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Michigan Dept. of Corrections
Interview with Joe Leahy
How long have you been into Bodybuilding?
I first started bodybuilding in the fifth grade. My neighbor at the time gave me his weight bench when he went away to school to play college football. I fell in love from the first time I touched the weights. That same year I was going to the gym three times a week. My mom would pick me up after school and drop me off at the gym for an hour or so. I was too young to get in but the owner said I could stay if he could train me. When I hit Junior High I was training at the same gym four times a week and my father was starting to worry I was going to stunt my growth so I had to sneak and train in my basement after school. The only time I didn't train was my first year and a half in the department and I always knew I would return to the hobby I love so much.
How many events have you won?
In 2004 I won the middle-weight class of the Mid-Michigan Naturals. In 2005 I won the light-heavy weight class and overall of the Capital-City Bodybuilding Championships. In 2006 I repeated!!!
Future goals?
My future goals are to continue to improve and have fun with my hobby and see how far my love for the sport will take me. Bodybuilding is a life style and I need and love to train. Winning competitions is just like the icing on the cake but being on stage is not what drives me. I love to be in the gym, headphones on and in the zone.
Who got you started, who motivates you?
My father introduced me to weight-training but I think he got a little scared when I couldn't put the weights down. I remember being on a family vacation and I ran a mile to the gym at like eight o'clock in the morning to train ( I was in the ninth grade). He did like the fact that bodybuilding helped me to read a lot. I read all the magazines and still do to this day, knowledge is power!
I am motivated by the people who talk behind my back and want to see me fail. I am also motivated by the fact I am working with the under-dog department in law enforcement. We do the dirty work and get little respect. I love my job and my co-workers and we all do a great job in a very thankless profession, I love that.
Future Plans, events, goals?
My future plans are to get to the Nationals and do the best I can. My plans also include to keep trying to improve as a person and stay positive. We have a great department with wonderful staff. All of us should be proud of ourselves and stay positive. Life is short and every minute counts.
How many years have you been in the Department?
I have eight years in the M.D.O.C.
Any other info?
I want to say to all my co-workers to stay positive and to continue to keep making a difference. We do make a difference and we are respected by the public. Their are millions of citizen's that would not want our job. We are everyday's hero's and my duties with the Honor Guard have proved that to me. Seeing that team in action is humbling and makes me realize that corrections is more than just a job or pay check.