WOMEN’S BODYBUILDING: LADAWN MCDAY
Accomplishment: Junior Nationals 1st Heavyweight and Overall
Age 38
Height 5’4
Residence Detroit
Contest Weight 149
Contest History/Highlights 2012 Jr. Nationals 1st Heavyweight and Overall; USA Championships 5th Heavyweight; 2011: Jr. Nationals 2nd Light Heavyweight; USA Championships Women’s Physique 7th; IFBB North Americans 4rd Light Heavyweight, 3rd Masters; 2010: USA 3rd Light Heavyweight; Nationals 8th Light Heavyweight; 2009: USA Championships 3rd Light Heavyweight; IFBB North Americans 3rd Light Heavweight; Nationals 2nd Light Heavyweight; 2008: Jr. USA 3rd Light Heavyweight; Central States 1st Light Heavyweight and Overall; IFBB North Americans 6th Light Heavyweight; 2008: Michigan State Championships 1st Light Heavyweight and Overall; Jr. USA 3rd Light Heavyweight; Central States Light Heavyweight and Overall; IFBB North Americans 6th Light Heavyweight; 2007: Jr. Michigan Overall Winner; 2006: Natural Michican 1st Middleweight; 2005: Michigan State Championships 2nd Light Heavyweight; 2005: Natural Flint/Mid Michigan 1st Lightweight and Overall winner; 2004: Western National Michigan 1st Light Weight and Overall
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TOMBOY “I spent the majority of my childhood riding my bike for hours, playing football with the boys on my block, and using my brothers’ weight sets when they weren’t around. I didn’t play organized sports in school but I was always the first one chosen to participate in games. I was often teased about my broad shoulders and muscular legs earning the nickname “Sheera.” My physical structure was something that I was always self conscious about. It wasn’t until my brothers began exposing me to bodybuilding magazines and competitions that were shown on ESPN that I realized that I wasn’t so different.”
LITTLE SISTER “I am the youngest and only girl with 5 older brothers and coincidentally so was my mother. I had expectations and consequences that molded me into to becoming strong-minded and independent. I was taught to listen twice as much as I speak (maybe because I talked too much), be prepared, stay organized, and invest in myself while surrounding myself with positive people. Today, I can say that these principles contribute to my work ethic in the gym as well as in my personal life and with my students.”
STUDENT WISDOM “I’m an elementary school teacher, so most of my day is spent with children, parents and people who have an image of what a woman should be and how they should look. During my first few competitive years, I spent the majority of my time explaining and seeking approval from the adults in my life such as friends, family and co-workers that felt that I was taking things too far with this “bodybuilding stuff”. I learned a lot from my students who thought that I was a great teacher who just happened to be a bodybuilder.”
INSPIRATION “Lenda Murray, Iris Kyle, Tracy Mason and Nicole Wilkins are few role models in the sport that come to mind. I am one of the few female bodybuilders from Michigan that still competes and all of these ladies have ties to my native Michigan roots. All of these ladies have made great contributions to the sport and are great athletes. I have alot of respect for their hard work and perseverance.”
