February Member Spotlight – Linda Kephart

Our second monthly spotlight in 2017 goes to Linda Kephart.  Linda has been a steady member of the 6am for a many years.  Day after day, week after week Linda can be found starting her day under a heavy barbell.  It’s safe to say she is an inspiration to the entire gym- coaches included.

Linda was a tough person to convince that more is not always better.  That first year she would train in the morning and run/bike/swim for many miles in the evening.  In her mind training with a barbell with smart short conditioning could not be enough to reach her fitness goals.  As progress became more difficult due to limited recovery we finally convinced her to trust the programming and scale back her time spent on the road.  She hasn’t looked back.

As a masters athlete her strength numbers would be admired by 20 year old college athletes.  The best part?  In her 60s she is stronger this year than she was last year.  After training with a barbell for years she is still getting stronger.  She deadlifts 2x her bodyweight, squats 1.5x her body weight, and presses .75x her body weight.  Absolutely impressive numbers for any for any age.  Add this to the fact she competed in a 5k without ANY running preparation and finished 4th in her age group of 40 other runners.

Linda is the type of athlete every coach wishes to coach.  She trusts the process and plan we give her.  She is consistent, showing up to put in the work day after day, week after week.  She establishes goals and works as hard as possible to reach them.  This county was lucky to have her leading and mentoring the Physical Education program for many years.  I know my children will benefit from her time spent teaching in Carroll County for many years to come.

Linda has competed in a few powerlifting competitions over the years.  Last fall she competed and won the Best Female Masters Lifter in the country at the Starting Strength Fall Classic.  This spring she will attend the Starting Strength Seminar to further expand her 40 years of knowledge in the fitness field.  Always learning and always improving.  Congrats Linda!

Please share a little about yourself. Profession, family, age, background…

I spent 26 years in public education as a physical education teacher followed by 14 years as the county Physical Education Supervisor.  Most rewarding has been as mom to 2 beautiful and talented daughters, and now 2 grandsons!  Currently I am an adjunct professor at McDaniel College in the exercise science department.  I don’t know what 63 is supposed to feel like, but I feel pretty good.

What was your exercise history before WSC? 

Growing up I competed in swimming and gymnastics then switched to field hockey and lacrosse in college.  After college, I ran most every day and lifted on machines.  As a physical educator, I always felt it was important to be a fitness role model for my students.  Running was a convenient workout after school so it was 3-5 miles a day for many years. Fitness has been and continues to be an important part of my daily routine.

How did you find out about WSC and what was the catalyst to get you to contact us and come in your first day?

I was looking for some additional challenges in my fitness routine beyond what I was doing on my own: run, bike, lift.  I had heard good things about the program and coaches at WSC so decided to try it.  Since training at WSC for the past 4 years, I run less, bike more efficiently, and am much stronger! 

What are your current personal bests for all the lifts?

Squat – 205 lbs.

Bench Press – 115 lbs.

Dead Lift – 250 lbs.

Press – 90 lbs.

What is your favorite lift and why?

Squat:  Progress has continued at a steady pace.

How long after starting at WSC before you noticed a difference?

Within the first few weeks progress was noticeable.  Documenting daily lifts and WODS enables me to set goals, note progress, adjust training as needed.  All under the guidance of very knowledgeable coaches.

How has strength training impacted your daily life? What is the greatest impact?

Strength training is how I start every day at 6 AM.  Is it strange that most evenings I mentally load the bar for what I have to lift the next morning!  In addition to getting stronger and feeling more empowered, the WSC atmosphere encourages friendship and comradery. Friendship provides emotional strength.  For that, I am very thankful.

How is strength training different than what you did before for exercise?

There is a plan when strength training with a qualified strength coach.  The plan includes both short and long term goals.  Complete the lifts, document progress, and adjust the weight next session. 

What would you say to someone who is unsure about starting a barbell strength training program? How would you convince a friend to get started training?

Anyone at any age can benefit from strength training.  Once the myths of getting too bulky are debunked, the implementation of linear progression training provides safe, strength progress.  As the physical education supervisor, I was able to provide continuous professional development for all our high school and middle school PE teachers with Beau and Angie Bryant, Starting Strength coaches and owners of WSC.  All our high school weight rooms have been redesigned for barbell strength training.  We have more high school girls taking weight training than ever before.  Some of their comments include:  “I feel better about myself”, “I am stronger”, “I am more self-confident”.