Mic. Dropped.
Thursday, October 9, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
ROAD TO OLYMPIA
Now more than ever I see how important it is to live in your own truth, be what makes you happy and Dream Impossible.
If you were to ask me 3 years ago when I began powerlifting if I thought I'd be here typing about my Road to Olympia I would say, "No Way!?" But, here I am. Simply because I pursued something I fell in love with.
When I hit my late 20's a few years ago I noticed that pounds weren't dropping off as easily as they used to and suddenly I wasn't as motivated to get out and move like I used to be. I had been an athlete most of my life and extremely self-motivated to stay in shape; so you can imagine how distraught I was when it all came to a screeching halt. After trying a bunch of workouts and signing up at a few gyms that just didn't stick, I realized I couldn't do it on my own anymore.
Around this time my now husband (Joe) and I moved to Manhattan Beach and he was determined to find a small old school type gym where you throw around lots of weights (think Gold's Gym at Venice Beach at the height of the body building movement. Yeah, like that). After a few weeks he and a friend found a place called 4 Star Gym in El Segundo, California, which was exactly what they were looking for. Immediately he became a member and began pushing me to follow his lead.
I went with him a few times to check it out but was reluctant to sign up. I told him "I can't workout here because every time I lift a weight my muscles get huge and I just don't want to be big." I had always felt larger and more muscular than most girls in my circle and for years had been the brunt of jokes and off the wall comments. Dealing with that for years had made me very insecure about my build and in my head I thought this was finally the time where I can try to fit in and look 'normal'.
Then fate stepped in...
One day I was messing around in the gym while Joe was getting a workout in and I saw a guy working out a group of women. They looked like they were having a blast and they were all in amazing shape. Little by little I inched closer to them out of curiosity. Then one of the girls said "Hey!" and started talking to me. As the conversation unfolded I found out that the guy was Jason, the Owner and Head Strength Coach for Game Time Strength, and the girl I was speaking to was his wife Anna. For those of you who know these two you know they can be very persuasive so by the end of the convo I was signed up as a member of the gym and on the GTS program. (They should be lawyers or something, haha)
What really put me over the top with this group was that they embraced me and accepted me for who I was. They loved my build and wanted nothing more than to help me achieve my fitness and health goals.
What was a run in with fate has now turned into family, the best shape of my life, numerous competition medals, a brand new outlook on health, fitness, life AND ultimately an invite to Olympia.
Olympia is arguably the most prestigious Powerlifting competition in the Nation to qualify for. To qualify you have to be ranked in the Top 10 list of powerlifters in the US. I was ranked #9 in 2013.
It started as a Body Building competition in 1964 and was made famous by guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Larry Scott. Now it plays host to many other fitness categories like Powerlifting.
It was my dad's dream/goal to get an invite to compete in Olympia. He was a competitive body builder and it was the ONE thing all body builders would strive for in their career.
Ironically, he gave up his extremely successful body building career for me. I had been born the year prior and it was becoming too difficult to keep up the demanding schedule of a competitor and be a good father at the same time.
Now, 30 years later, I will be going in his place and living out his Dream! I feel I owe it to him for giving me the life and opportunity he and my mom have.
I say all this to tell you that the Road to Olympia was one that had been under construction for quite some time. A work in progress. It was finding out how to live in my truth, how to just be myself and how to embrace the gifts that I was given instead of hiding them that led me here. Oh, and can't forget about my parents' sacrifices.
Olympia is simply a byproduct; the greatness that came when I began living the life I was meant to live and given the opportunity to live instead of fighting it by trying to be "normal" or fit in.
If you were to ask me 3 years ago when I began powerlifting if I thought I'd be here typing about my Road to Olympia I would say, "No Way!?" But, here I am. Simply because I pursued something I fell in love with.
When I hit my late 20's a few years ago I noticed that pounds weren't dropping off as easily as they used to and suddenly I wasn't as motivated to get out and move like I used to be. I had been an athlete most of my life and extremely self-motivated to stay in shape; so you can imagine how distraught I was when it all came to a screeching halt. After trying a bunch of workouts and signing up at a few gyms that just didn't stick, I realized I couldn't do it on my own anymore.
Around this time my now husband (Joe) and I moved to Manhattan Beach and he was determined to find a small old school type gym where you throw around lots of weights (think Gold's Gym at Venice Beach at the height of the body building movement. Yeah, like that). After a few weeks he and a friend found a place called 4 Star Gym in El Segundo, California, which was exactly what they were looking for. Immediately he became a member and began pushing me to follow his lead.
I went with him a few times to check it out but was reluctant to sign up. I told him "I can't workout here because every time I lift a weight my muscles get huge and I just don't want to be big." I had always felt larger and more muscular than most girls in my circle and for years had been the brunt of jokes and off the wall comments. Dealing with that for years had made me very insecure about my build and in my head I thought this was finally the time where I can try to fit in and look 'normal'.
Then fate stepped in...
One day I was messing around in the gym while Joe was getting a workout in and I saw a guy working out a group of women. They looked like they were having a blast and they were all in amazing shape. Little by little I inched closer to them out of curiosity. Then one of the girls said "Hey!" and started talking to me. As the conversation unfolded I found out that the guy was Jason, the Owner and Head Strength Coach for Game Time Strength, and the girl I was speaking to was his wife Anna. For those of you who know these two you know they can be very persuasive so by the end of the convo I was signed up as a member of the gym and on the GTS program. (They should be lawyers or something, haha)
What really put me over the top with this group was that they embraced me and accepted me for who I was. They loved my build and wanted nothing more than to help me achieve my fitness and health goals.
What was a run in with fate has now turned into family, the best shape of my life, numerous competition medals, a brand new outlook on health, fitness, life AND ultimately an invite to Olympia.
Olympia is arguably the most prestigious Powerlifting competition in the Nation to qualify for. To qualify you have to be ranked in the Top 10 list of powerlifters in the US. I was ranked #9 in 2013.
It started as a Body Building competition in 1964 and was made famous by guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Larry Scott. Now it plays host to many other fitness categories like Powerlifting.
It was my dad's dream/goal to get an invite to compete in Olympia. He was a competitive body builder and it was the ONE thing all body builders would strive for in their career.
Ironically, he gave up his extremely successful body building career for me. I had been born the year prior and it was becoming too difficult to keep up the demanding schedule of a competitor and be a good father at the same time.
Now, 30 years later, I will be going in his place and living out his Dream! I feel I owe it to him for giving me the life and opportunity he and my mom have.
 |
| Olympia Live Stream link for Friday |
I say all this to tell you that the Road to Olympia was one that had been under construction for quite some time. A work in progress. It was finding out how to live in my truth, how to just be myself and how to embrace the gifts that I was given instead of hiding them that led me here. Oh, and can't forget about my parents' sacrifices.
Olympia is simply a byproduct; the greatness that came when I began living the life I was meant to live and given the opportunity to live instead of fighting it by trying to be "normal" or fit in.
Just be and love who YOU are! Live the life YOU were meant to live and you will find your own Road to Olympia.
Monday, August 18, 2014
BRAIN GAINS
Today, the bar told me some things about myself.
Lifters know how much there is to be learned from lifting (a beautiful depiction of this is written here - Why Women Need Iron) - both physically and metaphorically. I'm learning more and more that these lessons are somehow physical and metaphor all at the same time. Your mind goes through just about as much as your body does during a heavy lift, a tough training cycle, an injury or a victory. I've learned many, many life lessons though athletics but none quite like the knowledge bombs that heavy lifting drops.
This morning in particular, the bar shared with me some things I probably didn't want to hear - and I really don't like being told what to do.
The blessing and the curse with heavy weight is just that - it's heavy. It's heavy and it's honest. There's no circumventing 100 pounds because 100 pounds is always going to weigh 100 pounds and it's going to tell you exactly what it is - 100 pounds.
The road to that 100 pounds is exactly what it is, there's no cheating it (ok so that's debatable but let's put on our drug-free caps here). While on that road, each milestone has to be conquered otherwise 100 pounds is going to sit right where it's at with it's 100 pound self - out of reach. It's not fleeting and it's not trying to trick anyone by getting heavier, it's just waiting there for it's seeker to patiently stay the course and do the work. Then that 100 turns to 150 or 200 and the game is just the same.
My 100 pounds (175 to be exact) told me I was a runner.
After a few climbing sets to warm-up, I strapped on my brand new sparkly white belt and approached my heavy set of 8. In it's regular, honest fashion - that sh!* was heavy. I dropped into the squat and all of the "I can't" voices started. The irritation that the first one was this hard, that it was Monday, that it was 6am, that I definitely couldn't be expected to do 8 without rest.
I stood after my second and asked my coach if he was serious - like it was his fault. I wanted to hear a "whoops my bad" or "no just do a few" to validate my negative thoughts and make me feel like they weren't weakness whining.
No dice.
Every single squat was honest with me. Every single squat weighed 175lbs and it wasn't going to give me an easy out or a modifier to help me "feel" strong - I had to be strong.
So I was. I felt every pound and every rep. I lifted the weight for exactly what it was and I listened to what it had to tell me.
It hit me that when things get uncomfortable and heavy in my lifts, I want to find the excuse as to why I don't feel powerful. I want to hear a modifier or a reason as to why it's hard - almost excusing my weakness. In my life I do the same thing. I know I have a strong work ethic and that I can push through bad situations, yet when these things reveal themselves I oppose them. I oppose change, I oppose the hard things and the things that hurt or are uncomfortable. I'd rather run from these things than deal with them even when I know I eventually will.
When the weight got heavy and the lift got hard - I was exposed. Not just my body but my mind. Instead of pushing my body through the honesty of the weight I opposed it. Instead of focusing on the empowerment of my physical strength I was impatient and let 'heavy' translate as 'impossible'.
Certain things in life can't be run from. Certain things have to be conquered on the road to whatever life's 100lbs may be - otherwise it's never obtained. 100lbs is going to be 100lbs and it's not going to change itself so I can feel comfortable.
Cheers to #MoneyOnThaFloMonday
Lifters know how much there is to be learned from lifting (a beautiful depiction of this is written here - Why Women Need Iron) - both physically and metaphorically. I'm learning more and more that these lessons are somehow physical and metaphor all at the same time. Your mind goes through just about as much as your body does during a heavy lift, a tough training cycle, an injury or a victory. I've learned many, many life lessons though athletics but none quite like the knowledge bombs that heavy lifting drops.
This morning in particular, the bar shared with me some things I probably didn't want to hear - and I really don't like being told what to do.
The blessing and the curse with heavy weight is just that - it's heavy. It's heavy and it's honest. There's no circumventing 100 pounds because 100 pounds is always going to weigh 100 pounds and it's going to tell you exactly what it is - 100 pounds.
The road to that 100 pounds is exactly what it is, there's no cheating it (ok so that's debatable but let's put on our drug-free caps here). While on that road, each milestone has to be conquered otherwise 100 pounds is going to sit right where it's at with it's 100 pound self - out of reach. It's not fleeting and it's not trying to trick anyone by getting heavier, it's just waiting there for it's seeker to patiently stay the course and do the work. Then that 100 turns to 150 or 200 and the game is just the same.
My 100 pounds (175 to be exact) told me I was a runner.
After a few climbing sets to warm-up, I strapped on my brand new sparkly white belt and approached my heavy set of 8. In it's regular, honest fashion - that sh!* was heavy. I dropped into the squat and all of the "I can't" voices started. The irritation that the first one was this hard, that it was Monday, that it was 6am, that I definitely couldn't be expected to do 8 without rest.
I stood after my second and asked my coach if he was serious - like it was his fault. I wanted to hear a "whoops my bad" or "no just do a few" to validate my negative thoughts and make me feel like they weren't weakness whining.
No dice.
Every single squat was honest with me. Every single squat weighed 175lbs and it wasn't going to give me an easy out or a modifier to help me "feel" strong - I had to be strong.
So I was. I felt every pound and every rep. I lifted the weight for exactly what it was and I listened to what it had to tell me.
 |
| The finest Strug Face in the West |
When the weight got heavy and the lift got hard - I was exposed. Not just my body but my mind. Instead of pushing my body through the honesty of the weight I opposed it. Instead of focusing on the empowerment of my physical strength I was impatient and let 'heavy' translate as 'impossible'.
Certain things in life can't be run from. Certain things have to be conquered on the road to whatever life's 100lbs may be - otherwise it's never obtained. 100lbs is going to be 100lbs and it's not going to change itself so I can feel comfortable.
Cheers to #MoneyOnThaFloMonday
Friday, August 15, 2014
RECAP POSTCAP
I know, I know.. It's been a good couple of weeks since we finished Nationals and we've kept you on the edge of the your seats in anticipation of hearing about our experience ☺
Ok, you probably weren't on the edge of your seats but we do apologize for keeping you waiting.
••
Also, when I say "full meet" I mean that we qualified to lift in the squat, bench and deadlift as opposed to just one of them.
Ok, you probably weren't on the edge of your seats but we do apologize for keeping you waiting.
••
A lot of naps were in order, you understand.
••
Jumping right into it, Ti and I qualified for the chance to compete in the full meet at the USPA Powerlifting Nationals that were held in Las Vegas. Just for some context, this is one of the largest competitions that plays host to the best of the best from around the Nation. We were 2 of 319 total lifters along with the rest of our Game Time Strength team (find out more about GTS here).••
Also, when I say "full meet" I mean that we qualified to lift in the squat, bench and deadlift as opposed to just one of them.
For the last couple years I've been competing at the lower end of the 165 weight class & Ti has been in the 148 weight class since she's started. I've been feeling extremely strong where I was, but against my coaches' professional opinion I decided to drop down a weight class to 148 to try & set records in the class. Which at the time seemed like a great idea.
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And me? Oh I was just happy to be there.
But then I began wondering if I could and should get down to the next weight class which cuts off at 132lbs.
At my last competition I had weighed in at 136lbs for no good reason. Just woke up and decided to weigh 136. Ever since then I've gone back and forth about whether or not I should try to make 132 a consistent thing.
Welp. Guess a week away from your weigh-in is a great time to test that out!
[which is completely false. 100% the wrong time to decide to lose 10 pounds. Don't tell me what to do.]
••
With pounds to the ground and excitement in the air, we were ready to get the comp underway. It is truly one of the coolest things to see so many people in one place that share an interest in the sport. Especially seeing so many women that embrace being strong.
7 Hours and 18 lifts later (3 attempts in each lift-squat, bench, deadlift) we were finally done. Honestly, this was by far one of the toughest times I've experienced since I've started powerlifitng and quite possibly in life as well. It seemed like the perfect storm of all things stacked against me. As mentioned, I dropped weight to lift in 148 and I feel like it ultimately effected my strength. My Aunt Flow came to visit the day before the competition started (all you women out there know what I'm talking about). BUT to top it off, the week prior I strained my back while deadlifting. It hurt so badly that I could barely bend over, let alone lift a weight. (Note: I was extremely fatigued the day I hurt my back. It wasn't because powerlifting is dangerous. I probably could have hurt my back doing anything at that point). Plus, add internal & external expectations into the mix. Stir all those things together & try to perform at your best against the best in the nation.
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| Tot and Ti right before their bench attempts |
7 Hours and 18 lifts later (3 attempts in each lift-squat, bench, deadlift) we were finally done. Honestly, this was by far one of the toughest times I've experienced since I've started powerlifitng and quite possibly in life as well. It seemed like the perfect storm of all things stacked against me. As mentioned, I dropped weight to lift in 148 and I feel like it ultimately effected my strength. My Aunt Flow came to visit the day before the competition started (all you women out there know what I'm talking about). BUT to top it off, the week prior I strained my back while deadlifting. It hurt so badly that I could barely bend over, let alone lift a weight. (Note: I was extremely fatigued the day I hurt my back. It wasn't because powerlifting is dangerous. I probably could have hurt my back doing anything at that point). Plus, add internal & external expectations into the mix. Stir all those things together & try to perform at your best against the best in the nation.
••
Na, don't do that – Tot has done it for you. Plus cramps are stupid so why put that on yourself?
••
Ti is right! Nevertheless, the scenario above is the exact reason that I love this sport. It is mentally & physically tough; sometimes pushing you to your limits and you have to figure out a way to get through it and come out even better on the other end.
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I don't know that in my Time of Depletion I had that exact, beautiful thought - but! I will tell you I thought some thangs.
Like, real deep pensive things.
Like, real deep pensive things.
To Tot's point though, this was 100% a mind over matter experience. I was well under 1,000 calories from Monday until my weigh-in (and I'm an eater guys, an E-A-T-E-R) and very dehydrated (which actually doesn't bother me since I loath H20). I sat in a sauna the night before in layers and went from self-pity to empowerment to extreme fatigue to cleaning my room – I don't understand why people do drugs when your body is this wild naturally.
After getting into Vegas I was still 2 pounds over and proceeded to create a very effective hotel bathroom sauna. No old nude women doing awkward stretches, it truly was lovely.
Not until a bit after 11am was I able to call myself a 132 competitor and begin to replace everything lost. I always imagined that moment to be so glorious - shovel food, no holes barred.
Nah.
The refeed is work. Diry, dirty work that doesn't taste good or bring any happiness as food should.
But my abs? ooo-wee! I never knew they were in there until I deprived them of sustenance! Sorry dear abdominals, but it was nice to see ya for a hot second.
••
Even though I was in immense pain and Ti lost her abs; we ended up taking 2nd place in our respective weight classes and 1st in everyone's hearts (ok ok maybe not but it sounded good) ☺
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
IN 'LIVIN COLOR
Don't know what to do with your wide-open Saturday? Looking for an alternative to hours of candy crush (are people still playing that??)? Dying to watch some heavy steel jacking?
Well you're in luck! Catch Tot&Ti take the platform live from beautiful Las Vegas!
Lifts start this morning at 9am PST.
The Guns & Buns Show: http://m.ustream.tv/channel/uspa-nationals-july-18th-20th
Both are on the blue platform - Tot in flight B and Ti in flight A.
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
NAPPY HAIR AND HEAVY WEIGHT
Cheers to The Deload!
Monday we got in our final workout before Saturday's competition. 1/3 of the volume and weight we've been doing during this training cycle – meaning the 'girl's bar' and weenie plates.
Also focus on form and repetition to make up for the lack of steel.
So now, we rest and let the gains GAIN.
Aside from rest and gaining and drinking an un-godly amount of water (I have a pee tally going on my desk right now), these few days are also dedicated for game day preparation!
••
Now, you're probably saying to yourself, "Self, I bet the training is the most important part of getting prepped for the competition." Well, we're here to tell you that you're WRONG! It's all about the HAIR! Yes, I said it, the hair. Sure we've got to make sure our outfit and nails look good (which we will address in the days to come), but if your hair doesn't look good people will never make it down to the outfit and nails.
••
Now, i'm sure you're thinking "Oh yeah, that should be super easy to do." WRONG again! It just so happens that it's one of the hardest things for us to figure out. Why? Because we are mixed chicks with (for lack of a better word and since Tiana used it in the title) nappy hair (I think I like the word curly better). This means our hair has to be in a great mood the day of the comp and want to curl just the right way. And that's IF we wear it curly; we can also wear it straight.
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OR the booty.
••
Now, i'm sure you're thinking "Oh yeah, that should be super easy to do." WRONG again! It just so happens that it's one of the hardest things for us to figure out. Why? Because we are mixed chicks with (for lack of a better word and since Tiana used it in the title) nappy hair (I think I like the word curly better). This means our hair has to be in a great mood the day of the comp and want to curl just the right way. And that's IF we wear it curly; we can also wear it straight.
••
Since going bald, I've had to completely re-strategize my performance hairstyling. It's an extremely thin line between 12 year old girl and edgy-athletic.
Still perfecting the balance.
Haha, no but as mentioned - it's something I have to think about a week or so in advance. Wearing it straight feels easiest and I can put it up and back down without an arsenal of product and tools. BUT, there's the sweat possibility to consider and the 2-3 day workback schedule. When I straighten, it looks best and is most manageable after it's settled in a few days. A very basic diagram for your curly pleasure:
Haha, no but as mentioned - it's something I have to think about a week or so in advance. Wearing it straight feels easiest and I can put it up and back down without an arsenal of product and tools. BUT, there's the sweat possibility to consider and the 2-3 day workback schedule. When I straighten, it looks best and is most manageable after it's settled in a few days. A very basic diagram for your curly pleasure:
So once you find that balance (bald like Tiana or not) you've gotta top it off with none other than a sparkly headband. It's a must! It's your statement piece and is guaranteed to make the hair style pop off. Mine happens to be sparkly purple and you better believe it's packed and ready to go.
But on a serious note, Powerlifting is known and perceived as a very masculine sport, so for us it's extremely important to bring in elements that truly define who "WE" are. Its actually been awesome watching the Powerlifting scene transform little by little. Women are proving that we can look good and lift heavy weight.
So remember, when prepping for a competition or a big lifting day, make sure to have your hair on point and your headband shinin'.
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| As you can see, I went for the "straight hair, dont care" look at this comp. Of course accompanied by the purple headband to make that thang pop! |
So remember, when prepping for a competition or a big lifting day, make sure to have your hair on point and your headband shinin'.
Then, and only then, are you ready to jack some serious steel.
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