MARIVI BARRIOS

STATISTICS
Birthdate: July 19, 1975
From: Mississauga, Ontario
Height: 5'2
Weight: Off season 125lbs, competition weight 107lbs
How big are your...
Biceps: 14inches

Max Lifts or best lifts for reps...
Bench: 120lbs x 6
Curls: 70lbs x 6
Squats: 220lbs x 6
Any others that you know or want to list:

Hobbies / Interests: I enjoy gymnastics (since the age of 6), boxing and freestyle wrestling (was a University wrestler)

School Background (degrees, schools, etc etc): I have two university degrees* B.A. in biomedical ethics from the university of Toronto, and a B.A.Sc in Environmental Health from Ryerson Polytechnic University

Athletic Background/Achievements: I have been in the fitness/bodybuilding scene since 1999.

My placings are as follows:
1999- 3rd Ultimate Obstacle Course Challenge - figure class
1999- 2nd Gold's Gym Muscle Challenge - figure class
2000- 4th INBA Canadian Natural Nationals - figure class
2003- 3rd Ottawa Bodybuilding Championships - Open women's bodybuilding
2003- 1st INBA Canadian Natural Nationals - figure class
2003- 3rd Brantford Championships - figure (short) class
2004- 2nd Ottawa Bodybuilding Championships - Open women's bodybuilding
2004- 1st South Central Ontario Championships - Lightweight women's bodybuilding

I have also competed at the provincial (2nd place) and national levels (4th place) in university wrestling.

How long have you been lifting? What got you started?
I have been lifting since 1998* training for wrestling got me started in the gym. I noticed that my body was changing quickly through my workouts. This is when I began my interest in building my body* and training for physique competitions. Wrestling was a lot of fun, but after some time, the injuries began to wear me down.

What are your future goals in athletics and weight lifting?
I plan to take bodybuilding as far as I can go. I always say each year, that it'll be my last* but I never followed through with that! I enjoy the sport immensely - I like the control that I have over my body and the fact that I can sculpt myself! This year (2004), I am aiming to compete in the Provincials

What empowers/motivates you as an athlete?
Every female bodybuilder before me empowers me. I like to see women in a field which was once typically all male. Women are beautiful, but they are also strong-willed human beings. My trainer and friend, Pamela Howard is one of those women who continue to inspire me.

How do people react to you lifting weights and/or being muscular?
"where did those come from?!?!"(referring to biceps once flexed) "how could something so small lift something so big?"

Do strength and fitness come natural to you or is it mostly hard work? I was always an athletic child. I started as soon as I was exposed to sports in school. I played everything from basketball, to track and field to gymnastics.
I was always pretty strong, even as a child.

Has lifting had a positive impact on your life and how?
Yes it has. Lifting has kept me disciplined throughout these years. It has made a positive impact in my life as it promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Have you ever tested your strength against a male? Yep! Armwrestling - I was challenged at a bar by one of my friends* you guessed it, I won! I also remember a time when someone didn't take me seriously about my wrestling* they took it far enough as to insult me even! All I remember was shoulder-throwing this guy to the pavement* he was clearly 50 pounds heavier than I was.