By Dan Ninham
Everyone has a place in the world. Some people take their whole lives to find it. Others happen upon it and are guided toward it quicker.
Eddie Lone Eagle, 37, was tired of living the tough life on the streets of Minneapolis as a young man. He wanted to do bigger things in his life by becoming bigger and stronger.
“I had very few people to give me good guidance or show me what it meant to be Ojibwe,” said Lone Eagle. “I was tired of living a tough life. I remember praying to the Creator to give me something positive, give me something that will make a difference in my life.”
Lone Eagle is a proud member of the Red Lake Ojibwe Nation and is Eagle Clan. He is also a descendant of the White Earth Nation. His Ojibwe name is Bebaamaash, The One Who Travels About.
In 2011 he saw a few local powerlifters at the Los Campeones Gym on Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. He knew he wanted to be committed to be one, too.
The owner of the gym encouraged him to sign up for the next meet. He competed in an American Powerlifting Federation (APF) Federation meet two weeks later.
In 2013, Lone Eagle won the International Powerlifting League (IPL) World Powerlifting Championships in the 165 lb. weight class with a 529 lb. squat, 352 lb. bench, and a 551 lb. deadlift, with a 1432 lb. total. He became a World Champion in the World Affiliate of United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Federation.
At the 2018 World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships, his numbers were 881 lb. squat, 507 lb. bench, and 617 lb. deadlift for a 2005 lb. total in the 220 lb. weight class, taking 2nd place in the APF.
“In March 2020, I was invited to lift on Pro Day at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio,” said Lone Eagle. “My numbers were 925 lb. squat, 535 lb. bench, and 615 lb. deadlift for a qualifying total of 2075 lbs. in the 220 lb. weight class, giving a qualifying total to lift at the World Powerlifting Congress (WPC) World Championships that will be held in Illinois on October 24, 2020.”
“I’m currently in training and my goal for this upcoming competition is to get a 2150+ lb. total meet qualifier that will get me the invitation to lift on Pro Day at the Arnold Sports Festival 2021,” said Lone Eagle.
“My future and main goal in powerlifting is to be invited to lift at the World Powerlifting Organization (WPO),” said Lone Eagle. “The best of the best lift at the WPO, and the only way you can lift there is to be invited.”
He follows a very specific 12-week powerlifting program and trains four days a week. His diet includes high amounts of protein, veggies, and good carbs.
“Pizza is medicine when you’re a powerlifter,” he added.
“Hitting personal records (PR’s) in the gym helps boost my confidence during training,” said Lone Eagle. “Also, setting my goals helps mentally prepare me for any upcoming meets.”
“I have chosen to keep my hair long and braided,” he said. “I am the only native powerlifter on the national level that has a braid on that lifting platform. My true power comes from the three strands in my braid that represent my past, present, and future. When I walk to that squat rack, I am walking with my ancestors, my family, and my future grandchildren. My braid is the physical representation of my ancestor’s prayers, my family’s prayers, and my prayers.”
“Powerlifting gave me a way to channel my anger and a positive way to use it,” said Lone Eagle. “There is nothing like being under that squat rack and squatting 900+ pounds.”
“I have always used my lifting to inspire Native kids to live a healthy, active, and positive life,” said Lone Eagle. “Powerlifting saved my life and I hope if there is a Native kid out there just like me, that they can save their own life too.”
To view the video of his Arnold Classic 2020 Pro Day performances, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrvihrsqGSo&feature=share.
