When a dentistry student started lifting weights as physiotherapy for an injured knee she had no idea she’d become one of the world’s toughest body builders.
Super-strong Natalya Rosenschein, from Richmond-upon-Thames, juggles teeth-pulling with weightlifting and is studying to become a fully qualified dentist.
The 22-year-old placed in the top five at the world-famous Muscle Beach competition in Los Angeles last year. Now she aims to become Britain’s toughest dentist.
Natalya, who lifts eight times a week as part of her training, said: ‘I joke to people and say I bicep curl to pull out hard teeth, and although it’s mostly technique I think strength does help.
‘I’ve pulled out a few dozen teeth already. My patients don’t know, because I’m wearing scrubs, so when I say I body build they are quite shocked.
‘Britain’s Toughest Dentist is the goal. I love the sound of that.
‘I’ve never seen a dentist or medical student who does anything like this, so I guess I’m a bit unique in that regard.’
Her dad gave her dumbbells two years ago to build strength after she dislocated her knee, and now she’s hooked, competing in body-building events worldwide.
Natalya, who will graduate from Newcastle University in 2017 told student newspaper The Tab: ‘When I was injured lifting weights was kind of like therapy for me, it made me feel good, energised – I really like the toned aesthetic.
‘I always wanted to be slim, I thought being really muscular was a bit weird before I started lifting.’
Unlike other undergrads, Natalya rarely drinks, eats junk food, or goes on nights out.
She said: ‘I think the last time I drank was a sip of Champagne on New Year’s Day.
‘Once you get consumed in the sport you tend to avoid late nights and alcohol because it is just a big set-back to progress. So I wouldn’t have hangover food.’
She trains with her friends at the University gym and says competitions are highly intense.
Natalya added: ‘Most of my friends are competitors that I’ve met at the gym or at competitions.
‘It’s great because we really push each other. Also, it’s good to know you have someone to call when the process gets tough.
‘Posing is a very important aspect.
‘You may have the best physique on stage which you’ve worked extremely hard to achieve, but if you are not able to show it off it could be the difference between winning and losing.
‘The lights are very bright on stage so the tan is used to bring out the definition otherwise you would appear washed out.
‘There’s normally a professional tanning service backstage that do it for us.
‘Even practising to strike a pose takes a lot of time. You can never practice enough.
‘It requires a lot of muscle mind connection to know you are getting the poses spot-on when it comes to doing it on the stage.’
Natalya swears her morning workout means she does better at uni: ‘I found I could concentrate better and felt more energised. Now I just don’t feel right without having worked out each day.’
The toned student admits she’s too busy bulking to have a boyfriend.
She added: ‘By the time I’ve done all my uni work, trained and cooked all my food it’s time for bed. Massive respect for anyone that does the sport with one.’
Natalya is due to compete in the British Finals Championships in Nottingham on October 3, and if she wins will be entered in the Olympia – the Olympics of bodybuilding.
She added: ‘This is huge for me, the biggest competition yet.
‘Dentistry is always my priority but body-building is my passion, my hobby, and I’ll do it as much as I can.’
Courtesy of: Daily Mail UK