Larry Wheels is only 24 years old, but his life hasn’t been a smooth ride, and he as developed a wealth of wisdom beyond his years because of it. From a childhood bouncing between temporary homes when his single mother lost custody of him, to reuniting with her in the Carribbean where he couldn’t speak the language and was relentlessly bullied, Wheels has experienced a lot of friction in his life. But those experiences only made him more driven to succeed as a powerlifter, bodybuilder, and now aspiring Strongest Man in the World. Here, he shares his thoughts on some important aspects of his life and career.
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Moving from New York to Los Angeles
“I’m interested in doing collaborations with people out here, because L.A. is the mecca for fitness in the United States. I’m rotating between several gyms weekly right now, just trying to get my name out there a little more. I’ve done several collabs in the last couple of weeks already.”
“Mentally, I was getting burned out. Powerlifting can be draining. Bodybuilding is kind of a mental break. It’s just something fresh for me. And it’s a way to expand my name. A powerlifter also winning bodybuilding shows or a strongman competition? That’s different.”
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Balancing Bodybuilding and Powerlifting
“Whenever I’m 12 weeks out from a meet, I talk to my trainer, John Gaglione. Right now, I’ve figured out how long it takes me to peak, so I’m better at getting stronger in a shorter period of time. To keep balance, I start my prep for a bodybuilding show about 16 weeks out and make sure to keep the basic barbell squat, bench, and deadlift in every workout. At the beginning of my prep, I start with high reps, then drop by two each week until I’m at about three. Then after I do my squats or bench or deadlift, I can progress later in my workout to machines, short rest periods, and very little weight.”
