Heather Melton Interview
November 2013 - Heather Melton
1. Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where were you born? Etc. Give the readers some background about yourself.
Hi, I’m Heather. I’m 24 years old. I’ve always been active. I played basketball in school and I did weight training. I did Crossfit for about two years and just recently got serious about powerlifting. I’ve competed in crossfit, strongman and powerlifting so far.
2. Where are you located in Georgia and where do you train at?
I live in Locust Grove and I train at Crossfit Clash.
3. What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)?
Reading, hiking, eating, cycling
4. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have 3 things, what would they be?
I would have a fishing pole, fresh water supply and books.
5. Who is your role model and why?
I admire Camille LeBlanc Bazinet. She is strong and beautiful and she is a great role model for young girls and women. She has a great attitude and has fun while training. That’s what it’s all about.
6. What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Well, most people don’t know that I like to put peanut butter and jelly on my cheeseburgers. It is so good!
7. If you could ask anyone from history any question, who would it be and what would you ask?
I would ask Abraham Lincoln if the play was worth it.
8. Is there anything about powerlifting you would like to change or wish was different?
No.
9. What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa?
I am a store manager for Nutrishop in McDonough. My hours are flexible, so it doesn’t interfere with competing.
10. How did you get into powerlifting and how many years have you been competing?
I love to squat and deadlift, so I started a program that would help increase my numbers. I had no intention of competing until I came across a competition that was geared towards first time lifters and crossfitters. I thought what the heck, so I signed up and now I’m hooked. I’ve been competing for less than a year.
11. Are you involved in powerlifting in any way besides as a competitor?
No.
12. What are your biggest squat, bench press, deadlift and total numbers?
In competition my squat is 242, bench is 132 and deadlift is 308. Total is 683.
13. What titles, records and achievements have you accumulated during your powerlifting career?
I currently hold 4 state records in the 123 wt. class for squat, bench, dl and total. For me, placing top 6 in my first national meet was a huge achievement.
14. Can you describe your training philosophy and/or a typical training session?
My training philosophy is to just get it. During heavy sessions I have to mentally prepare myself because I have a bad habit of getting in my head. I usually bench multiple times a week and squat/deadlift once a week.
15. Do you compete equipped (squat suit, bench press shirt & deadlift suit) or unequipped (no suits) or both and what weight class(s) and divisions(s) do you compete in?
I compete unequipped in the open division. I compete in the 123 and 132 wt. classes.
16. What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three and why?
My favorite lift is the deadlift because all you do is pick it up and put it down.
17. Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?
Not sure.
18. Who is your greatest rival?
My mind. I have a lot of potential but I mentally beat myself up. So if I conquer my mind, I’ll succeed.
19. Who do you think is the greatest lifter of all time?
I haven’t been involved in powerlifting long enough to determine this.
20. When was your last competition & how did it go?
My last meet was Raw Nationals in Orlando, Fl. It did not go well at all. I didn’t make weight by 2 pounds so in my mind I was already a failure. I went 5 for 9 on my lifts. However, I still managed a 6th place finish in my first national event and only my second competition. So it wasn’t a complete fail.
21. Do you have any upcoming competitions? If so, when and where?
My next meet is the Georgia and Southern States Powerlifting Championships on November 9th in Norcross.
22. How do you prepare for an upcoming competition? Describe each aspect that you focus on as you prepare for a competition.
To prepare I usually just follow my program and I alter my diet the month before to make weight.
23. Is there anything you will do differently to prepare for your next competition that is different from your last one?
I will practice the commands more.
24. How many competitions do you compete in each year?
This is only my first year, but after November I will have 3 under my belt.
25. What advice & tips would you give to a powerlifter that is just beginning? If you are just beginning, what advice have you received from other lifters or coaches?
Form is everything.
26. Has powerlifting had a big impact on your life? If so, how?
Very much so. Powerlifting has given me a feeling of accomplishment. It has given me so much more confidence in myself, but it has also humbled me. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet a lot of great people.
27. Do you stay in touch with lifters you compete against?
Yes, through facebook.
28. What is your #1 or most prestigious meet you ever competed at in your career?
I suppose my most prestigious meet would be Raw Nationals, however, my first competition Powerlifting for Pink is the one that sticks out most in my mind because I set 4 state records in that competition.
29. Do you compete in any other strength sports such as Olympic lifting, strongman, highland games, etc?
I compete in Strongman and Crossfit.
30. What is your favorite memory from any powerlifting competition or event?
My favorite memory is from my first competition when I pulled 308#.
31. Do you see yourself still competing in ten years? If so, what are your goals for ten years from now?
Most definitely! My goals are just to constantly improve, get stronger and help others do the same along the way.
32. Do you have any funny or interesting powerlifting stories that you can share with us?
Something interesting… I usually weigh between 135-140. For my first competition I registered for the 132 wt class. I did the whole water manipulation thing and the day before my comp I was 133. I was so nervous about weighing in that I was trying not to even swallow my spit. Ha. So I go to weigh in and the scale says I weigh 121. I still don’t know how that happened. That’s not really interesting but that’s all that I have. Ha.
33. If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what would be the reason?
An elite total or a 300# squat!
34. Anyone you would like thank for helping you along the way in your Powerlifting career?
I have to thank my boyfriend and training partner CJ, he makes sure I’m up at 4am to go train and he always pushes me and has confidence in me. I have to thank Josh Rohr for the awesome programming. And I have to thank crossfit Locust Grove and Crossfit Clash for allowing me to do my powerlifting in the gym.
35. Is there anything else you would like to add?
Live strong and Prosper. J
Thank you for your time and best of luck in your upcoming powerlifting endeavors!
