I was interviewed for the Fitocracy Member Spotlight; it was posted today. I want to put the contents here, though, as well.
What’s your story? When, how and why did you get into your chosen sport or fitness plan?
I played ice hockey and lacrosse and ran cross country when I was younger. I abandoned fitness for college and graduate school. I began lifting seriously in early July 2011. Being strong and in decent cardiovascular shape seems, to me, to be the best gauges of physical ability at this juncture.
What are your current athletic or fitness-related goals?
A 360 pound deadlift, 300 pound squat, and 155 pound bench-press. My long-term ambition is to reach 160 pounds at 15-18% bodyfat; I anticipate this happening by September of 2012. Ultimately, though, I want to be satisfied with my appearance: I want to fit an aesthetic ideal, and to personally demonstrate the virtues of discipline, patience, and hard work.
What is your workout or training regimen?
To the chagrin of most, I don’t follow any kind of regimen. I simply lift as hard as I can, 3-5 times a week. Admittedly, I need to be doing more cardio – I enjoy running with my dog (a Siberian husky). When this methodology is no longer effective, I will adjust as necessary. I have yet to stall, despite being on a cut.
What does your diet look like? Do you take any supplements?
I typically use an 18-6 fasted/feeding schedule. During the ‘fasted’ state, it’s BCAAs and green tea. I otherwise eat whatever I’m feeling like, so long as I get adequate protein and stay around 1800-2200 calories each day. “Clean eating” is a scam, but I do pay attention to caloric density.
I supplement with the standard fare of protein powder, a pre-workout (usually White Flood), a post-workout (Surge + scoop of creatine), and OxiMega fish oil. I cycle the E/C stack off and on. Before bed each night, I take ZMA and PLCAR.
What have you achieved so far? What are your ‘numbers’ (times, weights, heights, etc)?
My current maxes are a 315 deadlift, 270 squat, 140 bench. In proportion to my bodyweight (198 lbs), this isn’t particularly noteworthy. A 725 lb 3-lift total is approaching respectable. The real feather in my cap, though, is that I’ve done this while at a caloric deficit: my lifts are increasing while my bodyweight is decreasing.
What is your competition and/or training philosophy?
Aeschuyles wrote that “any nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.” I am an academic and take my scholarly work very seriously. However, I believe that to neglect one’s body is to neglect one’s mind and soul (and, in a fundamental way, to deny one’s own humanity). Physical and intellectual prowess amplify one another and to forsake either is to do oneself a catastrophic disservice.
This woman is incredibly inspiring and strong as all hell. You should follow her.
