My sister and I had the privilege of getting to talk to Victoria for a few minutes at the Arnolds this year. Such a kind and genuine person as well as being a phenomenal athlete! Growing up as little girls who wanted to be big and strong in the 90s when it wasn't cool, I'm so grateful for her and the other women in strongman pushing women's strength sports forward.
Not to discredit her or anything, but the female side of the sport is still young and developing compared to the male side, which IMO makes Hooper's career more impressive. Still, Victoria is incredible.
IMO she's the Bill Kazmaier of her time. I believe she is the strongest woman who has ever lived. Maybe future athletes will pass her but up until now she's the best ever IMO.
Fantastic interview! I agree with her about retiring "early" I am doing my 1st "big show" in Aug for Southwest OSG, and I'll be 40 the day after. As much as I love competing, my career is where I can live comfortably vs trying to go Pro and rely on sponsorship(s).
I volunteered at the Rainier Classic a few years ago and Victoria was doing a 300 lb. Stone over the bar for reps and I had to catch and roll the stone back. Was the most impressive thing I’ve seen in strongwoman.
Such a fabulous interview. Watching her face light up when talking about the achievements of her fellow competitors was beautiful to see. I’m absolutely gutted I never got the chance to cheer her on in person and will miss watching her compete
Great interview. I've been a fan of Victoria since she came on the scene. Back then you watch her compete and you knew she was going to do great things.
Gutted Victoria isn't complaining anymore. She brought so much to the sport! It's just incredible the training these strong women determinedly fit into their lives of family, children, friends, and "day jobs"! Way to go ladies! The negativity that is thrown your all's way comes from others gross insecurities! ❤
Victoria Long - absolutely amazing. One of the many strongqomen to inspire me to start competing in the sport and in 2 weeks I'm at Wales Strongest Woman ❤
I didn't realize her career was so short. Now I know shes talented. I have a job, I go to the gym to stay in better shape. I have no idea how they work and workout to be that good. Congratulations to her and speedy recovery.
its unfortunate that there is more money in a regular 9-5 for Vicktoria than being the best strongwoman in the world. if the money was better, then she would continue the sport. i have no doubt about that. I just wish the money was better for the sport.
Her performance was always impressive. I think it's realistic to say the spotlight was always going to be harsh on her. I'm glad she was able to achieve so much in such a short span.
Great interview Loz. It was a pleasure to hear Victoria's perspective on the sport and life. I believe she will be top notch at whatever she does next.
two sad news packed in one decision..... first: bad news for the Strengthsport scene - she will be missed. Second: bad news for the crooks who will have to face her. 🙂 the comparission with Juuka was very suiting. all the best for the recovery and your future ways
Sad to see her go but what an amazing career! I first saw her compete when I was at North Carolina’s Strongest Man and Woman in 2019 and she was incredible. I saw her again at Nationals in 2020 and she just kept getting better. Best of luck in the future Victoria!
Bummed about Victoria retiring, became a fan watching her dominate the Shaw Classic and her come from behind in style at last years Arnold, this years injury was devastating as a fan as was geared up to route for her. Think she’s pretty awesome, I know I wasn’t a fan for long, but definitely a fan! Best of wishes.
I saw vicrotia on my plane out to the Arnolds and as an avid stongman follower didnt recognize her. When i looked at her credentials i had no idea there was such a dominant athlete who worked out only miles from my home town. Victoria you are truly amazing and hopefully we will run into eachother again sometime! Stay strong, stay healthy.
The biggest question I have for Victoria is what she uses in her hair... it stays in place, but looks clean and natural and not all stiff and crusty. I have yet to find a product I like for my hair that can keep it in place, keeps it looking clean and natural, and keeps it "playable" where if you run your fingers through it, it still feels like hair and not a sticky mess. Victoria, please share with me your secrets! Lol
Victoria has been an absolute awesome competitor and will be missed on the stage. Hope she remains in the sport in some capacity. Wishing her a quick and total recovery.
I'm pretty disappointed, as I just discovered Victoria at last year's Arnolds, and was amazed at how she blew everyone away with her performance, and just as I start getting to see her compete, she announces her retirement...I definitely intend to go back and watch her performances of the last 5 years. Hearing her sit down and talk in this video made me respect her so much more. She's intelligent, and just all around amazes me. Definitely wish her the best in her future endeavors. All I can say is; criminals, watch your backs!
The camaraderie of the sport, men and women, is so beyond anything in any other sport. I honestly don't know a comparison. The modern growth of the women's side of things should never forget the decades of nothing the men got paid. (I'm not saying they should go through four decades of almost no pay) I'm pointing out how when the mens side is growing so is the womens. For the very same reasonings........they are likable humans. (I had such huge fears that the whole WWE thing would take off)
I know of a lot of racers [drag, local stock, dirt, flat track, motocross, MotoGP, etc.] who share parts, technical assistance & tools, all on race day. I do agree with your point.
I never knew who Victoria was until I saw her compete. Research showed me what an idiot I was for not knowing. Victoria, hate to see you go but understand why. Hope we see you at comps as a fan.
Victoria is amazing I wish she would rethink her retirement or at least join with Loz and Liz training or other help with Strong man woman. Like Andrea and Donna caused a huge impact to the worlds strongest especially catching up to the men's strength of only ten years ago already. Women have done so much in a short time Rebecca Lucy the New Arnold's Lady among others as well as the support from all the women light to heavy amazing.
Strongwoman (and strongman) are so demanding, hard and unhealthy (especially on the long run) that everytime an athlete annouce a retirement, I'm teared between the fan in me seing the loss for the sport, and the empathetic person aknowledging it's probably a good choice of life at some point. Good luck to her, she was a bright shooting star in the sport ^^
@@grimnir6169 I saw it before and they simply asked for evidence and then got told that highlights 'the point'. In fact a lot of comments seemed to have be pruned from earlier, including one of mine...
She seems like a nice lady, it seems the Strongwoman are really leveling up now, but it is still a bit like Strongman was before, it is still a relatively widespread field in strength and weaknesses. I think girls in strength sports have had a hard time since day one, just look back at javelin and shot putters in olympics or even girls in skiing that trains harder than the rest, they have never gotten much mercy from the armchair warriors.. Some of them really need a mirror to look at themselves.. I do not think it is always insecurities though, I just think they are rotten assholes in general. :D
Women’s powerlifting is nothing compared to strongwoman. Some silly things going on in powerlifting especially when comes to bench press where the bar moves 2”.
It pisses me off so much how people scoff at strong woman in the chat of events. I've learned to quit arguing and just turn the chat off. Literally every woman I have ever seen an interview of that was involved in a "manly" sport was far more "sweet girl" than any interview with a "model". Not just strength sports, real interviews with women fighters prove this true, unless they are trying to sell tickets. One of my favorite things I have ever seen was a womens hammer throw after event conference with (had to look it up ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vbwwF9pUO_g.html) I'm not "simping" for these women. I fucking adore them as athletes. It makes me wonder how many men watching the sport are "simping" for bears. That seems extremely likely. (and sad that that is how some people view sport)
Victoria has the frame to carry 220-240 lbs. of muscle. Erin is just a hair too small to compete at heavyweight. Very sad Victoria has called it a career, but she won everything and has nothing left to prove...
