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Champion Profiles: René Bibaud, Professional Jumproper and Paula Houston, Powerlifter
By Eileen Nicol

She Knows the Ropes

Imagine writing “professional rope jumper” in the box labeled “occupation.” That’s how René Bibaud fills out her tax form, and after five World Rope Skipping championships, she has certainly earned the right to the title. In her remarkable career she has shared the stage with Elton John at a private wedding reception in London, and commanded the attention of NBA basketball players in New York City’s Madison Square Garden. For more than four years, René toured the United States and Europe with Cirque du Soleil as a performer and coach, and the phrase “after I joined the circus” rolls lightly off her tongue.

Once settled in Seattle, René started Ropeworks, a business that has allowed her to indulge her passion for physical education. In fact, “School Assemblies” is first on the list of products and services offered through the Ropeworks Web site jumpropenet.com. “I use my life story with kids, and tell them that when I was in elementary school I was not one of the best rope jumpers in my class. I was picked to be on the jump rope team because I tried my best, I took things at my own pace, and I was willing to make mistakes. And look what happened!” René wants to reach not only the jocks, but also the kids who think they aren’t good at sports. “I want kids to be willing to try things and work at their own pace because they enjoy it, not because they need to be the best at it. I want everyone to find a physical activity they enjoy.”

Through Ropeworks, René also offers clinics in rope jumping for adults to enhance their athletic skills. “While you’re learning a new skill, you’re also working on endurance, timing, agility, and foot speed. It’s a really portable, efficient workout and for most adults, time is an issue.” René says adults need to be reminded, like kids, not to compare themselves with others. “You learn a lot about people and you can learn a lot about yourself when you do try something new or implement a new training style into your sport. Attitude is important for everybody, not just kids.”

As you might expect, Ropeworks offers rope jumping equipment and videos. But who would guess that buying a jump rope could also help the disabled? Several years ago at a physical education conference, René met an enthusiastic employee of Skookum, a Port Townsend-based nonprofit organization that provides jobs for people with disabilities. She knew right away it was a great fit. “I’m thrilled we can work together. Skookum hires people with disabilities – people who couldn’t get a job bagging groceries. They don’t turn anybody away. The most severely disabled people work on the jump ropes very proudly, and they always like hearing about where their products are going.”

René’s current goals include consistent strength training for herself, and finding corporate sponsors to buy jump ropes for schools. “I’m always seeking out new and exciting things,” she says. Ropeworks is helping her do that, while she spreads the word about the positive effects of participation in physical activity – for the fun of it.

She’s Got the Power

Paula Houston got into powerlifting because she didn’t want to do drugs. Twenty years ago she was a bodybuilder beginning to compete at the national and international levels, but taking steroids in order to win was not part of her plan. Her bodybuilding coach was a powerlifter and suggested that Paula give that form of the sport a try. “Todd got me going and created a monster,” laughs Paula. “I like to create other monsters.” Now 45, Paula competes and wins at the highest levels in her adopted sport.

Powerlifting consists of three lifts: the squat, the bench press, and the dead lift. “The big difference between Olympic lifting and powerlifting is that none of our lifts are overhead,” explains Paula. Competitors have three tries at each lift. The best lifts from each of the three lift types are added together to determine the winner. At the Nationals in February she set new records for her age and weight class, bench pressing 226 pounds, squat lifting 380 pounds, and dead lifting 374 pounds. This feat earned her a seventh national title to add to her gold and silver medals from international competitions.

In the early nineties Paula met Willie Austin, who owned the gym where she worked out. “He is just a fabulous, dynamic fitness leader, spiritual leader, teacher, and coach to many people.” He had a mission that resonated with Paula: to create a program for kids who didn’t have the skills to play on an organized sports team. “He started a small program on Sunday afternoons where they went out to elementary, middle and high schools and recruited kids to come in and do a variety of things – yoga, aerobics, swimming, even squash. All free of charge to the kids.”

That mission grew into the Austin Foundation, a nonprofit program that now operates in 14 different schools and community centers. Paula is still involved as a board member and a volunteer teacher. “The kids don’t have a lot of physically fit African American role models,” says Paula. “And I happen to fit that mold. So it’s nice to be able to work with the young women. Many of them have gone on to compete at powerlifting.”

Paula puts her master’s degree in health administration to good use at the East Madison YMCA, where she’s been the director since November 2005. She also trains for her own competitions and still finds time to sponsor an annual powerlifting event for local women of all ages. “There are still young women who worry that they’ll get too big,” says Paula. “I say, look at me, do I look like I have huge, bulging muscles?” Paula is delighted to teach girls that it’s great to be strong.

Eileen Nicol, who plays competitive tennis and runs a business with her husband, is a frequent contributor to Seattle Woman. She lives on Bainbridge Island.

©2006 Caliope Publishing Company