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Joe Stella

@strongmanstella

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Co-owner @saprogenic_strength

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1 year to the hour I was going from my first training session following surgery to competing at the highest level. A lot can change in a year.

Even though I was able to compete, what you don’t see is the constant pain I was in, restricted mobility and inability to perform basic tasks. It took me almost 3 years to be able to walk down the stairs normally.

It’s amazing what your body can achieve despite surrounding circumstances.

Looking back on what I was able to do was a big reason why I’m deciding to not compete during 2025. This is the first off-season I’m starting not off the back of surgery and having my body fully healthy and free of pain. The whole year will be dedicated to getting to the best possible position I can and giving it one big go in 2026 to see what I can achieve in the sport at my best.
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Gym - @saprogenic_strength
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Coach - @the_strongman_psychologist @mstsystems
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#strongman #strength #strong #pdx #strongmantraining #saprogenicstrength #saprogenicstrengthandconditioning #fitness #strengthandconditioning #strengthtraining #injury #injuryrecovery #kneesurgery #kneesuegeryrecovery #rehab by @strongmanstella

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a year ago

Well that was rough

From a perfect start to a disaster finish, I ended up in 4th overall after being in 1st the entire comp.

I am very proud of the performance I had and there are plenty of positives but this definitely stings

Despite the finish I had an incredible time and the @rainierclassic continues to prove that it is the best Pro/Am comp in the country

I’ll be back next year and this time I’ll just win every event

I can’t thank @21stcenturysamson @lucas.hatton and the Rainier Classic team enough, I’ll see you next year

The past 18 months I did a lot to see if I was still able to or wanted to compete at a high level and @the_strongman_psychologist came up with the perfect game plan to get me to my best ever. We’ll just have to run it back and come back even better by @strongmanstella

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8

9 days ago

Can’t wait to meet you in August, baby boy 🤍 by @strongmanstella

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20 days ago

Operation Rebuild is officially complete

With my last taper session compete today, all I have left is a few light deload sessions until I compete again at @rainierclassic

In January 2025 I decided to take an extended break from competing to see if I could come back better, stronger, and more resilient in order to take one last shot at something big in this sport. Even though I still have to do the competition, in my mind I’ve already won just by getting to this point.

I feel like I’ve improved in every single area and to places I didn’t expect when I started this process.

I’m excited to see how it all pans out in a week and see my work reflected in a competitive setting

Massive thanks to @the_strongman_psychologist for guiding me along the way

If all goes to plan, I’ll have Project Rebuild 2.0 to start very soon by @strongmanstella

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22 days ago

Final heavy session of prep

Closest and lowest setting on the car DL frame, hopefully mimicking near comp weight

5rm block press attempt that didn’t quite go to plan but I feel incredibly strong in the block compared to when I started

Lots of carries and medley work with grip in a fantastic place

I only have one heavy deadlift session left on Wednesday then it’s a taper and deload before the comp

Prep has absolutely flown by by @strongmanstella

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a month ago

Great pressing day with the competition coming on fast

300x3 on block

265 for 2 sets of 5

170lbs for a much of technique reps on CDB

170lb CDB windmills

Finishing off with a few heavy bag transitions at 50/55/66lbs by @strongmanstella

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6

a month ago

Pulled the ‘ol car DL frame out yesterday to test out some rep ranges

This gets heavy real fast but overall I’m feeling confident I can beat my rep count from ‘22 by @strongmanstella

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2 months ago

Rainier Classic Peak update #1

I haven’t posted anything from my peak yet because I’ve honestly just been enjoying finally training hard for a contest.

There’s only about 4.5 weeks left of hard training before a deload and competition time.

I spent a long time training up to this point but this peak is already flying by

Can’t wait to see what the next few weeks brings by @strongmanstella

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0

2 months ago

I did it!

After doing my 5rm squat attempt today, I’ve done my final heavy lift of Project Rebuild where I took 18 months off to try and come back better and stronger than ever

It was an immense amount of work but I still have 8.5 weeks of peaking to go before I get back to competing

Let’s see what we can do! by @strongmanstella

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2 months ago

2nd to last week of this block then it’s finally time to peak

765x1 DL

140kg sandbag rows

60lb SB toss over 15’ from 10’ away by @strongmanstella

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1

3 months ago

10 weeks out - 2 more weeks of this block before the peak into The Rainier Classic

CDB needs a bit to cleaning up but doing a shaky 240 after a squat volume PR is a good starting point

All signs so far are pointing to a great performance, I just have to stay in one piece for the next 10 weeks by @strongmanstella

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3 months ago

Deadlift - 3x5 at 595lbs

Squat - 3x5 at 555lbs

Block press - 8x3 finishing at 235lbs

CDB - 6x2 at 180lbs

Block Press - 3x5 at 180lbs by @strongmanstella

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3 months ago