Bryndis Olafsdottir represented Iceland as a swimmer in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul.
She is now 2011 Iceland’s Strongest Woman.
You will see from this interview that she is still as competitive as she has ever been.
Even with young twins to look after….
Phil Burgess: How did you get into Strongman competitons?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I watched it on Icelandic TV and loved the sport and our Icelandic competitiors.
I was ending my swimming career (3x European championships, 1988 Olympics and many other competitions) and wanted to find another sport for me.
I had been lifting weights since I was 16 years old.
In 1995, I took part in my first competition and won.
Phil Burgess: What is your proudest strongman contest result so far? And why?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I learned through my swimming to be happy and grateful for every little success in sports, so I am actually happy about all my 5 strongwoman titles so far.
Phil Burgess: How do you juggle work, training and looking after your children?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I train three times a week at 6:15am in the morning in my garage. The children are asleep while I am training.
I work as a physiotherapist from 8.00am -4.00pm.
I use the weekends and sometimes the afternoon to train at home, my twins are nearby, sometimes they stay with me.
Phil Burgess: What is the next strongwoman event you will be competing in? and how do you think you will go?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I have no idea which competition I am going to take part in, but I recently took part in heavy competition in Finland a week ago and placed 5th.
Phil Burgess: Do you also compete in Powerlifting events, and what have you won in these, if applicable?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I do take part in deadlift competitions, I set two Icelandic records in 40+ age group.
I am tall and still learning the deadlifting technique but having fun with it.
Phil Burgess: What are your strongest events, and what are those which you find more difficult?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: My Strongest event is probably the overhead lift. My deadlift is my worst event.
I am constantly getting better in the deadlift.
Due to my age however, I have to train all kinds of strength techniques to maintain explosive power and quickness
Phil Burgess: Who is the person you look up to the most in the world of Strongman?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: Our best strongmen are my favourites.
(Editors note: Stefan Solvi Pettursson, and Thor.)
Phil Burgess: What is the best thing about living in Iceland? And not so good?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I lived for 10 years in Germany, and 1 year in Canada and have visited the whole world.
To live in Iceland is just fantastic and i can’t see nothing wrong with it except it would be nicer to stay outside if the temperature would rise 5 degrees in the summer.
Phil Burgess: Finally what do you do as a job? And what do you do to relax?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: I work as a Physiotherapist.
To relax I spend time with my twins and chat.
I also sleep alot when my children are with their father.
Phil Burgess:What are your goals for 2012, and beyond?
Bryndis Olafsdottir: Placing high in the Worlds Strongest Woman competition.
I don’t even know if Iam going to be invited.
Beyond that, I don’t even think about it.
Thanks Bryndis for your time and good luck in your next competition.
