Women Pumping Iron

Giana Holder

D.O.B.:  04-04-71

Occupation: Customer Service Associate Team Leader Whole Foods Market- Plano

Stats:

Contest measurements:

Biceps: 14.75”
Calves: 14.75”
Chest: 42”

Best Lifts:

Bench:  235x6
Squat:  405x4
Leg press:  1100x10

Interests:  When I am not in the gym, I attend fellowship at my church (bible study, functions, etc.), EAT; play with my zoo of pets. I have four cats and three birds including two budgies and a black-headed caique parrot. I also love to buy clothes. (Hate the actual “shopping” process but I do love to buy when I find something that actually fits!), EAT, watch professional sports. I am an avid NBA, NFL and NHL fanatic. My brain is overloaded with a plethora of useless information regarding player stats and what-not. I am super bummed about the hockey season being locked out. Find myself turning to minor league play to get my fix. Did I mention I like to eat?? I can cook, too!! I also enjoy listening to music, talk radio and reading. Just found a new favorite in The Dave Matthews Band compliments of a great friend. Thanks! I love it!

A little background on Giana:

I was born in Des Moines, IA. We moved to the great state of Texas when I was five years old. My father was the kind of person who did not allow his daughter to participate in sports. (Old fashioned I guess) So I never really was an athletic child, although I did like gymnastics and did that on my own until I became too tall for the sport. For that, I became very academically inclined but along the way, I became overweight. When I was eight years old, I remember watching a bodybuilding show on Wide World of Sports. I thought to myself “Wow!! Those are the most incredible bodies I have ever seen!” And from there, I had always had a great appreciation and admiration for the discipline and dedication these athletes had. (Didn’t ever think I’d be one some day!) As a teenager, I developed eating disorders because in school I was so tormented by the other students about my weight. I went from 145 lbs. of pure fat to 116 lbs. of pure fat! But at the time, it seemed logical. By the grace of God, I met someone who trained regularly and new how to eat properly and they got me started on the path to recovery. They bought me my first Muscle and Fitness and Flex magazines and I was hooked on bodybuilding. Although it took several years for me to get focused, I learned that this sport is for the long haul and not something you can do in your spare time. It is a lifestyle. It’s like making a diamond. It takes time and pressure. By 1998, I met my trainer Ricky Gates and we have had an incredible journey since we started training together in 2000. My competitive nature is what drives me to hopefully, reach the pinnacle of my sport and beyond.

Favorites:

Movies:  A Few Good Men, Shawshank Redemption, The Usual Suspects, The Fugitive, Forrest Gump

Foods:  Anything chocolate (that includes bumpers, shoelaces or anything! Lol!), sushi, pizza and any kind of nuts and STEAK!

Female Bodybuilders:  Cory Everson, Lenda Murray, Yaxeni Oriquen, Sandy Riddell, Jackie Paisley, Kathy Unger, Tonya Knight.

Music:  Mostly Christian Contemporary ( Point of Grace, Jennifer Knapp, Michael W. Smith) but I also like The Dave Matthews Band, Classical (Beethoven, Mozart), Rock( Metallica, Aerosmith, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam) and R&B and Jazz (Sade, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Kenny G)

Quote:  Philippians-4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Contest History:

2001 Ronnie Coleman Classic- First Place Novice Middleweight
2002 John Sherman Classic- Fourth Place Open Heavyweight
2003 Heart of Texas- First Place and Overall Open Heavyweight
2004 John Sherman Classic- Second Place Open Heavyweight
2004 Nationals, Dallas- Seventh Place Heavyweight

Training:

I train five days a week in the off-season and six to seven days a week at contest time.

Training split:

Monday- Hamstrings and shoulders
Tuesday- Quads and calves
Wednesday- Chest
Thursday- Back and calves
Friday-  Biceps and Triceps

Cardio:  30-45 minutes five days a week

At contest time, I add cardio up to two hours a day six to seven days a week and I do 1000 crunches daily.

Diet:

I usually stick to the traditional bodybuilding diet. Even in the off season, I weigh and measure most everything I eat. My diet consists of chicken, fish or lean red meat, oatmeal, egg whites, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and green vegetables. However, I don’t hold back if I need a carb fix! (See above list of favorite foods!)

At contest time, I cut back carbs and stay away from sugar all together.

Appreciations:

I want to dispel the myth that bodybuilding is a single person sport. There is so much that goes into it that I feel compelled to thank a variety of people. This is a team sport and if you do not have a good network of support, chances are slim you will succeed. Many thanks go to the following:

Friends and family: Without your emotional, preparatory or financial support, none of this is possible. (You know who you are!)

To my trainer (Ricky Gates), co-workers, bosses (Erica, Jennifer), massage therapist (Patricia Lightsey), choreographer (Sheilahe Brown), music tech (Stephen), tailor (Cathy Langley) and gym rats, I want to extend a personal “Thank you” as well. Ya’ll are the best!! A special thanks to my webmaster, Andy Vogel at www.andysmusclegoddesses.us and Gene X. and James Cook at www.ftvideo.com. Thank you so much guys for having faith in me!! Love you! My fans I have come in contact with through Andy’s sight. Ya’ll rock! And most of all, I want to thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the genetics and ability to fulfill my dreams!

Thank you so much for visiting my site! I really appreciate your support and interest in my passion. It's my desire to inspire and encourage each of you who visit. May 2005 bring you many blessings!!
Peace,
Giana

		Photos courtesy of gene X hwang www.orangephotography.com

Giana Holder - NPC National Level Bodybuilder

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