Ashleigh Hoeta - First Woman To Bench 700 lbs - Record-Breaking Strength, Overcoming Adversity, and Balancing Life - Episode #229

A record-breaking 700-pound EQ bench press and a meteoric rise in powerlifting and arm wrestling? Join us as we sit down with Ashleigh Hoeta, an extraordinary athlete who has not only shattered records but also defied the odds by overcoming personal adversities including a stroke. You'll hear firsthand about her journey from her gymnastics roots to becoming the women's Oceania champion in arm wrestling, and her ambitious goal to attempt a 400 kg bench press. Discover the driving force behind her success and the competitive spirit that keeps her aiming for new heights.

Have you ever wondered how someone balances the demanding life of an elite athlete with the responsibilities of motherhood? Ashleigh opens up about her daily routine, offering a glimpse into how she juggles parenting, studies, and an intense training schedule. Learn how her background in gymnastics and team sports like soccer and hockey has contributed to her exceptional body control and strategic thinking in strength sports.

Mental health is crucial to any athlete's journey, and Ashleigh's story is no exception. She shares how she copes with personal grief, especially the loss of her father, and the importance of mental health awareness in sports. We discuss initiatives like "I Am Hope" and their efforts to support youth mental health in New Zealand. As we wrap up, Ashleigh gives us her take on handling negativity, her love for a good steak, and her aspirations for expanding her social media presence. This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and a deep dive into the life of an extraordinary athlete.

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Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

And then I came back and he's like we'll just chuck you in a shirt and see if you like it. And then, yeah, three weeks after that, I broke the all-time New Zealand record.

Speaker 2: 0:10

Hey, welcome back to the Athletes Podcast. This is episode 229 of the show Crazy. I know Ryan. Our producer said he liked the Canucks jersey I was wearing, so I threw on an Eerie Otters jersey, given that the Memorial Cup is kicking off, and you know what? They had some crazy cameramen on the ice catching those fights. Did you guys see that?

Speaker 2: 0:29

We're also just about a month away from our half marathon in Calgary at the Stampede? If you're going to be there, let me know, because we might as well connect in person. We also still need a new pair of shoes for that. So if you guys have any suggestions on what I should be running in, let me know down below or wherever you're listening YouTube, apple Podcasts, spotify, wherever it is. You know our athlete agreement. Whatever the case may be, we still need a new pair of shoes, but we're getting it done with what we have.

Speaker 2: 0:58

And that leads me to our guest this week, ashley Hoyta. If you aren't familiar with the name, you will be after this conversation. She was a gymnast growing up. Now she's breaking female records and helping hundreds by sharing her story. She's currently the women's Oceana champ for arm wrestling. She's heading to Turkey in a couple of weeks. She suffered a stroke in 2020. She's proof that if you set your mind to something, you can do anything.

Speaker 2: 1:25

Guys and gals, you're probably thinking how am I going to get as strong as Ashley in the gym? And part of that is going to be by going to perfectsportscom, putting diesel protein into your cart and checking out with the code AP20 at checkout. And, gents, if that doesn't work for you, I just have to recommend that you check out Caldera Lab, because I've been using their products. A ton and a beard is way easier to grow than muscles, so if you decide to do that instead, also AP20 at checkout. This is going to be a fantastic episode where you're going to learn a ton. This woman can bench 700 pounds equipped on the bench press. Can you believe that I can't even do half of that? I can probably do a quarter of that, but all that being said, let's get to the 229th episode of the Athletes Podcast. Don't forget about our athlete agreement.

Speaker 2: 2:19

We're powered by Perfect Sports. Thanks for tuning in. Hope you have a great day. I'll take that out. Thanks, ryan, art by Perfect Sports. Thanks for tuning in. Hope you have a great day. I'll take that out. Thanks, ryan. Tough, tough, tough, tough, tough intro, but I think there's enough in there. Quick Diesel Sports ad for you folks, because if you haven't heard, diesel contains only whey protein isolate that is sourced from 100 new zealand dairy. It's grass-fed, pasture-raised and free from artificial and free from artificial growth hormones such as rbst and rbgh.

Speaker 2: 3:02

You're the most decorated racquetball player in US history, world's strongest man, from childhood passion to professional athlete, eight-time Ironman champion. So what was it like making your debut in the NHL? What is your biggest piece of advice for the next generation of athletes, from underdogs to national champions? This is the Athletes Podcast, where high-performance individuals share their triumphs, defeats and life lessons to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of athletes. Here we go. Why don't you start again by just saying what the heck you're doing over those? This next 12 months, you're going for a 400 kg equipped bench record after just breaking this. What five, six months ago? The 317.5 number for women's? I'll let you describe it. You go through. You're crazy.

Speaker 1: 3:52

I can't get over you so, yeah, um, a year, it'll be a year. So, a year after doing 700 pounds, I will be attempting 400 kgs. Um, I am currently also five weeks away from going to Turkey, um, for arm wrestling, which is really exciting. Um, it'll be my second ever international comp for arm wrestling, um, and then, yeah, heading over to America next year for Arnold's it's. I'm really excited and looking forward to that one because it's like the best of the best around the world goes to there.

Speaker 2: 4:28

So I'm like, yes, and you are the best in the world at benching, that's for dang sure. Uh Frigg, I'm trying to wrap my head around all of the different athletic feats that you've accomplished over the same age lifespan that we both share, and it is pretty mesmerizing to also wrap my head around the fact that you have children, that you've suffered a stroke. So where the heck are we starting this episode? Because we can go in a ton of different directions here. I want to maybe start at the beginning. Who is Ashley, and how the heck do you accomplish these feats? What makes you tick?

Speaker 1: 5:07

oh gosh, where do we begin? Um, I guess the whole gymnastic side of it starts, because I feel like if I didn't do gymnastics I wouldn't be where I am today. It's taught me discipline. I feel like if you do gymnastics as well, it sets you up for any sport practically. So yeah, I did that for 12 years. I was a gymnastics teacher for 10. I unfortunately had to give up due to tearing all the ligaments in my left foot and fluid building up the side at a Nationals. Had that not happened, I'm pretty sure I would have gone to the Commonwealth Games, unfortunately for gymnastics. But yeah, I gave that up and kind of just tried to live what's called like a normal life, I guess after you've become like an athlete. And it was about six years after that I had two of my kids, my two kids.

Speaker 1: 6:08

I decided to try. So before powerlifting there was pole fitness. A studio had opened up down at home and I was like I've done the rugbies and the netballs and you know it's fun and stuff, but I want to try other stuff. And so I tried pole fitness and entered a comp in that, got into the finals, but at the same time my dad's like I really want you to try powerlifting and I've always seen it as women don't don't lift heavy weights, you know they do like the net balls and stuff. But my dad just kept like pestering me and then, yeah, I ended up. I think my first comp I did 160 kg squat, 100 kg bench and a 200 kg deadlift and, yeah, it's just it's. It's. It's been insane the progress that I've made from 2019 to now. Um, my main goal in 2021 was to become the best female powerlifter in New Zealand and I did that 13 months after suffering a stroke. But I never thought that I would be the first woman in the world to do something which is just, it's crazy which is just.

Speaker 2: 7:30

It's crazy. You are not only the first woman to bench 700 plus pounds, you're also women's oceania champ for arm wrestling. You're also going to be competing in the arnold's next year and you can probably like I've seen some videos online of some of your athletic feats and it's really just. I'm at a loss for words, frankly, and I've had, you know, 227 of these conversations and talked with world's strongest man, mitchell hooper, amongst other individuals, and seeing what you're capable of doing is simply sensational. And I use those words specifically because to buff for this, I believe uh, on instagram. I don't know if you're familiar with him, but he's who actually shared your story and actually why I reached out to get you on the pod, because you are the perfect fit for the athletes podcast, given your background in gymnastics, pole fitness. I guess I want to kind of hammer home on that point that you mentioned at the beginning there about gymnastics being the foundation and why you got to where you are. Yep, what else did you do growing up?

Speaker 1: 8:34

That was it. So I was doing gymnastics six days a week, three hours at a time. So it was literally I'd wake up for school, come home, have an early dinner, which was like four o'clock, and then I would go to training until 8.30 and then go to bed and then just repeat. So I was like a robot kid, if that makes sense.

Speaker 2: 8:54

Did you do anything else? Were you interested in anything else?

Speaker 1: 8:58

No, no, I didn't really get the opportunity to. It was just solely gymnastics focused, um. And then when I injured myself when I was 16, um, I kind of started to branch off in the, the rugbees and the netballs. I even tried to play hockey, but it just I feel like I I am born to do individual sports, like I love working as a team, but I just thrive a lot more in individual sports have you been always insanely strong.

Speaker 1: 9:30

I don't know. I then again like I know all of my achievements that I have gotten, but I still in my head I'm like I can still do better. I can still be stronger. Um, with gymnastics I was very strong. I feel like in gymnastics it's either you're physically strong or you're flexible, and, yeah, the flexibility side did not. It was not in my genes. So, yeah, I was definitely strong, but when I started powerlifting and I think my deadlift was like 160. It was a very ugly, a bad form, but, um, I didn't realize it wasn't normal for women to like lift that much, um, and so, yeah, that's.

Speaker 2: 10:14

I think that's why I kept pushing, because I was like, oh, I think, I think I'm doing all right yeah, and the fact that you've been able to do all this while rehabbing from a stroke your your entire left side like, and you documented this entire process on social media, which was also remarkable, because you've been able to now show what the human body is capable of doing Right, and I think that's what's most impressive. Your willpower, determination, mental fortitude speaks for itself. Can you share how you got that, what, what injected into your veins at a young age so that you were able to deal with this adversity?

Speaker 1: 10:56

so I I feel like I've been through some pretty, pretty, pretty hectic stuff and I feel like when I started the strength sports so when I started, I think it was a few months after that um, my dad was diagnosed with end-stage emphysema and so it was like, okay, everything in life it teaches you.

Speaker 1: 11:18

I think I feel like you've got two options. It's like you can feed into that sadness or that trauma, if that makes sense, or you can use it and carry on and overcome it, and so that's kind of been how I have been my whole life. And so when my dad was diagnosed and putting that with sport, I almost thrived off it because I knew that he'd be watching and I knew that had he not been sick, um, he would be doing it with me. So it was kind of like just keep going, just keep going for him. And then you know my kids as well. My kids, my kids are my, my, my main focus and my priority, and I feel like if they have a role model like me in their life, they can grow up and know that their opportunities and everything that they go for are just endless, endless opportunities really. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 12:17

I'd say so, having, uh, having your mom be the arguably strongest woman in the world. What are your other lifts at right now? Are you trying? Are you? Is that the goal? Are you because clearly equipped bench you're crushing? Is there a desire now because clearly you can just take on whatever you put your mind to and accomplish it like? Is the goal now to to go after that strong woman title or you know what? Where are you at?

Speaker 1: 12:46

so, um, after the 400 kg bench, I would love to either go back to three lift so I'm only doing one at the moment um, I feel like it'd be three lift equipped all raw. I'm not. I'm not too fussed, um, and I my end goal. I would love to jump over to Strongman or Strongwoman. I did it. It was actually two days before I suffered the stroke. I did one Strongwoman competition and I placed second. It was one point behind the five-time New Zealand Strongwoman. I love the range of different things in Strongwoman. I also like seeing the opportunities that they have. Like, I'm following a few at the moment and you know they're just traveling the world and, um, but, yeah, is in terms of, I think, my my lifts in 2021. So it was the last time I properly did a comp. It was 255 kg squats and I think it was 240 kg deadlifts.

Speaker 2: 13:52

Yeah, Most men and women are thrilled with that. In pounds, let alone kgs.

Speaker 2: 14:00

So, yeah, it's fun when I see the numbers that you're throwing out there and I try and wrap my head around the fact that I can certainly not do it. But I've been around people like Mitch Hooper who are throwing around some serious weight and he's pump faked me with 400 pounds on the bar and that was a frightening moment for me to experience and one that I will not soon forget. But it's also given me perspective that you you know you've exemplified it the human body can do crazy things. You I swear it was only a couple years ago started equipped benching Like. Your progress has been ridiculous. Yeah, like hockey stick growth. I've heard your coach say that he's talking about, like he knows your potentials still not yet even close to being reached. Are you share the same thoughts?

Speaker 1: 14:49

um, I, you know, like I how do you explain it? He has more faith in me than I have in myself, to be honest, like when I first started. So I started in oct 2023, no 2022. October 2022. And it was only because I'd taken a break from lifting. And then I came back and he's like we'll just chuck you in a shirt and see if you like it. And then, yeah, three weeks after that, I broke the all-time New Zealand record. But it's mainly him and he's like I think you can do this. And I'm like like you know what you've got to me to this point? Let's just I'll just keep listening there's value in that?

Speaker 2: 15:30

hey, there's.

Speaker 1: 15:31

Everyone needs a coach yeah, yeah and it's just, it's been good. Like, especially when I suffered the stroke, everyone was like you know, especially because of my physique obviously I'm not skinny and I had a lot of people reaching out going you need to get into cardio, you need to do athletics, blah, blah, blah. My coach was the only one who was like take a break, rehabilitate, and we want you back. And I'm like, thank you, and I honestly wouldn't be where I am if he hadn't said that it was just that one, that one person that had a little bit of faith to keep going what was that recovery process like?

Speaker 2: 16:08

can you share a bit of it?

Speaker 1: 16:10

so, um, I had, I was in hospital for a week and then, due to covid, uh, our country went into lockdown and it was like two days. I was super, super depressed because the doctors had said I might not be able to lift properly again.

Speaker 1: 16:29

And there was just so many emotions because, it's like you know, you suffered a stroke, the country's gone into lockdown. And so I stayed in bed for a solid two days and then by the third day, I was like, ok, I've got two options I can continue to be like this or I can get up and just see what happens. And so the first day was I think it was me limping around the house, followed by like one or two press ups they were horrible and sit ups, and then I just trained pretty much every day, all day, for the five weeks that we were in lockdown. I think by the time we were coming out of lockdown, I was doing handstand holds, I was doing like 50 or 60 sit-ups, press-ups. I was running around the house, um, and my left side had come out stronger than my right. Yeah, insane.

Speaker 2: 17:21

All of this documented and like to your in your words. You said you're not skinny, but your ability to control your body is insane yeah all from gymnastics.

Speaker 2: 17:34

I think if this, if this isn't the juice and the knowledge that everyone listening needs to know and to put their kids into gymnastics as soon as they get to the appropriate age I think at what? Three, probably you could toss them in that three, four or five years old, like I know. That's what I'll be doing. Um, I heard you talking earlier about that. Like you playing hockey, can you share what that was like?

Speaker 1: 17:59

it was actually fun. So, like in my last year of high school, played rugby, soccer, netball, hockey, hockey. I found so much fun. We actually we actually won our mixed grades that year, which I was really let's go.

Speaker 2: 18:13

I was let's go play.

Speaker 1: 18:15

I think it was d defense um, it's always been a defense position netballs, rugby, soccers, um yeah, but I had a lot of fun, definitely, I think it was just like a fun little thing. Could never see myself ever taking that any higher than that, but it was good fun.

Speaker 2: 18:35

I love it. I was not expecting to talk hockey but I had to wear my Canucks jersey tonight because they're in the playoffs, heading into game six against the Oilers, hopefully heading to the Western Conference Finals after this. But but it brings up, you know, like the, the athletics, the fact that you've obviously showcased the fact that is, if you play multiple sports, you are going to see success in whatever you pursue afterwards. I think it's a given, everyone should know and be aware of that. But the defensive mindset I also think that you and share. I was a goalie in hockey growing up and I think that plays a factor as well, because you approach life in a bit more of a defensive, making sure you're taking care of number one, ie ourselves. And I think I'm curious is there one sport that you think helped you more than anything? Outside? We'll take away gymnastics, but like those ones you played in grade 12, for instance I definitely think.

Speaker 1: 19:32

If it was any of them, I don't know. So I feel like soccer was one big one. I had a lot of fun with that one as well. Um, yeah, I would. It's a hard one because they would, they were I. Yeah, I would say hockey or soccer, um it.

Speaker 1: 19:51

It's definitely a different mindset to the gymnastics, you know, because you're working as a team, um, but with the soccer it was like it was so strategically played out and it opened my mind to just and I feel like that might've been it where it's like okay, like we're learning a completely different sport, there's new tactics involved, you're working with other people, and I feel like that might've opened my mind up, to be like there are other possibilities out there. Just go and see what ones you like. Really.

Speaker 2: 20:23

What's been your approach to training with kids? I think a lot of go go. I love it.

Speaker 1: 20:31

So end of day, my kids are always the number one priority. If they're sick or if they have student-teacher meetings, I'll drop trainings. So I'm training four days a week and that is just after they finish school. So their dad will have them and it'll be. He'll cook dinner and then I'll come back, put them to bed and then repeat and like they are just so independent and they understand my love for sport and that I have to go and I have to. I'll be back late, but yeah, they're my biggest supporters. Every live stream, every comp, they'll be watching it. I can never take them to a comp because in my head, I cannot jump out of my mode, so it'll be them first. Over it being an athlete, but every time I come home I'm always taking my medals off and putting it on them. They are just beautiful. I love hearing that and I think that they probably give you strength, I'm sure.

Speaker 2: 21:44

Yeah, 100. I'm hoping for that when I have kids not anytime soon, but I need that additional dad strength at some point to kick in. I, uh, I. I only say that because Mitch Hooper also recently had a child and he legitimately said there's something extra when you have that responsibility of another human being on you. When you go through the recent trajectory that you've taken here, you've got to think that you could take on whatever you want in this world. Right, and I've got to imagine you've got some lofty goals. What's one thing, crystal ball. 10 years from now, ashley would love to be able to say she's done outside of benching 800 pounds. Is it all about arm wrestling right now? Do you see, just like taking on whatever comes next? Is it anything like? Is there a strategy behind it?

Speaker 1: 22:40

I guess is what I'm getting at so, yeah, a little bit like um, with the arm wrestling. I'm hoping in the next five years I either become one of the world's best or the world's best female arm wrestler. But my 10-year goal it's funny that you I haven't really told many people this but, um, yeah, my 10-year goal I want to give uh wrestling a crack let's go yeah, yeah, like, um, I don't know, it just looks so much fun and I've never gone into that side of sports, like you know, the combat sports.

Speaker 1: 23:21

But then I see, you know, like there are other athletes that are actually like giving it a shot and I'm like I think I could. You know, like it's the same as powerlifting, I think I could do that. Yeah, I would love to just dive into that and see what happens.

Speaker 2: 23:36

Have you ever explored your sport of Aussie rules football down under? Because I watched it when we were in Australia and that was a wild experience to witness. Have you messed around with that game?

Speaker 1: 23:53

So wait, do you know that I'm actually from New Zealand?

Speaker 2: 23:56

Yes, yes, I know you're from New Zealand, but they play Aussie rules football in New Zealand, do they not?

Speaker 1: 24:03

Is that the AFL? Yeah, nah, they don't.

Speaker 2: 24:08

Are they only in Australia? I assumed that they're so close in proximity. Like they call it the National Hockey League. We have Canada and the US. I assumed it they're so close in proximity. They call it the National Hockey League, we have Canada and the US. I assumed it was the same for man. Okay, my bad, I do know you're from New Zealand. I have a friend who's a Kiwi, who I went to school with, who I reference every time during these. Hannah Davin Hill shout out to her she was a volleyball player, also a phenomenal athlete, but I also, I apologize I assumed she was a volleyball player, also a phenomenal athlete, but like I also, I apologize I assumed that they played out there. Um, it's a wild sport, though you can agree with that. You've seen it. There's like nine refs is like it's craziness yeah, yeah, no, it is um.

Speaker 1: 24:48

Speaking of football, I was approached by someone in america, I can't remember her name. She reached out to me and she was like let me know if you want to come over and play a season of American football. And I'm like, right, I need to check this out.

Speaker 2: 25:03

Tell me it was Jen Welter. I feel like she's the US football female person to do something like that.

Speaker 1: 25:09

It possibly could be, but I had to actually Google. I was like, okay, what is American football? But I had to actually Google. I was like, okay, what is American football?

Speaker 2: 25:17

And what did you?

Speaker 1: 25:17

think. I definitely think there'll be another road that I go down, possibly in the future, like my end goal, because I'm wrestling and powerlifting you're not making money. My end goal is to just be in a sport where I can do that. So we're kind of still early days. You know I'm only how old, am I 27.? And so it's like we'll just we'll find that we'll get there one day.

Speaker 2: 25:45

This is a reminder get the purest, most natural protein on the planet from perfect sports Guaranteed. Now back to the episode. Guaranteed. Now back to the episode. Yeah, we share the same age and I'm trying to also find my way to make a bunch of money so that we can just travel the world. And go to the world from a female perspective, and one of the strongest women, like how is it that you're not getting the attention that I think you deserve? You've got, you know, hundreds of thousands of social media followers. I would be under the assumption that brands would be kind of chomping at the bit to work with you. Is that not the case, that brands would be kind of chomping at the bit to work with you?

Speaker 1: 26:36

is that not the case, um sort of to an extent? Um, I feel like when I broke the record, I feel like that was the big, like um, I should have been posting more, especially on youtube and stuff like that. But because it was like I just went numb during the month but right leading up to the bench because my dad had passed away a month prior, so I feel like I executed that probably a bit wrong and I should have just kept pushing.

Speaker 1: 27:07

But after the bench I was just like right, I'm done, let me grieve for a month or so. Yeah, I mean like in terms of brains reaching out, yeah, but I feel like I'm probably going to have to like moving forward into the 400 kgs. I'm probably going to have to start like pushing it out there. So people are actually aware.

Speaker 2: 27:32

Yeah, I am sorry to hear about your father and experiencing that like a month before a competition. You are justified in going numb for that time period and just focusing on your training, and you know that's one of the things as an athlete that you're supposed to be able to do, frankly, is just focus on doing your work and not reaching out to brands and trying to establish partnerships. I don't know if you're aware, but I co-founded a female athlete agency where we doing your work and not reaching out to brands and trying to establish partnerships. I don't know if you're aware, but I co-founded a female athlete agency where we represent 30 plus female hockey players, olympians, wrestlers now in the high rock space as well, and that's one of the things that we're trying to do is highlight the fact that these females deserve this attention. They've been given these platforms now, but they should not be expected to go out and pursue these brand deals and negotiate for them on their own behalf when us guys have been given that for decades, right.

Speaker 2: 28:27

Like anyway, I could go on a whole spiel. That's my thrill of the show for today, but nonetheless, it's like I hear what you're going through and I'm like how is this the case? And we might have to talk online about some other brands getting introduced there, but like I see you wearing sbd apparel, they've got some good stuff. They're a canadian brand, right, am I wrong? This is let's go, I am this is.

Speaker 1: 28:51

I Am Hope.

Speaker 2: 28:52

Okay.

Speaker 1: 28:53

And so they are a mental health organization in New Zealand and I only really started connecting with them about a year ago when my dad had like a massive medical episode. I ended up going to this suicide kind of event where it was like talking about ways where people can talk about their emotions, and the organiser was there and it was at this point I was really down. Like you know, I'd witnessed my dad have this episode and the guy was like, you know, let us know if you need anything in the future. And then, yeah, a year later I'm still working with them and it's been really nice because like mental health in those terms is like quite a big thing for me, and to just kind of push it out there and help or inspire other people, I'm like, okay, I think I'm doing it right with this yeah, no, it's.

Speaker 2: 29:57

uh, you are, and I think can you maybe iamhopecom? Is that where people should be going? Do they? What's their kind of overall mission? Can we peel back some more layers of that onion and give?

Speaker 1: 30:09

them a real ap bump here. So, um, it's called little people, big feelings. Um, they brought out a book and they have school ambassadors that go around schools, uh, reading this book to children, because I feel like, uh, in terms of you know, talking to people about how you're feeling and everything like that, it's so hard because you feel like you're going to get judged, you feel like you can't reach out to people, and so their mission is to help children understand that there are ways that you can talk to people. And they also run fundraisers. They're called Gumbook Friday and all of their money goes towards counsellors in New Zealand because we have such a shortage on counsellors, and that is for the ages of five through to 18. And then they've been running a lot of events for adults.

Speaker 1: 31:04

Yeah, I just I feel like it's so handy to have that because it's like, especially with our mental health in our country, it's super, super bad. I think we've got one of the highest teen populations for suicide, uh, in the world. And you know, just to have a little inkling of that, to help children understand that you can talk and you can reach out, and it also shows ways of how you can talk. You know, it's not just the feeling down, it's like I am feeling bad, I need help. Um, yeah, so, yeah, that's that's why I support them. Um, I think it just helps, um, and you know, to give back to counselors, but yeah, so they are. I am hope, um, it's run by mike king awesome dudes.

Speaker 2: 31:53

Um, yeah I'm gonna have to get some merchandise, pick it up and get it up here. Start rocking it in canada, because I know we're also, uh, amongst the highest as far as the suicide rate amongst our teens. I know young men as well. It's something that I've been trying to figure out, uh, how to do something about it.

Speaker 2: 32:12

Um, there's others in the space, but, um, kudos to you, because I think that's something that everyone, especially as we gain a platform and we continue to have people around us working within our communities, we need to be highlighting the fact that it's okay to have these conversations and it's important, frankly, for everyone to feel the ability that they can be heard and someone's willing to listen. Right, and there are resources out there. I'll probably have to link some now in the comments below or in the show notes, and then we'll also link to I Am Well make sure that there's a link there for people to go to and I guess maybe, if you're comfortable sharing, I'd love to maybe have you highlight what you were able to do during some dark times to get you out of it, and I think there's probably lessons to be learned for young athletes here listening, myself included, as to how you were able to handle it.

Speaker 1: 33:09

So a year ago actually. So as soon as my dad was was diagnosed and I had a really good talk with one of my best friends. She said that you know, when people die, instantly it is the family start grieving then and there. But when someone has a terminal illness, you start grieving from the time they're diagnosed because you know you're going through the thoughts of when is it going to happen? How can I change it? You try to control their illness and help them, but you can't.

Speaker 1: 33:38

And so last year my dad suffered a huge blood clot and he was staying at my house for the night and so I had to rush him through to the hospital. I had to stay by his side until all my family came up. We were told he had 48 hours left to live, um, and we sat in this meeting room and I just, I just remember thinking how are we going to like deal with this, because we've been told he has an illness, but when you're, when you're counting down the hours, how are you going to tell him? How are you going to live through this? And so that was the one event for me where I stopped eating. I couldn't sleep. I had so much PTSD because, you know, walking out and seeing my dad the way that he was, and it took me probably eight months to talk to someone.

Speaker 1: 34:32

Um, I'm I'm very good at hiding my stuff usually, but I didn't want to go like that anymore, because I'd go out to train and then I would come home and then I'd put my kids to bed and I would just stay in my room and isolate myself. And so I reached out to one of my really really good friends and I was like this is how I'm feeling, what do I do? And so when my dad did pass, I took myself to the doctors and I was just like I need help, I am not good, I need to find ways to cope. And yes, since then I have been on a journey of healing and growth. And I think that's why I'm quite open about talking about my mental health, because if I'm going through that, you know last year, there are so many others out there who are also going through stuff that they don't talk about, and so if I can be a voice and I can talk about my stuff, people can be like okay, I'm not alone, this, there are coping and ways that I can get around this.

Speaker 2: 35:37

Yeah, Thank you for being so willing to share. Ashley, similar to you not the exact same by any stretch of the imagination but I'm good at hiding my emotions too. As some folks who are listening may or may not know, three months ago, I became single We'll put it that way and dealing with that has been interesting and just trying to make decisions around next steps in life and, to your point, I experience crazy emotions and I'm facing anxiety, stressors, whatever the case may be, and I'm like, holy dina, you and I are doing these crazy things, exceptional feats, pursuing all these crazy athletic endeavors. How about the other 90 of the world, right, and the ones that aren't willing to talk about this or don't have a medium to use, and how are we helping those individuals? So I was getting chills after hearing you talk about it like that, because I feel very similar and, who knows, maybe we can figure out a way to do this.

Speaker 2: 36:44

I Am Well project. We can get some more collaborations going on that end. But I just want to thank you for using your platform and being so willing to share, because it's important for people to know that. And I guess we should bring it on a brighter note, because you're always smiling, you're always excited, which is, like again, important to show both sides. We do this with pro sport as well, like I'm wearing an NHL jersey right now. Being a professional hockey player whether it's PWHL or NHL for that matter is not always glamorous, despite when you are on TV skating around on the ice. You know there's a lot of travel, there's a lot of back-end recovery stuff that people don't see From your perspective. Can you take us through a day in the life for Ashley and how you manage all of the different tasks alongside kids, etc.

Speaker 1: 37:34

All of the different tasks alongside kids, et cetera. Yeah, so a normal day would look like getting up, getting the kids breakfast, walking them to school. So I'm currently studying to become a teacher Of course you are.

Speaker 1: 37:47

That's been my passion. I love to teach kids, and with gymnastics there were some times that I weren't, I wasn't treated well, and so when I became a gymnastics teacher, I was like I want to treat kids how I wish I was treated. And because it's in the evenings and I miss out time with my kids, I'm like what can I do where I'm teaching kids and it works around my kids? So, yeah, I'm studying to become a teacher and so I've spent most of the day just studying. I'll go pick up my children, bring them home, prep dinner, go to training, and it's different days. So Tuesdays is my big bench nights, other nights is accessories, and then, yeah, get home and then I end up playing fortnight at night with my friends I love it.

Speaker 2: 38:42

Um, okay, any crazy recovery training modalities. Do you like? Ice bath, sauna, food intake, nutrition supplements can you like give us, uh, the rigmarole there around what's included or what's not included?

Speaker 1: 38:59

So I've never used any sort of supplements until a supplement brand actually reached out. It was only because I tried pre-workout a few years ago and it made me feel absolutely disgusted, to the point I couldn't move, and so it put me off just trying anything. But I've been trying. I think it's creatine. I've had that once this week and they also gave me a Daily Greens. I don't know whether there's meant to be any like difference, but I'm gonna carry that on. But um, that's crazy.

Speaker 2: 39:33

You haven't been using, you haven't been using creatine at all this entire, your entire life no, that's insane you are like, so just for reference for people out there, like almost a guarantee I don't want, I shouldn't say guaranteed, but I think it's like pretty confident to be able to say it's like at least a 10 increase in strength. I'm pretty sure I don't know with your, maybe you're getting it from your natural sources of food and you're able to satisfy your needs that way. But like wow, that is impressive on its own and like one of the most studied supplements out there, both for brain and physical health. So like that'll definitely help you. I guess. Brig man, apparently you don't need anything. No, you're good, ashley.

Speaker 1: 40:12

I guess, man, apparently you don't need anything. No, you're good, ashley, Jeez.

Speaker 2: 40:30

And then in terms of recovery, I don't have anything. I used to run like cold baths, but if I got the million different biohacks, you just put the work in and see results. Hey, yeah, hey, you know what? It must be something about that New Zealand whey protein that you guys have down there, hey, and you guys just got some New Zealand unbelievable beef. That's what perfect sports protein is made out of New Zealand whey. So I got to give our sponsors a shout out there. But what is your favorite food to go to then as a post-workout, pre-workout meal? Do you have any of those?

Speaker 1: 41:16

workout meal. Do you have any of those? No, so I should, but I don't actually have like a specific diet that I follow, only because gymnastics buggered that up big time, like there was the positives and gymnastics and then there was the negatives, which was like I was only being fed like two things of lettuce, tuna and dressing, and so with my other sports I'm like I'm gonna eat in moderation but I'm not gonna like I'm not gonna limit myself, so I think I'm having like tunas and rice. Um, what else is there? I definitely love a steak. That's my favorite. I can you can't go wrong with a steak, um, but yeah, in terms of just just in nutrition, as long as I'm getting food but it's healthy and it's it's kind of getting the daily calories that I need we get what's the?

Speaker 2: 42:06

uh you do? You eat wallaby down there is that kangaroo?

Speaker 2: 42:11

yeah, it's like a smaller one. We tried it. We tried it in tasmania. Uh, it was. It kind of was like roast beef, if I'm being honest. Uh, it was basically the same and and it was that nice like cheese place. So we got some wallaby, had to be able to say you had it while we were down there. But I don't know what else should we have done down in new zealand. What's, uh, what is the one thing? Because I did australia and tasmania, new zealand's next, what should I be doing when we're there, when I'm there.

Speaker 1: 42:43

There's so many things like where I'm from, so I'm currently living three hours away from my hometown. Yeah, walk out, there's the ocean on one side and there's the mountain on the other. I would definitely recommend, if you do, go to a place called taranaki, um, climbing the mountain, um, it's also a huge surfing spot down there and I feel like new zealand's quite lucky. It's. Like you know, over in oz they've got the crocs, the sharks, you see, like the odd big fish here, but it's pretty good. But all of the walks in New Zealand in the North Island and the South Island are absolutely beautiful. I would recommend going to Rotorua. Taupo is another place, beautiful, beautiful place, and there are a few spots in the South Island as well.

Speaker 2: 43:30

But yeah, it's a really beautiful country spots in the South Island as well, but, um, yeah, it's a really beautiful country. I I've heard it's similar to the topography we have here on the west coast of Canada, in British Columbia, but I've got to go experience it firsthand and you know what. You also got to see the All Blacks in person play once right yeah, yeah can you share what an experience like that is? Is there any other sporting experience like that?

Speaker 1: 43:56

I'm assuming you've been to a game a match, I should call it I'm just trying to think if I actually have, I don't think I have.

Speaker 2: 44:06

I don't think I have swing and a miss on my end. I've had to try. I don't think I have.

Speaker 1: 44:11

I have. It was when I was 15. Um, it's crazy. It's like, you know, going from like little gymnastics competitions to just absolutely packed and everyone's dressed and, like you know, when you see on the tvs, you see your favorite team and everyone in the sidelines is just dressed with paint on their face. It's like that. But the atmosphere is crazy, especially like when they get to try, and then the whole crowd and you know, like, because we also speak te reo, maori, so there's obviously english in new zealand, but then there's also maori. There are so many people who will do a haka. Do you know what a haka is?

Speaker 1: 44:51

I absolutely do yeah and it's, it's. I love my culture because it's just like they're so proud of people in sports and they celebrate it and it's just yeah, it's awesome it is awesome.

Speaker 2: 45:05

It might be the most intimidating pre-game kind of tradition that exists in sport. I'm pretty sure, like I don't think there's anything that touches it and the all blacks are also known for after, during events, being like the nicest individuals to deal with leaving places better than they found it. Um, I, we read the book for our book club. Um, this like a couple weeks, a couple months ago, and I'm the name is mistaking me, but it's something I will find it here but there's a book written on them and it's just like phenomenally written, not super long, nothing crazy, but just detailing how detail oriented that team is and how, top to bottom, everyone is treated the same and treats each other the same yeah do you have any countries that you despise playing against?

Speaker 2: 46:02

oh, I?

Speaker 1: 46:05

I don't think so at at the moment.

Speaker 2: 46:10

At the moment I guess uh, a better question would be when you're competing in a variety of these sports, how do you manage the training, like if you've got an arm wrestling competition but you're benching 800 pounds the next week like what's, what's the strategy there? Are you season scheduling, timing at all?

Speaker 1: 46:31

yeah, so, um, I'm really fortunate to be able to do one sport and put the other one on hold. Um, I've been doing that since I started the equipped bench. Um, I've been trying to do both at the same time. But if I'm doing like a bench and it's really heavy, I'll probably only be able to do like 40% in arm wrestling. So at the moment, arm wrestling is the priority. As soon as I get home, it'll turn into bench. But, yeah, I have been told a few times to like pick a sport and I'm like, but I'm enjoying both and I love the street and if I can go back and forth, what? What is the issue?

Speaker 2: 47:15

yeah, ignore them. Ignore them like I'm. I'm with you, I'm in full support. I think people should be pursuing as many of these as possible. It might be a little bit more difficult, it might be a little bit more strenuous and taxing on the body, but, heck, you're proving it out right. And if you keep doing it, why the heck would you stop? Don't't fix what's not broken, right.

Speaker 1: 47:35

Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 2: 47:37

The book is called Legacy. I just pulled it up on Audible because I was listening to it and it is a fantastic book. Highly recommend it. Written by James Kerr, all about the All Blacks. That being said, do you have a favorite book that you read or have read? Do you listen to podcasts or are you a movie person?

Speaker 1: 47:57

um, I do not read only because when I read I daydream, and so I cannot concentrate for the life of me. Um, podcasts, oh, that's a hard one. One of my favorite podcasts of all time. I don't know if you've heard of it, but it's called the morning shift. They're in new zealand um three of them. Um, and then, in terms of movies, I don't think I've watched a movie in a while, but the last one was it was a wrestling movie and there were like five brothers. Okay, is it the claw?

Speaker 2: 48:32

asking the wrong guy. I'm not a movie guy. I just had to find out what you do during your downtime because, like you know, you can only bench press seven, eight hundred pounds a couple of times and then you get tired, right, and I'm pretty sure you've benched 881 with the two bar, if I'm not mistaken. What, how do you? What do when you put two two-by-fours down on your chest in between, like rig?

Speaker 1: 48:56

So there's different types of boards that they use. Even I think it's ridiculous, but it helps in the long scheme of things. So I think when I first started I was doing it to like a four board that's like the biggest one you can get and I was only doing like 240. And so when I'm doing it it's so heavy. But then, like a year later, I'm like, oh my gosh, I can rip this out and it's because it just helps with the overload so much. And a lot of people don't understand that and I'm like, well, if you don't understand, it's not my issue, it's a you issue this is a knowledge problem, user error.

Speaker 2: 49:32

Uh, how much beef is there between the equipped versus non-equipped communities?

Speaker 1: 49:40

so much so we currently have a group chat actually of our gym, like all my mates and man. They just give each other crap all the time. I try to stay out of it because I'm just like other crap all the time. I try to stay out of it because I'm just like, do you? But yeah, there's so much crap that's given. Um, I've seen a lot of raw lifters give it to equipped but then you see it given back. It's like you know, put on a suit and then raw lifters will be like, take it off, so you can't win was there, or I guess, in your mind.

Speaker 2: 50:11

Obviously you're pursuing the equipped goals. Is there aspirations to go raw as well, just to, because you can?

Speaker 1: 50:21

I think so like I knew, I knew the answer yeah, yeah I'm saying the numbers grow within the raw woman community and I'm like, okay, give me a few more years with this because I'm I'm absolutely loving it at the moment. I mean like, yeah, I'm in a suit but like at the end of the day, I you know the amount of weight that is being pushed. But once I finish this, I would love to just I don't know, there's so many options and I want to do them all. And I'm going to do them all because it's just like I know that I'll regret if I don't.

Speaker 2: 50:57

That's just who Ashley is. I love it. I'm a big fan. You've got a new supporter in me. I'm so grateful for at 2Buff for this, for bringing it to my attention, and I can't wait to follow along another Kiwi your journey as you travel around the world doing all these incredible feats. Um, I'm glad I asked you your 10-year goal as well, because now we get to find out what you're capable of doing in the wrestling world. Who knows, you'll probably be dominating ufc by that point. Um, I guess is there anything else actually that I can let you share or that you want to talk about on the athletes podcast here today, because we have thousands of people who will be listening to this conversation and I always like to leave an opportunity for our guests to give their last piece of advice. Our goal is to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of athletes, and you've already done this for 50 minutes, but if there's any last piece tidbits of advice, I'd love to open the floor for you okay, I have two bits of advice.

Speaker 1: 52:00

One is when people start to talk negatively about you, that's when you know that you've made it. That was one beautiful bit of advice that I was given. And so when the thousands of comments started, like the very hateful comments started on my bench, uh yeah, that was when I kind of realized, like right, we're in a we've, we've made it, we've, we've made it. So just know that if you ever get hateful comments, it's because people are jealous and they can't do what you can do. And the other bit of advice I would give is do not have any regrets in life. Do not hold yourself back. If you want to do something, do it. And I know that there's a lot of fear and the unknown of doing something, but just do it, because it may not work out, but there's also a huge possibility that it will.

Speaker 2: 52:53

No better way to leave that. Ashley Hedda, thank you so much for coming on the Athletes Podcast. It is an honor to chat with you and I can't wait to continue to follow along your journey. Where can people follow you? Where should they be following along your journey as you compete all around the world and crush absolutely insane fe feeds? From an athletic standpoint.

Speaker 1: 53:15

So my main I would say my main social media is Instagram. That's just Ashley underscore Hoita. Or I say I have TikTok same handle Ashley underscore Hoita. Yeah, those are like my main two.

Speaker 2: 53:31

Hopefully going to pick up youtube, uh this year, um yeah awesome, ashley, hopefully I can say your last name, hoita, better, and next time we chat and then, uh, yeah, we'll, we'll have to see you down under at some point here. We'll make it happen. And uh, then we can hopefully practice my bench press enough in the meantime so that I can get even like half of what you're putting up. Okay, I appreciate your time. Thank you so much. Hey folks, thank you for tuning in to the 229th episode of the athletes podcast. We continue to bring out these athletes on a weekly basis to you so that you can learn, continue to be educated, entertained and, hopefully, a little bit inspired at the end of the day. We'll see you next week for another new episode. Thanks for tuning in. Hope you have a great rest of your.