The Superb Energy of Julia Di Pompeo

Women's Health

eylco

10 August 2023

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By Ron Harris

Powerlifting and physique competitors are two solely completely different endeavors. One athlete trains purely to be as sturdy as attainable, the opposite makes use of weights as a device to sculpt a wonderfully developed and proportionate physique. MuscleMeds athlete Julia Di Pompeo is among the few who has achieved success in each sports activities concurrently, and definitely one of many solely girls to have ever completed so. Her achievements up to now fly within the face of myths that might have us consider {that a} Determine competitor must keep away from very heavy coaching with the essential lifts. Let’s get to know this distinctive younger girl from Illinois.

Tennis and Marathons

“I used to be taking part in tennis from the time I might maintain a racket,” Julia tells us. She performed during highschool earlier than following in her father’s footsteps and taking over working. She in the end accomplished two full marathons together with a number of half marathons and 10Ks, and Di Pompeo confirmed my suspicions about her food plan on the time. “It was 90 % carbs,” she laughs. Ultimately her dad grew involved that the extreme working would result in harm and took her to the health club to indicate her the fundamentals of weight coaching.

Two New Sports activities to Compete In

To her shock, Julia took a liking to the iron immediately. “It appeared cooler so as to add 5 kilos to a raise than it was to shave two seconds off my mile time,” she tells us. Wanting up and printing up exercises on-line, she quickly discovered herself gravitating towards the large three lifts as her most important focus. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than her physique improved so quickly in form and muscularity that individuals on the health club started asking her if she competed. “I didn’t even know what they meant, compete in what?” she recollects. As she regarded into it, Julia contemplated which division she would match into greatest. “Bikini was a highly regarded alternative, however that look wasn’t for me,” she explains. “I beloved the look of Ladies’s Physique, however I used to be too intimidated to strive that as a result of they only appeared so massive to me on the time. Determine appeared like the proper center floor, with the extent of growth and the presentation side.”

Her first coach advised Julia she would in all probability develop out of the Determine division finally, however up to now, her growth stays effectively inside its parameters. She does observe that if Wellness had existed eight years in the past when she was beginning out, it might need been a viable choice as her decrease physique has all the time grown quicker than her higher physique. “However on the similar time, I wouldn’t need to practice legs two or 3 times every week like all of them do in Wellness,” she provides. 4 years in the past, Di Pompeo made her first try at a professional card on the NPC Junior Nationals close by in Chicago and received each her class and the Total title in opposition to 5 different class winners. She was additionally starting to compete in powerlifting meets within the APF [American Powerlifting Federation] and UPA [United Powerlifting Association] organizations doing effectively sufficient to turn out to be state champion.

It Figures

Whereas Julia has completed effectively in powerlifting, IFBB Professional League Determine is the place she has actually shined. She took fourth place on the Orlando Professional, then second on the Chicago Professional in 2021 earlier than profitable it in 2022. “The win was additional particular as a result of I used to be capable of have at the least 30 family and friends within the viewers, plus tons of assist simply from being recognized across the Chicago-area gyms.” That win earned her a spot within the 2022 Olympia, the most important athlete turnout within the historical past of the Olympia. Julia admits it was a bit overwhelming.

“It was surreal to be sitting within the athlete’s assembly with all these girls I had adopted and regarded as much as in Determine; like Cydney Gillon, Jessica Reyes Padilla, Natalia Soltero, Wendy Fortino, and Bojana Vasiljevic. I used to be making an attempt to course of that now I used to be at that degree too.”

It additionally took Di Pompeo a short time to get accustomed to being a job mannequin to aspiring Determine champions. “At first, I used to be like, why are you following me, why are you interested by what I do? Then it hit me that they have been wanting as much as me the identical method I had regarded as much as these different girls. Now it retains me going and motivated to know that I’m inspiring and motivating different girls.”

The MuscleMeds Connection

It’s all the time refreshing to listen to that an athlete was utilizing an organization’s merchandise lengthy earlier than they entered into any kind of sponsorship association. “MuscleMeds Carnivor was the primary protein powder I ever purchased, and that was over 10 years in the past,” Julia informs us. Two years in the past, she joined the athlete staff and expanded her vary. “I really like the Carnivor RTDs, as a result of they style nice, I can take them wherever, and there’s no shaker bottle to wash out!” She additionally depends on Carnivor Lean Meal when she needs a fast 40 grams every of protein and carbohydrates. “It’s a clear meal alternative created from beef and potatoes,” she provides. Earlier than coaching, Julia turns to Amino Decanate Power as her pre-workout which offers EAAs, glutamine, caffeine and different energizing elements. “I take the Stemtropin product each evening earlier than mattress, and it helps tremendously with high quality sleep and restoration.”

What Comes Subsequent?

It’s wanting like 2023 will likely be targeted extra on powerlifting than Determine competitors for Julia. She was set to compete in a meet simply weeks after we spoke in late June, and he or she was invited to knowledgeable meet in October. “The universe appears to be pointing me towards powerlifting for the time being,” she jokes. She’s grateful to have the choice of two numerous sports activities to channel her power and a spotlight into. “It’s great to organize for a Determine present and peak your physique completely for that sooner or later, however when it’s over, it may be arduous for some girls to mentally transition again into an low season mode,” she factors out. “In my case, I can goal a powerlifting meet that could be a few months away, and instantly I’ve one thing new and difficult to give attention to.”

Julia additionally encourages different feminine opponents to offer heavier coaching an opportunity. “First off, it’s enjoyable and empowering to coach heavy and get stronger,” she says. “However the actual advantages will present in your physique. Heavier coaching builds that muscle density that can make you stand out on stage from others who simply have the form and construction.”

So, whereas we’re going to have to attend a short time to see Julia Di Pompeo on stage once more in professional Determine, within the meantime she will likely be working arduous to make sure that subsequent look will show marked enhancements in an already gorgeous package deal. And for many who insist that lifts just like the squat and deadlift will result in a “boxy waist” or blocky physique, Julia is proof that you could practice like a beast and nonetheless appear like a magnificence.

Instagram @jchamp29_ifbb_pro

Ron Harris bought his begin within the bodybuilding business through the eight years he labored in Los Angeles as Affiliate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Journal” present within the Nineties. Since 1992 he has revealed practically 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and health magazines, making him probably the most prolific bodybuilding author ever. Ron has been coaching for the reason that age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives together with his spouse and two youngsters within the Boston space. Fb Instagram