People have a mindset that women should not be big. Q: Do you feel muscular women are more or less accepted by society today then five years ago?Ī: I feel muscular women are always less accepted by normal society. They do not understand why we do what we do. Q: What is the biggest misconception about female bodybuilders, or the one thing you wish people understood?Ī: Biggest misconception I think is that we are unapproachable.
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I guess the most common I get is "I do not know how to do it", then they ask me for advice. Q: When they see it that first time, what is the one question or comment you are most sick of hearing?Ī: Nothing I am really sick of hearing. They always say they are surprised I am so feminine with all of the muscle I have. Q: When someone sees your physique for the first time, what is the most common reaction? More positive or negative?Ī: They always ask what I do. Meaning, higher reps, a little lighter weight, and cardio, cardio, cardio. My normal training routine is 2 super heavy days, then 4 days of bodybuilding training. I mostly alter my carb intake for contest prep. Q: What is your normal training routine and diet like and how do you alter it for contest prep?Ī: I generally try to eat clean. Q: Do you have a favorite part to train or favorite exercise?Ī: I love training back. Q: What would you consider your best bodypart or the one that gets the most compliments?Ī: It is a toss-up between my arms and my back. I just competed in the NPC Metropolitan and finished 2nd place. The first show I did was Team Universe in September. Won my first Nationals after 6 months of training.
I was surprised how much I liked it.Ī: I have been competing in powerlifting since 2001. It is totally different than powerlifting. I was surprised by how nice everyone in my class was. Q: Was the first show what you expected? Did anything surprise you?Ī: I went in with no expectations. Q: Was competing something your family and friends supported?Ī: Yes, they support me with everything I do. I was a little impulsive, and I would not recommend it. Q: How long were you training for bodybuilding when you decided to compete?Ī: I only trained and dieted for 3 months before I did my first show. It is amazing to see how your body can change. I already had a pretty good base from powerlifting. Q: Was weight training something you picked up fairly easy? How long before you saw results?Ī: Yes, I have been weight training since I was 14 years old. So, I changed my focus and decided to take that challenge. I have always read the magazines, seen the greats. I am in the top 20 and top 100 strongest women of all-time.Ī: I have always been interested in the sport. Q: Can you share any accomplishments in the sport or things you are most proud of.Ī: My best lifts are Squat 660lbs, Bench 425lbs (on record, gym is 450lbs), Deadlift 520lbs. It started when my brother started to come up in the sport. I am the NY State APF Chairman, and I coach a team of lifters. What got you interested in that?Ī: I am still involved in the sport of powerlifting. Q: Before bodybuilding you did powerlifting. I currently run my own personal training business. My father was a football player, and my grandfather was a prize fighter in the 30's and 40's. My older brother Scott has the biggest bench press in the world. I currently reside in New York on Long Island. I am originally from Los Angeles, California.
I am certified in Nutrition, and I am a Certified Strength Training and Conditioning coach. I have my MS in Kinesiology/Sports Therapy from NYU.
I am a 14x World powerlifting Champion, I am also a 10x National Champion. Q: Can you start out by telling a little about yourself.Ī: Sure, my name is Shawna Mendelson. Q: First, Shawna, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this.Ī: No problem. So here is an introduction to a woman I expect you are going to hear a lot more about as she continues to get better each time on stage, Shawna Mendelson.
She recently did the NPC Metropolitan and I was really impressed by what she brought to the stage. Shawna is one of those people who if she sets her mind to something, you can bet she will accomplish it. And there is every reason to believe she will be as successful. If she is as successful at bodybuilding as she is at powerlifting, then you will be hearing a lot more about Shawna. But now she has set her sights on bodybuilding. Or consider the fact she is one of the 20 strongest women in the world. Shanwa Mendelson is a very accomplished powerlifter.