Rest in peace, Willie Austin.

The powerlifting community of Seattle, WA will never forget Willie Austin.

 

I got some very sad news today learning that my friend passed away early this morning.  Our community has lost one of the most genuine men I have ever known.

 

Willie was an integral part of me being who I am today...he inspired us all to always help others, especially the Youth in our community.

 

Willie was a great Powerlifter and many have trained at his gyms.  Including the legendary "Gym of Seattle" and "Gateway Athletic Club"

 

He was awarded in 1998 one of the "20 Northwest people who have made a difference" and in 2008 was also named the "2008 Washington state Mindful Mentor award"

 

Your smile and enthusiasm will be missed by me my brother...rest in peace.

HIGA

Pictures from "Seahawks Prime Time 2013" (El Gaucho- Bellevue, WA)

Having a Manny's Pale Ale with John Moffitt.

Autographed Steve Largent jersey was one of the silent auction items.

Brandon Browner (Oregon State alumni)  Go Beavs!

Richard Sherman

I called my friend, Sheldon Yasso who is a huge Seahawks fan back in Honolulu...

and Richard Sherman got on the phone to talk with him!

"Wassup braddah Sheldon!"

Seahawks GM & Executive VP, John Schneider.

More silent auction items...

Larry Fitzgerald autographed jersey.

All-pro center, Max Unger.

We tried to see how much $$ it would cost him to say, "GO BEAVERS" but he said no amount of cash would allow him to do that since he played for University of Oregon. LOL

Me & John Moffitt trying to be "Spokesmen for Manny's pale ale"...

Paul Ghaffari and me.  Paul invited me & my wife to this event.

Mahalo Paul!

Some of the guys from my work enjoying the fun.

Head coach Pete Carroll.

My friend Ben Kolpa was hounding me all night for my autograph...I finally gave in.

QB Russell Wilson threw some autographed balls to some donors.

Skyler got Russell Wilson to make a phone call too.

This was the one item that really intrigued me...

So we started bidding for it!  They only had 12 spots for the Combine workout.

Skyler was the 1st guy to bid for the NFL combine workout, cause he wanted to be ELITE!

Yes!  Kolpa & I are gonna run a sub 3 seconds 40 yard dash...

Michelle can't wait to see us do this on May 16th!

Me, Kolpa and Skyler.

 Michelle and I before dinner was served.

Tackle Breno Giacomini serving Filet Mignons...

Looks "ono" to me!

Some of the ladies from my work...

Michelle and my friend YB Choi.

Backup QB Brady Quinn (far right)

Russel Wilson and Chris Purcell.

My wife under center with Russell Wilson.

The best picture of the night!! Classic!

Hey...she is under center for a really long time...what the hell?

I love this picture too.  Wilson was a really nice guy!

Coach Carroll made me snap the ball to him too!

Ended the night with dessert.  

The banana bread pudding on the left was UNREAL.

"Thank you" Paul Ghaffari for inviting us to this wonderful event last night.  I can't stop thinking about it and it was an honor to be a part of this special fundraiser for Autism.

HIGA MONSTER Bulky Boy strongman team

Words of wisdom by John Moffitt (Seattle Seahawks guard)

"My brotha from another mutha...."  John Moffitt is da man!

HIGA MONSTER

Seahawks Prime Time (Bellevue, WA)

Traci Schneider, Jay Glazer (MC) & John Schneider (Seahawks GM)

My wife and I are invited guests tonight at this fundraiser for Autism Awareness.  Can't wait to see all the Celebrity Waiters and be a part of this wonderful cause!

For more info, click on the link below:

http://primetime.seahawks.com/event/details

Aloha,

HIGA MONSTER

Burt Watson's pre-fight speech before the TUF 17 finale.

He gave this speech before we caught a shuttle bus to the Mandalay Bay Events Center...he is awesome!

Higa's pictures from the "TUF 17 finale" weekend

Got picked up at the Las Vegas airport by the UFC.

I met Jeff Hatton at the MGM casino. He is a friend of Bristol and is from Aberdeen, WA.

Jeff is going to try out for next season's "Ultimate Fighter" this week.

Bristol & I before the weigh-ins.

Got to meet Travis "Hapa" Browne.

What a cool braddah!  He won the $50,000 "KO of the night" bonus.

Backstage at the weigh-ins.

Alot of grumpy, dehydrated & hungry MMA fighters.  Lol

Peter Pinto (Bristol's trainer) & Bristol.

Got to meet Master Tong of Team Alpha Male.

Luke Barnatt and Mike Dolce with me & Bristol.

Finally!  Bristol can eat now after weigh-ins.

The official poster.

Washington boys in da house!

Michael Chiesa (Spokane, WA) and "TUF 15" winner.

We shared a locker room with all these fighters.

Burt Watson.  The "Babysitter of the stars" for the UFC.

Man, this guy is always AMPING...like he drinks 7 Red Bulls!

Bristol & Chael Sonnen talking story...

Chael Sonnen

"FALSE CRACK...MEDI-VAC!"

Getting his hands taped up by Tate, UFC cutman.

Referee Steve Mazzagatti going over the rules of the fight.

Chael Sonnen warming up with Luke Barnatt.

Kelvin Gastelum would end up winning TUF 17 at only 21 years old!

Proud of you Bristol!  You have a HUGE heart my braddah!

Of course, a Bulky Boy needs to eat before heading to the airport.

I POUNDED the buffet at Mandalay Bay before my taxi ride.