| 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. |
