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USAPL AMERICAN RECORD HOLDER
Name: Jennie Hollier
Age: 25
Division: Open
Height: 5’0
Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana
Weight Class: 114 lbs./ 52 kg.
<b>How did you get into weight training? </b>
I started lifting weights when I was 8 years old. My family had some equipment in one of the rooms in the house and my older brother and dad would work out. I looked up to my brother and thought whatever he did was the cool thing to do. When no one was around, I would go into that room and do whatever they were doing; I would strain just like they would to get as many reps as possible. I would just play with the basic dumbbells though. I continued to do that by myself and I started to build muscles. My brother would get me to flex for all of his friends in the neighborhood, so of course I continued to workout in order to continue to be cool.
<b>Have you participated in any other sports?</b>
It wasn't until I was in Seventh Grade at "Cathedral-Carmel Elementary" (Lafayette, LA) that I realized working out and building muscles was a good thing. I wanted to be faster in Track, so I figured out ways to train the muscles that I used in track with the one dumbbell and one curl bar that I had. I ran Track from 5th grade through my Sophomore year of high school. I was on the Competition Cheerleading squad in High School, I took Karate for about 5 months, I was on the Inline Speed Skating team, I took Tumbling for about 4 months, Basketball (I was HORRIBLE), and I played a lot of Volleyball during P.E. (we didn't have a Team though).
<b>Do you have a favorite body part to train?</b>
I like training my abs and legs. I know that sounds funny, because I compete on the USAPL (USA Powerlifting) Bench Press World Team, so most people would assume that I like training my upper body more. I injured my knee and that's what led me to specialize in the Bench Press. My favorite event in Powerlifting, out of the Squat/Bench Press/Deadlift, was actually the Squat.
<b>Who has been a great influence to you?</b>
Travis Werner, the coach of the University of Louisiana Powerlifting Team, re-introduced me to the sport when I got into the College level and he basically taught me to be the competitor that I am today. He's dedicated to the sport and very much a perfectionist when it comes to having flawless form, which is important in Powerlifting. He pushed me to make my body lift to it's maximum potential. Travis also taught me about what kind of training I needed to do, nutrition, equipment, and technique. Eventually, I was able to take what I had learned from him and branched off on my own to start training new lifters that would join the team. Soon after that, I continued to learn more based on my own experiences. I basically went from a seed in the ground to a tree with blooms, thanks to him. I'm lucky to have had his guidence when I was starting out.
<center><p><a href="http://www.lasportsdevelopment.com/sportsstories_jennie.htm" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
Andre Perkins
<a href="http://www.lasportsdevelopment.com " target="_blank">lasportsdevelopment.com </a>
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Do you take anything to help you train (supplements, vitamins, etc.)?
That's the most popular question in the world!!!!! I'm not sponsored by a supplement company, so I can be honest and not have to say what I'm being paid to say. In my opinion, there's no supplement are special vitamin in the world (besides for steroids) that can make you stronger than what God meant for you to be. Any elite athlete can admit to that. I never took anything. People still want to believe that I take something, so they always ask. The way most people think is that if they can't do it, then the person that can must be taking something special. Everyone has something that they're good at. Some people are incredible artists and can paint master pieces. Those people don't take anything special to be good at it. Some people can dance and others don't have any rhythm what so ever (Travis Werner...haha)...there's no magic pill for that either. What people CAN do is take what they're good at and make it better. I've always believed in natural foods. As humans, that's what we're meant to eat and that's what our bodies recognize and absorb. You get all the protein you really need in chicken, tuna, and steak. It's EASY to get enough carbs. Every multi vitamin and protein shake literally goes straight into the toilet, along with your wallet. To get the vitamins and nutrients that my body needs to fight illness, disease, and to maintain itself to function at its best I take a product called Juice Plus. It's real fruits and vegetables that were juiced, dehydrated into powdered form, then put into capsules. I eat a lot of fruits, but I know I don't eat enough vegetables. By taking Juice Plus I can get the vegetables with the same convenience as a supplement, only it's the real thing; not a supplement.
What awards have you received in Power Lifting?
I received "Best Lifter" on the light platform at a few meets. Best lifter is determined by the Wilkes Formula out of all the light weight classes. Basically, it's the person that lifted the most for their body weight.
I won a few National meets, Local meets, State meets, and Collegiate meets. My next goal is to take home the World Title.
I once held the Junior American Records (Junior = ages 19-23) in the Squat 335@114 and the Bench Press 181@114.
I currently hold the Open American Record (Open = all divisions, all ages) in the Bench Press 248@114.
Describe the greatest moment in your athletic career.
Winning at the 2003 USAPL Women's Powerlifting Nationals; my first National Title. It was my first big goal and there's nothing like the feeling of "accomplishment". It took a long time for me to find a sport that really suited me. I was always stronger than the other girls in the other sports that I competed in, but I was never the best at the actual sport. It was really frustrating, because you would think that being stronger would place you above the rest. When I discovered the sport of Powerlifting, I finally found a sport that I knew I could excel in. World Champion status will, one day, be my next "greatest moment".
What kind of music do you listen to?
I like Hip-hop, 80s, classics, alternative, ..............basically everything. I was also brought up listening to classical music, but it basically calms me down so much that I usually fall asleep before the song is over.
Who are your favorite artists?
Mark Broussard, Jack Johnson, Audioslave, Sound Garden, Prodigy, the old Pearl Jam, Bob Marley (I just don't like that I can't sing along, because I don't understand what he's saying. haha.), Schel Reaux, Rascal Phlats (I don't know how to spell his last name) and probably a million others that I just don't know the names too. I listen to the radio a lot.
Hobbies?
When I have time, I love to be outdoors. I don't care what the activity is. I love camping, I like going to the beach, rollerblading, and being around my close friends, family, and other Powerlifters. When I was in Kindegarden, I would watch the other kids play outside through the window, while everyone else was learning to read at the table. I just couldn't understand why I couldn't be outside with the other kids. It's a good thing they made me go back to the table or else I wouldn't be writing this today! ha!
What are your favorite foods?
Rice N' Gravy, Buffalo Wings, Ice-Cream, Crawfish, Cheese.
Do you have any favorite websites?
www.lasportsdevelopment.com :)
www.JennieH.com :)
www.titansupport.com
www.houseofpainironwear.com
www.usapowerlifting.com
www.davedepew.com
http://www.angelfire.com/theforce/ra...uns/index.html
www.benchamerica.com
www.hugenasserelsonbaty.com
www.andybreaux.blogspot.com
What advice would you give to a female who is thinking about competing in Power Lifting?
Don't think that you have to be huge to be a Powerlifter. You can still be "girly" and be strong at the same time. We NEED more girls in the sport!!! Also, the sport itself makes you become a more independent and focused person. It's great in helping you to learn to manage all aspects of your life.
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