Name: Kamila Larripa
Age: 34
Location: Arcata, CA
What does being a Girl Gone Strong mean to you?
Lifting heavy of course, but also being resilient and graceful in life.
How long have you been training?
Athletics since I was a kid, lifting heavy with my dad since high school. He helped me develop a good back squat then, and always encouraged me in athletics just as much as he did my brother.
Favorite lift:
Squat Cleans
Most memorable PR:
A deadlift PR while working out with my friend Meredith in her warehouse gym. She was so encouraging and fun.
Top 5 songs on your training playlist:
We can’t actually wear headphones where the platforms are in the gym, but if we could, maybe a Springsteen song!
Top 3 things you must have with you at the gym/in your gym bag:
A hair tie—that’s about it.
Favorite post workout meal:
Grilled steak and veggies with olive oil and sea salt.
Favorite way to treat yourself:
A great red wine.
Favorite quote:
For giggles, anything by Mark Rippetoe. For a more meaningful motivational quote, this is something my dad printed out for me when I was a preteen. I had it on my bulletin board through high school, took it to my dorm in college, and still have it in a special box. I think it is a great reminder about our daily and recurring choice about how to embrace our challenges and triumphs.
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.
And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.
Favorite book:
Anything by Jane Austen, or E.O. Wilson.
What inspires and motivates you?
My family. Especially my 5 year old son, Luke. He is just the cat’s meow.
What does a typical day look like for you?
We wake up around 6:30 to get ready for the day. That means making breakfast, packing lunches, helping a 5 year find his other sock, etc.
I teach my first class math class at 8, have office hours where I meet with students, and then get to the gym or track around lunch. That is one of the best parts of the day! Then it is more teaching, research, grading, etc.
I pick Luke up from preschool, and we usually do something sporty together (swimming is a current favorite activity and I coached his soccer team this fall), come home, make dinner, have “snuggle time,” and the rest of the bedtime routine. I try to write in the evenings, or read, or watch something decadent once in a while, like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad. I write briefly in my gratitude journal before bed to reflect on the blessings of the day.
What’s the coolest “side effect” you’ve noticed from lifting heavy?
I don’t want to be Obvious Girl, but getting stronger! It is great to see the numbers rise, or to do a clean, and have the weight FLY up when you get the hip extension right.
Next training goal:
I have been working towards the RKC Iron Maiden challenge. Additionally, my mom (who is 60, and is one of the most athletic and tough women I have ever known) suggested we run across the Grand Canyon next year.
Check out this very cool video of Kamila's Family doing an awesome bodyweight workout. Impressive!
If you had to choose 3 words to describe yourself, what would they be?
Va va voom!
OK, OK... silly, balanced, powerful.
What do you want to say to other women who might be nervous to start lifting heavy?
Don’t be! The benefits (physical and mental) are amazing, and just take a look at the women running GGS to be assured that lifting heavy results in gorgeous women.
Form follows function, so function well.
I would also point out that some of my best friendships have developed due to the bonds established during athletic training.
You can connect with Kamila on Facebook!
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