My dad, Mike Fryar, who recently turned 72, started lifting when I came in the service 28+years ago. Ironically, he was 44 when he started. I want to brag about my dad, he is truly a remarkable man. He served honorably in the U. S. Coast Guard, served 20 years and retired as a Master Chief (E-9) in 1983. He started his own business a couple years after retiring from the military, and retired from that officially in 2015. He is a devoted husband of over 50 years, a father to my sister
Tammy and myself, a grandfather, uncle and the oldest sibling of nine. I strive daily to become half the man he is and I would not be where I am today without his guidance. Not only is he my dad….my dad is my best and training partner.

Troy, Mikes Son, has been in the Coast Guard since 1989, just over 28 years ago. He started off my career as an enlisted member. In 2000, I was making E-7,
selected for promotion to Chief Warrant Officer and Officer Candidate School. Troy chose the commissioning route, and has been an officer since 2001. He has been all over the world with the Coast Guard. Currently, a Commander O-5 as the Deputy of Reserve Personnel manager for the Coast Guard in Washington DC.

Troy started competing in powerlifting in high school, namely for football. He has competed for over 30 years, with some years sitting out for deployments. Jerry Mongillo, a nationally ranked USPF 181lbs powerlifting champ, introduced Mike and Troy to powerlifting. In 1989, Troy entered the Coast Guard, this was about the time, Mike started lifting with Jerry. In 1992, Mike and Troy entered their first powerlifting meet together, the ADFPA Alaska State Championships. From that meet on, Mike was bit by the powerlifting bug. Mike has competed in meets since. Many people ask Mike, “Did you get your son into lifting? Their reactions are great when my he responds, “no, my son got me into lifting.” In 2012, Troys oldest son, Westin competed in his first meet at the age of 15. That was a memorable meet, having three generations of Fryar’s competing. A very proud moment for the Fryar’s. Westin held a couple teenage WA state DL records.

Mike and Troy compete in powerlifting because we enjoy training together. Over the years, training has been done virtually, and when Troy was stationed near Mike, they would often train on weekends. They both owe Jerry Mongillo for exposing powerlifting to them, because it has built a bond between us, and allowed us to do something we both enjoy together.

Mikes best DL is 633lbs and he holds multiple DL WABDL records in WA state, national and world records. He was inducted in 2015 to the WABDL Hall of Fame.

Mike and Troy are grateful for Gus Rethwisch and the WABDL team. Gus tirelessly hosts many meets a year around the country. We have lifted in other federations and nothing beats the professionalism and family atmosphere found at WABDL meets.