Behavior Health employee sets new powerlifting world records

Story by Laurie Pearson
Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

Michelle Lawing, Installation Sexual Assault Response coordinator for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, is not only winning powerlifting competitions, but she is breaking world records in the process during competitions throughout 2017 and 2018.

“It’s amazing!” the athlete said of her recent accomplishments. “I never thought I’d break any records. I was just trying to increase my numbers (weights and repetitions) for myself, but that’s where a good coach comes in. Jim looks up the records and plans meets for me according to what goals we have set.”

The Jim she is referring to is Jim Seifert, engineering technician at Production Plant Barstow, Marine Depot Maintenance Command with 12 years of civil service. Before that he served 24 years active duty with the U.S. Marines, retiring as a Master Sergeant as a Data Communications chief.

“I’m also a Certified Personal Trainer and Sports Nutritionist through an organization called ACTION,” Seifert said, “and a United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) certified Coach and Referee.”

Lawing credits Seifert for keeping her focused, motivated and prepared.

“Having a coach helps so much,” she said. “It’s nice not to have to think about the programming and just do it. He tells me, and I do. You have to have a coach who is knowledgeable and whom you trust, and if I have any questions, I ask. Jim is a great coach. I like that he’s been in the fitness game for a while and knows the importance of ‘longevity’ in this sport and fitness in general. The two had been friends on social media for a while, then began working together at the beginning of 2017.

“We started with basic leaning out and some bodybuilding,” Lawing said. “Then at the end of 2017, I decided to try powerlifting.”

Her first powerlifting competition was April 7, 2018, in the High Desert. It was a local meet sanctioned by the United States Powerlifting Association. She took first place in her age and weight class, as well as the Best Lifter Award for Masters Lifter, over the age of 40. Her second meet was on June 3, 2018, in Riverside, California where again she took first in her age and weight class, but was also beating out younger and heavier girls in the Deadlift.

“I knew at this point she had a real knack for this and I started looking for higher level competition for us,” Seifert said. “We competed in the USPA International Powerlifting League meet at the Anaheim Fit Expo in August 2018. Even though we didn't achieve the lifts we wanted at this meet, it was enough to qualify for the World Championships in November, in Las Vegas. I asked her to trust me and assured her that I would come up with a plan for us to compete in this event.”

After competing in the National Physique Committee’s Bikini competition in 2014, Lawing had not planned to continue competing.

“It was hard on my body with regard to diet especially,” she explained. “I rebounded badly. My metabolism was slow and it took me two years to fix that damage. But then after working with Jim for a while I decided to try a powerlifting and power building style of training. I had friends who competed in powerlifting, so I decided to go for it!”

NPC bikini is by far more expensive, she explained. Competitors spend thousands of dollars on hair, makeup, a proper suit, posing practice, membership card, and meet fees. In powerlifting, you just have a membership card and meet fees.”

“No one cares what you look like in powerlifting,” she said. “It just matters if you can lift the weight or n o t .”

The competitive atmosphere is vastly different as well, she noted. In the bikini competition, she felt that there was a lack of support by other competitors.

“In my experience, it was very catty and cold,” she explained. “The powerlifting community is so supportive! The atmosphere is so positive! Everyone wants everyone else to do well. At meets, competitors will even share food with you and cheer you on, even if you are competing against each other. It’s great! It gets you pumped!”

In powerlifting, there are three events: Squat, Bench Press and Deadlift. While Seifert says Lawing was good in all three lifts, she clearly exceeded as a dead-lifter. They had always competed in all three lifts, but for the World Championships in Las Vegas last November, he told her they would just focus and compete in the Deadlift Only (DLO) class.

“I went through all the current records, our training, nutrition, rest,” he said. “I reviewed everything I could think of then we got together to discuss this information. I told her we have a real shot at setting a World Record in the Deadlift and asked if she was interested. It took less than a second for her to say ‘Yes, let's go for it!’ We were very lucky that this year's Drug Tested World Championships were in Las Vegas.”

Lawing competed in the Masters 40-44 years old in the 165-pound weight class. Competitors have three attempts at all lifts, and on Lawing’s third attempt she had a successful lift of 330.7 pounds!

“This was enough for first place in her class and a new world record!” he said proudly.

Their next meet was January 26, 2019 where they went for a Drug Tested, State Record in the Bench Press. She earned the state record for her bench for Master Class 40-44 age group. She also increased her prior records in state and national records for deadlift, Master Class 40-44 age group.

“I like doing drug tested meets at the moment, but I’ve competed in non-drug tested, as well,” Lawing said. “I like drug tested meets because it’s all natural strength.” Their comprehensive program includes an extensive focus on nutrition as well as the athletics themselves.

Meals are planned out and prepared in advance each week. Seifert writes her nutrition plan based on total calories and macronutrient breakdowns. After years of practice, meal prep is just a way of life for them both. “I am so used to meal prep that it’s easy for me,” Lawing said. “I don’t have to meticulously plan and prepackage each meal like I did when I started. I mainly get all my proteins cooked ahead of time, for myself and my family. I like to eat a lot of my veggies raw, so I do a salad with protein and veggies together. That’s my go-to, simple meal.”

When planning meals, Lawing doesn’t restrict any food groups.“I don’t believe in that,” she said. “It doesn’t work for me. Macros are your proteins, carbs, and fats. Jim gives me a set amount of each and the goal daily is to get as close as I can to those numbers. It’s not perfect. You may go over or under a tad daily. I could never do a no carb diet lifting heavy. It works for some people, but I like balance.”

Lawing was initially motivated to get in to bodybuilding by concern over her health. “I decided I would do what I could to be the healthiest I could be,” she said. “So, if by chance something health-wise did go wrong, it wouldn’t be because I didn’t do my best to prevent it.”

The two also note the importance of rest and relaxation. In training, they both push pretty hard, but like to unwind and spend time with the family and forget about the gym.

So what is Lawing’s favorite exercise, one might like to ask?

“Leg Day!” she said enthusiastically. “Anything legs because, as a woman, who doesn’t want to have a shapely lower half ?”
She offers these words of
advice:

• Support at home is key! It can be hard for your family to adjust to your eating style, but in the long run meal prep often rubs off on family. They begin eating healthier, as well.
• Just do it! If you’re considering an exercise regimen, do it for yourself, but understand that it’s a process. You’re not going to get fit overnight. It’s a trial and error, consistency and dedication.
• Make it a lifestyle! It can take years depending on your goals, but if you make it a lifestyle then you can sustain it. The progress you want will come in time.
• Don’t try to look like anyone else. “Just make yourself the best that you can be,” she said.