Vernon Patao was 1990 US Junior Champion and was a three-time US Senior Champion, winning in 1992, 1994, and 1995. He attended the University of Hawai’i in his native state. Patao’s brother, Val, was a four-time Hawai’ian state champion in powerlifting. Vernon learned to lift at Dr. Nelson Yogi’s garage in Kahului on Maui. Patao became a firefighter, and was also a scratch golfer. After 18 years away from competition, and heavy lifting, he returned to coaching weightlifting at a CrossFit gym in Kahului.