1) Who is Mary Peck? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc)
I am originally from Napa, California. My Fiance and I relocated to Baltimore in October 2017 for his job. He is the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach at Morgan State University. I currently am a Wellness Specialist with The University of Maryland, School of Medicine. I work with Elementary & Middle Schools around Maryland and help create healthy environments within the schools! Outside of work and training I like to explore new spots in Maryland, travel when I can, cook and shop!
2) How many years have you been training? (Including how you got started, etc)
I started weightlifting in May of 2012. Before weightlifting I was a gymnast for 18 years and competed at the Division I Level at Sacramento State University in Sacramento, California. I began Weightlifting shortly after my NCAA career concluded, with the influence of my Fiance, Tom DiStasio. Tom and I met at Sac State. He was the Associate Head Strength Coach there and ultimately was the one who gave me the push to compete and train in Olympic Weightlifting.
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
One of the toughest parts of my career was back in 2015 when I tore my rectus femoris tendon partially off my hip bone. It look 3 months for it to heal back to the bone (luckily no surgery was needed!) and then it probably took another month or so to get back to 90-95% of my best numbers. I tore this muscle about a year before the 2016 Olympic Trials and right before the last chance qualifier meet for the 2015 Pan Am Games. Before the last chance meet, I was sitting in the alternate spot for the Pan Am Games. After the last chance meet I learned that a 4th spot opened up and that I had made the Pan Am Game team but due to my injury I had to turn it down. This type of stuff happens all the time to athletes but it was still probably one of the toughest and most disappointing aspects of my journey. Although this injury was tough, I actually learned quite a bit from it and became a better athlete because of the experience.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like? (With any particular protocols you rate).
I typically lift 5-6x per week depending on where I am at in my training cycle. Right now I am only training 4x per week. As we get closer to my next competition, I will probably add in another day or two of training.
I currently use Avatar Nutrition to count my macros. It's a great site! You don't work 1:1 with anyone but it spits out your macros depending on your goals, weight, etc. and there are a ton of resources available in case you need assistance. It's been working great and is a nice and cheaper alternative to working with someone 1:1! My diet depends on when my next competition is. I compete in the 64kg weight class and usually hang out around 65.5-66kg. I have room to eat more food and be somewhat lenient with my diet when I am far out from competition. Depending on what I weigh, I will typically clean up my diet 3-4 weeks out and/or cut out some carbs and then I am good to go for the competition!
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition? (And How has it changed your focus for the future).
Well, last year I moved across the country to Baltimore and I would say that my priorities have changed quite a bit since the move. My entire life revolved around weightlifting when I was in California. I planned work around weightlifting and would skip out on various trips if it interfered with training. It was great at times but also tough and sometimes mentally exhausting. Since moving to Baltimore, I have made my life and my Fiance's life my priority. I make it all work. I am happier and truthfully I have had the best training of my life.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
Mint chocolate ice cream... ice cream all the way!! Oh, and peanut butter pie Oreo cookies dipped in cool whip :)
7) Whats one supplement that you could not live without?
Hmmm... I suppose creatine. I also love drinking the blood orange xtend BCAA's! They taste so good!
8) If you had to start your Journey from scratch with both your health & physique what would you do differently and why?
I could probably come up with 10, maybe 15 things that I would do differently. However, my answer to this question is that I would not change anything about my journey. Maybe I could have worked harder, recovered better, or not been so mental at certain points in my career but then who would I have become without those things? I am a firm believer that you improve from mistakes and failures. I have made many mistakes and have failed many times but those mistakes and failures have shaped who I am today. I have learned from them and have become better because of them.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
The lifter that I look up to is Jenny Arthur. I first met her while attending a camp at the Olympic Training Center in 2014. Jenny is very humble. She showed up
early to every practice, worked hard every day and got the job done and for that, I looked up to her. I knew I wanted to be the same type of lifter and hoped that one day I could have the same impression on other female weightlifters.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
Be patient! It takes time to build strength and consistency. Have fun with the process and only focus on yourself.
11) What new goals do you have on the horizon?
My main goals for this upcoming year are to make the Pan American Championships or Games and the World Championships.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Instagram /@mmarypeck
