1) Theres way to much shit talking in the sport. You personally have caught some over you record breaking squat. Why do people feel they have to hate instead of support ?
Laura> Yes, I definitely catch a lot of heat over my squats. I really cannot say why people feel they have to hate instead of support, simply because my brain does not work that way! LOL! I love this sport, and I appreciate every lifter, no matter what federation, what rules, how many ply's, etc. What boggles my mind is when people personally attack the lifter rather than the lift itself, or when they judge the person's character based off of a lift that was passed that they feel was a bad lift. That's when it goes too far.
2) Speaking of the record, how much more's left in the tank ?
Laura> I try to never, in my mind, place a limit on any lift. A goal of mine, though, is to one day squat a clean, deep, 800 pound squat! And I 100% believe that I will!
3) You are considered to be one of the most attractive women lifters around. How do you feel about being a sex symbol among athletes ?
Laura> I am?? LOL! This is too funny! I certainly never imagined ever being considered a "sex symbol" or even considered one of the most attractive lifters around! It does feel pretty good, though! It helps clear up a lot of the common misconceptions that strong women have to be ugly!
4) Who do go to for advice about lifting ?
Laura> I am very fortunate to be surrounded by people with so much knowledge and experience. The first person I look to for advice is my boyfriend, Shane. After that, the list is so long! To name a few...Louie Simmons, George Halbert, Fabian Wambsgans, Charlie Maxwell, etc...My friend Tony Ramos is great, too, because he will tell it like it is!
5) What's something about you that you wish people knew ? NOT ABOUT LIFTING !
Laura> I used to run 26 mile marathons before I started lifting weights a few years ago. This usually surprises people because it is on the complete oposite end of the athletic spectrum from powerlifting!
6) I asked Kara about people asking her for pictures and autographs. How does it feel when YOUR asked ?
Laura> I think I get a little caught off guard, almost like I look over my shoulder for a second, thinking, "are you talking to ME"? I think it's great and I appreciate anyone who offers their support and encouragement to me! It's not like a hollywood celebrity where people often ask for their autographs because they are popular. When people ask for a powerlifter's autograph, it is because they appreciate and respect the work that they put in to achieve what they have done. That is awesome. That reminds me, I need to buy a notepad so I can get everyone's autograph at the next meet : )
7) You are for squating, what Kara is for benchin'; do you enjoy one more than the other?
Laura> I have been enjoying benching very much lately, but squatting is my first love! When I was bodybuilding I rarely ever did squats because I hated them so much! But when I learned proper form, I started loving them and it started just becoming natural to me.
8) What drew you into competitive lifting?
Laura> Bodybuilding is what drew me into competitive lifting. I used to compete in bodybuilding and after seeing the photos from my last show, and per the reccomendation of the judges, I needed to add thickness to my back. So I started deadlifting, and for fun, i entered a local push/pull non-sanctioned meet. I ended up doing 3 of these meets, and by the third meet, I decided that Powerlifting brought me so much more happiness and I decided to focus on it.
9) Who's the best lifter TODAY ? Lifter of ALL TIME? *
Laura> Well, I am going to have to agree with Becca on this one*, in both aspects! Becca for sure! She is a powerlifting pioneer! She has been the first do do so many things, and when she steps up onto the platform, she always delivers. She is constantly breaking records. A few other lifters that I think are awesome today are Chuck Vogehlpol (which actually I would put him in both categories, best of today and best of all time!), Greg Panora, and Oleksander Kutcher.
10) Which one means more to you. Hearing "Good Lift", or "Thanks for the help
Laura> Without a doubt, "thanks for the help". So many people have helped me along the way and have made it possible for me to do what I am doing and what I have already done. I hope to always be able to return the favor in any way that I can, for anyone.
Thank You to my sponsors Inzer Advance Designs, AtLarge Nutrition, and Standard Process, Inc.! And many thanks to my training partners in Michigan and at Westside!
*"Oh, I am going to get ridiculed. I believe Becca Swanson is the greatest powerlifter of all-time. No other lifter has changed the spectrum of the sport, while being so unchallenged and unprecedented" Becca Swanson
**Laura's recent bench record
www.powerliftingwatch.com/node/2955
