01/05/2017
♦️♦️TEAM OGRE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT♦️♦️
Everybody, say hello to Cory Mills 👋! Cory Jean, as we like to call her, is 28, has been lifting for about a year and a half, and still considers herself a powerlifting newb. In fact, when originally asked to provide the info for the spotlight, her first response was "no not me, I'm not a real powerlifter yet." Meaning she hasn't competed in a meet, but that's about to change! She will be competing in her very first meet in just 2 weeks at SPF TN States! Eeek! Cory's original plans to compete last June were put on hold when she almost died of a pulmonary embolism in May. She came back to training slowly and never lost sight of her goal to compete. Her doctors have since given her the go-ahead and now it's on! Right now, Cory's immediate goal is to Get. A. Total. In the short term, she wants to hit a three plate deadlift and long term, she would love to get an elite total and compete at USAPL Raw Nationals.
Outside of powerlifting, Cory loves to spend time outdoors. She tries to spend as much time outside as possible and never backs down from an outdoorsy challenge. Her life goal is to visit every US National Park. She says she has gotten many a coach lecture about her "weekend activities" affecting her Monday morning bench sessions... but she says she can't help it, she loves to hike! And kayak, and climb, and raft.... and the Hokies!
Favorite Lift: The deadlift bc big numbers!
Favorite Accessory: Let's just say, if she could front squat on the platform she would!
Current Stats: Coach would say her current meet PR is 0 so she has nowhere to go but up. Unofficial gym PRs are: squat 225, bench 150, deadlift 300.
Some interesting things about Cory? She is a band geek turned powerlifter. She played clarinet in marching band for nearly 10 years, both in high school and at Virginia Tech. She is also an engineer by trade and for work she sometimes has to cut open giant mining tires with a machete. Interestingly, wanting to become better at cutting open big ol tires, led Cory to strength training and ultimately to powerlifting!
How did she become a member of Team Ogre? Well, funny you asked. "After lifting mostly on my own at the YMCA for almost a year, I decided to get serious about competing. I searched Powerlifting Watch for gyms in Nashville. I was thrilled to find one only about 15 minutes from my house with a group of world-class lifters, awesome friends, and a coach willing to put up with my crazy travel schedule."
Send good vibes to Cory over the next couple of weeks as she steps on the platform for the first time and chases down those goals for many years to come! Give her a follow on Facebook, and also check out her blog! https://deadliftsintedhose.wordpress.com/author/deadliftsintedhose/
Coach's Quote: "What an unassuming lifter and person. When Cory contacted me, I wasn't sure what to expect. But the surprise wasn't her ability or even her want to do this. What is all encompassing with Cory is her undeniable spirit. She not only wants to do strength, as well as other things, she needs it. She doesn't let travel or even party time interfere. She will train wherever she can find a gym and even after some serious partying. She stared death in the face and over came it. It doesn't get more committed than that in my book. As we come up on her first meet, it's exciting for me as coach, to see what comes and more, where she takes it from that point. She is also the queen of the b***y shorts and really odd make up."
