Hamman, a 2000 U.S. Olympic weightlifter, can squat 1,000 lbs. (although he has hoisted a one-time record of 1,008 lbs. in a squat), clean and jerk 500 lbs., snatch 430 lbs. and holds three American records in the 105+kg weight class.

In 1999, Hamman became the first U.S. man to win a weightlifting gold medal at the 1999 Pan American Games.

Hamman, who says he eats whatever he sees, and usually consumes up to 7,000 calories a day, is not only a weightlifter, but is an overall athlete. He can dunk a basketball with two hands, has a vertical standing leap of 36 inches, has a handicap of eight and can hit a golf ball 350 yards.

Q1: When/how did you start weightlifting?

SHANE HAMMAN: I first started out powerlifting after high school. I always lifted during football in high school, but I decided to try out powerlifting right after I graduated. After watching the '96 Olympics I then decided that I would like to try Olympic weightlifting. So I really got involved in that at the end of '96.

Q2: What's a typical day like for you?

SHANE HAMMAN: I wake up and eat breakfast before going to do my morning workout. After training I go and eat again. I usually hang out and rest until my afternoon workout, and then after that I go eat again. The rest of the night I'll spend studying, watching TV or playing poker with the guys.

Q3: Can you give the low-down on your training schedule?

SHANE HAMMAN: I train twice a day for about two hours each time on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and once a day on Tuesday and Saturday. In the morning I do my squats and strength training and in the afternoon I do my lifts, like snatches, clean and jerk and pulls.

Q4: How do you psych yourself up before competition?

SHANE HAMMAN: I have a natural ability to get myself really pumped up before I compete. I have always been that way. Before competing I go through a lot of emotions. First I am psyched and want to lift, and then I'll think to myself "Why am I doing this?" I go from being pumped to somewhat fearful to being crazy psyched again. It is a natural thing to me.

Q5: Is there something you couldn't live without?

SHANE HAMMAN: You mean besides food? I probably couldn't live without my car. I like going places all the time and if I was stuck somewhere, like here on complex all the time, I'd definitely go nuts.

Q6: Are you asking for anything specific this holiday season?

SHANE HAMMAN: No. Everything I want is too big. I really want a Harley and I would like another SeaDoo. I guess I could use some new golf clubs, and new clothes are always good.

Q7: Whom would you want to play you in the Shane Hamman story?

SHANE HAMMAN: Although he's not with us anymore, I would choose Chris Farley. He was so funny and he was a big guy just like me. I think he'd be able to play me really well.

Q8: Who is your most influential role model?

SHANE HAMMAN: In everyday life it would definitely be my parents. They have always supported and encouraged me in everything that I have done. In weightlifting it would be a guy named Paul Anderson. He won the gold in '56 in the super heavyweight division and was the last man to do so.

Q9: Where is your favorite place you have traveled?

SHANE HAMMAN: I would definitely say Australia. I've been to four different cities and have really enjoyed visiting them all. It's beautiful, fun to visit and I always feel really comfortable there. Australia is definitely comparable to the U.S. I'm a big fan of the U.S. though. I think it's better than anywhere else.

Q10: How far are you going to take your weightlifting career?

SHANE HAMMAN: I'm really just going to play it by ear. Right now I'm really concentrating on training for Athens. I'll decide whether or not I'll keep going to 2008 after 2004.