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Laura Kness-Torrez

"I really have a passion for helping young women have a better relationship with food, and how eating – you have to eat to perform. It was a big shift for me to realize that eating wasn’t a bad thing, and that I needed to eat to fuel my body for performance."

Laura Kness-Torrez has a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Colorado State University. She is also certified with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine. 

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Extended Interview: 

Q: How many years have you been doing personal training?

A: Altogether I’ve been training for almost 30 years now. I started training in college at CSU [Colorado State University]. I was at a local gym there and was competing – and we can talk about the difference between that because I don’t really love that subculture or what it does to women generally. But it was a good experience for me. I started training and working in a gym before I even graduated. So probably closer to 25 years, actually, because I’ve been out of high school for about 33 years so, probably about 25 years.

Q: What was that first like when you really started to train? Did you have any hesitancies going into the gym?

A: No, I didn’t. But it was definitely a male dominated culture then. And I tend to gravitate more towards hanging out with boys and men. Just for whatever reason I’ve never been like a real girly-girl so all the traditional girl stuff...I felt really comfortable right off the bat.

I took a weightlifting class in high school, actually, as one of my P.E classes and totally fell in love with that. Like how lifting made me feel mentally, physically of course, but just the whole feeling strong, looking strong, healthy lifestyle of it.

Q: Did you have any unexpected things happen when you did start lifting and figuring that out? Like for me, I didn't realize how hungry I'd get and how that helped with my relationship with food. 

A: Yes! And that was a huge switch for me because I definitely battled with body image stuff and a bad relationship with food like a lot of young women do.  On a side note, I actually just spoke with Greeley West Soccer on Friday about this. I really have a passion for helping young women have a better relationship with food, and how eating – you have to eat to perform. So you’re exactly right. It was a big shift for me to realize that eating wasn’t a bad thing, and that I needed to eat to fuel my body for performance.

I tell people all the time – it’s an extreme example – but when I was lifting my hardest and when I was competing, I was taking in almost 3,000 calories a day. And that was because I was in peak shape and I wasn’t married or had kids yet or anything. So, along with my major in Exercise Science, it was a huge part of my life then. So it was feasible. But it definitely shifted my relationship with food as well.

Q: As the wrap up question, is there anything else regarding this topic of women’s lifting or for women who are curious about this, is there any other advice you’d maybe want to give them?

A:  I would encourage anyone to meet with someone, a fitness professional, and maybe explore some gym options in your community that you’re probably find someone that you can connect with that will help you get started in the process.

I think it’s great physically for bone density health, for feeling strong, for metabolism. But it’s also super important for our relationship with food. Mentally I always tell people it’s my drug of choice. It always makes me feel really good and cleansed, I guess, after a good workout. I would highly encourage any woman that’s exploring that or thinking about starting lifting – there’s so many great benefits physically and mentally for women…Just try it. Get in. People just love to see their bodies change.

I would definitely encourage anyone that wants to explore. And if you go into a gym and don’t really love it? Go into another one. You’ll find a good fit for you.

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