HARRISBURG -- Mike Jenkins is happy and, best of all, healthy.
Jenkins, a resident of Harrisburg, is eager for his next major strong man competition; after forcing to withdraw from the World's Strongest Man event in late September due to a back injury.
He's also been doing some other heavy lifting of late; Jenkins has been busy opening up a new training facility in Lower Paxton Township, called Catalyst Athletics at 13 Stripes Cross Fit gym.
"If you want to get stronger, where do you want to go?" asked Jenkins, in an interview with CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol. "Do you want to go to a regular trainer? Or do you want to go to someone who pulls fire trucks; lifts 500 lb. atlas stones; and 400 lb. logs?"
At the time of his injury, CBS 21 News had learned Jenkins was in fourth place overall, just two points out of third -- a remarkable showing for a rookie at WSM -- with only two events left in the finals, which includes the ten-best remaining athletes. Competitors are not allowed to disclose the results per their contract with event organizers.
The WSM will be shown on ESPN on January 14.
Jenkins is now training for the Arnold Strongman Classic in March.
The Arnold Strongman Classic annually features the world’s top strongman professionals in a two-day competition to determine the world’s strongest man. Last year's champion Brian Shaw of Colorado, who also won the 2011 World's Strongest Man competition, will be back to defend his title. Six-time champion Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania, who finished third in 2011; and two-time Arnold Strongman Classic champion Derek Poundstone of Waterbury, Conn.
Jenkins was last year's runner-up and won the Amatuer World Championships at the Arnold Classic in March 2010.
The 6’6,” 380 lb. native of Westminster, Maryland, Jenkins is a former offensive lineman at James Madison University.
He says his younger brother Nick, who is finishing his college career as a football player at the University of Virginia, will also work at his new training facility, as well.
