Vinnie Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 (edited) It is my pleasure to post the grip profile of a still rising but already star of the grip world, TIM BUTLER. I want to add a little extra at the beginning here, because he is also a good friend of mine. I met Tim in early 2018, when we were both fairly new to the grip world, and he immediately began inviting me to his little workout barbecues at the home where he lives with his parents. My wife and I split up in mid-2018 very soon after I discovered grip sports, and my 50th birthday on April 27, 2019 was my first birthday after the split. At that point I was living with my mom, dealing with a nasty divorce, and really not focused on having anything nice happen for my 50th. Tim was having one of his grip and grill fests that day, so I decided to go to that, rather than sit home and mope. I didn't even tell him it was my birthday. But someone else must have -- because when I got there, everyone said happy birthday, Tim's mom had baked me an amazing birthday cake in the shape of a gripper, and Tim offered me any gripper from his collection of about 100 as my birthday gift. One or two other new friends added some thoughtful gifts as well. Needless to say, it was pretty much my best birthday ever. The above is just one example of the warm, decent guy that Tim is, and is also representative of the overall experience I've had in this sport. Since that most excellent "grip and grill" birthday, between the occasional barbecues, Tim and I have attended many grip comps together. We have always enjoyed a friendly competition re: gripper events, where we often find ourselves going for the same RGC rated gripper close or silver bullet hold. But on everything besides grippers, there is no competition: this man is elite-world-class-phenomenal at a few different aspects of grip, such as anvil and blob lifts, and I am pretty sure he is the greatest card-tearer who ever lived (it was only after his instruction that I tore my first deck of cards). So he's not just a nice guy, but a grip guru. Here's what Tim has to say. 1. What are your stats? Grip Board name: temmmeeee Age: 29 Height: ~6'3 1/2”/~192cm Weight: Currently ~215lbs/~98kg but I fluctuate. In the summer I can be as low as 87kg/192lbs Dominant hand, and hand size: Right-handed, 7 7/8”/20cm (Left hand is slightly larger at 8”) Country/City: Piscataway, NJ USA Relationship Status: Single Children: None Occupation: SEO Specialist 2. Why did you start training grip (and how long is it now)? I used to arm wrestle with my dad for fun up until my late teens. My hands and wrists were so much skinnier, so I googled ways to thicken them. That's when I came across COC grippers and they remained in the back of my mind. A few years later in December 2015 I got my first ones. By Fall of 2016 I was a full-fledged gripster and had a lot of the basic implements. 3. What are you most proud of accomplishing in grip already, and what is/are your grip goal/goals? It's pretty hard to pinpoint something. It took a lot of work for me to be able to do the blobs by the face stuff I do. I'm also pretty proud of lifting blobzilla without gigantic hands. It took 6 years to build up to that one. Other than that it's just feats that nobody else or very, very few have managed to do yet. My inch dumbbell lift balancing a deck of cards on the globe and then tearing the deck in my mouth while still holding the inch might be my favorite just because it's so silly and unique. As far as goals go, I really want to just get better and more consistent with common competition lifts. I'm more of a “featist” than a grip competitor and would like to change that. Feats are just so much more fun!! Other than that, I would like to clean the inch and clean/curl blobzilla. 4. How do you currently structure your overall training/how do you incorporate your grip training? I try to train 4-6 days a week but a lot of my training depends on how I'm feeling. Usually the PPL split and I do my grip sets between my working sets. I find that helps me warm up a lot better for the grip stuff, particularly on squat days. 5. What hobbies (other than grip/bending/lifting) do you enjoy? I don't do much outside of work and exercise. I play bass guitar but that's pretty much just my therapy these days lol. I need to find more interests... 6. Do you have a personal anecdote, topic or thoughts you'd like to include in your profile? I don't really know what to put here. I guess try not to limit yourself (within reason). I find that we are capable of more than we think, with enough hard work and consistency. And once you hit a goal, try and find ways to take it up another level! Also, I feel like you can almost always find a slightly better hand placement/angles on an implement. I find even body positioning is huge during a setup. I'm still making mini breakthroughs on implements I've been training with for 5+ years. Experiment with it, especially if you've been stagnant on a particular lift for a while. We all have different hand structures so everyone will have their own ideal placement for each implement. Don't just assume you've found your perfect setup after a few sessions, you might be leaving a lot on the table! 7. Whose Grip profile would you like to see next? Zach Mullins! Edited March 1, 2023 by Vinnie 15 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Roussin Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Tim's feats are beyond impressive! 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Heineck Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Met Tim at SJ4, super guy! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubyagrip Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 Looking forward to meeting you both in Cheyenne. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith513 Posted March 1, 2023 Share Posted March 1, 2023 One of the most impressive guys here.. Great read. Didnt know he played bass too. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stranger Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Tim is the man and super kind! He help me buy my Next zhen blob! To add to his list of accomplishments, he pulled the biggest weight on any implement at last year's King Kong! 259lbs (I think) on the LBH! 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I've never had the pleasure of meeting him - but after following him I admire his strength! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matek Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 I love watching his shorts on youtube. Recently his attempt to transfer a 50lb York blob by the FACE was beyond crazy. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 Oh wow, thank you so much everybody!! And Vinnie especially for taking the time to make these profiles. Looking forward to future grip comp adventures with you! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 17 hours ago, dubyagrip said: Looking forward to meeting you both in Cheyenne. That's awesome that you're going! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 10 hours ago, climber511 said: I've never had the pleasure of meeting him - but after following him I admire his strength! We actually met at The Last Gripmas Carol. I came with Nate and Rich Cottrell, but my right wrist was injured so I didn't compete. I was also pretty quiet the day of the competition because my hernia randomly popped out for the 1st time and I had no idea what was going on and freaking out lol. I was a good amount heavier as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubyagrip Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 9 minutes ago, temmmeeee said: That's awesome that you're going! I'm looking forward to it. I competed last weekend, and I had a blast. I'll try to go to as many as I can. It's such a small world. A few months ago when I was just starting to navigate the community, someone recommended your card tear technique video to me. Now, I will be hanging out, lifting heavy things with you in Wyoming. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, dubyagrip said: I'm looking forward to it. I competed last weekend, and I had a blast. I'll try to go to as many as I can. It's such a small world. A few months ago when I was just starting to navigate the community, someone recommended your card tear technique video to me. Now, I will be hanging out, lifting heavy things with you in Wyoming. I'm stoked too! Only about 3 weeks away!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
climber511 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 40 minutes ago, temmmeeee said: We actually met at The Last Gripmas Carol. I came with Nate and Rich Cottrell, but my right wrist was injured so I didn't compete. I was also pretty quiet the day of the competition because my hernia randomly popped out for the 1st time and I had no idea what was going on and freaking out lol. I was a good amount heavier as well. I just looked at the pictures - wow - you really changed - big weight loss - congratulations! Sorry I didn't remember! But old age memory - here today, gone today lol. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith513 Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, climber511 said: But old age memory - here today, gone today lol. Better than male pattern baldness at age 20. Hair today gone tomorrow 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 2, 2023 Share Posted March 2, 2023 4 hours ago, climber511 said: I just looked at the pictures - wow - you really changed - big weight loss - congratulations! Sorry I didn't remember! But old age memory - here today, gone today lol. Thanks, Chris! And no worries, that was a big turnout at that one! I'm sure there are some people I met there who I forgot I met as well lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinnie Posted March 2, 2023 Author Share Posted March 2, 2023 1 hour ago, temmmeeee said: Thanks, Chris! And no worries, that was a big turnout at that one! I'm sure there are some people I met there who I forgot I met as well lol I've been to maybe 15 comps now, and that one was still by far the biggest (in a single venue) of them all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny F Posted March 3, 2023 Share Posted March 3, 2023 Great profile for a great guy!! 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZRMMA Posted March 5, 2023 Share Posted March 5, 2023 I’ve had the chance to meet Tim for the first time at last years grip nationals. We both went head to head at 93kg class and Tim won the weight class. Both of us are obsessed with the feats so after the comp we were trying tons of feats with everyone else and we both lifted a half 75 “Glob” (half of York globe Dumbbell). Tim has went on to lift a half 80 Glob. When I ordered Inch Bells from overseas all of the bells were delivered to Tims about 9.5hrs from my house. Tim and Vinny just so happened to be coming to a contest a few hours from me and were kind enough to load up the dumbbells and bring them to the comp and save me a lot of hours of driving. Whether it’s competing in person or multi-venue comps me and Tim have competed a lot against each other in the short time I’ve been involved in the sport. The thing that stands out to me the most is that even though we are often competing against one another we will still offer our experience or tips to help the other one out even though this could end up being the reason one of us beats the other. With Tim there is no ego… just hard training and pure love for the sport. Looking forward to conquering some more feats and competing with him in the future. And hopefully one day I can make the trip up to NJ and lift in the “Yellow Room of Pain”. Tims awesome. 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 8 hours ago, ZRMMA said: I’ve had the chance to meet Tim for the first time at last years grip nationals. We both went head to head at 93kg class and Tim won the weight class. Both of us are obsessed with the feats so after the comp we were trying tons of feats with everyone else and we both lifted a half 75 “Glob” (half of York globe Dumbbell). Tim has went on to lift a half 80 Glob. When I ordered Inch Bells from overseas all of the bells were delivered to Tims about 9.5hrs from my house. Tim and Vinny just so happened to be coming to a contest a few hours from me and were kind enough to load up the dumbbells and bring them to the comp and save me a lot of hours of driving. Whether it’s competing in person or multi-venue comps me and Tim have competed a lot against each other in the short time I’ve been involved in the sport. The thing that stands out to me the most is that even though we are often competing against one another we will still offer our experience or tips to help the other one out even though this could end up being the reason one of us beats the other. With Tim there is no ego… just hard training and pure love for the sport. Looking forward to conquering some more feats and competing with him in the future. And hopefully one day I can make the trip up to NJ and lift in the “Yellow Room of Pain”. Tims awesome. Thanks so much, Zach! Its been great competing and getting to know you! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
temmmeeee Posted March 6, 2023 Share Posted March 6, 2023 On 3/2/2023 at 8:38 PM, Vinny F said: Great profile for a great guy!! Thank you, Vinny! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith513 Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 On 3/5/2023 at 11:07 AM, ZRMMA said: I’ve had the chance to meet Tim for the first time at last years grip nationals. We both went head to head at 93kg class and Tim won the weight class. Both of us are obsessed with the feats so after the comp we were trying tons of feats with everyone else and we both lifted a half 75 “Glob” (half of York globe Dumbbell). Tim has went on to lift a half 80 Glob. When I ordered Inch Bells from overseas all of the bells were delivered to Tims about 9.5hrs from my house. Tim and Vinny just so happened to be coming to a contest a few hours from me and were kind enough to load up the dumbbells and bring them to the comp and save me a lot of hours of driving. Whether it’s competing in person or multi-venue comps me and Tim have competed a lot against each other in the short time I’ve been involved in the sport. The thing that stands out to me the most is that even though we are often competing against one another we will still offer our experience or tips to help the other one out even though this could end up being the reason one of us beats the other. With Tim there is no ego… just hard training and pure love for the sport. Looking forward to conquering some more feats and competing with him in the future. And hopefully one day I can make the trip up to NJ and lift in the “Yellow Room of Pain”. Tims awesome. These are the kind of people you want to train with and associate with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alawadhi Posted March 8, 2023 Share Posted March 8, 2023 Great read! We will meet someday God willing. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aroostook Barbell Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 Tim is a fantastic human, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him at my contest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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