Tarra Oravec: Car selfies and heavy ass lifting!

I like social media for allowing me to be inspired and hopefully inspire others. What I REALLY like it for is the stalking abilities. It's no secret I love Streaky (Jenn Yates). I have interviewed her a few times. My husband met her (so jealous). We plan on meeting one day SOOOON!

Still jealous I couldn't be there

I began my girl crush on Streaky when she was killing the CrossFit game. She is now killing the Power Lifting game - no no, I did not start PL just because of her.

so strong

 In my quest to soak up as much bad ass and heavy lifting chicks as I could I stumbled on Tarra. Her Instagram is chalk full of car selfies, insane back squats, and even crazier benches (@t_rexx1250). I really liked seeing a girl my size (but not for long! she is moving down a weight class!!!!) lifting heavy. When I say heavy, I mean it. Check out her bio from Elite FTS:

Tarra Oravec is an elite competitive powerlifter and has a top 10 All-Time total with 1200 pounds at 181 in the raw with wraps division. Her best meet lifts are a 435 squat, a 280 bench and a 500 pound deadlift. Tarra won Champion of Champions at RUM 8 in 2014. She has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh. Currently she is working for a nonprofit organization in the city of Pittsburgh providing housing and case management to those in the homeless arena that frequently cycle through other systems (justice, mental health, drug and alcohol, etc).

She is the real deal and it's awesome to follow her journey. One day I noticed she tagged Streaky (@streaky_yates_) in a post. I could not believe my cyber stalking was about to collide! So much easier for me ;)  Tarra is using Streaky for nutrition and to cut a weight class. Both Tarra and Streaky have been great about answering questions and encouraging me along this lift heavy path. So great to have some strong ladies to look up to!

Car Selfie + mermaid hair = swoon

Here's what Tarra had to say:

1. What does your off day look like? What do you like to do other than pick things up and put them down?

 "Off" days.  I have 4 of those, so I usually relax, go shopping, catch up on meal prep, exciting adult things, ya know....or MAYBE i'll do some light cardio at the park, like walking.  I just live life, because lifting is not life.

2. What does your training day look like? Where are you training? Multiple times a day? With friends or alone?

I train Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evening starting at 8:30pm with my team at Keyhole Barbell in Apollo, PA.  The gym is in an old church, and it's just for us, so it's pretty cool.  There are about 15 weirdos that make up our "team" and I hate them all equally....I joke, of course.

3. What advice do you have for women looking to lift heavy shit?

Advice for women looking to lift heavy shit....just do it.  Seek out help from the best, not your 180lb boyfriend that knows nothing about lifting.  If you want to be serious about it, seek out help from the best in the business.  Everyone is really awesome and always willing to help, just ask.  I cannot stress enough, the importance of getting with a coach and following a legitimate program.

4. Favorite movie? 

I wish I could even answer this, I have no idea.  I love all kinds of different movies, but I can never remember the names!

5. What was your take-away from your most recent Power Lifting meet?

This past meet was a really interesting experience for me.  I would say the take away was learning to accept that sometimes you have to take a step backwards in order to take two steps forward.  I competed at a lighter weight, and lost some strength, but I am confident that with a little time to train at a lower bodyweight, I can bring my numbers up and above my total at 181.

6. What is your focus on now? Do you have goals set?

My focus right now is really getting on track 100% with my diet and losing the remaining 10lbs to get within the range I need to be to train for a meet at 165.  My goal is 1200+ at 165 in August.

7. What has changed for your new meal plan? Flexible dieting, Macros....?

My most recent meal plan was through Jenn Streaky Yates.  It's probably the best meal plan and guidance I've ever received.  Going forward I may try out something new.  I think it's important to experiment with different things, so that you know what works best for you.  I made a lot of progress with my relationship with food over the past few months, but I think I may be ready to venture into trying something new.  

8. What is your favorite cereal?

Hands down, Sprinkled Donut Crunch.

I'm gonna need to try this!

9. What is the question you get asked most?

"How do you pronounce your name?" - it's TARR-RUH

10. Who do you look up to? Who are you DYING to meet?

This question is always interesting for me to answer.  I think the person I look up to most is probably my mom, and then weirdly enough, my CEO and every single co-worker I work with.  I work in the social services, and my agency is truly something special.  I admire and look up to every person I work with, especially my boss, because she is the epitome of what my field represents. 

11. Any vacations planned?

I just took a vacation to San Diego, but I do plan to go back to California for Boss of Bosses 2 in August!

12. Morning person or night owl?

I don't even know how it's possible, but I am neither.  I hate mornings, and I get tired by like 1am.  The struggle is real.

13. Do you have a motto or a saying that gets you through the tough workouts?

I just do it.  Even on my worst days, I just do it.  Do you want to be the best?  That's the only question you should ever have to ask yourself.  I only train 3 days a week, so I have to make those training sessions count.

14. What has changed now that you are a EliteFTS athlete?

Hm. Well, I feel like a lot more eyes are on me, but for the most part, I'm just doing what I've always done.  I think it's helped me grow a little bit and is helping me figure out who I am and what exactly I have to contribute to women in the sport.  I like being a part of something bigger than myself.  EliteFTS is very special.  My teammates are all talented lifters/coaches who are very knowledgeable, and are always willing to pass on what they know to the lifting community.

15. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In 5 years I'll be 28.  Professionally, I would like to be in a supervisory role, or doing individual therapy with clients through an outpatient practice.  In terms of powerlifting, I definitely want to have an all-time World Record.  Eventually, I think I want to help coach/teach powerlifting and learn more about diet.  I'm very interested in the nutrition aspect of things, and I would love to help people in that area some day if I ever earn the credentials.

16. What music gets you pumped?

Is this a serious question?  Rap, duh.

17. How did you know this was for you? Was there a moment that you fell in love with the weights?

I have been a competitive athlete for my entire life, so competing comes naturally to me.  Honestly, most of the sports I've competed in came naturally to me, that's why I did them; it wasn't because I loved them.  I would say powerlifting was the same in the beginning, I simply excelled at it, so I continued to do it.  The more I compete and the further along I get in my powerlifting career, the more I recognize what it means to me and what role it plays in my life.  I like to be the best at everything, and I will never settle for mediocrity.  I think powerlifting is a sport that is in constant motion.  There will always be someone who is stronger than you, so it really keeps your momentum going.  You should never get complacent; there is always someone out there gunning for your spot.

18. What is your favorite guilty pleasure? Food, sweats on the couch? :)

My favorite guilty pleasure? I'm SUCH a home body.  I would choose sweats and hanging out at home over just about anything, any day of the week.

390 and 400 pull

220 Bench for 5

Thanks Tarra!!!!!  

Remember me?

Man, it's been a while. So much has been going on that I just haven't had a second to write, but I've had tons of blog posts running through my head!

This month has been crazy! I was supposed to do my first big power lifting meet this month. I have been training a lot:

Good thing for videos, how else would you guys know I'm really training? I do love to train, but I have no clue what I'm doing so I rely heavily on my Programmer and Coach Chris Riley and my husband. I can follow a plan EXACTLY, but if you put me in a gym and said "do an arm workout" I'd be lost.

Like this?

Following a plan is my strength. I love to be coached, I will do exactly what is written and what I'm told. It's not great when I fail though. It's hard on me mentally and I also don't know what I'm supposed to do. Decrease the weight? Cry? Try again? Cry some more?

Who am I?

Well, long story short......no meet was had. My dad went into the ICU and I spent the week driving to see him each day and the emotional turmoil was OOC. He is doing better and continues to make progress. Thank goodness! My husband decided for me (I can't make those decisions without guilt) that I would not be lifting. I was not focused. I was not physically ready.

So wouldn't you know it....CFA came in and saved the day! Coach Mary scheduled a CrossFit Total - the perfect setting to test out what the meet would have been for me.

Saturday Mock Meet/CF Total:

Weigh in: 177.6 (thank you RP Strength)

Bench: 125#
Back Squat: 250#

Deadlift: 310#

All three felt great. All three were PRs. I am one happy girl! My total was 685. I need 820 for Raw Nationals. Don't worry guys - I'm gonna get there!!!!!

AND I'M BACK!!!!!!

More GLITTER! More POSITIVES! More DREAMS!

That's right people. Arts and crafts time!

Time to make my vision board!

Why make a vision board? Good question. A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. Mine has some lifting, some love, some positive, some badass.......all the good things.

What is the point? Simply put, we humans tend to be a very busy species and constantly bombarded by distractions. Making use of vision boards serves several purposes, some of which include helping you to:

• Identify your vision and give it clarity.
• Reinforce your daily affirmations.



I look at this every morning. EVERY. morning.

•  
• Keep your attention on your intentions. No distractions. If you want to qualify for a power lifting meet then you need to stay the course and focus. 2 weeks in you don't need to be wondering how fast you can swim. Got it?

Brain Storm: Get a piece of paper and write down what you want. Hand write specific goals that you envision for your career, love life, marriage, school, health and wealth – all aspects of your life. If you are not sure yet, then write down all of the things that you believe will make you happy. For example, you can write about dream vacations, meeting great people, eating delicious food, etc. The sky’s your limit, and your personal power lies in your belief and emotional connection.

I include daily affirmations on mine

Hunt and Gather: Prepare all the materials you need to make your Vision Board/s. Scissors, magazines, photos, glue, cork/card board or what ever you want to use as a surface. I cute and paste and also use Target Photo services - quick and easy.

Get Creative: Paste/pin all the pictures, sayings, quotes, or what ever you have prepared. Put them in order of  how you want to see them on your board. You are not just putting up pictures, you are finding ways to create a different emotional state!

Not mine, just an idea

Gaze upon the beauty: Place your board/s in places that you will be able to see them everyday. Give yourself time each day to look at your board and find your attitude of gratitude. Imagine you have already acquired everything on your board. Close your eyes and visualize yourself clearly as the happy, grateful person that you want to be.

This one is on a desk - put it where you will see it everyday!

 I even made vision boards for friends. It was so much fun to find quotes, pictures, ideas that make me think of them and so they can see how I see them. How do your friends see you?

Hit the craft store and start making!!!!!!!

Swim at your own risk.....

This might get deep

See what I did there? Humor - cutting the tension since the day I was born.

What is this deep shit? Glad you asked. I am reading my first self-help book. Ever. This book is changing my life one page at a time.

I literally could not love this more

If you have not read it or do not own it - GET IT. NOW. I got my copy on Amazon. $9.

Ok, now that you have ordered this book, let me tell you what I am learning about myself. I self-sabotage. Currently I am self-sabotaging my weight loss (mostly that chub that keeps lingering around). It's weird. I want to loose fat so badly. I'm tired of gaining, pants not fitting, the way I look in pictures, the jiggle that happens when I jump/run/pull.........I'm ready. I want this. So why am I failing? I do not fully believe that I CAN do this. Since I do not truly believe in myself - this is not the only area - I do little things that totally destroy my efforts. Then I win. I was right. See? I told you I couldn't do it.

Sad. So fucking frustrating.

So what am I going to do? A few things I have started to think about, implement, and get behind:

Daily Affirmations

Do you know it takes the same amount of energy to believe you are awesome or believe you suck?

Do things I love

Crossfit, lifting, family, friends

Find a replacement for negative thoughts

Appreciate how special I am

Let the love in

All of it

Don't compare yourself to others

 I actually sit on the couch with this book, a journal, and tears in my eyes. I love it. It was written for me. I am blown away by how relevant this is. I read it to Sam constantly - he promptly got the audio version. It was also his idea to journal while I'm reading this book. I'm not going to tell you everything, not even done with the book yet, some of it is just for me. Not everyone will take away the same things from this book, but I am packing a suitcase full of things I'm learning.

Happy Reading!



A world of badasses........what a wonderfully happy world!

An open letter to You

Dear You,

For almost half my life, I have cared about You – my best friend.

You are the person I turn to for absolutely everything, big or small, and that means the world to me. I'm not sure how long I could live without being able to tell You my exact, step-by-step thought process about overthinking something that won't be important in 2 months. You save me from my own insanity, and I couldn't be more grateful.

Sitting back and thinking about an awesome memory from a spur-of-the-moment adventure is great, but being able to think back to the nights that all we did was drink wine, tell stories, and laugh is just as great. You have taught me how to take risks, laugh at myself, and forgive.

Every best friend relationship is different—they grow from being new friends, to good friends, to best friends, to basically being sisters. Every step of the way to You becoming my family has been emotional, exciting, and absolutely beautiful. You have helped me see what I can be and how to be a better me. Now it's my turn to tell You how great You are.

Words for when I think of You:

* strong
* beautiful soul
* patient
* quick thinker
* funny
* vibrant
* magnetic
* dreamer
* brave
* fighter

People are drawn to You - to your ideas, to your energy. You create dreamers out of people. I often find myself inspired just being in the same room as You. How do you even do that? I laugh thinking about all the things You have inspired me to do, that I would have never even touched on if it weren't for You.

I have absolutely zero idea what I would do without you, and I have no intention of ever finding out. Sorry love, you're sorta stuck with me, and I know we wouldn't have it any other way.

Love,
Me

*Be the shit, Everyone else already knows you are*

What is your PhD in?

Have you even listened to a TED Talk? Do you know what they are?????

TED Talks are videos that present a great idea in 18 minutes or less. They’re filmed at flagship TED conferences, independent TEDx events, and other special TED programs. Their goal is to share Ideas Worth Spreading — in fields like science, technology, business, culture, art and design — around the world.

I have a friend that is a TED Talk junkie. She loves them. She often calls it her morning coffee - she listens in the while she brushes her teeth and gets ready. I totally believe her when she says that they are amazing and get her brain going - but I had never listened. Many reasons why - the main one? I thought I wouldn't get it, that they would be too deep for me. This friend is on another level with her self-help book reading, analyzing herself, bettering herself.....what if TED Talks go right over my head? What if I just don't "get it"? 

My husband digs them. My bestie listens every morning. I need to check this out. So I did. The first TED Talk I listened to (all on my own) was today. Joanna Lohman. Washington Spirit Midfielder. 

Ok. I get it. This hit me. It did not go over my head at all. It's all I can think about. She talks about the Uncomfortable Ride to the Top. Her Plan A turned into her Plan B and she spent years proving to herself that she could get better in uncomfortable situations. Periods of struggle are where you grow. The cuts, the bruises - they are all lessons. From it Joanna got her PhD in soccer.

My friend might be a Ted Talk junkie, but I am a sports junkie. Big time. I played them, I watch them, I read about them. I mean - 30 for 30 - am I right? So good. Joanna's talk hit me on many levels. She is an athlete, she has worked her ass off to get where she is, she has learned from her experiences, and she loves what she does. So many feels.

Now my wheels are churning. What is my PhD in? What do I love to do? Lots of things of course.....but what do I learn from and where am I growing? I don't have it all figured out just yet, but I do know a few things:

1. I love to make people feel good
2. I like to listen to people
3. I love to cheer-lead
4. I love to be active

Not always sure of my direction, but I'm moving forward and trying ti high five everyone along the way!

Yes. I have two. Yes. I use them both.

Gyms. I have 2 gyms.....what were you thinking? Dirty birds........

Why have two? Glad you asked.

I actually get asked this ALL the time

If you have any sort of job and/or life, then finding time to work out may be challenging. I am borderline obsessed with CrossFit so I work very hard to find the time to go. Having two kids makes that a little more difficult. I want to spend time with them and to get to a class I have to find babysitters. Never fun.

My husband is THE best. Hands down. He is the most supportive dude on the planet. Period. He enclosed the carport (which was just becoming an eye sore dumping ground) and made an at-home gym happen. Thanks babe!

But you own CF Annandale! Why don't you just go there?????

Number one reason is that CF Annandale is not a warehouse CrossFit gym. It's small. It's cozy. We love it. We do not feel it is safe for the boys to come in the evening when there are people doing accessory work, personal training, and also the class is going on. Now the boys are older they also want to play at CF Annandale - climb ropes, jump, run, "lift" - it's distracting to me and everyone else there.

Another reason I cannot always make it to the gym is that Sam also wants to work out and he coaches. Some weeks he coaches 3 afternoon classes and 4 evening classes. That can be a lot. I can't just go full steam ahead and say "I WANT TO WORK OUT. I GET TO GO!" Gotta be fair.

Two nights a week CF is a date night. Monday night my in-laws watch the boys. They cook dinner together, play, talk, hang out.  On Thursdays my mom watches the boys. The time they get to spend every week with their grandparents is awesome. Sam and I were military brats - we did not have these grandparent relationships. We love it. They love it. It's great.

We have already established my CF obsession, so to make that happen I work out at home sometimes. I love it. It cuts down on the time I'm away from home, sometimes the boys join me, and hopefully I inspire the neighbors walking by (hahahahahaha).

So, yes. I have two gyms. I use them both. I love them both. They both offer me health, muscles (working on them), sanity, laughs, sweat, and me time.

hahahahhaha