About Me
My name is Price Ebert and I am ShapeshifterTX. I have been a serious student of bodybuilding and strength training since I was 10 years old, I am presently 67 years old giving me 57 years of training and fitness experience. I am an ISSA Certified Master Trainer with individual certifications in Personal Training, Bodybuilding, Strength and Conditioning, Corrective Exercise, Nutritionist, and Transformation.
I have wanted to be a bodybuilder since I was 4 years old. My dad told me it would be too hard for me, and I would not be able to hack it. (Don't ever tell me that I can't do something) That was the moment I knew that I would be a bodybuilder. Of course my parents would not let me have any barbells, so I did calisthenics and lifted anything I thought was heavy, rocks, timbers, people. At 10 years old my parents were pretty much forced to buy me a set of weights and a 10 week Joe Weider weightlifting course. Forced because I was constantly being kicked out of the local YMCA weight room for not meeting their age requirement, and they would call my parents. My dad was able to convince the most prestigious barbell club in town to let me join at the age of 14. For the rest of his days the owner always introduced me, or reminded people that I was the youngest member that he had ever had.During my school age years I participated in every sport that you can imagine. Despite being the one of the smallest kids on every team because of my dedication to weight training I was always first or second string. I am quite proud of that fact considering I grew up in an incredibly athletic talent rich town in the oilfields of West Texas.
In college I was able to get a job with a beer distributor despite my small size. My job was delivering keg beer to college parties and the restaurants/bars that served our beer. My college town was in the Hill Country of Texas so lots of hills and stairs. I amazed everyone by my ability to carry and maneuver these kegs of beer all day and night despite the fact that a keg of beer outweighed me by twenty pounds. Later in that career my manager confided in me he only gave me the job to run me off, he never imagined that I would be able lift a keg much less stack them head high by myself.
After college I opened a gym and began training people. During that time I began to train with two of the top amateur bodybuilders in the nation. During this period I got stronger than I ever could have imagined, I worked up to a raw bench press of 500lbs, squat 600 lbs with suit, deadlift 500lbs with straps, and a strict barbell curl of 255 lbs all at a weight of 185 to 195 lbs. It still freaks me out to this day. However, I could not see the disastrous consequences that awaited me. Long story short over the course of twenty years I had to have three major shoulder surgeries, the last two being total shoulder replacements. After each surgery the doctors would tell me that I would never lift again. (Remember never tell I CAN'T do something) After the first surgery I was eventually able to get back to a 400 lbs bench press and a 165 lbs barbell curl, my legs were unaffected by the surgery. I did this with my version of the theory of progressive resistance. I started off with empty bars and systematically added small amounts of weight. Eventually this led me back to training intensely and eventually I needed both of my shoulders being replaced. Again each shoulder I was told that I would never play golf or racquet sports, I would be a cripple of sorts for the rest of my life. This time I believed them, for a while. I did take my rehab very seriously and actually did twice as much volume than I was instructed.
Eventually I got bored and had developed a bad habit of hanging out with friends and leading the life of a Has Been. One day I noticed that the local YMCA was having a Sprint Triathlon. I had never done one of those sounds interesting. I asked my surgeon if it would be ok to give it a shot. He said it would be ok, but he feared that the swim might be too much for my shoulders. I promised him if they started to hurt I would stop. I get some advice from some of the local serious tri guys and join an aquatic club.
The day of the race something prophetic happened. I get my numbers written all over me and the attach a timing device to my ankle. While I am waiting for the race to start I have several of the guys approach me and ask if I am competing? Puzzled I responded yes why do you ask? Their response, well you don't look like a tri guy. Me: really what do I look like? Them: you look like a bodybuilder. That's when it hit me, I am a bodybuilder! I give it a lot of thought, because making a comeback would border on insanity to some. Finally I draw the conclusion that if I do this right, check my ego and learn to make light weights heavy with perfect form I could do this.
Besides I am now 54 years old, I don't have to be strong, I just have to look strong. Long story short My competitive comeback lasted ten years. I was able to make it all the way to being a national and international amateur competitiive bodybuilder. I even came pretty close to getting a pro card in the 60 to 69 year old class. Now it's time to retire and give back to the wonderful life that fitness has afforded me.
I want to share my gifts with the world! Let me teach you about FLOW!