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Stacey Keller
by gene x hwang - March 2001

The new breed of female athletes includes Pennsylvania's Stacey Keller, who's been lifting weights for the last seven years, and has been inspired by pros like Anja Langer, and the reigning Ms. Olympias, Valentina Chepiga and Andrulla Blanchette.

The 32 year old competed for the first time last year and took first and overall. In her second show that same year, she placed 4th. Of course competing is a personal decision as is deciding to start weight training.

"I do it for myself because I've always wanted to compete but never had the nerve to get on stage in front of people - that has always been a phobia of mine every since I was little. So I felt that if I never competed, life would pass me by and it would be something I would have honestly regretted not doing the rest of my life.

"I'm also very determined and people who have given me negative feedback such as that I'll never be able to get that lean or that I should consider powerlifting instead have just driven me even more to succeed. If anyone tells me I can't do something that just makes me want to do it more! I don't give up!" Keller adds emphatically.

When she started training, things in Keller's life were mixed.

"I had just recently gotten separated and quit smoking at the same time. I wanted to do something positive and constructive with my free time so I took up bike riding at first and would do it three times a week, then enrolled in a gym and the rest is history."

"When I first got started in bodybuilding, Anja Langer was my inspiration/role model and still is although currently I admire and get inspired by Valentina Chepiga and Andrulla Blanchette. I admire how physically they can be both strong and beautiful at the same time. They are very feminine and are down-to-earth. They are humble and not the type of competitors who are unapproachable," adds Keller.

That's something she'll keep with her as she progresses up the chain of competitions. So far, the 5'3" Keller weighs in at 150 lbs. in the offseason and at her most recent contest, competed at 119 lbs. However, she would like to compete at a heavier weight the next time out.

"During the off-season, I bump up my calories significantly, incorporate cheat days to keep me sane in my diet, and train heavy! To keep my body in condition, I will do cardio anywhere from 3-4 times a week for about a half-hour.

"My goals this year are to come in more conditioned then I did last year and to improve my overall muscularity and to improve on my mandatory poses. Long term I would like to earn my Pro Card." Keller has the determination and spirit required to make that move too. Not only is she a ferocious lifter, she loves the feeling of being strong, which ensures that she spends plenty of time in the gym.

"I love to train heavy!!! I have always trained with Men and not little men either - bodybuilders themselves and some powerlifters too. They are the ones that pushed me to train heavy and I also just love being Strong! I can do 450 pounds on the standing calf raise machine for reps in the 15-20 range! I have also squatted 385 for two reps - this is not that shabby for a natural bodybuilder. I've deadlifted 205 for 12 reps and those are just a few of my most impressive accomplishments," Keller proudly explains.

And the work has paid off but also had it's price.

"For the most part, all the responses I get are positive ones although I don't get asked out a lot - maybe because some of the men are intimidated by strong women? But my family is the most supportive by far! Without them last year I couldn't have done it! I also love the responses I get from people that see me in work, then out on the weekends or in my gym clothes.

"For example I go to the car wash and the first thing a group of guys drying off my car yell when I come out to get it is 'Damm! How much do you bench?!' Or there was the time when our FedEx guy from the office happened to see me in the health food store and he was used to seeing me in work clothes (so this was the first time he saw me in gym clothes) and he gawked and said 'Damm you're big! Can I train with you sometime!'

"I mean to some athletes that might look at my pictures might say she looks small and to some of the veterans I will appear that way but during the off-season I weigh about 150 pounds."

So although Keller is in the gym quite a bit, she manages to make time for other things as well.

"Well I love the gym and if I'm not training, I can be found there working and helping others with their goals the best way I can. I like to hang out with friends and to just spend time with my family and to enjoy the times now I can spend unlimited with them because as I get into contest mode - I hardly get to see them because of the focus I need to have in order to prepare mentally and physically."

But even with so much involved to get ready for a show, Keller perseveres. As is with many sports, mental attitude can account for almost as much as the actual time spent training. And to compliment that focus, it's always important to stay grounded as well.

"I would like to tell everyone out there that everything and anything is possible if you want it bad enough! I say this from experience and I believe it! Above all things don't ever forget where you came from."



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female muscle, shawna walker, larissa reis, michelle jin, wrestling, tracey toth, kira neuman, female bodybuilding, cindy phillips, britt miller, casey daugherty, lyris capelle, jill brooks, olga guryev, olga guryeva, kristy hawkins, cheryl faust, lindsey cope, lindsay cope, veronica miller