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RAQUEL OLIVER
STATISTICS
Birthdate: 10/22/71
From: Desoto Texas (dallas suburb)
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160
Biceps: 15 ½ I think
Quads: 25
Calves: 15
Bench: 185
Curls: 40
Squats: 25
Hobbies / Interests:
Still play volleyball competitively. Love watching sports live at any
level of play. I enjoy great athletes. Reading about fitness and nutrition.
Hanging out with my little ones
School Background (degrees, schools, etc etc):
Bachelor Science
Major: Exercise Science
Minor: Business Administration
Masters Education
Sports and Recreation Management
Athletic
Background/Achievements:
Played Volleyball ran track, and basketball in high school
Played Volleyball and ran track in college
All – American honors in volleyball
National competitor in Track and Field
Played Volleyball for International Sports Federation- We travel overseas
to play exhibition games against the national team in that country
Play USAV Open level Volleyball now
How long have you been lifting? What got you started?
I have been lifting since 1986 my freshman year in High School. I have
lifted since then for one reason or another due to athletics. I just started
competing in BB 4 years ago this year, at that time I started lifting
with competitive BB as a goal.
What
are your future goals in athletics and weight lifting?
I plan to play volleyball a couple more years.
In BB I will compete at Nats this year and come in leaner and harder,
I have the physique/genetics to excel in BB. I have to tap into that and
get after it. I would like to take it to the pro level.
What empowers/motivates you as an athlete?
Success is a motivator to me. The thought of being the best at whatever
it is, being a mom, work, and play, BB. There is always going to be someone
better, and someone behind you getting better, THAT keeps me on my toes.
How do you feel about the increasing trend of more and more women lifting
weights and changing traditionally male domains by breaking past stereotypes?
It is wonderful to see more muscular fit women today. It’s nice
to know we re getting past some of the stereotypes of old. That being
said, we still have a ways to go, and I hope all women that lift or compete,
want to portray our sport in the best manner so we can keep an upward
trend in popularity.
How do people react to you lifting weights and/or being muscular?
I have only had positive feedback from my physique. People stare a bit
in the gym, but I don’t mind the attention. I think I have a good
balance of muscularity and femininity.
Do strength and fitness come natural to you or is it mostly hard work?
I think I was always fairly strong growing up. They come natural to me,
but I still train hard, because of that person behind me getting better;-)
Has lifting had a positive impact on your life and how?
Training and sculpting the body give me a higher sense of self. I feel good about everything and when obstacles come, I seem to deal with them well. I am attributing much of that to my positive self assessment.
Have you ever tested your strength against a male: in the gym, on the playing field, in an armwrestling match? What was the turn out? Any good anecdotes you can share with our readers?