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Ironmind Red Nail -- 7-Year Anniversary Bend


Buccos1

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7 years ago, this week, I bought the Ironmind Bag-of-Nails. I had no idea of what I was getting into ... did not know anyone who bent steel, and wasn't aware of any forums for help, at the time. I saw the Bag-of-Nails in the Ironmind Brochure, thought it would be cool to try, and more importantly, it might be something that would help strengthen my wrists.

I was so amped-up after ordering it, and was super-psyched when it finally came. I remember sitting in my basement, going through the steel and wondering to myself, "How am I going to do this?" I saw the White and Green, and thought that it wouldn't be too difficult to bend those. When I examined the Yellow and Blue Nails, I wondered "How?" and was trying to process how these things could be bent. When I held a Red Nail for the first time, I literally thought it was impossible, and that there was no-way it could happen. I saw the Red Nail Roster for the first time, and was almost awe-struck, with what it would take to get on that list, and very much admired the people who had done it.

I read the manual inside-and-out, and started doing some experimenting right that night. It was tough for me from the start, and I had zero instruction (aside from the included manual). It was a little later on that I found the Gripboard and Bendersbattlefield, and things really took off. But for those first few months, progress was abysmal, and pain was high. But it was fun, and the process of experimentation was formative.

After my Red cert. in 2010, I decided I would continue to bend a Red Nail weekly (5-10 days) in single IMPs, for as long as I could physically accomplish it. And I have been keeping that going since then, through the injuries, and everything else that has happened to me (including in the hospital room when my son was born). The Red and bending has been such a huge part of my life for so long now, that it is and will be a part of me forever. I know that I cannot continue bending forever though, and things have been slowing down this past year+ for me, but I will continue to attack this monster as long as I can, and hopefully take down a few big bends one last time before I hang things up for good.

7-year Red Nail anniversary bend:

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Incredible dedication & strength sir.. awesome!!

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this is very inspiring...awesome

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Very cool man. Congrats.

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Incredible perseverance.

Incredible dedication & strength sir.. awesome!!

this is very inspiring...awesome

Very cool man. Congrats.

Thank you guys!

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Awesome, Carl. I remember your 6 year anniversary bend. Time sure is going fast. It's really impressive that you've kept this level of strength, in single imps no less, for this long.

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That is cool to read. Great write up. May I ask what is causing your slowing down in training?

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Very cool Carl. Very inspiring dedication.

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Awesome, Carl. I remember your 6 year anniversary bend. Time sure is going fast. It's really impressive that you've kept this level of strength, in single imps no less, for this long.

Thanks Anthony! I think I missed it last year. LOL Might have been 5. I've continued to push myself too, almost for the fear of never being able to get back to at least a Red, if I stop.

Very cool Carl. Very inspiring dedication.

Thanks Chez!

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That is cool to read. Great write up. May I ask what is causing your slowing down in training?

Thanks man! Once I hit 40, things have started to hurt more and longer. I've always been able to do everything in training, and push it to my limit week-in-and-week-out. But, lately, things are starting to "pop" more and the aches and pains aren't going away as quickly, as from even a few years ago.

I think my days of double-overhand bending are winding down, at least from a "safe" elbow- and shoulder-health perspective. But, as much as double underhand hurts, it doesn't take the same toll on overall recovery, aside from just pain-tolerance, which isn't a problem. So, I think there are a few more years of DU, at least, if I'm forced to call it quits on double-overhand. Or at least reverse, which I've never really pushed or stuck with.

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Awesome, Carl. I remember your 6 year anniversary bend. Time sure is going fast. It's really impressive that you've kept this level of strength, in single imps no less, for this long.

Thanks Anthony! I think I missed it last year. LOL Might have been 5. I've continued to push myself too, almost for the fear of never being able to get back to at least a Red, if I stop.

Very cool Carl. Very inspiring dedication.

Thanks Chez!

Lol maybe what I'm remembering is the red you bent in the hospital room when your son was born :D

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Fantastic Carl. I think I've followed your journey the whole way. Watching as you progressed along the steel depth chart to when you certed the Red. I’ve always respected your commitment and perseverance. Congrats brother!

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Awesome, if you love it, keep doin it Carl! Meeting you and seeing you destrpy a red after a comp was huge inspiration for me.

Fantastic Carl. I think I've followed your journey the whole way. Watching as you progressed along the steel depth chart to when you certed the Red. I’ve always respected your commitment and perseverance. Congrats brother!

Hope you have many more years of red nail bending! Looked just as strong as the one I saw in the hospital room.

Thanks guys!

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Great stuff Carl! Happy bending anniversary brother!

Thanks Manthos!

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