Interview with Priscilla Ribic
HOUSE: How about some background
information.
PR:
Some stats:
Age - 29 years old
(11/21/72)
Child - a wonderful
7-year-old son
Marital Status - been
divorced for nearly 5 years.
Height – 5’2’’
Weight – 157
Hair – Dark brown
Eyes – Green
Career - Project Manger at
an agricultural bank.
HOUSE: How and when did you get started
in the sport of powerlifting?
PR: First I must take you back 13 years
to high school (now I feel OLD). We did Weight Training for a PE class. That is
where I discovered I was strong. Benched 165 and squatted 285 at 135lbs no gear
of course. I knew I wanted to compete then, but it took me until November 1999
before I got back into the gym and met a couple guys who would show me the
ropes of the sport. I entered my first push/pull 5 weeks after and managed a
145 bench (no shirt) and a 350 pull. I have been hooked ever since.
HOUSE: What are your best lifts and
where have you competed?
PR: Squat: 452; Bench 260; Dead 475;
1140 total
Compete primarily in the
USAPL/IPF. Have done one WABDL meet.
HOUSE: Can you share your views on
drug testing?
PR: I know the system is not perfect,
but am glad that it is in place. It gives those who pride themselves as
drug-free a little better playing ground and helps deter those less honest
people.
HOUSE: What supplements do you take?
PR: I don’t take many at all. Protein,
L-glutamine, creatine (for the last 6 weeks of a training cycle), double dose
of a multi-vitamin a day, calcium and B2 (kills those nasty migraines I am
plagued with)
HOUSE: What is your workout regimen?
PR:
Monday squat (including
front and bottom half squats) glute/ham and reverse hyper
Wednesday: Bench, wide and
medium grip, incline, dumbbell presses,
Thursday:
Bis/tris/shoulders
Friday - , Deads, rack
pulls, reverse hyper, glute/ham, straighleg deads, lat pull downs and seated
rows
Saturday – Light bench,
bis/tris/shoulders
HOUSE: What goals do you have in the
sport of powerlifting?
PR: Win…Win…Win! And go down in history
with some good solid numbers under my belt. I really want to see some lifts
with 500 in them.
HOUSE: What type (if any) supportive
gear do you wear?
PR: Inzer all the way. Hardcore suit
for squats, EHPHD single-ply for bench; MaxDL for deads and then the wrist and
knee wraps and belt.
HOUSE: What are your views on
supportive gear?
PR: Wear it! The tighter the better. Oh
yeah, so you can tell I am pro gear! J I want to be able to walk and pick
up my arms when I am an old lady.
HOUSE: Any funny stories that have happened
to you in powerlifting?
PR: I have PLENTY of those. Where to
start….how about my first meet. I had only decided to powerlift 5 weeks prior
to the meet. Didn’t know anything about gear and rules for a meet. My lifting
buddies didn’t tell me that I didn’t have to wear my champion suit when I
benched. You got it, wore the damn thing for all three lifts.
Then there was the time it
took me an hour and a half just to get my Hardcore suit OFF the first time I
wore it. It dug into my legs, my legs swelled up, it was a nightmare. Needless
to say, I was such a disaster that I did not make it to work the next day.
Or the time I was squatting
in the gym and was struggling, Brent asked me if I had enough ‘air,’ I thought
he was asking me about my hair! I was quickly informed that he did not give a
shit about my hair and well, my squats have gone up ever since. Still brings up
a good laugh in the gym.
HOUSE: As far as training goes, what
type of equipment do you use?
PR: Basics, Squat stands, bench,
reverse hyper, glute/ham, incline, decline, dumbbells. Haven’t gotten into any
of the chains, bands or boards yet.
HOUSE: What weight class are you in
and do you hold any records?
PR: I play with the 148s & 165s,
but stay at a comfortable 157 body weight so usually stay as a 165er so I don’t
have to diet.
USAPL Washington State
Records:
WA State WABDL
USAPL National/American
Record for a 205kilo squat in the 165s
HOUSE: What do you consider to be your
greatest accomplishment to date?
PR: Making the US National Team and
being able to compete at the international level
HOUSE: We noticed you have a 450 squat
and a 450 deadlift, are these your favorite lifts?
PR: Funny thing is that I used to love
the dead and was well known for it (best pull so far is 475). Squats have taken
over though. Totally love squats now, watch for some big numbers to come in
meets to follow. (Just as soon as I get my mental game together.) Bench is
slowly creeping its way up there. My best in USAPL/IPF is 235; I have done 260
in a non-sanctioned meet.
HOUSE: Any training tips?
PR: Video tape so you can see what you
are doing right and what you need to improve upon.
HOUSE: Anything you would like to see
changed in powerlifting?
PR: Yep, two feds, both at the National
level and the World level. There is too much little poke town feds to
accommodate the lifter other than the lifter meeting the standards of the
existing feds. I hate seeing people brag about their ‘world records’ when to
them the world consists of just their fed and the worlds held here in the US. I
am sure I will make a lot of people mad but I will say it anyway… the ideal as
I see it would be the USAPL/ APF and IPF/WPC. This would eliminate all the
‘little’ world records that are claimed and make it a more legit playing
ground.
HOUSE: Do you have any advice to the
younger lifter regarding training and supplementation?
PR: To find a GOOD coach who will give
you honest feedback and take the time to show you proper technique. Find a
routine that works and stick with it, be consistent. Supplementation… depends
on what way you are looking at that word. My advice would be to make sure you
get plenty of protein and eat good.
HOUSE: What are some of your interests
outside powerlifting?
PR: Spending time with friends. I am
the kind of person that does not have to do anything particular to be happy; a
nice relaxing day is all I need. (Mostly because I need recovery time – ha!)
HOUSE: Knowing that there are not too
many women powerlifters in the sport, who female and male inspires or inspired
you to lift?
PR: I am embarrassed to say, but prior
to me starting in powerlifting a few years ago, I did not follow the sport at
all, so I was not really aware of the icons in the sport at the time. My
biggest inspiration is the guys I lift with and watching their passion for the
sport as well as my desire to be the best. I think my competitive edge will not
let me settle for less in this sport.
HOUSE: You told me that you are in the 2002
women’s powerlifters calendar, how did this take place and whom are some of the
other lifters?
PR: Ahh, couple things brought this
about. One, trying to displace the theory that women powerlifters are ugly and
the challenge to help raise funds for the Women’s National Team for the IPF
Worlds in Germany. The other gals in there were all members of the 2001 team as
well as a few other volunteers (there are only 10 on the team…12 month in a
year…so we filled in the blanks). Members are Sue Hallen, Siouxz Hartwig, Jenn
Maile, Angie Overdeer Kara Bohigian, Katie Ford, Sandra Perron, Michelle
Amsden, Leslie Look, Liz Willett and me. It was a lot of fun and got us a lot
of exposure.
HOUSE: How do you see the sport of
powerlifting for women in the future?
PR: Hard to say. When people hear the
sport, they don’t think beauty or feminine. Most girls are not going to flock
to the sport and say..hey…I think I will be a powerlifter. It is hard to
recruit girls, I think they have the mental drive or they don’t. Also there is
the factor that women want to look like women and we all know that a lot in the
sport tend not to and that scares them away and gets a lot of negative feedback
from the male population.
HOUSE: What is the biggest challenge
to your lifting success?
PR: The mental game. I have been held
back on squat numbers in particular due to the fears, nerves, etc. Working on
getting all the pieces put together…the training, the strength and my head in
check!
HOUSE: How important are training
partners to you?
PR: Very! When you get to the level of
training and competing where it is necessary to have someone to either give you
hand-offs, spot you on squats or help with gear. I have to thank Brent Mikesell
and Luke Harris and my brother Ivan for being there whenever I need them.
HOUSE: What does your diet consist of?
PR: Bad…bad…food! Pizza is my all time
favorite! I could eat it every day, 24/7 if I could afford to. Other than that,
I basically eat like any normal person. When I get on kick to trim up, I will
up the protein shakes and high protein foods.
HOUSE: Anyone in closing you would
like to mention or thank?
PR: Oooo, wow, does that list go on and
on, but I will point out just a few for now. First to my brother Ivan
how…although is NOT a powerlifter has been by my side since day one stuffing my
ass into gear, wrapping my knees and spotting me. He is always psyched for me,
helping me plan my goals and anything involved with the sport. Then I have to
say thanks to Larry Maile (and family) for coaching me and being a good friend,
I would never be at the level I am today without him. He puts in countless
hours to my training cycle, critiquing my form, gear and whatever. To Wes of
MonsterMuscle for getting me into my first bench shirt and Hardcore suit; to
Inzer for all his support; to Joel Legard and Bob May, I would have never
gotten into the sport if I didn’t see you pulling in the gym one day and then
took me under your wing; to Kara Bohigian for all her friendship and countless
hours on the phone. And lastly to the boys of the gym who have welcomed me onto
their playing ground, especially Brent Mikesell. Thanks to Brent for
understanding and sharing in my passion for the sport, the level I am at and
sharing the vision of where I want to go in the future. You are an inspiration
to me.
HOUSE: Any final comments?
PR: Believe in your dreams, aim high
and you will achieve!
Please check out Priscilla’s
Powerlifting Website!
http://www.littlepowerhouse.com/
© COPYRIGHT Keith Payne
Iron Boy Enterprises