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Team Staley: First off, thank you Malinda for taking the time to talk with me; I know you are a very busy woman. How did you come to be a part of the forum here at Team Staley? Malinda: I have taken part of other forums in the past and was looking for one that offered support and constructive feedback. I had worked with Charles in the past and received that kind of information and help. I knew right away that this forum would be that and so much more; a place where like minded people come to discuss training and life. TS: Well we are very proud to have you be a part of our extended family. I'd love to hear how you began this journey. So what got you interested in training? Malinda: I started "training" in high school when I played sports such as soccer, volleyball, basketball and track. Now we girls were not allowed in the weight room very much. Texas is a very football-dominate state, so the weight room belonged to them. But we did get to go in once in a while . So I have been training off and on for, oh lets just say a very long time! Most of my rare time off was while I was pregnant with each of my four kids. TS: That is a long history of training. Did you start powerlifting right away or was it something you slowly came to love? Malinda: I have only been powerlifting for the past 8+ years, but I loved it from the moment that I started. TS: Wow. So after only 8 years competing, you won gold! That is a real testament to your commitment and drive to succeed! What made you decide to compete in the first place? Malinda: I think the decision to compete came when I went to my first meet. I had been part of the Fort Hood Powerlifting team for less than two weeks when we hosted the Women's Nationals that year. I found someone to work for me so that I could attend and help out. I sat at a table selling t-shirts, wishing that I was up there lifting with the rest of them. From then on I knew that was where I wanted to be. TS: Do you feel that there are more women competing in powerlifting than when you started? Malinda: My first nationals I competed against eleven other females in the 165 lb class. Of those eleven, I can only count three, including myself, that are still lifting. One of those women only does the bench press now. TS: How did you place in your first nationals? Malinda: I placed 6th that year, winning that spot on body weight. That was one of the last years that Linda Jo Belsito lifted. I remember after the meet being in the hotel bar talking with the other lifters when I commented to Linda Jo, who held many national and American records as well as being a very respected lifter, that my goal was to come back and kick her ass some day. We both laughed then, but at nationals in February 2006 in Denver, we went head to head, with me winning! She was inducted into the hall of fame that year, but I took home the metal. TS: That is a great story! Which of your lifting accomplishments are you most proud of? Malinda: It would have to be my 405lb squat at Nationals in 2006, eclipsed only by my world championship win in 2007. I am also proud that I lifted despite an injury in 2003 to make the Master's world team that year. TS: I know that had to be difficult, although I am sure you were very smart about it so that you did not injure yourself further. What sacrifices do you feel that you have had to make in order to continue progressing in this sport? Malinda: I am not sure that "sacrifice" is the right word because I love this sport. I certainly do choose some things over others because of lifting. But it is a choice, not something I feel obligated to do. I do not go out as much as I could so that I make sure I get enough rest. It is also very important to me that I eat properly, so dinner out with dessert is normally out of the question. My vacation time all goes to lifting, either helping at meets or actually competing. I attend five different meets a year, three of which I lift in and two that I help lifters and/or referee at. I spend many hours a week in the gym, and probably twice as many reading, employing recovery methods, and discussing my next training plan. I also spend way too much money on training and supplements. I could travel the world on the funds I have spent on these things! It is kind of like I work to fund my hobby. Sure wish my hobby could fund my hobby!
TS: I know you have placed yourself both in a job and a sport that were typically male dominated. That has to be frustrating from time to time. What are some obstacles that you have had to overcome? Malinda: I think that obstacles are there to remind you what is important in your life. Personally the biggest obstacle for me is myself. I am very much a perfectionist and am very hard on myself, so mentally I tend to beat myself up a lot. This is something that I continue to work on. Mental barriers are another thing that I work on as well. It is very true that the body will go where the mind will let it! Many times we are our own worst enemies. Professionally, the difficulty is getting the guys to understand what I do and why. An example is just the other day when the Olympic games were on and weight lifting was being shown. One of the guys commented, "Malinda, why don't you do that Olympic lifting so people will think what you do is cool?" Dealing with ignorance like that would be my biggest obstacle at work. TS: I can certainly identify with that frustration. Well we think that what you do is not only "cool," but downright amazing! Although, because your coworker brought it up, I have to wonder what you would do if you ever stopped powerlifting? Malinda: Not powerlifting? Really not powerlifting!? Wow. Well I love to train so I am sure I would still be in the gym pushing myself hard and working toward some sort of goal. I would most likely spend my time off from work traveling and SCUBA diving, which was my hobby prior to finding powerlifting. I love the ocean and anything that lets me be in or near it. TS: You seemed shocked to imaging yourself not training, so I have to ask, how much time do you spend thinking about lifting outside of the gym? Malinda: I pretty much eat, sleep and breathe lifting! So yeah most of my free time goes in to training, research, reading and such. TS: So needless to say, training is one of the most important things in your life. If your husband made you choose between him and lifting, what would you pick? Malinda: Well, lets just say I would miss him! Now don't make me choose between my dog Rowdy, and lifting! TS: I know you have World's coming up in about 5 weeks; where is it and what are your goals for this meet? Malinda: This year Master's Worlds are in Palm Springs California, so I don't have to travel very far this time. First and foremost, my goal is to defend my title. Secondly I want to total 1100 lbs with a 440lb squat, 250lb bench and a 440lb deadlift. TS: I know with your competitive drive and passion, that is a very doable goal! Thank you again for stopping by to chat with us today. We wish you the best of luck in your upcoming meet and you know we will all be on pins and needles at home to find out how you did!
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