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michelle@michellerice.net
www.michellerice.net
June 23, 1978
I was born and raised in Greenville, SC
Height: 5'5 1/2"
Weight: 138 on seaon 148-158 off season
Bicep Curls: 35 lbs for reps (dumbells)
Tricep Pushdowns: 70lbs for reps
Lat Pulldowns: 85lbs for reps
Shoulder Press: dumbell press 35lbs for reps (dumbells)
Bench Press: 165lbs 6-8 reps (barbell)
Incline Bench: 135lbs 6-8 reps (barbell)
Dumbbell Rows: 50lbs 6-8 reps
Chest Flies: 35lbs 8-10 reps (dumbells)
Deadlift: 195lbs 6-8 reps
Squats: 185lbs 8-10 reps (barbell)
Biceps: 14" flexed
Quads: 23"
Calves: 14"
Hobbies/Interests: "I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I love to dance, laugh, watch bodybuilding, fitness and figure events. Of course I am a girly girl, so I tend to spend alot of my time shopping too."
Athletic Background: "All throughout middle school and high school I was a cheerleader and captain of the dance squad. My favorite sport has got to be volleyball and bodybuilding.
"I was not real muscular growing up. In fact, up until November of 2004 I was terribly overweight. I decided I wanted to change my life, so I contacted Tres Bennett and Shannon Meteraud and I have been on my way to being healthy and fit every since.
"I started out lifting in May 2004. My boyfriend got me into it. I noticed from day one, that I was pretty strong and my body responded very fast. I have been hooked every since.
"Strength and fitness has got to be one of the hardest things in my life that I have ever worked on. It takes alot of hard work and dedication. I believe if you want it bad enough, you will work for it and get major satisfaction from it."
"I competed in the Shannon Meteraud/Fall Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Classic on November 6, 2004 and I placed 2nd in my class. That was first show I have ever competed in. I met so many wonderful people. It was a great experience."
Are you competitive? "I am very competitive. I never thought that I was up until my first figure competition, but I will tell you I am hooked, line and sinker now."
On people's reactions to her newly muscular physique: "Well, I went from July 2004 to November of 2004 without seeing any of my family. I invited them to my first figure competition and they told me that they would not have even known it was me if the MC hadn't said my name when I walked out on stage.
"I am actually the only girl in my gym that lifts weights seriously. I kind of feel like a little sister to all the guys in my gym. Most of the guys at my gym are regulars, so they feel like I am one of them. They will even come to me and ask me if I need a spot or if I can spot them. It's alot of fun, but I do wish there were more girls in the gym besides me that lifted weights. It would be nice sometimes to have a girl to train with."
"My proudest accomplishment is a combination of things. The biggest thing was losing 40 something pounds in a matter of 4 months. Another was getting on stage in a 2 piece swimsuit to show off my physique to hundreds of people and last but not least, getting over stage fright. I was the first girl in my class to get on the stage, so I had no choice, but to grin and bare it, while shaking in my 5 inch heels. It had to be one of the best day's of my life."
On her motivation as an athlete: "What motivates me the most is watching my body change so quickly. I love muscles, period, but I really love MY muscles. I also have pictures of women that I admire in this sport, posted all over my bedroom walls, so when I wake up everyday, I take a look at them and say, 'I WANT TO BE THE BEST THAT I CAN BE'."
Future goals: "At first when I started lifting weights, I said to myself that I don't want to look like a bodybuilder, I just wanted to add some muscle and lose fat. Well, needless to say, I don't feel that way anymore. I want to go as far as I possibly can in this sport. If it means adding more and more muscle, then I am willing to do it. Whatever it takes to make it to the top. I want to be all I can be and I will be."