Submitted Photo Michael Red Tomahawk is the winner of the 2024 World Raw Power Federation USA in the US Northwest Regional held in Portland, Oregon on July 20-21

Life often comes with obstacles that are daunting and leave you questioning: why is this happening? What have I gotten myself into? And, how do I get out of this?

Ironically and fortunately, life also blesses us with the ability to overcome anything we put our minds to with persistence, dedication and making the right choices along the way.

Michael Red Tomahawk is exemplary of overcoming daunting obstacles in what has been an inspiring story of redemption as a sober athlete in recovery.

Tomahawk is the winner of the 2024 World Raw Power Federation USA, US Northwest Regional competition that took place in Portland, Oregon on July 20-21. Tomahawk competed in the Drug Tested Men’s Masters 45-49 yrs old 110kg weight class. Tomahawk finished third place overall in the Mens Open Drug Tested 110 kg weight class.

“It feels good coming in 1st in Portland at the WRPF but these days I am more into chasing totals. I am currently chasing 1100 pounds and I have gotten closer and closer as the years go by,” said Tomahawk. “I may have been #1 this weekend there but I am still #6 here in North Dakota in the @xpc_midwest behind athletes I have been chasing for the last few years. Guys like Sean Seibold, Brent Keller, Willie Hale, Wendel Ebach, Dustin Marshall and the guy who has a superhuman deadlift total and the current USPAND State Record Cody Furstenau.”

Tomahawk holds three World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) North Dakota State Records in the following events: squat, bench press and Deadlift for the MEN’S MASTERS 45-49 yrs old division and 110 kg weight class. Tomahawk also holds the WRPF 2024 NATIONAL RECORDS for his age group and weight class in the DRUG TESTED DIVISION

“Records are made to be broken, it feels awesome to have the first ones here in ND for the WRPF as well as the NEW WRPF 2024 NATIONAL RECORD,” said Tomahawk. “These are just to prove a point to everyone both young and adult that you can fully achieve something once you set a goal and work hard for it. I wanted this achievement to open more doors for young and old in strength based sports.”

It is by no means an accident the feats Tomahawk was able to accomplish at the Northwest Regional meet. The saying “what you put in is what you get out”is often used to highlight the correlation between a person’s effort and the results they received from such effort.

Tomahawk life journey is the reflection of “what you put in, is what you get” and shows the impact of how good and bad decisions impact a person’s life.

“My training is disciplined and structured to maximize both power and intensity while focusing on execution of each lift in progressive succession. This was my first time in the WRPF and it had competitors from all over the nation & other countries, honestly it was a bit overwhelming at first but when my nerves calmed then I was able to lock in and execute,” said Tomahawk. “I made PR’s on 2 of the 3 lifts just missing my squat PR by a hair on depth on the third so overall it was a good progression from my last meet to now.”

Before winning trophies Tomahawk had to create a path for the direction his journey would take after being faced with challenges that would forever leave an imprint on his life: drug and alcohol addiction.

“Growing up on the reservation as a kid I was slowly doing negative things without really knowing that I was going down a path of using drugs and drinking and partying that would ultimately change me for the second part of my life. I was a good kid, honor roll, sports and I didn’t drink until I was 17 yrs old,” said Tomahawk. “I started partying socially on weekends and it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I did cocaine for the first time ever on my way to a Junior Nationals Boys High School Basketball National Tourney that things started changing slowly for me.”

The impact of his drug addiction ultimately deprived Tomahawk of the basketball scholarship he had worked for and left him in a place of despair.

A future that was once bright for the talented high school prospect, was slowly dimming at the passing of each day as Tomahawk further indulged in his vices. As if things weren’t bad enough, the Tomahawk world went completely dark with the passing of a family member.

“I got recruited by United Tribes to play in 1998 but due to partying on weekends making negative choices and not going to class I lost not only my spot but also I left school,” said Tomahawk. “I went back in 2001 again and this time was in the absolute best basketball shape in my life I started a family and had a kids and I went all the way until the first game of the season when a death in the family and my running from responsibilities due to immaturity and substance influenced thinking made me up and quit and leave school again.”

Tomahawk depression was further exacerbated as a result of being caught up in the opiate epidemic of the early 2000s, which was coalesced with his appetite for drinking.

“Looking back on it now from this is where my depression started manifesting. I had a family and went from drinking to getting caught up in the opiate epidemic of the early 2000’s. I started using and abusing pain pills and amphetamines and it was a part of my life for almost (over) 21 years,” said Tomahawk.

“During that time I started fighting MMA for local shows and I loved it but I knew I wasn’t at my best cause I was still under the influence of pain meds almost every day so I quit after almost 8 years of fighting.”

After his MMA juncture, Tomahawk forayed into semi pro football, earning his way as he had done in each of the previous sports he competed in but was once again haunted by his life choices.

“After that time I tried Semi-Pro Football and earned a spot as a defensive end at 29 but again I lost that opportunity due to negative choices,” said Tomahawk.

As the saying goes “it comes to a point where the rubber meets the road”, a point where one must look inward, within themselves and muster up whatever it takes to steer their life in the right direction.

After being immersed in a drug addiction for almost 21 years, an addiction that perhaps may have stopped him from being one the world renowned athletes, Tomahawk found it within himself and mustered up what he needed to overcome his addiction.

“Five years ago I said ‘enough is enough’ and started getting clean. I entered the weight room at 188 pounds in White Shield ND and started working out hard,” said Tomahawk. “During that time a coworker asked me to try out powerlifting for the first time ever and I was hesitant at first but I agreed and at the 2020 ND Spring Power Fest in Dickinson ND at the old PIT STRENGTH gym I stepped onto the platform for the first time ever.”

Unbeknownst to Tomahawk at the time, his decision to compete at the 2020 ND Spring Power Fest in Dickinson ND may have been a call of fate and the first step in fulfilling destiny.

“[The] crazy thing is I felt comfortable there. A big part of that was due to seeing a familiar face I knew all too well in a USPAND Staff Shirt. Mr.David Stensland then the head of the USPAND was also the former lead correctional officer of the Standing Rock Jail in Fort Yates and he seen me when I was at my low & at my worst – alot of people don’t know this but he was the one who sent me away to a jail/treatment center for 6 months back in 2010 and ultimately saved my life. (For) that was the first time I was clean for a full 6 months in years,” said Tomahawk. “Today David and his wife Katie and their family run the Xtreme Powerlifting Coalition or @xpc_midwest here in our region and have always been there in my competitive career.”

The impact of powerlifting on Tomahawk is measured in amounts that goes beyond trophies and records. Powerlifting is the source of Tomahawk’s redemption and has helped in positioning him to inspire and help others.

“To keep it simple ‘Powerlifting saved my life, it gave me a new direction in life and also a career helping others,’ said Tomahawk “I plan on competing until I cannot anymore that’s the beauty of Powerlifting, it’s you vs you vs the weights.”

Outside of competition, Tomahawk works as a peer support, level two specialist and fitness coach at the Door Resource and Recovery lodge on the MHA Nation.

“I am a ND Dept of Behavioral Health Peer Support Level 2 Specialist and Fitness Coach for the MHA NATION in North Segment under Dr.Monica Mayer and Teleia Baker at ‘The Door Resource and Recovery Lodge’ in New Town ND,” said Tomahawk. “I work with both adults and youth transitioning from addiction to recovery as well as being of service to all that need my services.”

Tomahawk is a sober athlete in recovery, with over three and a half years of sobriety.

“I am (now) sober for over 3.5 years. Everything I do (now) today is to open more doors for youth both on and off the reservations and to be of service to everyone each day in some way, shape or form,” said Tomahawk. “I love my life and what I do and what I can provide for my family and my kids as well as professionally in my career and also as a coach.”

Beyond his life of resilience and perseverance, the growth shown by Tomahawk serves as an inspiration for others battling alcohol addiction, drug addiction or other factors leading to depression.

Tomahawk’s personal words for someone battling in recovery;

“Everyone’s recovery story is different, we will all learn different lessons at different times in our journey but always be grateful to learn them when given’,” said Tomahawk.

Always be comfortable with all of the uncomfortable, they are needed to process to move forward.

You are never ever alone in your fight to get and stay clean, help is always a call text or inbox away.

Always be honest with yourself even when its difficult because that will help you so much later on.

LASTLY every one of you , every one of us in recovery, we are all human success stories so keep writing yours no matter what.

If this addict can do it, so can you, if you ever want to talk about it or anything just ask me and I’ll tell you.”

Who Tomahawk is today is a far cry from the person he once was, but the future presents an opportunity for him to continue redefining himself and for that he’s appreciative..

“Everyone’s recovery is different but my mindset everyday now is to be grateful now everyday I get to open my eyes.”said Tomahawk. “I make sure to reflect on things needed to be done and make sure I am being of service somehow, someway to somebody as well as maintaining a positive energy and vibe.”

The North Dakota bred powerlifting champion will compete again this year and has four months to prepare for another major competition.

“I will be next competing at the XPC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in November in Duluth Minnesota at 110kg,” said Tomahawk. “I am going after a 1100 pound total for the first time ever and also a potential 400 pound squat and a 500 pound deadlift at 46 years old [division]. I do plan on competing again next year in the WRPF and I do plan on again attending the Northwest Regionals next year.”

The powerlifting strongman, Tomahawk, was filled with gratitude while speaking on the support he has received from the community.

“I have been living in training in White Shield ND for the last 4 years – if it wasn’t for East Segment Councilman Mr.Fred Fox and the community of White Shield [ND] I wouldn’t be here today doing what I am doing for the community. I owe them a sincere, loving [and] grateful thank you,” said Tomahawk. “This past weekend is my way of giving back to everyone who ever supported and believed in me.