Alley Miesch-Nie
by Gene
X Hwang - April 2003
Although
the most muscular pose is not a mandatory shot, it's become one of the
signature poses for Alley Miesch-Nie, a top amateur heavyweight who has
been consistently in the top six of many recent National-level bodybuilding
shows.
But
the fact that Miesch-Nie does the most muscular shouldn't be a big surprise
to those who know the 30-year-old. At 5'4", she's not tremendously
tall, but has participated in volleyball, swimming, track and even football
- she played on the boys team in junior high school.
"I
began in the health and fitness industry about ten years ago when I received
my Bachelors of Science degree from Aquinas College and my Master of Arts
degree from Western Michigan University in Health Science. Sports have
always been apart of my life. I have been involved in sports since the
age of 10," she says.
Some
fans may even have seen her compete on the pro beach volleyball tour,
where the physiques of the athletes are often appreciated, and Miesch-Nie
is obviously no exception, but it wasn't always that way for her.
"Being
a heavy adolescent - 185 lbs. and a size 16, my life at a young age became
an emotional roller coaster of anorexia and bulimia for nearly ten years.
"During
this time volleyball kept me alive and focused. I was team Captain, All-Conference
and an All-tournament player both in high school and college. I also was
involved in the Beach scene for volleyball. During my senior year of college,
I tore my ACL in my right knee and was told my career of playing volleyball
was over! I would not accept this and during my rehab I began weight training
and returned to the courts one year later to get my starting position
back," Miesch-Nie says with determination.
"Weight
training and bodybuilding, starting with my knee rehabilitation, showed
me a new direction with food, self-acceptance and love. I knew the moment
I picked up the weights that I loved it. A few of the bodybuilders at
the gym talked me into doing a show because of my genetics. So, I trained
four months for my first show and won the overall. Addictive? Yes! After
playing many years of team sports I wanted to see if I could do something
on my own. I love the fact I had control of my body. Seeing the changes
really got me fired up."
The
changes have propelled her to the top of the amateur ranks, and it would
not be a stretch at all to see her earn a pro card soon. Miesch-Nie doesn't
let her weight fluctuate too much in the off-season, getting up to about
155 lbs. while dieting down to 141 lbs. for shows. In the gym, she is
no slouch, with 350 lb. squats, 800 lb. leg presses, benching 225 lbs.
for reps, and doing deadlifts with 325 lbs.
All
of that helps keep her both strong and in shape. While she likes to keep
things positive, there have been a number of setbacks that she's experienced,
but that isn't uncommon in sports or life in general.
"I
had been playing beach volleyball since the age of 14 and played Pro Volleyball
in 2001. I had taken a few years off of bodybuilding and volleyball when
my husband broke his back and I joined the US ARMY for two years to support
us.
"2000
was the year I returned to my loves: bodybuilding and volleyball. Having
the ability to do both is hard but I am up for the challenge. Being a
natural at sports and having the dedication and focus has allowed me to
balance both. Making the move to California from Michigan has allowed
me to kick my training in both sports to the next gear. My motivation
is to better myself. You live once and make everyday count and If I have
a dream or goal I will go after it! The sky is the limit!"
