When did you decide to start lifting weights? Was there any particular reason for starting?
Elaine: I worked out in the gym for several years and did some classes. While in New Mexico I went to private gym and did some personal training and when he closed his gym, I then went ta Gold’s gym and did some personal training. My trainer then mentioned that there was a powerlifting meet coming up and asked if I would be interested in doing it. I didn’t think I would, and then he mentioned he was training with a lady of about my age and she was going to lift in it. I said OK I would do it as it turned out she cancelled out but I went ahead and lifted. I was 59 at the time, I was unsure about lifting as I thought it was something that only men did. There were very few women at the meet but I made all my lifts and at the end I was able to pick out my trophy. As this was my first meet, I chose the tallest one there and I still have it. I enjoyed doing it, so several months later there was another meet and I decided to do it again and have been doing it ever since. About this time my personal trainer moved out of state and I got connected with the powerlifting group at Gold’s gym which was with Mike Addleman. He has been my coach and friend for many years now.
At what point did you find out about NASA Powerlifting and when was your first NASA competition?
Elaine: My first meet was with NASA. and I have been lifting with them since I started powerlifting. I haven’t lifted with any other organization in all the years of powerlifting.
What are some of your earliest memories from competing in NASA Powerlifting about the staff, fellow lifters and the competition itself from your lifting and perspective?
Elaine: I remember at my first meet Rich Peters giving Mike Adelmann’s daughter a hard time about the pronunciation of her last name. She wasn’t very old at the time. The people have been very friendly and helpful. As time went on you looked forward to going to the meets so you could see your friends that you met at the last meet. You learned about their families and hoped you would see them at the next meet you went to. While in the warm-up room if you needed help with a lift someone was always there to help you. All you had to do was ask and sometimes they just offered. It was a good comradery. When I went to my first Natural Nationals there were maybe 10-12 women, now the numbers appear to be about equal. I like to think I help set the trend of having more women and more masters women lifting. This is a sport you can do at any age.
What are your best lifts in competition, at what age and bodyweight?
Elaine: My best competion records is my deadlift at 254lbs at the age of 70lbs, my bench press at 110lbs not sure of my age at the time, probably mid 60’s, my squat I think was about 165lbs, and my curl 62lbs. I have held the state records in New Mexico and National records and when we had World records. I have them in three different weight classes 165 ,181 and 198 . Some of the records have been broken and others are still on the books.
What records and/or awards have you received from NASA Powerlifting in terms of State and/or National Records and maybe awards from the national awards banquet?
Elaine: I have received many awards throughout the years. I am in the NASA Hall of Fame, I am a Overall Lifter of the Year. I have received the Jackass of the year award, Rich’s favorite award. I have received the Masters 3, 4, 5 Female of the year award. Bench Press award, Overall, I have had about 325-350 trophy’s and awards throughout the years.
What type of music and/or bands do you enjoy listening to while training or at the competitions?
Elaine: I do not listen to any music or anything else while working-out or at competions. I do enjoy music but just for my enjoyment.
Are there any goals you have in mind for the future that you still want to achieve in the sport of powerlifting?
Elaine: You need to set goals no matter what you are doing in life. My goal is to be able to stay on the platform and complete my lifts. AS you mature, your lifts go down but that shouldn’t stop you from competing. That’s the fun part. You need to push yourself, if you stop or slow down you become too stagnate and that can cause a lot of medical issues.
What other hobbies do you enjoy outside of going to the gym and training?
Elaine: I started working at the YMCA in Bennington NE about 2 1/2 years ago. It is attached to a high school so we get a lot of kids from the high school to come in and work out. The school also has a powerlifting team, so I help the kids who have questions about how to do the three lifts. I work with them to help improve their form. I have also attended their powerlifting meets and encourage them. I like working with the kids. They look at me and am surprised that I still compete. Once they know that I am a powerlifter they realize that they can ask me questions and I know what I am talking about. I really don’t have any hobbies. I do like to cook for our family gatherings. We have the families over for dinner often and I like to cook for them. I like to bake, generally cookies. When the kids come over they like to make sure I have cookies in the house for them to take home.
What inspires you to continue training and lifting weights moving forwards into the future?
Elaine: When you go to the Doctor one of the questions they ask you is “do you exercise?” It is something we all need to do to keep us strong and healthy. One of the things I do at the YMCA is work with people who have gone to the doctor and have been told they have osteopenia or osteoporosis. I try and set up different workouts so they can help stop the progression of the disease. I have also worked with a program through the YMCA called LiveStrong, it is a program for people who have had or currently have cancer. We work with them on strength and balance. As you know you do need a strong core so that it will help you from falling. One of our members that I work with, said they went to the Doctor and he was happy with the progress they have made with their strength. This is why I continue to lift. It helps with the mental attitude and also with bone strength and stamina. Hopefully it will keep me from falling and keep me strong. Also their are some nice people at the gym, they become friends as you have something in common.
What advice could you give to any novice lifters out there who are just starting to compete and train for weightlifting and powerlifting?
Elaine: The best advice is to go to a powerlifting or weightlifting gym and find a trainer that will help you to get the correct form so that you don’t get hurt. So many people go to video’s and see something they think will work and find themself hurt because they did it incorrectly. A trainer can see how you are doing the lift and be able to make any adjustments that will work for you. Granted, there is a lot of information on the web, but will it work for you? You can get an idea of an exercise but the trainer will make it work for you. Most importantly ENJOY it ! ! If you go to a meet take advantage of other people’s way of doing something, get all the knowledge you can. Make a friend, we can all use a friend in our life. Set a goal for each lift if you miss it, keep going it’s your fault you didn’t get it, get over it and think about your form and go back and get it correct next time. Then go to the next meet and you will do better as you went home and worked on the problem. Train smart, make it an important part in your life.
Thank you Elaine for taking the time to chat with us about your life and the sport of powerlifting!