For Bega’s Laura Day, lifting weights is more than a sport - it is a way of life.
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“I feel like bodybuilding is part of who I am,” Day said.
“A lifestyle I love living.”
The 32-year-old was named women’s champion at the recent Australasian Natural Bodybuilding Federation’s Canberra Muscle and Model Spectacular at the Australian Institute of Sport.
I was super nervous before my routine, but the adrenaline hit when I walked on stage, and it felt so natural.
- Women's champion Laura Day
Through the sport Day has aimed to be positive role model for her three daughters and destroy stereotypes.
“I love lifting weights, it’s my escape from my busy life as a mother of three girls, and working full time,” Day said after the win.
“I want to show my girls that women can be strong, and achieve anything they put there mind too.”
Anyone who has seen Pumping Iron, the 1977 docudrama about the world of professional bodybuilding and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, knows the most important element of winning against tough competition is the ability to pose effectively.
“The key to holding poses is practice and a good mind body connection,” Day said.
“You can be good at posing, but if your not stage ready and lean enough you won’t see the muscle definition.”
Competing on stage in front of hundreds of people is a long way from pumping iron inside Bega’s United Fitness, but it’s something Day is quickly excelling at under the keen eye of trainer and mentor Shaun Ruzicka.
“I was super nervous before my routine, but the adrenaline hit when I walked on stage, and it felt so natural,” she said.
“I had so much fun doing it.”
Day aims to ride the wave of her success, and take the sport as far as she can.
“Next year I will be more organised, and I’m aiming to go to nationals,” Day said.
“Who knows what’s next if I qualify? I can’t wait for next season.”
With Bega’s Nathan Sturgiss taking out the title of Mr ACT at the same event, Day said it is “exciting times” for local body builders who have created a supportive “family” atmosphere for each other.