Alanna Casey (winner – under 150lbs Strongwomen world championships 2013) and I laugh often about the differences between me and 
her. We refer to ourselves as the yin and yang of the sport simply because we seem like polar opposites; Alanna being intensely focused on the win, Me, “going with the flow” and driven by self improvement. I have been competing in NAS contests in the United states for the past 4 years and I can categorically state that the American and Australian cultures and attitudes especially when it comes to competition seem so so different.
I thought it would be interesting to answer a number of questions, me as the laid-back Aussie and Casey as the world dominating American to see how our perspectives, views and attitudes contrasted. It also gives you a little insight into both of us as athletes….So here goes, enjoy…..
What was your attitude towards competing growing up?
Aussie
My attitude towards competition growing up was all about winning the title; I played every team sport I could fit into my schedule and Netball at a state level. I would literally leave everything I had on the court to win with my team. I consistently trained hard (3-4 evenings a week) and never questioned my coaches directions. I remember however getting frustrated when team-mates did not give as much as I did or did not try as hard as I thought they could. I also remember being extremely competitive in the classroom – competing with the boys as well as my sister for the best Math, physics and biology results.
American
Everything, every activity can be turned into a competition. When I was younger I would turn hitting a balloon back and forth with my little sister into a competition. I would make a game out of it, full of elaborate rules and score keeping of course. Everything I did I made into a competition. I loved it. It gave me little goals to work towards, and it was exciting every time I proved I was better than the previous attempt. I preferred to compete against others but, I was content in competing against my own accomplishments as well. I loved competing. I craved it; always. I still do.
What was your motivation to compete in strongwoman?
Aussie
I literally fell into the sport. There was not “decision” that was made. In fact the guys I was training with in 2008 made it my punishment for not attending the national powerlifting titles, to lift atlas stones. I immediately fell in love with the sport because it involved strength and athleticism. My training at the time was strength/power focused; a mix of powerlifting and sprints/high intensity conditioning. Strongman contests was the perfect test of the training I loved.
American
I entered a strongwoman contest, and I didn’t win. My college friend invited me to compete at a local contest at Iron Sport Gym, in Pennsylvania. I had no idea what strongwoman was and had never seen any of the implements until I showed up on competition day. I loved the events, they were interesting to me but I wasn’t the best. Other women were stronger than me, better than me. As much as I admired their strength, I hated that they were “better.” I knew I needed to get stronger, and needed to be able to compete with all of these women, I needed to be able to beat them. And that’s exactly what I did.
What is your motivation to remain involved in strongwoman?
Aussie
I just love training for strong woman contests. I love how it is not good enough to be brutally strong; you also need speed, power and a focused, disciplined mind that can handle the pressure of contest. Generally, I remain focused on doing the very best I can do on contest day however occasionally another competitor will come along, who triggers my competitive edge and I will make it a goal to beat that particular person. I do not pay attention to competitors lists or their YouTube efforts prior to the day of contest – we all know you can kill events in the back ally but under contest stress, it’s a totally different game. I want to continue to evolve as an athlete and a person; this is what motivates and inspires me.
American
After winning the 150 lb North American Strongman (NAS) strongwoman competition at the 2013 Arnold Sports Festival, I felt I made a good 
step towards being “the best.” However, wining one competition, one time, does not mean you are the current best or the future best. But, in order to continue being the best I must continue to compete. In my mind, it doesn’t matter what an athlete does in training (if his/her goal is to win a particular contest). What matters is what that athlete can do after a full training cycle, after cutting weight, during the mental pressures of competition and, when directly compared to other athletes. Anyone can look good in his or her own gym or his or her own equipment. To me, the real test of an athlete comes during competition.
In regard to the sport of Strongwoman, how much do you think entertainment matters?
Aussie
Entertainment is key in the sport of Strongman/woman. People love seeing unassuming people (especially women) doing phenomenal, super human acts of strength. BUT I think the challenge is between keeping the sport focused on strength and athleticism while attracting new athletes to the sport and keeping the events entertaining. I enjoy entertaining but also I like to do this on my own accord ~ whatever I do in contest is 100% me and no act. I think thats the best type of entertainment…someone just being themselves.
American
Entertainment matters, a lot. I tend not to make a “big fuss” when I lift or I compete. But, I think I’d be a better entertainer if I did. It’s challenging for me to “entertain” as I like to keep all my energy reserved. My output during any event or max lift is 100% effort. I do not feel I have any energy left over to “entertain.”
What qualities do you respect in other athletes?
Aussie
I have such admiration for athletes who can remain humble, maintain their integrity, who act and do not just talk. I have an amazing amount of respect for the quite achievers who just do their thing and then come out and place top 5 in contest. I also LOVE watching athletes who can channel their aggression in a contest yet off the field, are calm and humble. I find these qualities so very entertaining and impressive.
American
Mental toughness. I believe the hardest part of strongwoman is the gathering and consistent possession of the drive to continue on. It’s not hard to have one good training day, once in a blue moon. What is hard is training day after day, for 10 weeks leading up to a competition. An athlete must be able to rise above personal strife like heart break, job changes, friendship loses, and general self-doubt. Everyone has stress. Everyone has injuries. What separates a “competitor” from a “champion” is the athlete’s ability to push through life’s curve balls and stay focused on what she wants. That is hard to do and at times takes every ounce of mental toughness an athlete has.
What do you love about…
Aussie … Casey?
Alanna is so intense, thoughtful and focused and the Casey I see in contest is so different from the Casey hanging out post contest. I will never forget the support and love Casey showed when I broke down into hot-mess after missing out on the top four at the Arnold. Alanna was in first place at the end of day one and she still found it in herself to usher me out of the exhibition hall and back to our room….Her “Im going to destroy all of my competitors body mind and soul” attitude makes me smile! Casey is America personified – with world dominance the aim of her game - I love it.
American …Metty?
Sue is a fierce competitor and wonderful friend. I like her attitude. As a competitor, I believe that her thought process is similar to mine but, channeled in a more “relaxed” fashion. Sue is willingly to punish her body, she is willingly to travel over a fucking ocean to compete, and she wants the win. Simply “showing up” is not good enough for her, and I respect that fiery competitor in her.
Alanna and me will be channelling our competitive spirit at the NAS nationals in Texas on 18 and 19 October where I intend on qualifying for the 2014 Arnold Classic Strongwoman Fitness.
I think politician, John Langmore summed up the difference between Aussies and Americans perfectly when he stated;
“Americans maintain their sense of being God’s own country with a manifest destiny to lead the world to freedom and democracy. Australia has no global ambitions, and those related to the region are for stability and economic advancement rather than dominance”
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