.gif "IP Gear")
Mike Witmer, accomplished powerlifter, bodybuilder, strongman, husband, and father needs your support and prayers. As a powerlifter mikes best lifts in singly ply equipment in the early 90's included a 925 squat, 600lb bench, and 725 deadlift. Mikes lifted alongside such greats as Ed Coan and Joe Ladnier. Mike and Ryan Kennelly were training partners for the first half of Ryan's benching career. Lately due to what he though was a lower back problem Mike turned his attention to strongman and even planned a comback to bodybuilding. Mike has been a school teacher for over 15yrs and specializes in "behaviorly challenged" kids. Mike also coached the football team and the boys olympic lfting team.
Saturday Mike was feeling weak while helping out the 3rd Annual SW Florida strongest man contest. Shortly after the show Mike had a seizure and was taken by ambulance to lee memorial hospital. Mike had two more seizures that became increasingly worse until the hospital was forced to sedate Mike and place a breathing tube. A cat-scan revealed that Mike has a plum size tumor in the middle of his brain and is intertwinned in both lobes. Neurologist were called in and say that without surgery Mike will die. They will be attempting surgery early this week after moving mike to another hospital. With or without surgery Mike's chances are not very good.
Christi Witmer, also an accomplished powelifter and strongwoman(who took 1st in the womens division yesterday!) is currently in training to be a firefighter and will be finishing school in late November. Mike and Christi also have a four year old son together.
An account has been established at paypal to help Mike, Christi, and Ryan get through this difficult time.
If anyone knows Mike then please feel free to share any good memories. I've only known him for 6yrs but in that time he has been a fun training partner, good mentor, and a great friend.
(Mike is second from left, taken a couple months ago on a bachelor party fishing trip in FL)
Saturday Mike was feeling weak while helping out the 3rd Annual SW Florida strongest man contest. Shortly after the show Mike had a seizure and was taken by ambulance to lee memorial hospital. Mike had two more seizures that became increasingly worse until the hospital was forced to sedate Mike and place a breathing tube. A cat-scan revealed that Mike has a plum size tumor in the middle of his brain and is intertwinned in both lobes. Neurologist were called in and say that without surgery Mike will die. They will be attempting surgery early this week after moving mike to another hospital. With or without surgery Mike's chances are not very good.
Christi Witmer, also an accomplished powelifter and strongwoman(who took 1st in the womens division yesterday!) is currently in training to be a firefighter and will be finishing school in late November. Mike and Christi also have a four year old son together.
An account has been established at paypal to help Mike, Christi, and Ryan get through this difficult time.
If anyone knows Mike then please feel free to share any good memories. I've only known him for 6yrs but in that time he has been a fun training partner, good mentor, and a great friend.
(Mike is second from left, taken a couple months ago on a bachelor party fishing trip in FL)
Attachments
Last edited:
