Strongwoman Liesl Schoonraad. Photo: Provided
Melkbosstrand Strongwoman Liesl Schoonraad is gearing up for the hardest challenge in her extraordinary life. From 3-4 December she will flip a 75 kg tyre 1350 times – making this a total of 100 tons. The challenge will take place at the V&A Waterfront.
“Don’t get me wrong. It’s going to be TOUGH. It will probably be my toughest challenge yet,” the beautiful Amazon told Melkbos.net. Liesl made history previously by pulling a Dakota aircraft and a 10 ton truck. This time she is doing it in support of the Standing Strong Against Abuse campaign and the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation for which she is an ambassador.
Liesl pulls a Dakota aircraft. Photo: Provided
‘All about endurance’
Liesl described her workout to Melkbos.net. (A word of caution: Don’t try this at home!) “I will continue my daily workout until coming Tuesday (29 November); after which I will rest. My daily workout consists of flipping tyres that weigh a total of 10-20 ton. This challenge is all about endurance and lots of mental endurance too, as one has to work through the pain and exhaustion. Breathing correctly is of critical importance.
Mental prepping
I’m eating more pasta and protein. Come next week I will up my intake of both.
Mental prepping is the hardest; but I know that I will do this. I use music to prep myself mentally and Mark Felix (a Grenadian Englishman who has been described as one of the world’s strongest strong men) helped me immensely with this aspect of my preparation.
We spent time together after last weekend’s Strong Man competition in Rustenburg and he shared a few of his mental tips with me. The weekend helped me to focus fully and get ready for the challenge.
Liesl Schoonraad. Photo: Melkbos.net
It’s going to be tough
Don’t get me wrong. It’s going to be TOUGH. It will probably be my toughest challenge yet. One’s back and hamstrings and buttocks and ankles take strain – but this is nothing compared to what I’ve had to face in my life.”
Liesl Schoonraad will be joined by South Africa’s strongest man Johan Els and other top athletes from as far afield as Botswana and Egypt. They will perform Log Lifts, Car Lifts and more.
Venue: Clock Tower at the V&A Waterfront
Date and time: Starting December 3 at 10:00 am – December 4 at 4:00 pm
Entrance: Free
