Lauren Gorman Interview

Photo Credits:
Photos 1-5: RX Muscle


After having enough of being overweight, Lauren Gorman decided to make a change and get in-shape and healthy. That turned into getting on the bikini stage. She has done well competing, including an impressive second place finish at the New Jersey State and then less than a week later getting on the National Stage at Team Universe in August. Her pro card is her goal, and with some improvements that she wants to make, that goal may very well become a reality.

Q: Can you talk about how you got started in the gym?
A: I was originally very overweight and un-healthy. I woke up one day and decided to join a gym with one of my friends. After working out there a couple months straight, I was approached by one of the trainers there who had seen a lot of my hard work and dedication and he asked if I wanted to train for the sport. He had trained a couple NPC athletes prior. He asked if it was something I was interested in and that is how I got into training, competing and that lifestyle.

Q: So him asking you is what got you interested in competing then?
A: Yeah, I really wanted to do something that was different, that not a lot of people could do. At first I was convinced I wanted to be a runner but after just running and running it bored me after awhile. So, after talking with him, he told me what the competition lifestyle was like, very rigid and strict, but worthwhile. I went to a show that someone from my gym was in and fell in love with it. It was a little over two years ago.

Q: With a lot of people, you say "bikini" and they think T&A, did you have to explain to people what it was?
A: Yes absolutely. A lot of people don't know what bikini is. A couple people asked me if I competed at spring break or in Florida. I do have to explain what it is. Some don't understand till they see pictures or I invite them to a show, then they get it a little better.

Q: Some people say after the first show that competing becomes an addiction for them, was that the case for you?
A: Absolutely! I did two shows last year, my first year competing. I did very well and loved it. Unfortunately after my second show I got hurt and had to take some time off. I got back into it and training in January and now I can't stop.

Q: In August you took second at the New Jersey State, how did it feel to take second against that many girls?
A: Amazing! I was petrified going in, it was my first show in over a year, very nervous. I am from Pennsylvania and had done Pennsylvania shows previously. Pennsylvania shows and New Jersey shows are very different. I was very nervous and anxious going in, I felt over-prepared for it, coming with the best physique I could have presented. I was filled with satisfaction and pride and accomplishment. Just being in first call-out let alone taking second place was amazing.

Q: Obviously you are happy but when you first her second place are you at all upset that you were so close to first?
A: yeah there always is. Part of the feeling of being accomplished is also "what could have done more, what are they looking for, what was wrong with my physique?" Those are the thoughts that run through your head. You have a little bit of an emotional breakdown after wondering what you could have done better. I talked to the judges and got a lot of feedback and realized it was such an accomplishment.

Q: Right after that you did North Americans, how did you feel about that show?
A: I felt I looked very good. It was six days after the Jersey show, so no recovery time, I had to get right back into the swing of things. I felt that I could have looked a little bit more full, but from having no time for recovery, I feel like I went in a little more flat than I would have liked. The experience, I want to compete at that National level and get my feet wet, and it was a great show to do it for. I probably would have allowed myself more time between shows because it is rough to not give your body a chance to recover a little bit, but overall I did well.

Q: Was there any difference for you in doing a National show?
A: I was much more nervous haha. It was a little bit of a culture shock. You go from having all the time you want on stage from thirty to forty-five seconds at a local show to having ten seconds and they chase you right off. That was a huge adjustment for me to make with my routine and my posing. You work so hard and it is almost a hit to say "you have ten seconds and if you take twelve you are off stage, you are outta here". That was a little rough. I think I made the adjustments very well and with more experience, I will be more comfortable with adjusting my routines accordingly. It was an amazing experience.

Q: Do you know when you want to compete again?
A: Yes, I am looking at the November 3rd Eastern USA's in Manhattan.

Q: For that show, where do you want to be better?
A: I really want to tighten up my lower body. I have been really working a lot on tightening it up. One of the critiques from the judges was that my proportion was off, my upper body comes in real tight and real cut and my lower body isn't quite there yet. I am really focusing on that, tightening up the quads and hamstrings.

Q: You seem to have the frame to hold more muscle, have you ever considered figure?
A: It is in the back of my mind. I have been toying with it this whole season actually. When it gets time to make that decision I always go the bikini route. I was at the same position two weeks ago when I started with dieting and cardio for the November 3rd show, talking with my coaches to see where I sit. I am in that in-between stage right now, my body could go either way. It is something to think about for next season. I do love bikini, the posing, the way it is presented. Figure is certainly a possibility in my mind.

Q: Long term, I assume the goal is a pro card?
A: Yes, absolutely!

Q: In the gym, not a lot of girls training that hard, do you get a lot of attention or stares?
A: there are some people that will look at me or females approach and ask what I am doing and say they don't know how I do it. I go to a small gym where everyone knows everyone, and they were there to support me at the New Jersey show. A lot of them understand but there are some who still look at me like "that is for guys to do, guys should look that way". If they ask, I let them know what is going on. I like to promote the sport and get people to support it. It is a sport, rough training but fun and it pays off.

Q: If you could spend one day training with anyone, who would it be?
A: It may be a funny answer, but I think Branch Warren.

Q: Anyone you want to thank?
A: Just my team of trainers. I train at Retro Fitness of Easton. I train with Bill and Allie there and they are fantastic, they have supported me and dealt with my craziness and the roller coaster of dieting and everything. The owners have been supportive of my training and giving my access to do posing or lift and things, they have been great.