What is your name and where are you from?
Elaine Waugh. I grew up in Iowa and after high school at Webb, Iowa I moved to Omaha NE. When Bill & I married we moved to several different cities with his job and ended up here in New Mexico. We have been here for 27 years.
When did you start powerlifting and was there a reason for it?
I started power lifting in 2001 as a challenge. The trainer I had at the time challenged me to try it. So my first meet was in August or September of 2001. Rich was there and it was held at the Boys & Girls club in Rio Rancho. I had a good time so I tried it again and then became hooked.
What are some of your best lifting accomplishments so far?
My best accomplishments have been to continue to lift. When you start your lifting career at the age of 60 and have continued to the present which has been 15yrs, you are just glad to be able to do it. Since I was sick most of 2015, I am glad to be back on the platform.
What are some lifting goals that you have set for the future?
My future goals are to continue to improve so I can reach my records that I have set previously. I would like to get to the lower weight class and that way I can have records in three different weight classes.
What kind of training program do you follow?
I work out three times a week. I do bench twice a week and deadlifts once a week. I do curls the same day a deadlifts, and do cleans twice a week. I may change that up a little later on and try something new and see how it goes. I need to be ready to be on the platform at the end of April in Galllup NM, then for World Cup in Denver CO. My work is cut out for me.
How long have you been involved with NASA Powerlifting?
2001.
If you could lift against anybody else heads up in NASA who would it be?
If I could lift against anybody in NASA, I’m not sure who that would be, there are so many good lifters it would be hard to chose, also I would have to be about 20 years younger to go against them.
What are some of your favorite moments from being at NASA meets?
I have so many wonderful moments in NASA it would be hard to choose one of them. I have made so many friends and received so many awards throughout the years that it is hard to choose. My most recent wonderful moment was receiving the Overall Athlete of the Year award. I feel honored to be with some of the most elite lifters and people of this organization.
Is there anything else you’d like to let the NASA Powerlifting world know?
NASA is a great organization to be in. I was never in any sports in high school or after, so I figured I would never have the ability to be able to do something like this. I so enjoy every meet, even if I am not doing well, there is always someone there that will cheer you on and help you through that “bad” lift. People are like your family, they encourage you, they help you through the bad times and make you want to come back and compete again, I look forward to each meet as I get to see “my family”.