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Garrett Bottesy Bailey

@bottesy

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USA Powerlifting:
Louisiana's Strongest Drug Free Lifter
Coach | Personal Trainer
Gym: @atlasstrengthshop
usapowerlifting.com/live

POSTS STORIES REELS

Short version:
Lots of hardship led up to this meet.
9/9
Squat: 310kg/ 683 lbs
Bench: 190 kg/ 418 lbs
Deadlift: 352.5kg/ 777 lbs
Total: 852.5kg/ ~1879 lbs

Long Version:
The past 11 months:
It's been almost a full year since I've had a chance to compete for various reasons, I lost my training partner to another gym T-T @villafrancadavid (I miss you). I was struggling because work wasn't producing like it usually does (and this is how the year started), plus new responsibilities, including a newborn and 2 bonus kids. This was followed up by 2 accidents that weren't my fault. The second of which led to the loss of my vehicle and temporarily my only means of work and a cascading of a bunch of other issues. I've had to keep my head down and grind the past 11 months to make this happen, and without my Lady, Mon Coeur, Whitney's support, I would not have had this result.

Meet prep:
I had 2 months to prepare but could only train 10 days and before that I hadn't trained since my last meet in December of '22. Most of this was because of the aforementioned reasons, but I injured my back and glute unexpectedly during deadlift training. It was the same injury that took me out for 3 years prior. I almost dropped out of the meet. When I decided that was not an option, I was going to accept a low deadlift and lift him grip to protect and heal my back. But two weeks before the meet, Whitney found this home remedy energy booster that did amazing for me and helped to finish the meet prep with a ray of hope.

Meet day:
I weighed in the heaviest I've ever been at 271 lbs; i was also the oldest in my flight. I settled on the plan to go for 9/9 and save energy for my deadlift to maximize its potential. When it came down to deadlift I initially was going to end at 727, but decided after taking the energy remedy to go for broke. I settled on 777 because it's a lucky number.

Thanks:
Thank you to the show runners for the LA state meet: @werner_travis
@usapowerlifting_louisiana
@cajunprep
Thank you @atlasstrengthshop and crew for a place to train and dealing with my rambling.
And thank you most of all @whitney.bradley3 for being my biggest supporter! I love you Mon Coeur! by @bottesy

Iwant going to do my meet recap because i thought 2 months is too late, but last week i was inspired by @joe_the_life_coach_ and @izzy.rachal to impart what I can. Meet recap inspirational! KEEP MOVING FORWARD! #louisianalegends #louisianastrong #thelegendcontinues #inspirational #motination #impartingknowledge #passiton #powerlifting #usapowerlifting #usapowerliftingnationals2022 #squat #bench #deadlift #sbd by @bottesy

February 21st, 2026 USA Powerlifting Capital City Classic is on!
Doors open 7:30
Weigh ins: 8am-9:30am
Lifting Starts: 10am
Spectators welcome!
Who's coming? by @bottesy

Registration is open. Sign up by following the link in our story and bio or going to liftingcast.com and searching for the USA Powerlifting Capital City Classic and/ or Night of the Living Deadlift. by @bottesy

Ready for the 2025 USA Powerlifting Louisiana State Championship tomorrow November 1st @totaldiamondperformance! #usapwerlifting #usapowerliftinglouisiana #meetday by @bottesy

This is my first meet recap in a while, so strap in it's going to be a bit of a long one. A lot of strategy, pacing, and adjustments made, not just for me, but for the team.

First off, I want to say, while this may not have been my best meet, it was by far the most fun I've had in a meet in many years. Those of you who have ever had to play the role as both lifter and coach for others at the same time know what I'm talking about. It's a rush I get from 2 different sides of this sport that you really would find it hard to get in any other sport. It's a rare chance for me to use my body and mind to such an extent and in tandem. But this opportunity really reminded me of why I love this sport!

Secondly, I'd like to thank all those that support me. I've definitely had to lean on you more than usual. My Mom, especially for the backing, I needed to even make it to this regionals and many other major lifting events in the past. Thank you so much.

To the team, thank you for coming out and representing Louisiana with me. It makes me extremely happy when we make a good showing. And even more so because we won the Men's Team awards, which took a LOT of effort and trust on all of our parts.

Stellar shots for taking amazing photos and running a very smooth live stream, from which these videos were taken!

Oh, and my cousin Janelle for letting me crash at her place.
Pre- meet: A lot of life stuff has been happening, so I hadn't had a chance to get in the gym like I needed. I missed 3 full weeks of training just before due to parenting and work. I flew in this time the night before. For some reason, my shoulder started paining me through the night (I think the flight attendant didn't like me because I remember her hitting my arm repeatedly when I was sleeping on the plane).
Anyway, I lifted the second flight, but I came in early to run numbers for a one of our fresher members because regionals was a new experience for him. Then I worked my shoulder issues out with Larry before we started the real warm-up for the meet.
Meet time: We had to rush through the last of our warm-ups because the flight before us progressed way faster than expected.

Part 2 next post by @bottesy

Lifting at the Tournament of Power at MomoCon at 10:30 maybe 10:45 eastern time! I'm excited to shake these cobwebs off! #usapowerlifting #usapowerliftinglouisiana #usapowerliftingga by @bottesy

Just because you get older, doesn't mean you have to get weaker! Thank you @howling_banta for the attentive spot

#roadtolegendary #louisianalegends by @bottesy

Getting back into the swing of things when I can. It's been over a year, but I've finally got time to be consist by @bottesy

by @bottesy

First day back in the gym in over a year. Deadlift the pain away.... by @bottesy

For those of you that missed out on getting a shirt at the USA Powerlifting Southern Regional Championship, I'm ordering a new batch today. If you want to buy one and have it sent to you, dm me. by @bottesy