Jodi Miller
by Gene
X Hwang - July 2003
Typically
in bodybuilding and
fitness, the saying that size matters is often meaningful, but in the
case of Jodi Miller, while size may matter, it's more about the entire
package that's holding that size that's important. Standing 4'11"
tall, and weighing from 100 lbs. in contest shape to 110 lbs. in the off-season,
Miller is able to easily stand her ground. Having come from a powerlifting
background, this woman is definitely one who dispels the theory that the
biggest is always the best.
Living
in Dallas,
Texas, the 30-year-old Miller keeps busy with her work as a certified
personal trainer, English tutor, fitness model and published writer (she
is a former high school English teacher). She received her BA
in English and earned a secondary teaching certification in English so
not only is she strong and in shape, but she's well educated to boot.
So how does someone get into what's been a traditionally male oriented
sport? What follows comes directly from Ms. Miller herself and explains
her progression from her early days to the present:
"In
the beginning, one would wonder what a munchkin like myself was doing
in the weight room, and I would say just playing. I dabbled in aerobics,
jogging, and circuit training, but never once stepped foot into nor peeked
inside the free weight room. I mean, what role did clanking iron and deep
grunts have in my life? Little did I know that these very things would
change my life forever.
"Have
you ever wondered about your past choices? If only you had taken this
road or traveled down that path... Where would you have arrived? And would
you have been happy? I look back at the one day when I decided to turn
my freckled face and peer inside the forbidden room of dumbbells and testosterone,
and I know that I not only paved the way to a new future, I created a
new Jodi. When I realized that the room was crawling with men and only
one woman seemed to have enough guts to invade their territory, I decided
then and there that I would be the next bit of estrogen, and I would give
those guys a run for their money.
"It
was my lucky day, for the very next day, when I stepped foot into the
free weight room - green eyes glazed over with wonder and excitement,
heart racing rapidly - I garnered the attention of one of the desk attendants,
who happened to be a national collegiate powerlifting champion. After
teaching me how to do a proper one arm row, he spent the next year convincing
me to join the University of Texas at Austin powerlifting team.
"I
never looked back. I had swept a new path, freed it from debris and leaves,
and marched my way into weightlifting oblivion," says Miller.
Oblivion
might be a bit strong of a word since Miller has been popping up all over
the place, and with a growing legion of fans, is making her mark on the
world of the female physique.
Currently, Miller is working as a fitness model and as a writer and editor.
"After
preaching to teenagers about finding a star, plucking it out of the sky,
and making their dreams become reality, I decided to take my own advice
and try it on for size," she says.
That's a good way to go, and as has already been happening, Miller should
see continued success in all facets of her life. She's been featured on
many sites online and recently placed second in the cover girl contest
for www.getbuf.com and will be featured within the pages of their next
supplement catalog.
Not
a bad start for the little dynamo known as Jodi Miler.
WORKOUT
SCHEDULE:
Mondays:
Chest and biceps
Tuesdays: Back
Wednesdays: Rest
Thursdays: Shoulders and triceps
Fridays: Legs (sometimes I do legs twice a week)
Saturdays: Rest
Sundays: Rest
Cardio
is done anywhere from four to six days a week at 30 to 45 minute sessions.
When getting ready for a show, cardio is done twice a day.
Best
Lifts:
Squat:
250 pounds (have done 215 for sets of 6-8)
Bench: 120 pounds (have done 105 for sets of 12)
Deadlift: 250 pounds (have done 185 for sets of 15-18)
I
do not perform one rep max's anymore and instead stick to high reps of
15 to 100 and use a weight that allows me to perform the exercise correctly
and reach failure completely. I incorporate lots of drop sets, supersets,
pauses, and negatives. Variety is the name of my game when it comes to
the weightroom.
COMPETITION
EXPERIENCE:
- 2002
Figure Nationals, 19th Place, Short Figure Division
- 2002
Junior Nationals, 17th Place, Short Figure Division
- 2002 Lone Star Classic, 4th Place, Short Figure Division
- 2001 Red River Classic, 2nd Place, Short Figure Division
- 2001 Red River Classic, 3rd Place, Lightweight Open Bodybuilding
- 2001 Heart of Texas, 3rd Place, Short Figure Division
- 2001 Heart of Texas, 2nd Place, Open Bodybuilding
- 2001 Texas State Championships, 1st Place, Novice Winner
- 2001 Texas State Championships, 4th Place, Figure
- USA Powerlifting Texas Championships, 1st Place, 111 lb. class
- ADFPA Powerlifting, Longhorn Open, 1st Place, 104 lb. class
Contact
Jodi: via email
Official
website: www.jodileigh.com
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