Joe Jackson (Delco Jesus) on Overcoming Adversity, Mental Health, and the Evolution of Powerlifting

From Struggle to Strength

• 💡 Joe Jackson, known as "Delco Jesus," shares his journey from battling depression, homelessness, and significant weight gain to finding solace and purpose in powerlifting.
• 🎯 He emphasizes that chasing a total alone is detrimental; true progress comes from bettering oneself rather than solely focusing on numbers or competition.
• 🔑 His early life was marked by bullying, an unstable home environment with an alcoholic mother, and academic struggles, leading to a period of self-destructive behavior.
• 🚀 A pivotal moment was his grandfather's death, which triggered severe depression and multiple suicide attempts, highlighting the profound impact of loss and mental health challenges.

The Powerlifting Journey

• 🏋️ Joe discovered powerlifting in 2018 and began lifting seriously in 2015, initially to lose weight, eventually shedding over 100 pounds.
• 💥 His first powerlifting meet in 2019 was a learning experience, including bombing out on deadlifts due to rule ignorance and improper gear, but it ignited a desire to continue.
• 🤕 A stress fracture in his clavicle during a meet marked a turning point, pushing him towards the untested powerlifting circuit and a new phase of his competitive career.
• 📈 He has since achieved significant totals, including over 2000 lbs at major events like Ghost Clash and American Pro.

Mental Health and Training

• 🧠 Training served as a crucial mental release and a tool to cope with depression, but he stresses it's a tool, not the sole solution.
• ⚠️ Injuries, like a torn bicep and SI joint issues, amplified his mental health struggles, forcing him to confront the