Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

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Published on Thursday, 07 December 2017 02:20

Written by Ted Gilman

LITTLETON- In a small fifteen hundred square foot gym, trains one of the best Strongman athletes in the nation. A man, that is currently training for one of the biggest competitions of his tenured Strongman career.  In a little over a week, St. Johnsbury resident Ryan Largay will be competing at the International Strongman games in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

 Once a national champion at 200 pounds, Largay was able to achieve runner-up status at this year's national championship games. But what drives the man, that basically introduced the state of Vermont to the sport of Strongman?

"A lot of times I don't want to train, I don't feel it. When I start to get into it, I start feeling better, I start feeling stronger," says Largay.

"Once I hit a number, I'm happy for about half a minute and then I want that other number."

Born and raised in Bangor, Maine, Largay was always able to stay competitive in the sports of hockey and football. Once he got to college though, Largay took to the weights by finding powerlifting.

"After my powerlifting career, I found Strongman, and just fell in love with it. Now I eat, sleep, and eat some more of Strongman."

Also while at college, he was able to meet his future wife Kellie Largay.

For any strongman, a nutritionist is key to their success. And for Ryan, his nutritionist is his better half.

"I think it's easier with me being his wife and nutritionist at the same time," says Kellie Largay.

"We're able to bounce ideas off of each other, and I know that he's always being honest with me, even when he doesn't feel the greatest."

With Ryan owning a fitness center in Littleton, New Hampshire, and training at the same time, time with his wife has become a precious commodity.

"Monday through Friday, we don't really see each other. Ryan starts work at 6 a.m. He doesn't get home until 9 p.m," says Kellie.

"I have to be up at work at 4 a.m. I think time is one of the biggest sacrifices we've both had to make, to keep his dream of becoming the best Strongman in the world going."

Sacrifices, and dedication have paved the way to Ryan Largay's success. And for any high performing athlete, the dream of being the best is what keeps them going, and what pushes them that extra mile.

"He always needs something to work towards, and to train for," says Kellie.

"He always tells me that if he didn't have anything to train for, he probably wouldn't even lift weights."