Think about being on the Arnold Sports activities Pageant and standing among the many greatest on the planet in your sport getting ready for competitors. Gabriele Burgholzer is aware of that feeling nicely. On the 2022 Arnold Professional Strongwoman contest, Burgholzer stood as one of many 10 strongest women on the planet to compete in Columbus, OH.
Burgholzer positioned eighth, however the connection for Burgholzer goes far deeper than simply being a contest participant. The native of Austria feels a connection to its host, fellow Austria native Arnold Schwarzenegger — she’s even referred to as the “Austrian Oaktress.”
“I nearly wish to say I adopted in his footsteps somewhat bit as a result of he additionally left Austria to go abroad and to make a reputation of himself,” stated Burgholzer.
Burgholzer spent her total childhood in Austria. In her native nation, the boys are required to hitch the army earlier than transferring on with the remainder of their lives.
“In Austria, it’s obligatory for all males to serve within the army for a few months to get the expertise,” she stated. “So, my two brothers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and so forth, all served in Austria.”
GABRIELE BURGHOLZER HONORS BY SERVING
After graduating highschool, Burgholzer got here to America in 2007 to be an trade pupil. As a result of she liked being in the USA a lot, she opted to remain right here completely. Nevertheless, she wished to do greater than merely dwell right here. She wished to indicate her appreciation for the nation she now calls residence. That’s why she enrolled in the USA Military.
“I’ve been granted loads of alternatives right here that I believe I might haven’t been granted in Austria. I simply wished to offer again to the neighborhood. I wished to thank the U.S. in a way for letting me be and keep right here, and for all of the alternatives I’ve been given.”
Burgholzer has been serving in the USA Military for 9 years, and her present rank is as a Workers Sergeant. Her travels have taken her from Fort Jackson, SC, the place she carried out in Primary Coaching to Texas, North Carolina, and even Hawaii. She is at present stationed in Fort Knox, KY.
Among the many honors she has acquired embrace the Navy Excellent Volunteer Service Medal, three Military commendation medals, and extra. In February of 2019, she tried out for the US Military Warrior Health group. Since August of that yr, she has been the one strongwoman competitor on the group. Burgholzer wasn’t concerned with health as a child, however she has become passionate about strength and power.
“I did strive my hand at bodybuilding, however I discovered that it wasn’t fairly my forte. I most popular lifting heavy as a substitute of trying good onstage.”
STRENGTH AND SERVICE IS THE KEY
The game of strongwoman turned out to be the right alternative for Burgholzer. She entered her first contest, a neighborhood competitors, in 2019. By 2020, she was crowned America’s Strongest Woman.
“It was frowned upon to be a strong woman and have massive muscle tissue. So, (the cheers) received me going and stored me moving into that path, and I haven’t stopped since.”
Gabriele Burgholzer went on to put second on the 2021 America’s Strongest Lady contest the next yr. Her first worldwide contest got here when she competed on the Arnold in March of 2022. Workers Sargeant Burgholzer defined the sensation of representing her new residence nation in a global contest beneath the brilliant lights of Columbus.
“It felt wonderful. It was an unbelievable honor,” she shared. “If you happen to had been to inform me I might compete with the very best athletes on the planet in my sport and symbolize each Austria and the U.S. on that stage, I’d thought you had been loopy. It’s a reminiscence that I’ll cherish ceaselessly.”
Burgholzer could not have gained that contest, however there are specific to be extra worldwide contests to return, and she or he might be prepared. Except for her dedication to coaching, her service and dealing within the Military has served as a bonus to mentally put together as nicely.
“I believe as troopers or any servicemembers, we’re taught from day one to have self-discipline. I believe that for any sport, that is among the bases it’s a must to have. You need to be disciplined all through your coaching, your weight-reduction plan, your sleep, the whole lot to be in top shape,” she defined. “I really thank the Military for serving to train me that self-discipline.”
DISCIPLINE ABOVE ALL
Gabriele Burgholzer made it clear that she was referring to self-discipline, and never motivation, as a result of as all athletes that compete know, the motivation will not be there every single day.
“Identical to within the Military, there are some issues that it’s a must to push your self to do, there are days it’s a must to do this within the fitness center as nicely. There are at all times good days and unhealthy days.”
After the Arnold contest, Burgholzer needed to endure a number of surgical procedures which have stored her from returning to the power stage in the intervening time, however she might be again, and she or he already has targets in thoughts. A kind of targets is definitely in one other sport – powerlifting.
“I wish to set the world document within the bench press. I just lately hit 325 kilos, and I’ve no method proper now. So, I’m engaged on that, and hopefully I can break the document in my weight class, which I believe is 380.”
Gabriele Burgholzer credit loads of her success in power and life to the army, and she or he feels everybody ought to perceive what it’s wish to serve this nation.
“I truly assume everybody ought to serve within the army for a few years. It has actually helped me study extra about myself, enhance self-discipline, and it has given me a chance to have a look at a much bigger image of what service members do for this nation,” she defined, “It has additionally given me appreciation for the liberty that all of us get to have. So, anybody that could be contemplating becoming a member of, please do. Clearly, do your analysis to search out which department is greatest for you.”
Except for being among the best in her sport, she desires to be among the best for her sport. Burgholzer desires to encourage extra ladies to become involved in power sports activities basically to allow them to change into their strongest selves.
“To all ladies on the market, not simply within the service, however all ladies, come be part of me in a power sport. Don’t let society let you know what it’s best to appear like or what you’re presupposed to raise or not raise. Come be part of me.”
Comply with Gabriele on Instagram: @gabi_theaustrianoaktress
