06/20/2026
A Open Letter.
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in what makes this sport ugly.
How it introduced you to things and people you wished you’d never known.
To hardships and sacrifices that only come from the far reaches of time in and under a bar.
But today was not one of those times.
But filled with love and laughter,
And people who changed from strangers to family
From first timers to dear friends.
Every time I dream of locking the door, and leaving the lights off for that final time,
It beckons me, calls to me,
Like so many ideas and dreams I swore I’d never chase again.
There are people and things that change you,
Show you who you invented yourself to be,
That doodles of animals, and scattered event chairs,
Held more meaning than you’d ever known,
And stare in awe
Trying to comprehend just what it is, that tethers you so tightly here.
I’ve tried so hard to leave.
To unscrew every wall art,
To sell off every bar and plate,
To tell others I’m done and that I’m not that guy for this anymore.
But it’s all a hoax.
A desperate attempt to fool myself.
Because the truth is.
I still believe in powerlifting.
To the boys today. Thank you 🙏 for showing me what this still means to me. From the cave to the grave.
With love and grumpy paws.
P bear.
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Training facility: Owner of The Bear Cave in Salisbury, MD Travis Rogers
Team elitefts
Apparel: Ritual Apparel “papabear10”
Supplements: SuppDawg “cavecast”
Peptides: “papabear20”
Bands + gym supplies and salts:
Serious Steel Fitness “papabear”
𝐙☠️𝐍𝐄 𝐒𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐬
