I was at the gym tonight - doing my bicep curls when this lady walked in front of me. I noticed her arms first and that little curl of envey hit. Then I looked up at her face and nearly fell over. It was Shannon Harnett! 5th strongest woman in the world in the 90's, five time world champion on the Scottish Highland games and my personal idol!
In case you didn't know, this woman changed my life...
A few years back, I had been doing BFL for a while and my fiance was really struggling with the idea of me lifting weights... especially the kind of weights I'm capable of lifting. One day we made the treck over to the local scottish games. There we saw this woman...
She was lifting heavy things,
and throwing heavy things,
and looking stunning the entire time...
The fiance looked at me and said, "You could look like that!"
From that day forward he's been my biggest supporter - only too happy to hand me a weight and spot me if I'm trying to lift more.
And today... today I got to talk to her!! She was working out, in MY GYM! Using MY LEG PRESS Machine - looking better then ever!
I walked up to her like the big dork I am (as she was resting between sets) and called her name. She looked as me kind of confused and I rushed to tell her that I wanted to thank her for the change she brought to my life. She asked me a few questions like how long I had been lifting, we complained together about our shared long commute. She asked my name and shook my hand. I let her get back to her workout and I finished mine 1000 feet above the ground. My only regret - that I wasn't in better shape so I could prove to her what a REAL inspiration she has been to me. I will though - I will.
If you want to see all the photos I took at her last ever highland compition...
Shanon Harnett
zfslnfszThanks so much for posting those pix of Shannon. I have been reading your blog for a few weeks, but I think this is the first time i've commented.
ReplyDeleteThanks again.
Kelly
That is the coolest thing EVER! I don't think anyone even remotely famous works out in Wilkes Barre, PA, so I doubt I'll get to see anyone in my gym, lol. That's just so awesome.
ReplyDeleteNice Story Shawn :-).
ReplyDeleteVery cool experience! Talk about an extra motivation, eh?
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool to meet the person that inspires you. I think if you set your mind to it you can do this and look like her, it is doable. Have a great Mother's Day Shawn. Troy.
ReplyDeleteGreat story. Thanks for sharing. Hope you had a great Mother's Day!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW so cool _ we have the Highland games up here... but I've never seen any female competitors - let alone HER - she's AMAZING!!
ReplyDeleteYOu GO girl!! one day that could be you tossing a caber! Ps love the "Carlos" quote... It made me think! :D
I remember you posting this way back! Wow! You really saw her in person? Cool!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great meeting. She has awesome arms, I probably would've looked in envy too.
ReplyDeleteHeh Heh! I showed this picture to my boyfriend and he said, "Yup! Great physique except for the boobs." :-) My man loves muscles so that's great for me!! I just have to get me some!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so cool that you got to meet her. I'm pretty sure it didn't matter to her what condition you were in. It has to feel good to be told you motivate somebody!!