Corporal Derek Picklyk works out at the GSH gym after winning Fittest in Manitoba Cross-training completion in January for the second year running, adding to his growing list of personal accomplishments. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News
There is no surrender for the 2023 CFB Shilo Soldier of the Year, Corporal Derek Picklyck, who was recently awarded the new title of the fittest in the province at the Manitoba Cross-training Competitions in January.
Fittest in Manitoba Circuit Training competition held in Winnipeg is a multi-disciplined event for athletes of all different skill levels (Novice, Intermediate, Rx and Masters 40+), which involves various functional movements performed at high intensity.
Picklyk won for the second year in a row when the competition, usually held in April, was brought forward to last month, giving him the returning champion’s title in the Intermediate Division and securing the elite champs title in 2024 for a second time.
It was an awarding past several months for Picklyk, as the CAF member of 12 years was also presented with a 3 CDGS Command Coin for on-the-job efforts as the 2 IC (second in charge) in the Movements Section on Base. He oversaw and assisted with more than 300 moves this past posting season and dealt with the logistical challenges of COVID-19 affecting freight movement on and off the Base. He was also presented the Soldier of the Year trophy at the CFB Shilo Appreciation Lunch just before Christmas.
Initially joining the Canadian Armed Forces when he was 22, he started the ignition on his military career as a vehicle technician, switching in 2019 to a traffic tech.
Looking for a different challenge, the Air Force called his name, and he was off to new heights. He and his wife Allysen grew up in Winnipeg and had mutual friends in high school. They connected a few years later, so Shilo was a natural move for the high school sweethearts. She works as a Medical Health Unit clerk, studies university courses and has competed athletically with her husband.
The couple keeps busy with their 11-year-old son, dog Bodhi and a cat Oreo – Not to forget the fish named Peanut Butter.
Picklyk plays some guitar in his spare time and builds Lego with his son. But while he keeps busy with home life and work, he also spends a lot of time training physically.
“I’ve always been interested in it, even before I joined the Military,” he said, adding that he had “always” lifted weights.
He said he didn’t have a plan for physical fitness when he first started out. He began reading books on the subject, which made him more serious about the topic and helped him find effective program methods.
Picklyk explained that the discipline is often referred to as CrossFit. However, that is a brand, whereas the action is “cross-training.”
He said cross-training is trying to be efficient in several modalities, including cardio, such as running, rowing and biking, gymnastic movement, weight lifting, and powerlifting. He’s even become adept at handstand walking as a component.
The Soldier of the Year told Shilo Stag News that while he has been involved in cross-training for more than six years, competition in the sport is relatively new to him.
His first competition was The Fittest in Manitoba in April 2023. He has since done four competitions, including the Outland Games in July, where he partnered with PSP fitness trainer Melissa Green, who taught him handstand walking. They finished fourth overall with three first-place finishes.
He cleaned up the categories in this year’s Fittest in Manitoba, capturing first place in all six events. However, competitors are left in the dark about what they will compete at.
“They released one event prior to the day. You have no idea what to prepare for other than what is on the competition page,” he said.
The page will provide a list of movements that athletes should be proficient in and give weights that need to be lifted or moved during the contest.
“So you kind of just try to be good at everything.”
Competitiveness drives him. He loves a challenge. Cross-training allows him to always best his previous results or the outcomes of others.
“Cross-training is infinitely scaleable,” he said. “For someone who’s walking into the gym for the very first time to someone who is very physically active, physically fit. Workouts can be scaled for both participants to be equally successful.”
The Canadian Airforce member said he deadlifts 199 kilograms (430 pounds), back squat is 142.4 kg (315 lb), front squat is 129 kg (285 lb), snatch is 77 kg (170 lb), his clean is 115.6 kg (255 lb) with jerk being 103 kg (227 lb).
The last weight gave him his personal best. Before the latest competition win, the heaviest clean and jerk he had lifted was 215 lb.
Adrenaline plays a part in the physicality of the competition, he said.
“I was able to hit 227 with all the adrenaline and everything … That 227 didn’t feel like anything. I probably could have [gone higher] … I think I could have hit 230.”
He explained that the three weight lifts are chosen before the event in increasing increments, and a competitor needs to be wise to avoid making an escalation that is too heavy.
Hindsight may be 20/20 for the decision on how much to lift, but the days preceding the strength and stamina tournament were not without some trepidation and challenge for the contender.
“I had a couple of tweaks before the competition that weren’t ideal.”
He had pulled his back and elbow, affecting his training, so he had “to take it easy.” Then, he came down with a cold the week of the contest.
“Leading up to it, I was pretty nervous about it because I wasn’t able to work out for a few days. They were the very crucial days at that point in the game.”
While his competitors may have marvelled that this man is a machine, Picklyck is modest about his wins and credits his recent success to his support team.
“The biggest thing that I can not stress enough is the only reason I can do this is, and because I did so well, is that I have a tonne of support from my wife and my son being accommodating with me spending countless hours training.”
He is thankful that his “fantastic” Chain of Command supports him and allows him the time to train.
“I’ve been in the Military a decent amount of time, and it’s awesome to see a Chain of Command that fully supports its members.”
“I’m a huge advocate for physical fitness and people getting time off to work out. It is crucial for people’s mental health and their mental game.”
WATCH VIDEO: Comrades-In-Arms: Cpl Derek Picklyk, No surrender for the Fittest in Manitoba
Corporal Derek Picklyk works out at the GSH gym after winning Fittest in Manitoba Cross-training completion in January for the second year running, adding to his growing list of personal accomplishments. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
Corporal Derek Picklyk works out at the GSH gym after winning Fittest in Manitoba Cross-training completion in January for the second year running, adding to his growing list of personal accomplishments. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
Corporal Derek Picklyk works out at the GSH gym after winning Fittest in Manitoba Cross-training completion in January for the second year running, adding to his growing list of personal accomplishments. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)
Corporal Derek Picklyk works out at the GSH gym after winning Fittest in Manitoba Cross-training completion in January for the second year running, adding to his growing list of personal accomplishments. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)