Read after this squat, but I needed some lifting in here so her's 725x7 beltless

A video posted by Joe Sullivan (@joesullivanpowerlifter) on Feb 6, 2017 at 4:04pm PST

I have recently been exposed to a great deal of criticism and anger regarding the current state of powerlifting and of the inundation of opinions and voices on social media, whether that is from people in your own personal circle, or just people you are "friends" with.

Whether it is an argument about squat depth, or over someone's physique that might not be "appealing" to you, having social media allows you to voice an opinion and allow otherp eople to view what you have to say. However, this is not always a good thing, because there is ignorance in the world and there is close mindedness.

A friend of mine, who I have spoken with before regarding mental health and similar injuries we have gone through named Janis Finkleman weighed in on the issue and declared hopelessness regarding people's close minded views regarding recent body criticisms aimed at Lady Gaga in the superbowl halftime show.

While I agree that these are skewed, and those particular people are fucking moronic, for my own sanity I cannot let them destroy how I feel about myself, and how I view others. And I beseech anyone reading this to not let them do the same.

There are HORRIBLE people out in the world and no matter the amount of feedback, shame, and criticism we mount towards them, like cockroaches they seem to be able to weather any attack and surface yet again in an attempt to bring other people down to the same depths of despair they reside in. HOWEVER, while there are these insects that thrive in their own misery, there are other people out there that want to see others be brought up and to see other people with, talents, skill, beauty, whatever be praised for what they've accomplished and highlight the good out there as opposed to the bad.

That's the only reason I have hope and I have not killed myself or at the very least fallen into an unrecoverable depression. I have hope for myself, and trying to be objective, I can realize that there are others in my position as well. Because of this I have allies, or at the very least friends, that can help elevate other people and raise up themselves, while doing the same to others.

I would rather see positivity and support than negativity and hatred, even if it is directed at something that I do not like as well. Dustin Reed received death threats over a squat that was white lighted in competition, but looks very much like a gift after video review. The people that react with vitriole and malice are no better than those who responded to me with anger during the fun beef with Jordan Wong. I had a conversation with Dustin, and remain friends with him, and I truly wish others in a position like my own could do the same and use objective observation and respect rather than crassness and reckless abandon for how their words may be received.

Ultimately, these are just my thoughts on a variety of subjects and they have no bearing on anything, but I hope at the very least I can spark some discussion or hopefully make someone take a look at how they treat people, and choose to act with construction on their mind rather than destruction, the next time they see something that they have an opinion about.

Either way, share your thoughts, but be GOOD PEOPLE as your baseline, because we are all only humans after all.