Shawna Mendelson
birthdate:
location:
when did you start powerlifting:
biggest inspirations:
federations:
best competition lifts:
family background:
October 23, 1972
Long Island, New York
2001. I started training at Iron Island Gym. Chris Taylor was my
coach. Our first phone conversation was this "Chris, I have bad knees
and I do not know how to deadlift, so I think I am only going to
bench". His answer to me was "Just come down to the gym for a test
day and we will see where you are". I went down to Iron Island and
that was it. I was hooked. So much for being a bench specialist! I don't
know what I would do if I couldn't squat....LOL!! Now I own my own
gym...go figure.
My biggest inspiration is my brother Scot. If it were not for him I would not be
in this crazy sport. Kara Bohigian for being so amazing. Whenever I say I
can't, I think of her and I say "What the heck am I thinking? Get out there
and lift". I am inspired by all of the women who get out there and give it their
all. We do not have enough of us, nor do we get the recognition that we
should. Maybe one day we will. I am working toward making that happen.
APF/WPC, AAPF/AWPC
573 squat, 365 bench, 440 deadlift, 1376 total
Freaky genetics. Scot Mendelson is my brother. Scot and I are
best friends and we always push each other to the next level. I
have always been strong as a female. My mom was always strong
too. Scot and I are like 2 peas in a pod. We both own gyms as
well. I own a gym in Long Island, NY. It is calle The New Gym.
My gym is geared toward the everyday fitness person and it is
hardcore for powerlifters. I have everything a powerlifter would
want and need. I did not skimp either. LOL!!!
sum it all up for us:
 Always look ahead and concentrate on the positive things
in life. Take the rear view mirror , throw it in the back seat
and do not look back. Keep looking straight ahead out of
that windshield because that is where the future is. Lastly,
it is not how you start, it is how you finish. We have to
learn how to enjoy life!
weight class:
148 - 181
records/accomplishments:
3 time US National Champion, Womens top 100 of all time.