by Wendy Johnson
AFTER making his debut in the powerlifting arena last year, taking the sport by storm, Shaun Slicker has teamed up with a Warrington gym to open the first strongman training facility for adaptive athletes in the North West.
The thirty-nine-year-old, who secured places in the England, Great Britain and World Disabled Strongman Championships, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2009 and despite being on a ‘rocky road’ suffering from the physical and mental side-effects of the disease, and more recently becoming wheelchair dependent, Shaun turned to the gym and it has now become his therapy and ‘happy place.’
“I became a prisoner in my own home. I decided to join my local gym and lost eleven stone, then I became a member of GB Disabled Strongman. I won fifth place in each of the top three ‘seated class’ sections at my first attempt, and I also came second in last year’s amateurs. I’m now classed as a professional.”
His routine workouts provided a chance meeting with the owner of Orford-based Titan Gym and Strongman coach Darryl Toone, from Woolston. Inspired by Shaun’s story, it wasn’t long before Darryl adapted his gym for seated clients who want to pursue the powerhouse of Strongman training.
Ex-Military Darryl said: “I made several adaptions to the gym, including removing doors to allow wheelchairs, putting in ramps and giving the layout a better flow. I want this to become a hub for more people, who have limitations, to come and workout. I’ve seen it first-hand how exercise can heal both mentally and physically. Everyone should have a physical outlet.”
“We are starting 1-2-1 coaching programs for disabled, but also for people with learning disabilities too. We’ve created a perfect and safe environment for people of all ages to workout and we have the right Strongman equipment,” added Shaun, who trains and coaches at the gym in Capesthorne Road, every day.
This weekend sees Shaun return to the Strongman Arena where he will be taking part in this year’s England’s Strongest Disabled Men & Woman Competition at Bolton Arena, Manchester, and he’s aiming for the top. “This year I’m far more confident, I’m fitter and more experienced. Seated Strongman has taken me to a different place and that place can get me to lift anything.” He will be pitching his strength in a variety of super heavy feats, including a log lift, a 130-kilogram atlas stone, a 350-kilogram sledge pull and a dead lift hold. After this, Shaun intends to keep up his training for the next major Strongman championships.
“Shaun is in the right place to achieve his goals. The Strongman, and Strongwoman community is so supportive. It’s more than friends, it’s a family,” added Darryl.
His gym is currently organising a ‘truck pull’ fundraiser, dedicated to helping the teenage daughter of a female gym member who has been diagnosed with cancer. Attractions include Strongman displays, a vehicle-pull workshop where anyone can ‘have a go’ and a BBQ. The main event will be the ‘big boys’ truck, which will be parked on the front ready to test the strength of some of the region’s strongest athletes. The world’s strongest woman will also be making an appearance. The event will take place at the gym on June 28th. Contact the gym on 07340845455 for more details.
