Greg Panora is a legendary powerlifter in the unlimited "equipment" division. He has trained at Westside Barbell Club and Lexen Extreme, and he holds the all-time world record total (2630lb) in the 242lb class. The following is a conversational interview between Greg and RX MUSCLE's Cory ‟Swede" Burns.
Swede: First of all, I realize you're very busy and that you've got a lot of new stuff going on in your life. With that said, I really appreciate you setting aside the time to have this kind of 'on the record' conversation with me.
Greg Panora: No problem, Swede. You're a good friend and I'm happy to do it, homey.
Swede: Thanks a lot. Right from the first time we talked, It's been a real pleasure getting to know you and becoming your friend. In fact, it was hearing your story, directly from you, which gave me
the idea to do this interview. I know there are a lot of people who would like to hear what you have to say, in your own words. Why don't you let our readers know a little bit about yourself, both as a powerlifter and a man. What do you do for work? Where are you living these days?
Greg Panora: Well I'm a teacher by trade but I work counseling youth gang members. I'm attempting to actually start a powerlifting team with the kids. I just moved to Florida, basically to start life over. Plus its warm and I love the beach.
Swede: I think getting troubled kids into powerlifting is an awesome idea, It teaches discipline and provides positive reenforcement. I applaud you for that.
Greg Panora: I agree. The only issue is that weights can equal potential weapons. But powerlifting really helped me find my way. I would no doubt be in jail without it. Some of these kids are unbelievable athletes. I am talking about genetic freaks, they've just never been given a chance
Swede: I always tell people: You don't have to be messed up in the head to do this(powerlifting), but it helps.
Greg Panora: Oh absolutely. Normal people wouldn't do this for fun. Whenever people ask why I do it I say ‟...because I suck at everything else. I'd much rather be able to sing or (play)golf." [laughing]
Swede: [laughing] I hear you. We tend to do what we are good at, which leads me to my next question. I feel like it's extremely important to find out how a person whom is successful got to where they are, if you want to accomplish what they have. So, for our reader's sake, let's start at the beginning. How old were you when you began lifting weights? What got you started?
Greg Panora: Fourteen years old. I was a skinny skater kid who played football to make my dad happy. Some of the older kids picked on me. I'm the kind of person who doesn't do well with that, so I started lifting weights. I took an immediate liking to it and came back the next year weighing 220 and benching around 405. They stopped making fun of me and I won JV player of the year.
Swede: Your story sounds familiar. I think a lot of us have come from similar beginnings. When did you start competing in powerlifting?
Greg Panora: I did my first meet at 19. I had joined a powerlifting gym but was more into bodybuilding. It was a great gym, the gym where Ted Arcidi trained at (long before me). I was a very lean 217 or so. Anyway, it was raw and there was a kid named Russell Yee competing against me. He was a local legend and everyone was like 'You put up a hell of a meet when deads came.'
He was a great deadlifter and everyone was expecting me to lose. I was cool with second (place) for about 30 seconds, then I went crazy and pulled 675 out of my ass. [laughing] I had only deadlifted twice before. Anyway, that's kinda the story of my powerlifting career. Crazy lifts out of nowhere.
Swede: [laughing] Okay. Well, most people don't start out like that. That is awesome.
Greg Panora: I've never told that story before.
Swede: You should tell it more, it's a classic.
Greg Panora: Russell and I became really close after. He kinda taught me to powerlift. I was lifting like a 
bodybuilder.
Swede: Thats funny, because I used to be a bodybuilder and I was lifting like a powerlifter. Do you still keep in touch with Russell?
Greg Panora: Unfortunately, no. We talked a few times while I was at Westside. He went to MIT and had a multimillion dollar construction company at like 22 years old. [laughing] Smart Asian kid.
Swede: And you turned out to be the powerlifter.
Greg Panora: Yeah, I did. I fell in love with it that day, because it was the first thing that was mine.
Swede: I think that is how it feels for every athlete, when they discover their sport. It is like a revelation. Next question: What's been your proudest moment, to this point, in your powerlifting career?
Greg Panora: God, thats tough. The first time I broke the world record, because Louie (Simmons) was so damn happy. [laughing] He tackled me on the ground and was screaming. I walked outside and completely broke down. I couldn't stop crying.
Swede: I can relate to the feeling. There is nothing that gets me as emotional as winning.
Greg Panora: I left for that contest at 11 pm, drove three hours and weighed 234. I remember the dude weighing me in asked "What are you going to do?" I go "Break the world record." He laughed and said "Okay. Really, what are u going to do?"
Swede: [laughing]So you were way under for 242.
Greg Panora: Yeah, I should have been a 220. I had no concept of dropping weight 'til later in my career.
Swede: The importance of making weight is the kind of thing you learn over time, I guess. When you're just training to get you're lifts as high as possible, body weight is kind of an afterthought.
Greg Panora: Exactly.
Swede: How about bitter defeat? Have you tasted any of that in you're career? Any days when things did NOT go as planned?
Greg Panora: I honestly never officially lost. Dave Hoff once beat my total, but the contest was about coefficient so I technically still won. Contests never really went as planned, I should have totaled well over 2700. I would die before I lost. Thats what always separated me from the number two guy.
Swede: I have to say: I love your attitude. Let's go another direction for a second
Greg Panora: Sure.
Swede: How do you feel about the advances we have seen in the technology of equipment being used in powerlifting and the way it has effected people's totals, and even individual lifts?
Greg Panora: In my opinion, equipped powerlifting is way more difficult. I respect the hell out of raw guys but equipment takes the sport to a different level. When you lift equipped, you have to come to terms with the fact the weight is in control of you. In other words, I obviously love it. [laughing] I have the world record!
Swede: Of course you love equipment! And I agree. Using equipment is another skill entirely, 
which must be learned. Then, of course, you have to be insane enough to get under a weight that could crush you without the equipment. What I was getting at is this: the way gear continues to progress, do you see a correlation between that and the fact that numbers are continually rising?
Greg Panora: Honestly, not really. Gear really hasn't changed much in the last ten or so years. I think people are learning how to wear it better and training in it more. I think the internet is really what put numbers over the edge. People can see how Rob Luyando is wearing his shirt in South Dakota.
Swede: That's a really good point, the internet has really changed everything.
You mentioned how people are learning to use their bench shirts more effectively. The bench press world record has seen substantial increases in recent years. I remember ten or twelve years ago NO ONE had benched over 800. Now there are multiple guys hitting over a grand.
Greg Panora:Yeah, how u wear it is everything. It kind of took the place of muscles. Weights have gone up and physiques went down!
Swede:[laughing] That is funny.
Greg Panora: No more Dave Pasanellas. [laughing]
Swede: You were one of the guys that I looked up to when I was getting into powerlifting, Greg. Did you have any role models that motivated you to get into the sport? Was Dave Pasanella one? I realize that he was probably dead
by the time you started.
Greg Panora: Yeah, I didn't know about him 'til later. It was mainly Chuck (Vogepohl) coming up. Now Im lucky enough to call him a friend. During my career it was (Shawn) Frankl. He is amazing and one of my best friends still.
Swede: And now you and I have become friends, it's the circle of powerlifting.
[both laughing]
Swede: Alright, I want to talk about something serious.
Greg Panora: Forrest fires?
Swede: No, not exactly. Something even more serious. Another one of the guys I really looked up to in powerlifting, Nick Winters, died this past year. It seems to me that a lot of LEGENDARY powerlifters and bodybuilders have, for one reason or another, suffered some serious health issues and some have even died. The most recent being Nick, may he rest in peace. No one can say that there is a direct correlation between the former and the later, but what we do IS extreme. That can be said for anyone at the top of their game. Have you experienced any health problems?
Greg Panora: Well the stroke. It was the worst experience of my life. You wanna hear the story?
Swede: Yes. For the readers: When did you have a stroke?
Greg Panora: May 2010. Mother's day. Sorry Mom. [laughing]
Swede: And you are back on your feet?
Greg Panora: Yeah, I'm fine. You wouldn't know.
Swede: Thank God you're alright. Were you on anything at the time?
Greg Panora: Yeah 500 mg of Test/wk. I've done large doses, but never really liked them. They just make me tired. [laughing]
Swede: 500mg is not much, by today's standards.
Greg Panora: Nah, I never got a lot out of juice. Im off now and actually bigger than when I was on. I don't know, its overrated. I have really high natural test.
Swede: Having had a stroke in the past year, it's amazing that you are able to get out of bed, much less be bigger than before.
Greg Panora: I floor pressed 535 the first week I came back and squatted a grand.
Swede: How would you say you measure-up, strength wise, compared to the last time you competed?
Greg Panora: I'm not sure, probably pretty close raw wise. When I bench over 735 my wrist cant hold it because of the stroke.
Swede: What is the next move for Greg Panora in powerlifting? Are you going to retire?
Greg Panora: Hmmm, I honestly don't know. I'd like to break the raw record. What's retiring in powerlifting? I will say I'm really enjoying the small things in life. Like cookouts, the beach, 2 AM coffee trips with my girlfriend. Just stupid stuff I missed out on.
Swede: So we'll call it a hiatus, and you can enjoy life in the meantime.
Greg Panora: Yes, a hiatus.
Swede: Here comes the question that everyone wants to hear you answer: ready?
Greg Panora: Ready.
Swede: What happened at Westside?
Greg Panora: Ugh, I knew that was coming. Ok I'll start by saying I was wrong. I'll also say I'm sorry Lou(Simmons), I love ya man. Thank you for being there for me and making my dream come true.
Swede: Wow.
Greg Panora: It was Friday and we were squatting. I was doing my usual thing and kicking ass. My squat form was always bad, but it worked for me. So, I'm on a roll... plate,plate,plate... feeling good. Louie starts laying in to me in a way he never did. Especially when I was beating everyone. I was ultra-arrogant at this point and we start arguing. He goes ‟Fine, I don't care what you do!" then I said ‟I bet they care at Lexen." And with that I left and let it all slide through my fingers. Biggest mistake of my life.
Swede: What did you do from there?
Greg Panora: Called Lexen, which was great too, but it wasn't Westside. Louie and I still haven't spoken.
Swede: Maybe it's time to give him a call.
Greg Panora: I tried once but he wouldn't talk. Louie and I had a different relationship than anyone else. I was his golden boy.
Swede: How long has it been?
Greg Panora: Over a year.
Swede: I am sorry to hear it. Have your training methods changed, now that you are no longer at Westside?
Greg Panora: Oh yeah. [laughing] More bodybuilding. I haven't squatted in months, but I'm great at hack squats, hahaha.
Swede: Yeah, it sounds like things have changed a lot. [laughing]
Greg Panora: I'm having fun. [laughing] It's very weird being at a commercial gym.
Swede: Been there, done that. I agree, it's a weird feeling. I have one more question.
Greg Panora: Shoot.
Swede: This is important business: When you hear the name "Swede", who comes to mind?
Greg Panora: A large tattooed man with a cool beard who looks like he is going to kill your family but is actually one of the coolest, most talented people I know.
Swede: [laughing] Great answer! Believe it or not, some people say that I am not the REAL Swede.
Greg Panora: Hmmm
Swede: Anything else you want to add, Greg?
Greg Panora: Just some thanks. My Mom for being there. My dad for never stopping believing in me. My girlfriend for being amazing looking and so friggin sweet. Shawn Frankl and Brian Carroll for helping me thru some really hard times. Louie for seeing my talent. Matt Wenning for helping me achieve so much. And you Swede for being an awesome friend! I wanna say thanks to Luke Edwards for being pivotal in my success. No one trained as hard as him and I did. Ever.
Swede: Thank YOU, bro. I appreciate you taking the time to do this.
Greg Panora: It was fun!
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