Ashley Parrish

Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Tennessee Open on January 15, 2022.
Top Junior Female Push/Pull...

​Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting?
My name is Ashley Parrish and I am 17 years old. I have been powerlifting for 6 months. 

Best lifts in competition?
This was my first competition and my best deadlift in competition was 313 pounds and my bench press is 130 pounds. I have not done squats in competition yet. 

Athletic background?  What you did before powerlifting?
I have been doing sports all my life. I am currently a thrower in track and field. I originally started powerlifting to become stronger for track and field. I now powerlift because I like to prove to myself that I have grown from who I was when I started training. 

Tell me something about your gym/team.
My team is composed of a group of four girls including me. We are a Christ driven team. All of our accomplishments are thanks to God. I train with my team and our amazing coach, Kent Johnson. My team is like my family, they know almost everything about me. 

Biggest inspiration in the sport?
My biggest inspiration in the sport is my Coach. He pushes me, encourages me, and teaches me how to be the best version of myself. 

What's your favorite lift?
My favorite lift in the sport is deadlift and I do not have a least favorite lift. 

Biggest challenge in your training?
My biggest challenge in my training is the mental aspect. 

Ideal training atmosphere? 
My ideal training atmosphere is noisy and high energy. When other people are getting excited about their lifts, it just encourages me to work harder. 

Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach?
My coach creates my training plan. 

Diet you follow? Supplements?
I do not have a diet I follow and I do not take any supplements. 

Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? 
My biggest accomplishment in my powerlifting career was probably the last USPC competition. It was my first competition and I did a lot better than I thought I was going to do. 

What's one of your non-powerlifting goals?
One non-powerlifting goal I have is to become an engineer for NASA. I would love to go to space one day! 

Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)?
I would like to acknowledge my mom for believing in me, my amazing coach, Kent Johnson, and most of all God.