Logan Sartwell likes to lift weights. You can tell from his build, from his Youngla hoodie, from the protein shake he carries with him. If you’ve met him, however, you likely don’t need these clues, as he would joyfully tell you if you asked (and maybe even if you didn’t).

Currently, Logan is working out 4 days a week, following a meticulous plan, down to how much weight he lifts, how many times, and on what day of the week. 3 of his 4 workouts cover all of the main body parts, in which he aims to improve his strength. His favorite exercises include weighted chin-ups, bench press, and back squat, and he uses a spreadsheet to plan for his future lifts. 

But I wondered what he is training for. And the 4th day of his plan? Well, these could be explained by Joe Fitzsimmons, world-class competitive arm-wrestler with whom Logan spends his Fridays battling (and as Logan admits, losing to). Many movements completed during the other 3 days are optimized to improve his ability to arm wrestle. He says, “Between all the different muscles in your arm, I do a lot. Pronated curls, reverse curls, all types of them.” 

  The burly, bearded weightlifter’s journey did not begin with aspirations of arm-wrestling domination, however. When he was 40 pounds lighter and years younger, Logan began working out to pull himself out of a place in his life he did not want to be. In fact, when asked what unexpected benefits weightlifting has brought him, he noted mental health as the largest improved aspect of his life. It helped him become disciplined and taught him the importance of taking care of himself physically and personally. Socially, he connects with others at the gym with ease. 

While travelling in Puerto Rico, he had a life-changing experience. He was jumping into the crashing waves of the Caribbean when he was pulled underwater, and eventually found himself facing the shore again. An even stronger wave crashed into his back, forcing his head down into the rocky ocean floor and pushing him forward. This caused a major break of the C5 vertebrae. Logan said, “It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. I didn’t even know what was going on.” When the doctor examined him, he told Logan that the fact that he strength trained saved his life. With less support from the trapezius muscles, his neck likely would have been completely broken, likely leading to death. 

While people only see the bright blue energy drink or the gallon water bottle, it is important to remember the reasons people may do what they do. For Logan, it’s not all about building muscle and being the stereotypical meathead; it’s about building discipline, improving his health, and, clearly, it’s a lifesaver.