Name: Debra Haley
Birthplace: California
Height: 5' 9"/175 cm
Competition Weight: 176 lbs/80 kg
Off-season Weight: 186 lbs/84 kg
Biceps: 16"/ 40 cm
Chest: 46"/ 117 cm
Quads: 26"/ 66 cm
Calves: 16"/ 40 cm
Background:
I started bodybuilding during my sophomore year in high school. I played on the soccer, softball and volleyball teams. I started playing soccer when I was 8 years old and continued to play through high school. By the time I started high school, all the years of soccer had built my legs like tree trunks! When I walked down the halls of the school people would stare at my legs. Some guys didn’t like the idea that my legs where bigger than theirs but other guys who were into it would ask me to flex for them, so I always did! I wanted to body build to balance out my legs. My upper body grew fast and I only worked my legs lightly to shape them. On occasion, some of the male jocks would challenge me to leg pressing competitions but that stopped when I finally did it and maxed the leg press 10 reps more than one of the strongest guys on the football varsity team. He was strong but I had years of endurance.
After high school I joined a gym. I met a guy who saw my potential. His name was Jon. He and I trained in a basement gym that was as old school as it gets. Jon taught me how to train properly and how to build my body to compete. To this day I still use the techniques that Jon taught me. Soon after working with Jon, I competed in a local bodybuilding show, then I competed in the Galaxy competition. I did the show because it offered more of an all around physical challenge. Although I trimmed down for the show, I still had a lot of muscle. I went back to bodybuilding and did a couple of more shows. Since then, I've stayed away from competing but I’ve never stayed away from lifting and keeping my size. Bodybuilding shows along with the magazines use to be the only chance for women to get exposure. Now, we have the Internet and Andy! I will admit I do have a great hunger to compete again. But if I do, I won't let last minute announcements about lowering size percentages affect my training or how big I want to be.
Hobbies:
Other than working out, I love to do any sports or activity I can. I am a big fan of the UFC and I enjoy marital arts and kickboxing. It's a great way to relieve stress.