We
made the news!
Rest
in Peace
Matthew "Jett" Schaefer
March 27th 1972 - January 7th 2009
An awesome person, friend and training partner.
I will always love you, and I miss you a lot.
Jett....you
defined Willpower,
and your strength and will should have their own definition.
www.forjett.com
& www.myspace.com/gqpilot
Cattle die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But the good name never dies
Of one who has done well.
Cattle
die, kindred die,
Every man is mortal:
But I know one thing that never dies,
The glory of the great dead.
Haavamaal
World
champion!
I
won the WPC world bench press champions ship.
Won my weight class and best lifter!!
Also did a new world record in the 56 kg weight class
with 142,5 kg.
I
am BACK!
Tuesday November 18th I am leaving for West Palm Beach
in Florida for the WPB World Bench Press Championship.
It's been over 2 years since my last competition.
August of 2006 I injured myself pretty bad. Took a
while for me to figure that out. Someone, I just met
at the time, "forced" me to the doctor.
3 surgeries later, 30 lbs lighter, I am ready to get
back on the platform.
It's been a long and bumpy road. A road that has brought
me a lot of good and bad, and showed mr a lot about
people.
I met a guy right at the time when my world fell a
part. Someone who really did not have to stick around,
and take care of me when my days was at the darkest.
But he did. Thursday he will be a coach at his very
first bench press meet ever. My boyfriend Brad Bloch.
The training for this met has gone pretty good. Not
painless, but if you asked me in April, if I would
ever bench press again.....the answer would have been
NO! I could not even do the bar.
Then early this summer I got an e-mail from Amy Jackson,
asking if I wanted to do the WPB Worlds in November,
represent the US. Brad and I was on our way to San
Jose to Watch Jason "JP" Peterson do his
1st pro boxing fight, then to watch him do his 2nd
one at the Playboy mansion, 2 weeks later, and winning
them both. JP gave me the inspiration I needed to
get back in the gym. Also knowing this would be my
4th national team, in the 3rd sport, for the 2nd country.
It was time to vipe the dust of my lifting belt and
give my 100%.
So here I am, ready to lift in the WPB
World Bench press championships.
To
get where I am right now, would not have been possible
without the help and the support I have got from some
very special people.
Brad Bloch, Dr Gerbino, Lena J. Natividad, Dave Hammond,
my mom and dad, Barbara and Chuck Bloch, Jon Wiebe,
Chris Hecht, Mark Harris, Jeff Calman, Carmine Gangemi,
Hege Nielsen, Heidi Sighovd, Matthew "Jett"
Schaefer, Steve Denison, Ryan Miller, Bo, Andre, Kjell
and Red, Timmy Boy, Tina Lithner, Gabe Sorensen, Shonie
Carter, and Tommy Tadeo.
Thank you so much to everyone, for everything from
making my trip possible, to the phone calls, flowers,
e-mails, and hugs.
This
past 2 years been pretty hard for me, I thought. But
there are people who are doing harder.
First of all I want to tell my friend Jett, to keep
up the fight.
Then I want to show my support to the men and women
in the military fighting the war over in Iraq and
Afganistan. You guys do hard!
Send
me an e-mail with your snail mail address.
A free signed picture of me "US Mari Core"
will come your way.
Its
mid August already.
I have started to bench press again. YES!!! Decided
to come back on to the platform. I will be doing the
WPC Worlds at the end of November
www.worldpowerliftingcongress.com
Very exited about this. About time to put the injuries
behind me, and try to break some more records.....and
hearts ;-)
Tone
and Kjell Stangeland, a couple of friends from Norway
was here August 5th. Went up to Hollywood and spent
some time with them before the took of on their Route
66 vecation. I am sure they are having a great time.
Looking forward to see them again, either in Norway
or here in America.
Last
weekend I was so lucky to get an invitation to go
to Hef's Midsummer Night Party at the Playboy mansion.
WOW! What a party. The decorations, food, drinks,
the people, Hef, "the girls next door"......it
was all awesome. Have to experience it to believe
it. I had a great time. Big thank you to Hugh Hefner
for the invitation, and a great party.
June
17, 2008
The past few weeks have been pretty
crazy.
My Norwegian friend Beatrice opened up her 2nd store
on Hollywood Blvd. So we were there for her grand
opening.
BizzyB on 6548 Hollywood blvd. Check it out when you
are in the area.
Had a nice dinner at her and her husband Shawns house
a few days later. Great time.
Thank you to the both of them. Awesome people.
Went to San Jose to watch JP's first
pro boxing fight, the weekend of my birthday. KO 2nd
round! Congrats JP! Had a great time at the fight
and after the fight. It ended up being a looooong
but fun day, and got to meet some new fun people.
While up in that area I spent some quality time with
friends in Santa Cruz. Beach, food, drinks.......just
good relaxing time. Got back home for my birthday
(Sunday June 8th).......just relaxed at the house.
Friday
last week, Brad and I went to help a very good friend
of mine, Ryan, to move. You would think moving is
a pain in the butt......but this one ended up being
kind of easy...... and fun. After getting all his
stuff in to the new place we had lunch/dinner at the
Saddle Ranch on Sunset.....after that some drinks,
and just a fun night with 2 people that I care about
a lot. Friday 13th is not so bad anyway.....
May
8th, 2008
JP, one of the fiercest San Francisco Hells Angels
is having his Pro Debut June 5th in San Jose!
Now go get your tickets, and give the man some Real
Love and Respect!
This man is a true athlete!
====================================================
May
3rd, 2008
It is already May, and summer is coming.
April
20th, I went to my friend Raye Hollitt's birthday
party. Had a great time at her place in the Palisades.
Thanks Raye for the invitation.
Last
weekend was a Las Vegas weekend. Took off Friday..........met
up with some of Brads friends in the USMC motorcycle
club, and Jason Talar. Fun to get to know someone
I have heard so much about. Great guy.
Had a fun night. Lots of drinks, and laughter.
Saturday.... went to see the Body Worlds at the Tropicana
hotel. Wow. Check out the web site www.bodyworlds.com
It is really worth seeing.
That evening we had the greatest dinner at The Top
Of The World restaurant, celebrating Brads birthday.
Food was AWESOME.
Sunday........drove home.
I also worked out with Charles this week. Bench-pressed
for the first time in over 1 year. I can describe
that bench press workout in 2 words....weak and pain-full.
LOL. But other than that.....as always, the workouts
with Charles are the best.
So lets leave that bench subject for now, and I will
get back to it when we have worked through the pain,
and put some more plates on the bar.
Lately
I have also got back in touch with a very special
friend of mine, Ryan Miller. This guy left an impression
in my life that I will never forget. Now that we are
back in touch, Brad and him are also getting to know
each other. The 2 guys in my life that has really
been there for me, and treated me better than anyone
else, are now also friends. Can a girl ask for more?
What is it with me and these Marines?
==================================
Friday,
April 11th, 2008
Met up with an old friend of mine today. It's probably
been 2 years since I saw here last.
Her name is Jennifer Thomas, and we have known each
other for about 4 years. We had a lot of fun up at
Golds Gym venice, doing lifting videos etc. Finally
we got back in touch, and I look forward to get together
more and maybe do some work together in the future.
Here is a picture of us from earlier tonight.
2 weeks went by so fast. Mom and dad
are now on their way back to Norway.
We had a great time together. Thanks for coming to
see me mom and dad!!! Love you both!
Here are some more pictures.
My parents are still here and we are
having a good time.
Tuesday we went up to LA and my mom had Lasik surgery
by Dr. G at the Lasikspa. She is not using glasses
anymore. JIPPI! It is soo cool. Dr. G is the BEST!!
Wednesday we went back to LA for a check-up on her
eyes, and we had a nice lunch at Bubba Gump.
Brad took my dad shooting guns and then lunch at Hooters.
The guys were happy.
Thursday was shopping, and relaxing.
Today, Friday, my good friend Leon Sparango took us
wine tasting. We all had a blast. Thank you Leon!
We all love you.
My mom and dad came all the way from Norway to California
hoping to see some sun!!! It's been raining NON STOP!
We are hoping for some California weather next week.
================================
My mom and dad are here in California
visiting me for 2 weeks. We are having a blast.
They came Friday. So Saturday we went to the fitexpo
to watch my friend Odd Haugen compete in the Strong
man competition.
Odd is 58 years old, and still hanging with the young
guys. Impressive.
After spending the day in LA at the fitexpo we went
back down to Carlsbad for a nice dinner and some drinks.
Sunday......just relaxed. Mom did my did my hair and
dad fired up the BBQ and made a kick ass meal.
We also gave mom the biggest margarita she ever had.
Monday we went to the beach.......and did some gadget
shopping at Best Buy. Me and my dad loves little gadgets.
he he.
We
are already 1 month into 2008. Wow time flies.
2008 has so far started pretty good. Had a fun trip
to Mexico a couple of weeks ago. Me and two friends
went to Tijuana for a night of fun. The Margaritas
tasted so good......we stayed an extra day.
I am going to start updating my "NEWS"
once a week from now on. I know I have not been to
good at it.....but not much have really been going
on.
Now it is a new year, and i am back into training,
and want to keep you guys informed on how things are
going for me.
=====================================================
I want to wish everyone a Merry X-mas,
and a Happy New year!
I have just moved to Carlsbad in Southern California,
and looking forward to a fresh start in the new year.
God Jul & Godt Nytt aar til min famile og venner.
Gratulerer
Med Dagen Mamma!!!
First
I want to start with congratulating my mom with her
60th birthday on Sunday November 11th. Talked to her
on Sunday where she told me all about the good Norwegian
food she is cooking, cakes she is baking, and drinks
she is serving at the family party on Saturday. It
is everything from moose to herring, and all sorts
of other goodies.
So my surgery was 3 weeks ago. I am still a bit sore,
off course, but have a lot more motion in it already.
I have been resting up for the past weeks, and getting
ready to get back in shape and break some more records
in 2008. But before this year is over, some big changes
coming up.
From November 23rd, I will be living in Carlsbad,
California. Looking very much forward to this change.
It will be good for me. After fixing injuries, with
3 surgeries in 8 months, it is time to find out if
the doctors seems will hold together ;-) And no better
way to do that then to move and start fresh.
I am so exited about this that I am now sitting here
with my stuff all boxed up waiting for the 23rd to
come around.
Hello!!
So...Tuesday October the 16th at 1300 I am having
another surgery on my shoulder. Hopefully this is
the last one. This will be my 3rd surgery in 7 months.
2 on my shoulder and 1 on my ankle.
I will write more after the surgery and let you guys
know how things went.
Last week I went down to LA. Met up with my "big
sister" Lena. So nice to see her again. It's
been 9 months!!!!
We had dinner, coffee, a couple of drinks..... And
I got to see her cute little princess Madeleine.
I also met my old roommate Jeff. Stayed at his house
and had a really nice dinner with him one night.
Also dropped by Golds and met my trainer Charles Glass.
Then off course Colleen at the Max Muscle store. Had
some good laughs about boys. NEXT!!!
Then
I headed down to San Diego and watched the Red Bull
Air Races. OMG that was impressive. These guys really
know how to fly an airplane. They have 8 - 9 G at
some places. Other people would have fainted at that.
San Diego is a really nice place. So nice that in
a couple of months I am moving. YES!!! I am so exited.
Can't wait to be down south again.
But first I have to find out what is going on with
my shoulder. I will find out in a couple of days,
when I had an MRI done on Wednesday.
September
2007
I
am feeling a lot better today. Went back to the hospital
for a check up, and everything seem to be back to
normal again. Now it is just for me to do the rest
of the work. My body has been through a roller coaster,
so it is worn out, but can slowly start to built back
up.
I am so happy to feel this way. It's been a long long
time since I had a day without having fever, nausea,
dizzy and totally fatigue. I am actually enjoying
sitting outside on the patio writing this.
From
September 11th - 24th it is the World Strongest Man
in Anaheim. The Karlsen's are coming all the way from
Norway, so I will take a trip down there to say hi.
Looking forward to see the Viking and his wife again.
We had so much fun together when we went to their
house for dinner, back home in Norway a few months
ago. Lets just hope all of us will make it past 7
pm this time............. ;-)
I
just talked to a good friend of mine on the phone
today. Made me so sad, but yet so happy. Funny how
these combinations of feelings bounce in and out me.
I have been through the roughest year of my life,
but I have never been happier.
I guess these are the feelings that makes us go to
bed at night, and want to wake up the next morning........
August
2007
Hi
everyone!
On August 10th I went to Las Vegas to watch the
USPF national power lifting championship.
My friend Ed Coan was doing his very last met,
and I wanted to be there to give my support, and
of course to see his girlfriend Hege who is Norwegian,
and a very good friend of mine. I was very excited
to see them.
I was not feeling too good when I arrived in Vegas,
but can't be 100% all the time, right?
Ed was lifting on Saturday. After 1500 that day
I had to get back to the hotel. Felt like bed
was the only place I could be at. Did not manage
to get out of bed and even missed Ed's lifting.
So sorry Ed! |
 |
Came
back home from Vegas on Monday morning. My whole
body was in pain. Could not sit, sleep, or lie
still, I was hurting. I did not know what to do
with myself. So by Tuesday morning there was only
one choice -the ER.
Right now it is Friday evening and I am still
in the hospital.
I have a severe kidney infection on my right side.
Wish I know how and why I got it, but I don't
know by this time.
I am feeling a lot better, but still on big doses
of antibiotics and pain meds.
I don't know when I get out of here, but let's
hope soon........... |
 |
The
other week I got to try something really cool!
Brad Bloch and his friend Jon Wiebe, who just
got back from his 4th tour in Iraq, took me
shooting. Brad wanted to teach me how to use
his M4, so I guess I could not get anyone more
qualified than those 2, to show me how to do
this.
I have never tried this before, but from the
results on the target, and the water melons,
I guess I did not do to bad?
Here
are some pictures from Mari's 1st time with
a gun. And I don't think it is her last........
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
2007
Vacation
time is over. The trip to Norway went by so
fast. I guess times flies when you are having
fun?
It was so nice to finally go home and stay for
a few weeks. Gave me time to catch up with family
and friends. I also made time for a little trip
to Denmark and Sweden.
When
I got home my grandmother got sick. I guess
I went home at the right time..... I was able
to see her for one last time before she died.
Now
it is time for me to start more rehab work on
my shoulder, so I can get that back to a 100%.
It is still very stiff and hurts moving it to
much. I am trying to be patient, but it is hard.
This is the first time in my life that I have
had an injury that has totally stopped me. Pretty
hard and difficult when you have been bouncing
around since the age of 5, and never been "down".
|
|
June
2007
My ankle surgery is done!!! Dr Peter
Gerbino cut me open, cleaned my ankle up, and I am
now trying to heal up and recover as fast as I can.
I am limping around with a boot on my foot and a cane
in my hand. Pretty cute.
I will remove the stitches in a week or so. After
then I hope to be able to move around a little better.
Right now it is very sore, and not being to happy
when I walk to much.
This Sunday, the 3rd, I am going home
to Norway on a vacation.
It will be so much fun. June 8th is my birthday, and
I will celebrate it with my family, and friends.
Please check back soon for updates
from my trip, and pictures.
May
2007
Hi, and welcome to my brand new website.
I will try to make this site as interesting as possible,
but to do that I would like some feedback from you!
Let me know what you would like to see. Send me an
e-mail at mari@powermari.com.
This
first half of the year has been a long and tough one.
February 21st I had shoulder surgery. Had to re-attach
my labrum and clean up my rotator cuff. It has been
a long recovery, and I am still getting Physical Therapy.
But in the last few weeks my shoulder has improved
a lot, and I am starting to function again.
I am still not back into training, but will find my
way to the gym again during this summer.
I have taken this time to rest up, heal, and given
my body a break. I think this is the first time since
I was a little kid that I took time off from working
out. I guess it was about time, huh?
May 24th I am going to have ankle
surgery. This is the year of "fixing Mari".........
Might as well do it all while I am "down".
On June 3rd, I am taking off for Norway.
Going to spend 4 weeks in my home country with family
and friends.
I am so exited. I will spend my birthday at home this
year. Haven't done that in 5 years. Think we are having
a party.......... yeah!
Thanks for stopping by, I will be
back here next week, to let you know how my surgery
went.
