NAS Champs

Becca Swanson

Bio

I began weightlifting with the dream of bodybuilding in 1996. My coach, Rick Hussey, trained me in powerlifting for two years. I did local powerlifting meets and racked up some local records. I tried my hand at bodybuilding for two years winning titles such as Ms. Nebraska, Ms. Midwest and Ms. Rocky Mountain.

Two things happened in the year 2000. First, big muscular girls were, ironically, no longer welcome in bodybuilding. I was denied proper placing at the 2000 Junior USA bodybuilding show. Second, world powerlifting records were within reach. The choice seemed hard at the time, but I had to give up bodybuilding to pursue my goals in powerlifting. It was a great decision! Full time powerlifting!

I am the strongest female powerlifter to ever walk the face of the earth. I have the highest total ever 710.5 kg/1566 lbs. I have the highest squat ever, 290 kg/639 lbs. I have the highest deadlift ever, 274.5 kg/605 lbs. My highest bench ever is 162.5 kg/358 lbs. I have two world records in the 198 lb weight class and three world records in the 198+ lb weight class. I received best lifter awards at 2001 APF Nationals, 2002 APF Nationals and 2001 WPC Worlds.

Instead of going to the 2002 WPC Worlds, I tried my hand at Strongwoman contests. The Heartland Strongman Challenge was my first competition, then NAS Nationals. I won heavyweight first place in both competitions, winning all of the individual events as well. The athleticism required in strongwoman is very appealing to me. My size is deceiving; people think because I am big, I am slow. I look forward to being in a position to compete directly against the top contenders of the sport.

My life is engulfed in my athletics. I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Degree from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln in 1998. Instead of pursuing a career, I work for myself at Big Iron Gym, a place I created with my coach/boyfriend Rick Hussey. At this time I plan to enhance my athletic career by squatting 700 lbs at the Arnold Classic, March 1, 2003. Also, I look forward to opportunities that may evolve for me in strongwoman.