COLLIN GRAY USES POWERLIFTING, GAMING AND BEARDS TO CREATE HIS UNIQUE LIFE STORY
We all have a story to tell.
For APEMAN Collin Gray, his centers around powerlifting, video games and beards.
If that sounds awesome, it's because it is.
"Powerlifting has always spoken out to me because of its balance of mindset versus results," Gray said. "We are in a constant battle in the gym of mind over matter. Often the times we fail are a matter of mindset, not our physical strength."
Gray is the founder of Fable Beard Co., a company designed around the storytelling of folklore, adventurers and beards. But once glance at Collin and it's clear that he doesn't look like a stereotypical version of a gamer - dude is jacked. Plus, not only is he an avid gamer, he's been a powerlifter for years. Collin credits APEMAN and his coach, David Henson, as his biggest influences in training.
"David is the head coach for the Virginia Military Institute powerlifting team," Gray said. "He can always tell when I am taking it too easy or too far. Often just changing my programming up can make the biggest difference, and I rely on the power of a great coach to make that call when I don't want to."
We all make assumptions and judgments; it's part of being human. But we also create our own story every single day. Better said, we exist to create the grandest version of ourselves.
We have the choice - and the power - to make that happen. Collin is doing exactly that in an original, unique and inspiring way - through storytelling.
And lifting. And gaming. And beards.
"People think it's corny, but in this community it's really not," Gray said. "Just like powerlifting, it's not for everyone. I just try to break the mold of a lot of stereotypes. You are only the strongest version of yourself. You alone have the chance to change your life whenever you want and for whatever reason. If you aren't accomplishing your goals in life it's your fault alone, no one else. My mindset is to stop complaining, crying, and making excuses for why you aren't where you need to be and make a change. Remember, if you aren't changing things, you're accepting them for what they are."
It's been said that stereotypes lose their power when the world is found to be more complex than the stereotype initially suggests. That is to say, when we learn that people do not fit the group stereotype, it falls apart.
That mentality is what drives Collin both personally and professionally - and why APEMAN resonates with him so much.
"When I first saw Suffering Unleashes Greatness, it really spoke to me," Gray added. "As a powerlifter, only other powerlifters really understand the mindset. APEMAN definitely gets it. Just like any story, without the struggles, the victories mean nothing."