Shana White Dec. 2014
December 2014 - Shana White
Please introduce yourself. Who are you? How old are you? Where were you born? Etc. Give the readers some background about yourself.
I’m Shana White and an Atlanta native. I’m 36 years old, been married for over eight years and I have a five year old daughter and two year old son. I’ve been teacher for 10.5 years and I’m going to pursue my Ed.S in instructional technology this spring to hopefully get out of the classroom and more on the technology coaching side of education.
Do you compete equipped (squat suit, bench press shirt & deadlift suit) or unequipped (no suits) or both and what weight class(s) and divisions(s) do you compete in?
I have only competed raw in meets in the 82.5kg or 84kg open class.
What was your last competition and how did you do?
2014 Georgia and Southern States meet in October. I earned 2nd place in the 82.5kg raw open class and 2nd place overall in raw women’s open finishing with a 1047lb total and 432 wilks score.
When was your first competition?
June 2013 at the USPA Georgia State Meet run by Steve Goggins.
How did you improve from your first competition to your most recent?
My numbers in my first meet were 253lbs squat, 148lbs bench, and 352lbs deadlift. In the October 2014 Georgia state meet, I finished with a 385lbs squat, 209lbs bench, and 451lbs deadlift.
What is your next competition?
USAPL Raw Challenge at the Arnold Sports Festival in March.
What do you plan on doing differently for that meet if anything?
Nothing different, just continue to enjoy my newbie gains. J
Where are you located in Georgia and where do you train at?
I currently live in Duluth. I train on my own most of the time, but work out of Goggins Force on the
weekends when I can make it.
What are your hobbies (other than powerlifting)?
Spending time reading the Bible or other Christian devotionals, spending time with my husband and kids, learning/exploring educational technology tools, and I love watching football both college and the NFL.
Who is your role model and why?
Jesus Christ because He lived a perfect life. The Lord gives me unwavering peace and consistent encouragement in this crazy/noisy world.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I love corny romantic comedies and the movie Rudy always makes me cry. Also I’m a quarter Cuban but don’t speak Spanish J
Is there anything about powerlifting you would like to change or wish was different?
I wish there was more humility in the sport and respect for those who have come before. With technology everywhere, everyone thinks they are a guru, everyone wants to be a keyboard warrior (break people down instead of lifting them up or say their way is the only way and the best way). I wish there was more unity within the sport, more humility among lifters, and more respect. We all have a common thread which is battling the bar and plates. I wish people would just talk/type less and demonstrate more action (get stronger and encourage others).
What is your occupation? Does it interfere with competing or visa versa?
I’m a middle school teacher in Gwinnett County. I’ve had to take off a few days of school for meets or meet recovery, but besides that it does not really interfere.
How did you get into powerlifting and how many years have you been competing?
One of my very good friends Gina Benton talked me into it. She competed on the IPF World Bench Team and trained with Jennifer Thompson. She mentioned that I was athletic, built for powerlifting and I should give it a try. After months of nudging me, I finally signed up for my first meet May 2013.
Are you involved in powerlifting in any way besides as a competitor?
I’ve helped run the computer and input lifter data at a couple meets so far.
What are your biggest squat, bench press, deadlift and total numbers? And how do your best training numbers compare to your best competition numbers?
Best numbers in a meet so far: Squat-385lbs Bench-209lbs Deadlift-451lbs; I think my training numbers are pretty comparable.
What advice would you give a new lifter just starting out?
Well I’m still a newbie myself, but I would suggest a few things. Remain humble, get a competent powerlifting coach, and consistently work hard.
What are your short term goals now as a lifter?
Improve my technique in all three lifts, stay healthy, get stronger, and continue to encourage others.
What are some long term goals you would like to achieve?
I would say a couple of my long term goals are to secure the IPF 84kg raw world record in the deadlift and compete at IPF Raw Worlds.
Who is your favorite powerlifter of all time?
Even though I’m relatively new to the sport, there are quite a few lifters I look up to. Those lifters include Steve Goggins, Kimberly Walford, Ray Williams, Jennifer Thompson, Ian Bell, and David Ricks.
Can you describe your training philosophy and/or a typical training session?
Work hard, learn, improve my technique, and get better as a lifter every session. When I train with Steve and even on my own the thing I always think is this: being comfortable is easy. Once I leave training I should have improved as a lifter both mentally and physically which requires me to be pushed out of my comfort zone.
What is your favorite lift, squat or bench press or deadlift or all three and why?
I love the deadlift, probably because it comes easiest to me but also having a strong deadlift can put you in the driver’s seat most of the time at a meet. J
Who is the most impressive lifter you have competed against?
At Raw Nationals this past July, I competed against Sebrina Davis (IPF Raw World Champion) and Alicia Webb (IPF Raw Masters World Champion).
Do you have any rivals in powerlifting?
My mind. Having the mental toughness to continue to fight and claw for every pound, believing/having confidence in myself, and balancing my life outside of powerlifting/training, is the toughest opponent I’ve ever faced. My mind is my biggest rival.
If we're sitting here a year from now celebrating what a great year it's been for you, what would be the reason?
The Lord has allowed me to stay injury-free, I’ve glorified God with my lifting/training, hopefully put up some bigger numbers, and seen my Goggins Force teammates reach their powerlifting goals too!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thank you so much for selecting me for athlete of the month. I’m humbled, blessed and have truly enjoyed my time as a powerlifter so far. I give all Glory to God for my success in powerlifting and in life. I thank my husband and my family for their support for this new hobby. Special thank you to Steve Goggins for his knowledge, coaching, support, and “get it done” approach he uses with me. Without Steve pushing me physically and mentally out of my comfort zone, I would not be where I am today in this sport, so thank you. I would also like to thank Josh Rohr for being my first coach and teaching me more about powerlifting. Additionally, I would like thank my Goggins Force teammates for being awesome and other members of the powerlifting community that have been genuinely encouraging and befriended me so far like (Kimberly Walford, Shannan D’Annunzio, Gina Benton, Gene Bell, Jack DiBenedetto, and Sebrina Davis).
And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8
