Norlane paramedic Katie Blunden to compete in Official Strongman Games
A Norlane paramedic is juggling pursuing the title of the strongest in the world with her hectic job.
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When Norlane paramedic Katie Blunden isn’t helping save lives, she may be found using her impressive strength to flip cars.
The 25-year-old axle clean and press world record holder will compete to be crowned the “World’s Strongest Woman” in the Official Strongman Games in the U.S. next week.
She “can’t even imagine” taking home the global strongest woman title.
“I’ve been trying not to think about it too much, but it would be pretty awesome to be considered one of the strongest women in the world,” she said.
Ms Blunden is no stranger to carrying hundreds of kilograms on her back, flipping cars and pulling trucks, and said it was “surreal” being able to lift so much weight.
“At the Strongwoman Australia competition this year there was a car-flipping competition and only three out of 10 of us that qualified were able to actually flip the car,” she said.
“So it’s pretty cool to be able to do that.”
Ms Blunden is in her second year as an Ambulance Victoria paramedic, which often requires her to channel the same inner-strength she relies on weightlifting.
“You need to adopt the same attitude you do going into a competition,” she said.
“Trying not to let the crowd or the nerves get the better of you.
“You get in a certain mindset because you’re there to do a job.
“As a paramedic it’s the same, not letting the stress or the pressure of certain scenes or dealing with certain patients get to you.
“I try to channel that same mindset.”
Ms Blunden, who currently holds the title of Australia’s second strongest woman, said she had to overcome “obstacles” during her journey, which presented “quite challenging” mental hurdles.
These included persevering when fatigued or when lacking motivation, but still being able to dig deep to give 110 per cent.
“I’ve had to overcome a lot of self-doubt as well,” she said.
“Thoughts that I can’t do it … or that someone else is better than me.”
“It’s especially difficult in a male dominated sport … you sort of have to prove that you deserve to be there.
“A lot of it is proving to yourself that you can do it rather than anyone else.”
Ms Blunden will travel to the USA for the first time next week for the Official Strongman Games, running December from 5 to 8.
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Originally published as Norlane paramedic Katie Blunden to compete in Official Strongman Games
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