This is box talk and I'm your host Tiffany geragos. This podcast is inspired by hearing other people's experiences and their passions in health and fitness now so many times where I felt like there was value in the conversations I would have with people that all I wanted to do was share all that I was inspired about now. I'm a fitness coach and entrepreneur a mother a wife. Passionate about my own pillars of Health and Fitness in that is what this podcast is all about lifestyle relationships mindset in the health and fitness. So I'm so excited and grateful to be here. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm so appreciative and enjoy the show. Okay, I'm always like not always sure how to say hello and I always find myself going. Okay. So anyhow, thank you for joining me on this episode is we have a boss bitch coming on. Yeah. I have a new female crush. And on Instagram, her name is Quadzilla. And there is she has every right to have that name because her quads are in sane. I don't know if she could crush a watermelon between those thighs but I bet she could I bet I bet she could do it totally. So what is so exciting about this conversation? It's because we talk a lot about where we came from inner most insecure selves are self-doubt, you know, all that mindset goodness where we just have these Groove created these limited beliefs in ourselves and it really stops us from doing anything great or following with our passion and the things that we feel so desired to do now Karina, this is her name is Karina. She is an amazing power lifter this girl now when we did this in for interview, she was getting ready for a competition and I don't want to tell you how well she did right now. I will tell you after the podcast and the segment because I just feel like it's telling you a bit of the movie before you watch it. I don't think that would be fair. I think you should get to know her a little bit and hear her journey because she's a mom to you know, she loves coaching. She loves lifting. She's basically raised her son in the gym and I've speaking from experience. I've done the exact same thing with my kids and my kids know exactly what they need to do with weights. Like they're not afraid to use them. They're not intimidating for them. They have no problem stepping into a gym and just feeling comfortable. Bowl the gym can be super uncomfortable for anybody just starting like honestly super intimidating when you're walking in. You see all these Jack people who seem to know what they're doing and you don't know what you're doing. Well the great part about Karina I she is an online coach. She does sell programs and she has an amazing following now following. Let's just touch on this for a second. I don't give a shit. How many people are following you I can tell if you're doing the work or not. I can tell if you're worth following it. We already know. I just want you to know this. It doesn't matter how many followers you have on Instagram anymore. We used to think that that was a big deal. But we now we know that there's a lot of bullshitters out there a lot of people who talk the talk, but cannot walk the walk now this Hot babe does both she's got an essene insane amount of followers because she's so fucking awesome because she's a boss. She is a true leader. Now. I met Carina through Gamba now, she is Gambit one of their athletes and rightfully so because she's a sick lifter and she knows what she's doing and Gambit doesn't just have anybody on their athletic team. Mmmmm, they don't just pass that that sweater over, you know to anybody in calling them their athlete. They need to know you know, what's good for them. What's not they need to put in the hard work they need to show up. They also need to support their fellow athletes and she does all of that so her and I freaking honestly, we totally hit it off. We really could have gotten into other things. But what I really wanted to talk to her about what is that? Balance between Jim life business and Mom because being a mom or being a parent is the hardest goddamn job you will ever have in your goddamn life. Like I don't care who you are being a parent and raising little minions. It is so difficult. Now if you have a baby, the only difficult thing right now is maybe like a lack of sleep, right? I don't know but as they get older and you're trying to guide them. To be the best version of themselves. It's a damn stressful job and day in day out grind it out. You never give up on your kids. You just do what you can do. And if you don't have the tools you reach out, right and there's lots of ways you can reach out. Okay, so I'm totally ranting now. I know I've whatever how I'm already 5 minutes over in this intro, but Karina is just a boss. She she did compete and she had some her amazing team. They like the girls that she coaches flew in to see her. She's got such an amazing support group. I am one of them. I'm a huge fan and we bit since we've talked we basically talk regularly now like like we just we just support each other now and that's just the way it is. There's no if ands or buts, even though we don't live anywhere. Are close to each other we are still going to support each other because she's now my Gamba sister freaking lover and I'm so stoked for you to meet her. If you don't follow her on Instagram follow her. I'm going to put her all that information in my show notes and you can check her out and if you have any questions, she's the bomb to get back to you like she's very loving kind caring and she if you have questions and you message her. You will get back to you like she's that bomb. Okay. So here we are meet Karina the Quadzilla. Thank you for being so patient Karina. Yeah, of course. Yeah. No, I'm I'm we're just get let's just get right into it. Okay, because I think everything that we're going to start with is all juicy stuff. So so everybody thanks for joining us on box talk. I have Quadzilla on the line say what's up Quadzilla? What's up? Everybody Karina? Why don't you introduce yourself a little bit because I don't know a lot about you. I know a I can see what I can see on Instagram. I know. That I know like this is the first time we spoke but I know that you know, Sean and row me and Keith through Gamba and anybody who doesn't know who what Gamba is it's a it's more than a clothing apparel. It's a club for four athletes. Basically, there's a lot of power lifters in it and it's a team would you agree? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Yeah, they're pretty badass. So yeah, they are so I am a powerlifter. I usually left in the USP a federation although in two weeks and lifting at the current US Open which is a different Federation this year, but you know, whatever that's it wasn't the story. What do you mean? What does that mean? It's just who's sanctions that the Federer who sanctions the meat like where you get your records. So like USPA is the big one. I don't know if you guys have that even in Canada. I don't know how that works. But yeah, yeah, it'll be different here are sanctioned events will be totally different here for sure. Yeah. That's our main one in the US. But so this one this Crumbs actually like a Russian Federation but it's mostly just like a funny meet. Just so top lifters invite only and it's just mostly for money unless you can break like all-time world record. So that that's basically it but I am a sponsored athlete through Gamba. That's how I know Sean and all I joined them back in I want to say like November of last year. Year, so it's been fun meeting all the guys and the other is a couple other girls, but it's a good team of people and and I like it. So it's good to be on on the team with them and have a big support system like like immediately like it was like immediate support system. So that was cool. What else do you like about Diana? Just just like this support system. I mean, it's just amazing. Everybody's funny and a lot of other guys are young. So they're you know full energy and egg ready to learn and a lot of them are even like coaches to I'm a coach as well. So we all kind of sometimes we have like a group chat. So we'll talk about our our ideas and our methods and things so it's cool to have Want to talk to us like like-minded ideas. I love that. It's true. Like when you're surrounded with people like-minded, it's almost like it's a whole nother Universe happening right there. If you really let you see the tribe really conform and the sense of like like you said support ideas and then because like if you think about all of you know, the people that made it big like hi. Companies they don't do that by themselves. They don't they have a team of people who contribute to these ideas. Even if they're not even part of their team. They may be a part of some their own team, but they do collaborate in a sense. It's just like it just makes sense. Absolutely. Yeah, I love it. Absolutely. Yep. Cool. So I see that you have a couple other apparels on your Instagram that you support to so what about those ones? Yes. So fighter quit is another big one that I'm an ambassador or they cause Prime athletes so fight or quit their they're awesome. They're based out of Las Vegas. It's Basically, they've picked a bunch of like-minded individuals as well that are you know fighters in life spiders and in anything that we've gone through we're definitely you know what I mean? Basically, we're just not we're not quitters but being a part of that as well has been another awesome experience because everybody everybody there has been through something to as been through hardships has made it. So that's that's been awesome. Um, and then the other apparel that I support heavily is iron Rebels, which my coach Brandon Allen was actually a sponsored athlete by them. I'm one of their ambassadors but I support them heavily as well and they do a lot of they're like the biggest what he called sponsor for all the USP and stuff that we do out here so Another great company and people as well. Do you find that that any of them conflict with each other? I don't think so. They're all have different. kind of like mission statements almost So, I don't know. I don't feel like that. It's different different kind of Vibes for each one. Mmm-hmm. Well, that's cool. I mean if it feels good run with it, right like yeah, that's all we do. It feels good. Actually. Yeah puts a little fact and logic behind it all it's all good. Right? Yeah, so let's get into because I'm all about empowering other women like I'm a huge advocate for it, especially when you're up to like sick shit. Europe's is sick shit growl. Like you're a fucking beast. I I love your Instagram name Quadzilla guys. You gotta check her out. Please do see I can relate. I mean my quads are not as big as yours, but me and my sisters we are known for thigh. Thighs and ass like we just got these thick thighs and these thick calves. Yeah, and I'm I consider myself a sick girl like, you know, I'm not I'm not like maybe some people would consider me petite but I'm just just got a lot of muscle on me. And you know when I was a child like when I was a young girl, I was so insecure about my thighs and my calves Yeah, I totally was because I was surrounded I didn't know anybody who had thick thighs the way I did and I wasn't afraid to wear shorts or anything, but I still had this murmuring, you know little bitch talking to me saying your legs are too thick. Yep, and you know like years ago like that wasn't in like and people in like body acceptance wasn't a thing. That's right. Right. It was it was whatever Society said we're supposed to be so that's why we all grew up. That's a big part of why we all grew up so much like insecurities and issues because it wasn't a thing. When did you when was it an aha moment for you? Like did you have those insecurities like did you have? Oh, yeah. Yeah. So when was it the moment for you where you were just like because I know like for me it took time, but I did grow some, you know bigger ovaries. I'm going to say balls but whatever right? I mean I spent my whole life. Way bigger. I tried to be skinny. I used to run miles and just eat like one piece of toast a day just to try to be smaller and I had still had big old thighs and you know, it wasn't it wasn't what Society wanted for everybody or for me. So I was just trying to fit in this box and I was just miserable forever and all I ever really honestly wanted to do was powerless, but I was like I got to be skinny and then I can maybe I can powerless later. And then I actually almost died like two and a half years ago from meningitis. And that was like the turning point in my life where I was like, you know what I didn't Follow My Dreams who cares what I look like, I'm just gonna when I get better. I'm going to go power lift. And as soon as I got better, that's what I started doing is writing powerlifting about on the platform Works in like eight months and that was the start of my turning point to so Live and to be like screw anyone thinks but it still took time. It wasn't overnight even though you know stepping on the platform for the first time. I still had over a thousand total and you know, I realize okay. I have some like serious potential here, but it still took time for me to be like, okay, you're going to love yourself no matter what and then in the last like year and a half. You know, my body is grown. I've got bigger eyes. Seen so much muscle and so much most women would cry at that about that. Come on, you know, I'm like, you know what I don't even care in the last like year. It's just been like who cares like and now I'm like, I love my body like I love my power belly. I love Mark super I love everything I got and I'm not going all about like trying to empower other women to because to hate yourself for so long. You're almost 36 years old. It took me this long to figure it out. Like I don't want people to go through that. That's measurable. Nobody should go through that. I hear ya. I hear you girl good for you. I fucking love it. Yeah, I guess body. It's that way I have to say you're absolutely gorgeous. And yeah, you are you're so beautiful and I think I know that when we step out of these little Bubbles and And get into my Our Truth we are so beautiful. We have so much to offer and look look what's happening. When you fucking put that shit aside. Look what you're doing now, you know your competition and all this stuff. You have a message and it's getting out there because you are stepping into your truth. And I think that's fucking bad-ass. Eileen has totally love it, too. Yeah, I love it. So what motivated you to get into? Are lifting like how did this become a passion of yours? I've always been strong like it just was just kind of like a genetic luck that I have always been strong of always lifted weights. Like I started lifting, you know, when I was pilot 17 and that was just to get in shape and you know to try to be smaller and I got like a trainer and he was handing, you know, like 20 pound dumbbells and I would do like dumbbell presses are doing this easy. Okay, and you give me like 30 This is still easy. You know, they're just kept growing and he would just be like, okay, you're pretty strong. I would like throw on like, you know, 800 pounds on the leg press and just like poem through. It. Just I just always was strong in the matter what but I always kind of kept that in the back because I wanted to be skinny more than anything, but then I realized like that when I was like 20 that I could bench 225 for reps, like holy fuck 225. What are you benching right now? What you're bent Ivan's 345 last night. Holy shit, dude. I'm not even a quarter of that was pretty good. Just trash but my bench is good. Your dad left is trashed. Hey, I can relate to that too. You know, it's like the short arm problem. Is that so it's good for business good for bench. I got like T-Rex arms. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I know you this is the beauty part about lifting is critique critique critique, and it's not about Being a loser because you can't get it right. It's just about there's so much room to perfect these movements and develop these the strength in these these areas that were lacking and we're learning we're we're lacking and you know, sometimes it's where we it's not where we think right, you know, I mean, yeah band work been jerk. It wasn't until you know after I got sick that I was like, okay, I want to actually compete it was always a dream but you know, like 15 20 years ago like 15 years ago when I was really lifting heavy there was an I didn't know of any women powerlifters. It's you know, we don't have social media back then like we do now, so I didn't know anybody. I didn't know where to look and I didn't really pursue it either but it was always a dream of mine and then once I started It's like Instagram, you know kind of picked up a few years ago. That's when there's like started following powerlifters. And then you could then I could see more and I started to meet like local ones. I got my gym and then it was like, okay. Well now maybe you know this girl that I just meant can help me or answer some questions or you know, cuz I didn't know where to start and so she was like come to me, you know, and I asked you a million questions and she answered them all and then I just I started researching and I just I started programming myself. That's how I learned how to program is. I just had to research because I didn't have the money and stuff for a coach back then and so I was like, all right. Well, I'm smart. You know, I was a personal trainer for 10 years. I can find and how the body works. I know how you know strength training works and let me just apply that to like the power of do, you know because part of listings different than you know working out in the gym, obviously. We're just trying to get strong. But scientists researched and researched and researched and figured it out and started the program myself and and then just said I talked to somebody and they were like you just have to go do it you just have to say screw it, you know get over your fears go do it. I mean you're never going to be just you know, the strength that you are if you keep saying I'll do it when I'm stronger. You're never going to get on the platform. So I was like, all right, screw it my picked a little local small meet and got on the platform and then it was like Like ran with it and here I am now, isn't that so cool. So perseverance with passion creates results like when you're just so passionate about something like borderline obsessed and that's all you see. That's so awesome Karina. Fuck. Thank you. Yeah, I think well, there's so much to learn. It's so many people can take from that because Is majority of society we live in this this mindset of fear, and it really stops us from you know, stepping into is corny as it sounds but our dreams, you know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. So the fact that you just kind of put that put that strong mind and set and set in center and you just kind of went for it is just very inspiring. I love it. I love it. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, so Now you said you're getting ready for competition right now. Is that correct? Yeah. Yeah. So is this a sanction event? Yeah. This is the one that's like Russian sanctioned but it's like one of the biggest meets that we have in the u.s. People come in from all over the world because the top prize for the highest Wilk score right now I think is up to 20,000 and it's all like sponsorship, you know, people are dead. Donation-based I should say so people donated and then each weight class. The first part place is like a thousand dollars, I think so. It's a big deal to be on this on this platform. It's you know, like I said, I was invite only so don't good meat and then I'm actually going right back into prep right after this meet for another invite only meat that's going to be in, Texas. In the summer bottom, right? And is that a sanction event as well? Because you said it's an invite-only so I'm assuming yes, that one's another money me and mountains like all donation-based as well too. And that's like the newest the new big thing for USPA meets out here, but that one will be cool because I can go back and and break my I have the world record country now that 341 from a broke down in October. Or set that one in October so I can go back and push that one out even more in August and then hopefully try to get closer to the squat in the double walls of deadlift, but will do so which which movement did you say you broke records for which one was that? I have the bench world record and 341 and then I have I think I have I have state and National Record. Some of them are in the like the open category and then summer submaster for my age group. I can't remember what's what but so in the world record bench is for the open open every age for my weight class. So that's the one I'm proud of most proud of well, you should be proud of them all to be honest, but I get what you're saying like that is yeah that is something to brag about. Have to say Okay question question. So did you feel coming into this? Because you said that you were sick two years ago. So that means you would have been 35 right? No 34. I'm about to turn 30 6. Yeah. Okay. So did you feel that you were too old to get into this? Did that ever cross your mind at all? It didn't when I started because I just didn't age never I just never like thought about my age and then you know as I started to compete more looking around and everyone's in their twenties, and I'm like damn but at the same time I know my body and I know I've put in you know, 18 years of lifting the only breaks I've ever taken for lifting or when I was sick or if I had surgeries I even lifted up until Before my son was born so I knew like the I had like the mature muscle and I have so much experience and you know, I just knew what my body could do and I knew that age isn't going to matter for me. I mean, obviously I'm probably way more tired than these young kids. But yeah work full-time and have a kid so, you know, but as far as what I can push my body to do, you know, I don't I don't see an issue. No, no because it I can I'm 37 and I I feel the same way like I I feel great and I mean I'm gonna come I'm working to compete in July but I've made the Masters event because it starts between to be a mask the first section of Masters starts at 35 to 39 and I'm in that credit area. Yeah. So and it is like I have thought that from time to time, you know, like fuck man. I'm surrounded by all these youngsters like I don't yeah, I don't know many women my age. They're doing what I'm doing. Like, I mean, I don't know like I know there's I know there is some obviously but there's not many yeah, but shit, I just feel like I'm getting fitter and fitter, but I do get tired I have It's to 13 and 9. And yeah, I never napped. I'm napping now. Give me 20 minutes 20 minutes. Oh my gosh, that's so funny. So, how old is your your your son daughter? My son is 6 so what? Mr. And yeah fucking 24/7, but he comes to the gym with me. He watches me lift Hill scream like Go Mama. Oh my God, he comes to my meat so he knows he knows. His coaching a girl and I took him with me and he just felt like with her family, but my my other friend was sitting with them and she said he was telling a little boy about the lights like oh three lights good and this is a bench press and like he was like telling him all about it. And so inspiring you don't realize the power lifter. Yeah, but like like, okay. So now let's talk about this for a second because this is this is so important, especially when you have children to really live in your passion because you're setting such a good role model image for your child and to be there every moment and then they can learn to live in their passion and be exposed to you know, maybe something that can inherently go right back to them. It and I mean his experience in this has already started isn't that amazing? Like he's already experienced in the sport and to to have the respect that his mom is a fucking beast and his his mindset with women is going to be very empowering, you know, yeah and a huge for me to have for him to have that aw shit girl. I know my kids have been coming to the gym with me to my backgrounds more CrossFit and it's the opens the open concept where they see everything. Yeah, and my daughter like if it's open gym or something, she'll set up a full workout and she'll just do her own thing and just work out like it's insane. My son my 13 year old he understands what grit is he just goes doesn't matter how tired he is. It doesn't matter what like it is. It is give your 100% no matter what because you don't want to yeah, you don't want to think. Oh I could've went harder. I couldn't like I hate that feeling right? Yeah, absolutely. Hmm. So how is that balance? Is that a difficult balance for you? Or is it just you've merged into it already obviously, but you know when it came to making the step to compete I know like it takes a lot of work a lot of dedication. Occasionally lot of mindset and focus and I know being a parent that that's hard. That's really really hard. Yes. I mean, I've always been a working mom. So like the that part was fine and then I would always go to the gym he would go and you know into the little like daycare at the gym and then when I switch gyms to like a more powerlifting gym, it was just open and he can run around which made it even better. I felt better because it was like he could still be with me. And then when I started competing my first to meet actually didn't bring him and I didn't know I wanted to be focused and I didn't know if he would be trying to like, you know, come be with me or like if I would lose my focus our be too worried about him. And so and everyone was like just bringing him. We'll watch him, you know, because I've always got like 10 to 15 like friends are at a time. And so then for last year for my biggest my first biggest meat ever. ER I brought him I had everybody watching in the no it's not even a question. He just comes with an iPad we bring snacks and then he comes and he'll watch me and he'll cheer me on he hugs me after my list. And you know now it's just it's just what we do. Yeah, no shit. It's just what we do right like yeah, you know you figure it out you make it work. You just do what you have to do. Yeah. Yeah, totally I mean in the beginning For you though, like being those first two competitions. It is just a matter of getting that experience on your belt to like managing that mindset so that you're not so squirrelly and you know like yeah, right. Yep. Yeah. My first meet was like I like cut out a whole bunch of people like if you were bugging me or you had any kind of negativity like I stop talking I would like focus and I was reading like all kinds of like Empowering yourself books and quotes in this and I was like, I just didn't know what to expect but I knew that I needed to like have the right mindset in any way you look just like go and you know, just kill it and like not have any fear or not hold back or anything and like my first meet everything was just so natural like it just felt like I felt like I found exactly what I was supposed to be doing in my life. And now the first time I'd ever felt that way ever That's so cool. Oh my God. This is amazing. Yeah, so yeah, it was awesome. I love it here. Let's say I'm going to run just going to take a break from the recording for a second and just going to switch things up. Just hang on tight. Okay? Yeah, probably break Gamba Athletics. It's a brand community. And culture it also stands for warrior. We fully support them because it's about staying humble in your sport, but work hard with grit. It's not about popularity and how many followers or likes you get mind you this does help the brand grow and the message but it's about how you make others feel supporting your teammates and treating them like family. They have grown a lot as a team and a short period of time because they only launched a few months ago. It's really hard not to want to be a part of this culture and what they stand for. They are branded mostly through their quality apparel this brand not only makes you look cool but it feels amazing. They do free domestic shipping over $75. Their headquarters is located in San Diego, California. Define this beautiful product. You can look them up on their website at Gamba Athletics.com. There are also very active on Instagram. So make sure you follow them at Gamba Athletics. Thanks guys, and I hope you check them out. Okay, we're back. Here we go. Okay, so we left off with the kids being a mom now for your own clients. What what type of clients do you typically have? Like, what is your avatar? I basically do more like online coaching. So anyone who is self-motivated is great for me. I give them their program. They'll send me their videos that I post them on Instagram and tag me actually have one girl in Canada. And then there is sir. I have a couple in LA and then one on the east coast one by one local guys actually, see what he's doing. Mm-hmm, but as long as I self-motivated and you know can do that then I'm good with them. Yeah, she was very motivated and was able to push herself and with you know with the help of others around her to help her but I had to send her like YouTube links and Instagram videos of what each exercise was. Which was fine. I'd rather than ask me questions then just try to figure it out. You know, I had told her that too. So I knew she was just starting out. So I was like, please ask me questions. Like I don't you get hurt. I don't you do things wrong. I want, you know to help you and I just generally want to help people get stronger, but they're just I know the feeling like when you just get stronger you or you hit numbers you never hit before just so exciting and just for you know for them to feel that way. Text me like I miss bench this or I just never done this before, you know that and then I've been with that. I feel like I'm able to like help them with the self love to because it's just what I'm all about like self-love like we're going to love ourselves. Yeah. Yeah team Quadzilla like my core. I like recruit chat and just like chat all day long. I just I love it. Like I feel like I'm really helping women just to love themselves like ending a stronger at the same time and and accepts like who they are like instead of like I want to be skinny, but I want to be strong with no just be strong like yeah be strong. The self-hate things have to be skinny, but don't do it because you feel like that's the only way you're going to love yourself with love yourself first and then you know, but let's just be strong. I'll be strong. I just want to bully. Yeah, I think what you're saying is so powerful. There's there's so much there because I was just having this conversation with one of my coaches and It does start within yourself. So when we are chasing, you know this image, aesthetically what we look like, you're really limiting yourself to other possibilities. You've really created this small bubble, but it is cool because sometimes you know when you get into programs like what you're doing in the support system and whatever that looks like, it opens a Floodgate Of opportunities to really get to know your body and then you have Of this appreciation for what you can actually do. I'm huge in to mindset. I feel like anybody can get fit anybody can reach their goals. But are you happy doing it? Are you are you are you loving the process? Are you looking in the mirror and saying I fucking did that? I love this. I love my body. Look what I can do and these PRS, you know. like it's not about chasing numbers, but it is about no, it's good to know where you're at because when you when you exceed that and you, you know, get a few pounds more it's a fucking celebration man, like you're like look what I did and when you develop these winds for yourself, There's something that happens neurologically in your mind that builds that confidence and I think it is so important to have these little bits and pieces of ingredients for that because there is a recipe for everybody and it looks different for everybody is called or Journey, right? So our journey looks different. And so when we add these little pieces of ingredients to that we build this beautiful pie or cake or whatever it is and you can always Fact it but for the fact that doing what you're doing gives a lot of people hope and something to look forward to social media. So powerful because now you can search whatever you need to search for that support like it is it is there in front of you mean you said it earlier you didn't really know what you were doing until until you started researching through Instagram and following the people that were doing what You wanted to do ya like I think it is really important to reach out. Ask questions. Take that fear. Don't worry about what people think, you know, like people appreciate when it comes from the gut, you know, people really appreciate when it comes from the heart. There's just so much to learn. Yeah, I fucking love it love it. So what is the what is the biggest message that you give your team? Like your girls? What is the main thing that you're like jamming down their throat? Put in the work love yourself along the way, you know, the rest will come. Seventh grade, you know like be proud of yourself. No, you know remember where he came from and everything is progress that progress is huge getting in that to get them in that mindset. Like, you know, this is their deal. No you whether or not they're going to reach, you know the top level or not mean who knows everybody's you know got potential. But either way, I mean if this is your passion you're putting in the work, you know along the way enjoy it love yourself you proud of yourself, you know, because it takes time it takes time. It takes effort. It takes money and other putting money into this to putting time. A lot of them are moms to and you know, they weren't everybody works as well. So it's The big deal it is a big deal. Yeah. Yeah, and I think the other part of this too is to understand the process is you know, like when you say time like how things take time like the process of these things is time and you know, do you know Gary vaynerchuk? I've quoted him a few times and I podcast if you don't know him check him out. He's all about living in your face. Failures and not as a negative thing, but understanding that that is part of the journey and we need those our biggest lessons is that the ones that were we didn't do what we set out to do because the process didn't work. So then you perfect it and it's that Journey. It's that experience within all of that is what makes you the person that you're who you are. It is not it's not the goal that you Reached its the process that it took to get to that goal. So, you know and these these Transformations do take time, but it is it is super important to find that that of passion and enjoy that enjoy what it is that you're thriving for and striving for like fuck lifting is so fun. Like I that is like, I love it like it is one of my most favorite things to do. like getting store and it doesn't Every day every day. I'm like okay with you dude when we gonna do today. Like I can't wait to get to them. so frustrating Yeah, I know but recovery is so important. So it's all part of that that that big package that were talking about. But you know what I think as long as you show up you're going to get progress even if you're not hitting numbers, like I always coach my clients like when it's a one-on-one. I always liked and I'm working to doing online myself, but it is all about how your He feels yeah, it's great to like try and hit numbers but I think as women we have this wave of a hormonal and fluctuation throughout the month and our numbers can be really they can be really off. Can you agree with that? Yeah, like it's like the week before period were like we're beasts and we're so strong and then we get her period And it's like it's just like everything. Yeah, dude. Shit hits the fan. Yes, the recovery's hard. But if you are working to that those limits and the way that that feels the struggle when you're lifting, I think that that's just as good the that is just as important like fuck the numbers at that point like shit man, like as long as it's hard as long as you're challenging yourself because her shit. Yeah, we could totally nerd out about this. Cool. So if you had a message Karina, you know and you wanted to share it with the world. I know we've obviously touched a lot unlike your passions, but what would that because like the platform is yours right now and we have a lot of listeners and we have a lot of people who are looking for inspiration. What is it that you would share with them? Like the cliche like life is too short, but I mean it truly is a really really shouldn't ever hold back or like, you know be afraid to chase your dreams or be afraid to try things or be afraid to to do what you want to do. Like it's so empowering for yourself to just go after anything any dreams or goals that you have like We only get one chance at this life and like, you know every year it's like we get older and time just flies by and it's like, what did you do? Did you did you do what you want to do or you doing what you want to do? I mean the message is simple just literally just after your dreams chase your dreams Chase your goals and enjoy it don't you know, enjoy the journey and in find what you love and go with it. That's that's the biggest thing that I think this changed my life for the better. Yeah, I couldn't agree more I could not agree more and if for any of those that are listening and you don't know what your passions are yet and you don't know what those dreams really look like. I think it's really important just to sit and think real hard what is important to you? What is what means the most to you and maybe step in that direction? You know, and yes try stuff. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, but just because we try stuff and it doesn't work. It doesn't mean you're a failure in a sense. Like don't try something else. No, totally go for it. Yeah, but the process it took for you to get there look at the message that you have. There's so much power behind it and had you had you not gone through that process. The message wouldn't be as passionate and is as loud and clear. It just wouldn't. Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely fucking love it. Okay. So where can everybody find you let's let's navigate. Power belly pictures for your online programming to people just reach you through that as well. Yeah, okay. Yeah, I just DM me or email me at the email button on there. And then I got you fuckin drinks girl. Well, I love everything that you're doing. I think you are amazing. And I I thinks I think these messages this is this is my passion. This is what I'm like obsessed about because yeah, I've been there. I've been there in the dark, you know and in the unknown Knowing that feeling sucks balls man, like dot it is the worst it's the worst but you know, what if we hadn't been there if we hadn't been there that rock bottom like we wouldn't be doing what we're doing to be honest. Those hardships are so important. Made me who I am today. Yeah as much as it. And today and then thankful and grateful that I've made it through and to be this. Yeah. Yeah, and you're making an imprint while you're here, right? Like we don't know when when our time comes and you know, we've lost loved ones and it's the very sudden thing and why not live a leave a legacy. Why not? The whole point of being here is stepping into our happiness, right? Like what is it? That makes us happy and yeah, those hardships are just part of it. It's that's not a bad thing. That's that's I see that as a positive thing. So thank you so much for joining me Karina. You're the fucking bomb and we yeah, yeah, we'll have to do this again. And next time I come to La we'll definitely get together. I got family and Lala. Yes. I'm car actually coming in August. We're going to be at Huntington Beach. So maybe we can set up a meet and But if the doctor that I'm back here, yeah, I think it's a it's like mid late August when it's nice and hot fuck. Yeah. All right, girl. I stay on the line. Thanks everybody and we will chat soon. Love you all. Okay, here's our little debrief segment after Quadzilla here. I wanted to touch base because after this interview she did have her competition now, she killed it. Of course, of course, right? Like how who how could she not she works so hard she trained so much. Of course she's going to do well now she was busting out this this hashtag the hashtag was Islam just bringing it up 1393 now this is a number combined with her deadlift bench and back squat and that was the number she was trying to reach she exceeded that unbelievable. Like I just and I think it probably am her up seeing a how many people were there supporting her. He don't want to let everybody down. You know when you're on the stage like that you you mean fucking - and she numbers like I literally shared this with my husband. I'm like, holy babe. Okay. I don't know why I'm saying beep and I mean I saw in the podcast. But anyways, she had a 578 back squat. She had a 358 bench. Are you kidding me my bench? I think I've probably hit maybe 165 I don't even How long ago I did that case that is that still sounds like a lot but no hers is like insane now her fiver 501 deadlift. This is something that her and I can both haven't been of common. She feels like she sucks at deadlifts. I feel like I suck at deadlifts. So now we're training deadlifts. It is what it is. But anyhow, she exceeded that number her new number is 14:37. And I want to see this girl beat that number because I know she can she's got the heart. She's got the drive. She's got the grit so congratulations Karina. You absolutely killed it. I'm so proud of you burp girl and hope to Talk to you all soon. Thank you for joining me. Love you all by now.
How we grew up believing what body beautiful was, well everything we learned was not true! What the magazines said, the look everyone was going for seem to be really hard to obtain. And, if you couldn’t obtain it that left most of us feeling not worthy. It’s only been in recent times that having a full figure or muscles was more of the attractive look. So now lifting weights seem to be what everybody was gravitating towards trying to achieve these body image goals. Something that Carina and I have in common (I know many others too) that we thought lifting weights would get us to these imaginary goals. But we then found out that there was more to it than just the way we looked. We have to understand that everybody is built so differently what works for one person may not work for the next. In Carina‘s case she was never a small framed female. In her head to get smaller was to start by lifting weights. Then she found that weights that were heavy for most were actually very light for her. At this point something clicked for her and seem to be very attracted to powerlifting. What she did notice was that there wasn’t very many female powerlifters at that time. But also at that time the Internet was not fully blown with all the access of information that we currently have. It was very limited! Because of her body image insecurities this was something that she only ever dreamed of and did not have enough confidence to persevere. After a near death experience with meningitis she then realized we only have one life to live so let’s just live it to our fullest potential. And that is when her journey began. Her first meet she was able to reach 1000 pounds as a total score. *for those who are unsure what that means it the total scores of lbs bench, back squat and deadlift. The potential after that was endless and it hasn’t stopped yet! Carina’s most favourite achievement is having the world record bench at 341 pounds. She’s hoping to beat this in August at another sanctioned Invite only event. How do you raise kids in the gym? You just bring them. In powerlifting and CrossFit gyms where there’s an open floor concept you could have full eye range on your children given that they are behaving themselves LOL  The great part about this is it desensitizes them on how intimidating a gym could be and they get to watch their greatest hero of all time crush it. Her little guy is now a huge part of their culture and powerlifting family. As young as he is, everyone helps out when Carina is working towards stepping on the podium. Carina’s biggest message in this episode and in all of her programming she does for her clients is not just show up but she is a huge advocate of learning to love ourselves. This is an experience that majority of us have to learn because of our culture from the past and sometimes the present on what beautiful is. What it really is, is that YOU are beautiful regardless. And we need to find ways to believe that. It is easier said than done and it takes a little work but that’s OK. That’s just going to be part of the journey of achieving something amazing. When we love ourselves everything is limitless and we don’t care what other people say because we know it doesn’t matter. Speaking more on the negative terms. Now that I have made you think she is a friggin GOD lol please welcome my favourite female power lifter Quadzilla aka Carina ❤️  @quadzilla @boxtalkpodcast @tiff_fit_biff  Love you all ❤️ 