SAM KNESEL 
"Started training in roughly 2012 to prepare for football in high school. Spent a few years competing in strongman in North Dakota. Dabbled in Olympic lifting after that. Introduced to bodybuilding while playing football in college, but fell in love while living in Washington. Took a good look at my diet and realized I had been trying to out train a terrible diet for almost a decade. Moved to Houston in 2020 and after talking to a coach decided to go all in on competing.
I’ve had surgery on both shoulders, my right ACL, and suffered a Grade II laceration on my liver throughout my football career, but now I’m back to benching over 405 lbs, squatting 550, and just deadlifted 700 lbs for the first time in my life.
I went from hating myself and the way I looked to being more disciplined in every aspect of my life, be it in the gym, the kitchen, or at work.
From 330+ lbs at my heaviest to 230 lbs and back up to a healthy 260 lbs right now. Most importantly I’m happy with how I look as a direct result of my hard work. If a man does not work, he shall not eat - 2 Thessalonians 3:10
I’ve gone so far as to pick up a second job, raise a great dog, and start a YouTube channel called the Thessalonians Club! Look it up on YouTube and give it a follow if you want to follow my journey to the Classic Physique stage!"
