Power of Positivity

Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility lieutenant uses positive thinking to propel powerlifting career

E ric Jones says he isn’t your typical powerlifter.

His 5-foot-10 stature is smaller than other lifters who tend to tower above 6-feet tall.

But that hasn’t stopped him from taking home championship titles in the sport.

Jones, a lieutenant at Richard A. Handlon Correctional Facility, won his 7th consecutive title at the World Powerlifting Championships in Las Vegas in November, lifting 461 pounds. He said he has lifted as much as 605 pounds during practice at the gym.

His success comes just as much from his strength and discipline, as it does from his outlook.

“I really believe in positive thinking,” Jones said. “I see myself lifting certain weights. I meditate and I really focus.”

Jones was always an athlete. He played basketball and was a bodybuilder before he started powerlifting in 2006.

“We find some of our gifts accidentally,” Jones said. “I was a strong person, but I didn’t know how strong.”

Jones said he was always interested in powerlifting, but it wasn’t until his mother passed away that he decided to pursue the sport. He said he often told her he wanted to be a world champion powerlifter, and her passing made him realize it was time to make that dream reality.

Jones won his first competition at the state open at Lansing Community College in 2006. In 2010, he edged out about 50 other competitors to take the overall title in the United Powerlifting Association competition in Indianapolis.

He has earned the title for his age class in the last seven World Powerlifting Championships he has competed in.

He said he trains five days a week and will sometimes practice twice a day.

“Sometimes your body hurts, but you have to keep pushing forward,” said Jones, who has worked for the department for almost 19 years. “You have to be willing to make that sacrifice.”

Jones, who was named Corrections Officer of the Year in 2006, is also active in the community, working with local youths as a mentor.

He said he uses his experience powerlifting to inspire and motivate young people. He formerly operated a community program for at-risk youth in Lansing that included tutoring, job workshops and GED preparation.

In addition, he has spoken to groups around the state about violence prevention and gang intervention. He said it is a goal of his to start a youth powerlifting team.

“I want to help young people bring out the champion in themselves,” he said.