Sherry Risden

​Best Lifter spotlight from the USPC Volunteer Open on August 28, 2021.
Top Women's Open Raw Wilks 2.0...

​​Name, age & how long have you been Powerlifting?
Sherry Risden, 36, 1 year 3 months
 
Best lifts in competition?
S  – 315.2
B – 194
DL – 374.8
 
Athletic background?  What you did before powerlifting?
HIIT classes, rode horses for many years
 
Why Powerlifting?
I was tired of the “traditional” way of working out. Growing up, cardio was always pushed at me because I was an overweight kid but it never worked well for me as a kid or an adult.
 
Tell me something about your gym/team.
They are family and what keeps me going. They believe in me more than I believe in myself at times. We all make each other better lifters and we all learn from each other. 
 
Trying alone or training partner/coach, team?
I always try to line my schedule up to train when my coach or one of my team mates is at the gym. I don’t like to train alone.
 
Something most people you train with (or those who follow you if you train alone) don't know about you?
I’m very skilled at crocheting and I scuba dive.
 
Biggest inspiration in the sport?
My gym and my dad. I didn’t have any experience with powerlifting until I started at my gym. Even when I did start it was to do HIIT classes and then after a year I transitioned over to powerlifting. My Dad was an old school lifter at a tiny local town gym, who passed away from cancer when I was 18 years old. He never did any big competitions but he loved to work out and lift. He’d probably think I’m a little crazy to do this but he’d be so proud. I also follow Ayngelia Ara (Star), Stacy Burr, and of course Pete Rubish. 
 
What's your favorite lift?
Bench

Least favorite lift?
Squat
 
Biggest challenge in your training?
I have psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that affects the skin. It is mostly on my hands so I have to doctor them a lot to keep them healthy.
 
Ideal training atmosphere?  Focused and dialed in or noisy and high energy?
Noisy and high energy

Training plan. Do your own programming or have a coach?
Sarah Walls is the best. She pushes me when I need to be pushed but also listens when I have concerns.

Social media.  Positives and negatives
It’s great to see other lifters and find inspiration. There’s a lot in misinformation as well and comparing yourself to people who have been in the sport for years. 

Diet you follow? Supplements?
I go off the macros my coach gives me (with a little wiggle room, I like food). I take BCAAs and vitamin D. 

Biggest accomplishment in your powerlifting career? 
Making consistent gains.

What's one of your non-powerlifting goals?
Earn my Bachelors degree in Computer Information Technology
 
Finally is there anyone you would like to acknowledge or give a shout out to (team, coach, spouse, sponsors)?
My husband Eric, who has supported me and all my hours at the gym. Kelley and Pete Rubish, who own KOA strength and fitness. My coach Sarah Walls, thank you for putting up with me. All the gals and guys at the gym who support me and lift me up. My amazing team mates who put in the work and crush their goals.