Post by Joey Smith on Jan 29, 2008 14:59:47 GMT -5
www.southcarolinabarbell.com/articles/carolannemyers.htm
Name: Carol Ann Myers
Age: 40
Occupation: pharmacy technician, CPhT
Hobbies: I enjoy spending a lazy day relaxing in the sun and surf with my husband, Bobby. Also, a clever suspense or sci-novel will keep me intrigued.
Family: I was raised in Niceville, Florida along with two other sisters. My father is retired military (USAF) born in North Carolina; my mother in German born. After graduation, I met and married Bobby. We located in Defuniak Springs, FL, also in the Florida panhandle. We have 1 daughter, Catrina Ann, age 21, who is in enrolled at the University of West Florida (education major).
Hometown: Defuniak Springs, FL
Best competition lifts: 565 squat, 281 bench, 451 deadlift
HOW, AND AT WHAT AGE, DID YOU GET STARTED WEIGHT TRAINING?
My main goal when I started at our local gym, at age 36, was to spend some time with my husband. He had become addicted to chalk and sweat; he was training till late most nights; I figured I would trim down while I was at it. I began with the normal mind-set: loose a few unwanted pounds, tone up, and better all conditioning. Within less than a year, I had shed approximately 30 pounds and had started "training" the power movements with Bobby and his workout buddies.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST INVOLVEMENT WITH POWERLIFTING?
Bobby had entered the 2002 WABDL Worlds in Reno, Nevada and was set on dropping to a much lower weight class - 198 lb. Well, he lost the weight in three weeks and as a result, he lost the same weight off of his pull. He was not satisfied with his performance, so as an incentive I
promised to try one push-pull event if he would enter his next meet at a heavier weight class. He promised, and we both competed in a March 2003 WABDL meet in Georgia. We both won our weight divisions, and both earned a best lifter award in the process.
WHAT OTHER SPORTS HAVE YOU TRIED?
I trained gymnastics for approximately five years. Also, swimming and diving were a large part of summertime activities. My sisters and I were always encouraged to participate in sports or other outdoor recreation.
AT WHAT TYPE OF GYM DO YOU TRAIN?
My husband and I were fortunate enough, with the encouragement and guidance from friends and colleagues, to build our own gym behind our home. We have a 20 x 20 finished building, complete with the necessary tools for powerlifting: a monolift, a competition-style bench, a deadlift platform, the proper bars, and 1,000 lb of free weight. The accessibility is great for us; it works well with work schedules.
GIVE US AN EXAMPLE OF YOUR BASIC TRAINING SCHEDULE?
Training intensity and scheduling depends on the meet demands, but here is a rough sketch.
Monday Back Deadlifts, lat pull downs, shrugs w/ dumbells, leg extensions, stiff legs, calf raises, abs
Tuesday Chest Bench press, hammer curls, triceps work, overhead presses
Wednesday -off- Unless behind with auxiliary work.
Thursday Legs Squats, unracks, leg extensions, hamstring curls, calf raises, abs
Friday Chest Board presses, triceps work, overhead presses, push-ups, lat stretches
HOW DOES YOUR TRAINING DIFFER FROM THAT OF MALE POWERLIFTERS?
I don't believe that my training differs with the exception of the weight jumps. I have heard it said, and find it to be true that women, for the most part, are not able to make a large jump in either training attempts or attempts at a meet. I might make a 125 lb jump from a first to a last
squat attempt, whereas a man might make that jump from first to second attempt.
CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING BOTH THE 2005 AND 2006 APF SENIOR NATIONALS! WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING AT THE TOP OF YOUR GAME?
Thank you! Winning Senior Nationals is fantastic! The competition is fierce but the friends you make are phenomenal! As far as being "at the top of the game," I don't consider myself there. I believe that as long as you have goals to reach you are still climbing, and I hope to be climbing for a long time to come.
NAME 3 MOST COMMON TRAINING MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE?
(1) Overstraining , (2) Over inflating a bad training day , (3)Trying to keep up with everyone else - PR's are important!
YOUR ADVICE FOR THE BEGINNER?
Always remember WHY you wanted to power ~ keep it fun! Don't ever get so caught up in the numbers game that the gains you make become worthless. Learn the proper technique; every lift has leverage points, and a set line. Be safe: use spotters, and listen to your body -it knows when something isn't right !
WHAT TYPE OF GEAR DO YOU USE?
Titan Boss squat suit and briefs, Titan F-6 and Inver's Phenom (depends on the day and the lift), a lever-action belt.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT GEAR IN GENERAL?
Gear is a debate that will run rampant. My feeling on the subject is this: I train in gear, I compete in gear. I believe that the innovation of gear in any sport in to assist the athlete and to protect the athlete. My hips and shoulders are healthy due to the supportive equipment that is available to lifters today.
DO YOU USE ANY SUPPLEMENTS?
Protein is the first word in my vocabulary. I maintain a 200gr intake daily (meals and shakes). I also take Creatine; I increase this working up to a meet, and start backing off afterwards to decrease water absorption.
TO BE SO LEAN AND STRONG, YOU MUST FOLLOW A STRICT NUTRITION REGIMEN. CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?
I wish I could share "the secret" of a strict routine, but other than watching my protein intake, I really do not have one. Unfortunately, between work, family, and training, fast food slips in on to the menu. Thus, the advantage of weight training -- it loves the extra carbs! People laugh
when I tell them that I have stock in Breyer's Ice Cream! Bobby feeds me a half-gallon twice weekly three weeks out from a meet to help maintain my body weight! LOL
DO YOU DO ANY CARDIO, IF SO WHAT KIND AND HOW MUCH?
My perfect concept of cardio is reps with the squat bar! I despise cardio, but understand its advantages all too well! When, I am out from a meet, I do try to get in 3-4 x 30 minute sessions a week on my glider. The closer I get to meet time, the more the cardio drops off.
WHAT LIFTERS DO LOOK UP TO AND WHY?
This sport is so fortunate to have novice lifters compete in the same venue as our noted lifters. Everyone is accessible! Bobby and I are truly blessed to have lifted with some of the best: Joe Ladnier, Jon Grove, Kara Bohigan and the crew of NGBB, Gary Frank and Hardcore Barbell, Tony Caprari and countless others. I look up to all these lifters because of their achievements in powerliftiing and for powerlifting. As far as respect goes, I respect any individual who has the tenacity to get under the bar!
HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR SPARE TIME BETWEEN WORK AND TRAINING?
Like so many women in today's society, I live a very full life! My family is my center for everything I do, so we try to spend as much available time together as possible, and with a hectic schedule it's always scattered. Sunday dinner at our home is a special time; good food and good
times!
SPEAK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE PLACE OF WOMEN IN POWERLIFTING. THERE AREN’T AS MANY WOMEN OUT THERE FOR ASPIRING YOUNG POWERLIFTERS TO LOOK UP TO, NOT NEAR AS MANY AS THE MEN. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF FEMALE POWERLIFTING NOW AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT MIGHT CHANGE IN
THE FUTURE?
I have never really understood the deficit of female competitors. I have heard all types of reasoning. I don't have time! I know life is hectic, but nothing in life that is worth while is easy! I've heard the opinion that weight lifting is a man's sport. Who wrote that rule? Today's woman is expected be a little bit of everything: wife, mother, teacher, nurse, professional. Why can't we be strong limbed as well as strong minded? I've heard from other women, "I could never do that!" Give it a try! There are a thousand reasons and excuses. But, all in all, this is an individual choice. Powerlifting for me has overall been a positive experience, one I wish we could share with more women. Powerlifting does not make a woman less of what she is, but it enhances who she is or who she can be. The future of female powerlifting will become exactly what we will allow it to be!
ARE YOU SPONSORED? IF SO, BY WHO?
Titan Support Systems and GSE Specialty/PFC Supplements (Gus Samuelson-Texas)
LASTLY, 10 QUESTIONS THAT I ASK ALL OF OUR INTERVIEWEES. THESE WERE ADAPTED FROM THE A&E TV SERIES: “INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO”. THEY ARE A LITTLE SILLY BUT EVERYONE ANSWERS THEM SO GIVE US YOUR BEST.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE?
Squats
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE EXERCISE?
Bench press
WHAT TURNS YOU ON ABOUT LIFTING?
The camaraderie amongst most lifers. Everyone always wants you to succeed; the real competition is you vs. the weight.
WHAT TURNS YOU OFF ABOUT LIFTING?
Lifters attacking other lifters on public forums and the such. If we all love the sport so much, why do we continually do our best to tear it and other lifters down?
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CURSE WORD?
I don't think I have a favorite. Unfortunately, they have all slipped on occasion.
WHAT SOUND OR NOISE IN THE GYM DO YOU LOVE?
The sound the weights make when they hit the platform after the last deadlift pull of the day!
WHAT SOUND OR NOISE IN THE GYM DO YOU HATE?
Cellphones.
WHAT SPORT, OTHER THAN POWERLIFTING, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ATTEMPT?
Full-contact fighting
WHAT SPORT WOULD YOU NEVER LIKE TO ATTEMPT?
Water polo
IF HEAVEN EXISTS WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR GOD SAY WHEN YOU REACH THE PEARLY GATES?
Well done my child.
Susan, I would like to thank you and South Carolina Barbell for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to share some thoughts with you on powerlifting. I wish the best to everyone! A special thanks to my wonderful husband; he has a lot to put up with between home and gym! I couldn't do this without him ~~ he's my perfect partner! Lift strong and keep it real!
Carol Ann