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NICA’s Juliet Breit is a MTBing, Cross-Country Running, Power-Lifting Shred Girl IRL
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This is the fifth of many interviews from the Pennsylvania MTB NICA League’s amazing GRiT (Girls Riding Together) camp that they hosted this summer in PA. I was lucky enough to go and got a chance to meet so many incredible girls with fantastic advice to share (like our first girl from the camp, Madeline Clancy and most recently, Izzy Weinberg.). Another favorite of mine was 15-year-old Juliet Breit of Durham County Composite, who also does power-lifting in addition to shredding on the mountain bike!
What sports do you do?
Mountain biking, of course. But I also do power lifting and cross country running.
What got you into it?
Cross-country was just through school, my mom and dad convinced me to sign up. This is my second year and I love it. Power lifting, my mom has been doing it for three years and she was doing the class and I was doing winter track, but I didn’t like it, so I decided to try power-lifting last February and I loved it.
Favorite power-lift?
My first favorite is squats. My second favorite is bench press—I can bench press 80 pounds, and I can squat 160 and deadlift 185 pounds.
How did you get into mountain biking?
In seventh grade, my school started a team and sent out an email. My dad thought, we like biking, we should check it out. So we went to the interest meeting and the first ride and it was so much fun. We loved it, so I did that for 7th and 8th grade. But then in 9th grade, my dad created our own team for the county since I couldn’t stay on the elementary school team.
What made you love it?
It was just fun. It was an individual sport so you could push yourself, but you were still in a team environment.
How has power-lifting helped with cycling?
I started lifting right around when a season for mountain biking started, so I didn’t really notice a difference right away. But I’m hoping next year I’ll see more of a change. Mentally though, it’s made me feel more confident and powerful, knowing that I can do these higher-weight lifts. So then I think, ‘I can definitely do that on the bike.’ It’s been a real confidence boost.
Best part of riding?
I don’t love technical stuff, which is what a lot of it is, but I love a flow trail, coasting through the woods.
RELATED: NICA’s GRiT Girls Know How to Shred! Meet Sarah Howard
Hardest part of riding?
I feel so awkward riding over roots! I just can’t figure out how to get over them sometimes—especially the slippery ones!
Best advice?
Just try it, even if you don’t think you’ll be able to do it. Believe in yourself. The emotional side of mountain biking is such a huge part, and if you can believe in yourself you can probably do anything!
Proudest moment?
I was behind this girl who I had been behind in races most of the season. I finally got ahead of her in a race and I was so excited that I could stay in that position.
RELATED: NICA’s GRiT Girls Know How to Shred! Meet Molly Weitzman
Best moment at GRiT Camp?
I would say just playing the bike games with everyone, it’s been so much fun! I love circle of death. [see above video.] And I love just going on rides with the girls and stopping to chat.
Goals in cycling?
I’m just really hoping to push myself this season, and put a lot of my focus into mountain biking. Because I do so many sports, it can be hard to figure out how much effort to put into each one. So I really want to put all of my attention into mountain biking and focus on that and really push myself.
Know a Shred Girl IRL? Nominate her to be featured on the site here!
