new equipment such as a Forza bench, a vast deadlift platform, and many Texas power bars. In addition, I've heard promises that there will be a special place for powerlifts in the remodeled impe.

7. John established connections with folks all over Illinois, most notably the Lock-Up, SIUE, and Ryanopower crowds, as well as Eric Stone who created the ILPL forum on his Chicago Powerlifting board.

6. John created an amazing and detailed website, that I can tell you has been a bear to maintain, though most of that burden has fallen on Adam's shoulders.

5. John has worked with Erica Haisler for several years to put on one of the best annual push-pull meets in the nation. I've had the good fortune to attend one of them, and have heard great things about all of the others.

4. He developed routines that many have followed to success in deadlifting and bench pressing.

3. John was kind enough to go to the hospital Sep 16, 2006 rather than pull a deadlift and die bleeding on the platform at my first and last experience as a meet director. That would have been a real bummer, and crowd silencer.

2. He has been responsible for ties to Japan, along with Ben Cantrell, that appear to be quite beneficial to Ben's romantic and night life.

1. John provided Lance Moore with ample raw material for fully realizing his potential as a comedic homophobe.

From Bill Hasty -

John also has showed us the versatility of Hello Kitty as a fashion accessory.

He'll be sorely missed!

From Ryan Brault -

#'s 1 and 2 nearly had me dying laughing. Thanks, Jeff.

About John, I think one of the most lasting benefits of John having helped create and nurture a successful powerlifting team here is the lasting bonds of cameraderie and friendship that have formed as a result. I know that since I joined the team, not only have I becomed much much stronger physically, but I have also met many wonderful people whom I would consider great friends and that hopefully will carry on as such for a lifetime.

I know that we will all miss John, his leadership, his subtle and not-so-subtle humor, his stories and his keen fashion sense, but hopefully we can learn from the example he has set and continue a long and proud tradition of Illini Powerlifting. As people leave, wherever they go, then hopefully they will continue powerlifting (or oly lifting, or strongman training) and will form new teams or groups of lifters, including new people that they can recruit and introduce to the sport. I know that's what I plan on doing.

Hello Kitty Power!

From Yuri Nikonchuk -

He is a father of ILPL and will be missed. Any go away parties?

From Royce Greenberg -

John Rocks

From Laramie McMasters -

John you know you will be sorely missed. From the time you took me in under your wing at day one, you started me on my way to where I am today. From all the stories we've shared, trips we've taken, and records we've broke I want to say thank you John and hope to see you again in your future lifting endeavors.

From Dave Bergman -

I'm not that big of a fan of John, to say the least. All he ever does is butt his nose into places where it doesn't belong. If I'm doing something stupid, I want to continue doing something stupid, not have him tell me what I should be doing instead! I'm also pretty mad about all of the recruiting John has done – all that means is longer lines for the bench and more people yelling at each other to “get your hips through.” I don't want that kind of talk in my gym, not on my watch.

Plus he always talks about how he wants to wrestle me, but has yet to actually put his words to the mat. I'm calling you out right here, John. I challenge you to a wrestling match in Lansing (and maybe a pillow fight afterwards).

Speaking of lifting trips, have you ever had to take a car ride with the guy? It's no fun listening to comedians older than my father. Comedy has a shelf life, John; I think we all know that. Two years old and it is simply unlaughable. It's also a shame that John doesn't like the exact same stuff I do, because that means I have to broaden my interests, and no one likes to do that, do they?

He also has a weird fetish with Hello Kitty. Hmm, maybe he's not actually that bad a guy.

From Ron L'Hullier -

John has been instrumental in my Powerlifting comeback, having been out of the sport for nearly 15 years. He encouraged me when I was struggling to deadlift 365 lbs, and every step of the way since. I follow his old school deadlift routine, and have for over a year now. Because of this I am closing in on an all time sanctioned meet PR because he was gracious enough to publish this routine for everyone'e benefit. Jon is truly a gentleman, a gentle giant with loads of class and integrity, not to mention brute strength and an iron will. John you are indeed 'The Man'!

From Lance Moore -

The great John Hudson...ahhhh, where do I begin? I remember the first time John gave me one of his motivational speeches, ending with the simple, yet eloquent phrase,"I'll have my way with you." He delivers these motivational drops of heaven with the strength and resolve that only the Hud-stud can pull off...so basically like a creepy gay guy. Not the kind of creepy gay guy that waits for you in the gym sauna, or the one that stares at you during deep squats, but more like the one you see dancing in the corner of the bar, alone and shirtless. John's greatest motivational quote display's his perseverance and dedication to accomplishing his goals. I said something about fitting into something, and John knew just what to do. He came over, put his hand on my shoulder, and in a quiet but strong voice he said,"You can fit into anything; you just have to have the right lube." I took this quote to heart, and there hasn't been a tight space that I haven't been able to fit into since then.

We can't forget John's signature jokes, usually involving rednecks, hillbillies, or a combination of both: people from Rantoul. John has this great ability to impersonate people during his jokes. He can talk about cheese better than anybody from Wisconsin, he has an "eh" and "dontcha know" that would make you think he's from America's northern most state, Canada, and he can do a redneck drawl that would put any self-respecting, truck-driving country boy to shame. He does it so well that it almost makes me think he might have a little redneck in him...or maybe he just wants some. Who knows. John's probably got a story for that.

Enough with the gay stuff...John, straighten up your wrist. As some of us know, John has brought powerlifting a long way here at U of I. Without him, ILPL as we know it would not exist. He has helped countless numbers of lifters, directly and indirectly, during his time here. John is a good friend that changed my mind about a lot of things, lifting and otherwise. I will admit that before I met him, I had negative connotations of a gay man, and certainly never expected to be good friends with one. John has positively influenced my perception. As much as we joke around, I have a great respect for him, regardless of his personal lifestyle.

I'm proud to say that I have John Hudson as a friend, and am sad to see him go, as well as leave myself. John, you will be greatly missed as you move on to greater endeavors. Good luck in your future, and hopefully we will lift together again.

As a wise man named Yuri once said, "Any go away parties?"

From Brett Faught -

Oh, John Hudson... There is not enough time to explain this legend. He's a man of great power, wisdom, intelligence, and heart. Whether it's through powerlifting, school/education, or just plain advice. He's always been there for everyone on this team that has needed it, whether as a coach, and even sometimes as a father (my experiences). He's brought many of us into this sport and has always been on our sides. John was a coach that never yelled and put us down for missing an attempt. He challenged us to find out what went wrong! He believed in us, and knew we could achieve!

As for my personal experiences, John gave me some major advice for life. When I was still in highschool, I called John a lot on the phone and had many questions, some to do about lifting, and others about life. From that advice, I have become a better and smarter person (lol). But, seriously... it's true. He's helped me believe that I will not be a skiny, puny kid for the rest of my life, and will become a monster! He's helped in my confidence and self esteem, for I could have never gottne up in front of an audience and done anything, especially in a tight, skimy suit and slippers! haha. I am greatful that he was the head judge for many of my staged lifts, particularly my latest, my 418.7 deadlift in Collinsville this year. Greatsest lift of my life. And that would have never happened if it wasn't for him asking me to join the squad back in 2004. (many of my teammates have been a big part too)

So, this is going to be a difficult thing to see Big Daddy leave. But, he deserves this chance. John, I wish you well, and the best. Thanks for everything you've done. Kedep in touch, and I'll see you before you go to HOUSTON! Be happy, the South kicks ass!