Holts Summit hosts a show of strength

'We've brought together some of the strongest people in Mid-Missouri'

Mendison Vance lifts 100 pounds weight during the Strong Man Contest on Saturday in Holts Summit, Mo. "It scares me but it's a rush," Vance said. "I'm feeling good when I'm done."
Mendison Vance lifts 100 pounds weight during the Strong Man Contest on Saturday in Holts Summit, Mo. "It scares me but it's a rush," Vance said. "I'm feeling good when I'm done."

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. - Gritting his teeth and persistence on his brow, Jonathan Grajeda walked several yards carrying an 800-pound car frame with an interior shoulder harness Saturday in Holts Summit.

It was the fourth strong man competition for Grajeda, 21, Hatton.

"I love the entertainment and to show everyone what you can do," said Grajeda, who performs as New Ferrigno. "I like seeing the kids and showing them you can do anything you put your mind to."

The Show of Strength event was the first time Madison Vance, 27, Russellville, participated in a strongman competition.

Vance gave an impressive performance carrying several times more than her weight on her shoulders for 50 feet and then returning nearly the same distance lifting a 600-pound combine tire.

This was the seventh event hosted by champion powerlifter and world record holder Bryan Beanland, who recently opened Power Overload Training Systems in Holts Summit.

"We've brought together some of the strongest people in Mid-Missouri," Beanland said.

Beanland, who holds three national titles, two world championships and two world records, hopes to host this Show of Strength annually. Since the age of 5, Beanland has known he wanted to compete as a strong man.

Five contenders, including Grajeda and Vance, flipped gigantic tires, lifted smooth atlas stones and lifted 100-plus pound logs.

The 670,000-pound fire truck pull was the most anticipated event among participants.

The Holts Summit Fire Protection District brought out its multi-purpose truck, which was with the Huntington, New York, fire department when it responded to ground zero after the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, said Lt. Adam Berendzen.

In addition to lending its truck, the fire department benefited from any donations that resulted from the competition, which drew a crowd of more than 100.

Beanland attended a recent training meeting to share nutrition and strength training tips to specifically meet the demands of a firefighter's duty, said public information officer Scott Pasley.

Firefighters require leg strength and long-term stamina, Pasley compared to what these strongmen were doing.

"But we won't ever pick up a car - we have specialized tools for that," he said. "And we'd never flip a tire - we'd turn it on its side and roll it."

So while the Holts Summit emergency responders distributed fire helmets to the youngest in the audience, they cheered on the strongmen attempting amazing feats they likely would never try.

Vance never thought she would be in a strong man competition, she said.

She's been lifting since age 16. This summer, she competed in the crossfit games at Any Time Fitness in Jefferson City and also was on a weight-lifting team at the Show-Me State Games, where she caught the attention of Beanland, a nationally-recognized personal trainer.

"To have somebody who has gone as far as he has to notice something in me, it's flattering," Vance said.

From one tip Beanland gave Vance after watching her deadlift, she was able to win the whole thing, she said.

"I realized with a little instruction and an open mind, I could do more," Vance said. "He's pushed me to a new level."

Saturday was "a chance to see what I'm made of," she said.

Vance, who works for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, said she hopes she's a good example of being healthy and having a supportive network for her daughter Xoe, 3.

When she saw she was the only female involved, Vance said "bring it on."