Michelle Carter: Seven time USA Champion and 2015 World Championship Bronze Medalist in shot put Reveals her Success Mantra "Think outside the Box"
Michelle Carter is exceptionally talented and highly accomplished American shot putter. She is two-time Olympian, American Record Holder, seven time USA Champion and 2015 World Championship Bronze Medalist. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You was born in San Jose, California and raised in Ovilla,Texas, after graduating from The University of Texas, you went on to
become a world leading athlete specializing in the shot put. You reached the
pinnacle of success on being two-time Olympian, American Record Holder and
7-time USA Champion in shot put. What factors do you consider were responsible
that made you achieve that?
Ms. Michelle Carter: The main factor I consider is my faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ and His blessings. Hard work, never giving up and believing in myself. It
would've been easy to stop at my first Olympics but I knew I had more in me and
I still have more in me. I want to be the best, but most importantly I want to
be my best.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout
routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Michelle Carter: To be a thrower you have to be a great overall athlete. So
in my workout I lift weights, throw, plyometrics, and sprints. I have to be in
good shape. In college I would tell my teammates that that my workouts were
harder than theirs. I wouldn't work out with them on the track and I still had
to go throw and lift weights. I was always the last one there. There's a lot
that goes into throwing the shot put that people don't think about.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you
follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Michelle Carter: I have always followed a balanced meal and just add extra
protein. In the past few years there have been changes in my health. I struggle
with hypothyroidism. I am taking my diet more serious and learning what works
for the body I have now. I am still working on it. The main thing I am working
on is eating clean. Eating whole foods and eliminating process foods out of my
diet.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding
girl athletes who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they
should do for their climb to ladder of success in the field of women shot put?
Ms. Michelle Carter: The advice I would like to give to inspiring future women
shot-putters is be true to you. Work hard and never give up and think outside
the box. Don't let people box you in especially for a sport that women are not
known to do. I want them to know that muscles are beautiful, you are beautiful
and your body is beautiful. Work with what you have and master it.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: How did you feel before and after your memorable win of
bronze medal at the 2012 World Indoor Championship (19.58m/64-3ft)?
Ms. Michelle Carter: Before I won the bronze medal in 2012 I was nervous. I have
practiced hard right and had good off-season. I knew that I can be on the podium
before I got to the Championships. After the championships I was extremely happy
I felt that reaching the podium was a sign to what I can do in outdoor season. I
was happy to accomplish one of my goals and it was definitely a confidence
booster.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: How has your educational background of a degree in' Youth and
Community Studies with a Minor in Kinesiology' been a catalyst in your path of
success in being an exceptionally accomplished athlete and a spectacular
achiever in the sport of shot put?
Ms. Michelle Carter: Having a Kinesiology background has helped me understand
how the body works. I'm able to understand why my body needs to do in order to
complete a movement. Learning a new technique or working on timing, I'm able to
break it down not just from an athlete point of view but also scientifically how
my body works. I am able to isolate certain muscles. I can figure out what
muscles I need to work and identify which muscles I need to strengthen. Learning
the human body and understanding it gives you an advantage.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You won gold at the 2004 World Junior champion (17.55m/57-7).
Elaborate your experience on this exceptional performance?
Ms. Michelle Carter: Winning gold at world Junior championships was about
proving to myself that I can do this. After I completed my freshman season it
was rough I wasn't sure if this is what I wanted to. I started doubting my
skills. After making the team I realize I enjoy this and I have to go out there
and do this for me. I couldn't throw for my parents or for my coaches. I have to
prove to myself that I have what it takes to win. I went out and had an
exceptional performance. I surprise myself.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You have won six-time USATF Outdoor champion - 2008, 2009,
2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015, Two-time USA Indoor champion - 2013 & 2014,
Three-time USA Outdoor runner-up - 2005, 2010, 2012, Two-time USA Junior
champion - 2003 & 2004, (16.33m/53-7) and 2004 World Junior champion. What
responsibility these wins bestow upon you in your future efforts and activities
in the field of athletics with specifically in shot put?
Ms. Michelle Carter: I have the responsibility to keep pushing the standard and
to pave the way for those coming after me. When you're able to go out there and
be great at something you set the bar for everybody else. I want to set the bar
high for others to know that this is possible and that you can do this. I know
that my wins are not just about me but I am an example to others that you can be
great.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: Who has been your biggest influence and motivation in your
path to success?
Ms. Michelle Carter: My biggest influencer and motivators has been my parents.
My parents are hard on me because they can see great things in me. I believe
that everybody at some point in their life, need somebody to help stretch their
imagination and vision. Because my parents believed in me and saw something in
me that I wasn't able to see in myself, I can push myself and keep working hard.
I believe and trust my parents.They have influenced me and motivated me to
reached my full potential.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: You are also a certified Professional Makeup Artist
with a passion for beauty. You have uniquely blended your passion
for throwing and beauty, forming the name "ShotDiva". Tell us more about this endeavor of your?
Ms. Michelle Carter: I've always been a Diva, but I actually thought of calling
myself ShotDiva when I was at the University of Texas. I was the only thrower on
the team. All of the runners would call themselves track diva. Since I wasn't a
trackdiva I don't want to be field diva so I called myself ShotDiva because I
throw the shot and I'm a Diva. It has stuck with me ever since.
My passion of beauty has been there ever since I was little girl I've always
wanted to wear make up nails and wigs and I play dress up like crazy. I wasn't
allowed to wear make up outside the house but inside the house I was going to
have on my snap on nails, eye shadow and red lipstick and I love it. When I made
my first Olympic team in 2008 after the competition I was getting dressed to go
out, I had on dress and heels.
When I walked out and saw everyone else in jeans I said I thought we were going
out. They said we are and said like that? Lol... So the next time we went out
people asked me to help with their makeup and then a couple of more. Someone
asked me have I ever thought about becoming a makeup artist, I said no. She said
that I should look it up. As soon as I came home after the Olympics I decide to
take classes in the fall to learn how to do makeup because I enjoyed doing it.
Growing up I used to paint and draw so this is almost like an extension of
painting and drawing but it's on someone's face.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: With exceptional hard work you are credited with all your
achievements. One of your favorite scriptures, Philippians 4:13, states, "I can
do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." You are a committed Christian.
Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in
your success?
Ms. Michelle Carter: Yes I do believe that The Lord has everything to do with
what I do. He has given me these gifts and talents not for myself but to share
with others His gift of love.
Ms. Namita Nayyar: What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and
message for its visitors?
Ms. Michelle Carter: Womenfitness.net is a wealth of knowledge for a healthy
mind and body. Read up and eat up...
To know more about Michelle Carter, check her out at:
http://www.shotdiva.com/
To know the latest from Michelle Carter, check her out at:
Women Fitness Team thanks Michelle Carter for giving her valuable time for this
interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made
this interview happen.
Videos
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright 2015 Women Fitness
Listen To Podcast
