'Strongman' uses his strength to spread positive message 10/12/2009 7:59 PM
By APRIL BAILEY Staff writer
While listening to a speech by power-lifting champion Steve "Strongman" Carrier, you'll likely see him break a baseball bat over his thigh or bend a metal pole.
Carrier said he combines motivational speaking with feats of strength displays to draw people to hear his message of making good choices and character building.
He will be in Aiken this weekend, speaking at Midland Valley High School for Heights Church's Harvest Crusade. The event will be held Friday through Sunday beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is free and the event is open to families.
"The guy has a lot of strength," said John Calhoun, the treasurer of Heights Church in Beech Island, which is sponsoring the event. "He uses it as a ministry for people to hear about the Lord."
Calhoun said Heights is sponsoring the event as an outreach to the community.
Carrier will also visit Gloverville Elementary, LBC Middle, Jefferson Elementary and Clearwater Elementary schools on Thursday and Friday to talk with students and perform strength displays.
In his speeches to students, Carrier focuses on self-esteem issues, the importance of achieving academic excellence and following your dreams.
As a child, Carrier said, he always dreamed of being a professional athlete; however, he had to wear braces on his legs in order to walk. He compares his childhood to that of a character made famous by actor Tom Hanks.
"I lived the Forrest Gump story before there was a movie," he said.
Carrier worked to get stronger and played basketball in high school, later earning a full basketball scholarship for college. After college, he pursued power lifting and bodybuilding.
Carrier holds a Guinness World Record for breaking 30 Louisville Slugger baseball bats over his thigh in 44 seconds. He has performed his feats of strength on ESPN, "America's Got Talent," "Ripley's Believe It or Not," "Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge" and ISKA World Power Brick Breaking Championship.
Carrier said his performances at Midland Valley are open to an entire family.
"Every night will have a different theme," he said. "It will be fun for everyone."
One of his feats is an attempt to break a pair of police handcuffs, he said. Souvenirs and autographed pictures will be available.
Midland Valley High School is located at 227 Mustang Drive in Graniteville.
Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
0