Meet Shannon Strong, World Champion Lumberjill and Personal Trainer.  Born in the Litchfield Hills 37 years ago, I learned early on the holistic and athletic benefits a kinship with time honored timberjack skills can offer.  My father, former Mr. Connecticut, Cal Strong gave his daughter the same lessons he would have offered a son.  By age of 11, I began throwing an axe at a target 20 feet away, learning early on hand-eye coordination are as important as strength.

 

Training under the tutelage of skilled axemen, Ken Anstett of Goshen, Jim Colbert of Colebrook, Mark Dufresne of Maine and JP Mercier of Canada brought crowds to their feet at regional Litchfield County fairs in the 1980's and 1990's.  I rolled logs, crosscut sawed and underhand chopped with equipment sharp enough to shave with and learned to perfect those skills. 

 

It didn't come easily.

 

The first attempt to chop through an 8x8 white pine log required an intense, two minutes, eyes focused on the razor sharp axe and a log that seemed to shrink more slowly than actual time as slivers were chopped out.  The crowd hushed and cheered for the underdog.

With skill and patience, the time was reduced to 18.37 seconds, which still holds a womans world record.  Four time overall lumberjill champion in Boonville NY, Fryeburg ME as well as many other overall wins has gained earned respect in the sport amongst men and women.

Crowds learned that women like myself, who finally numbered enough to earn their own competitive division, enhanced entertainment to make the sport more lively.

 

The invitation to do a story in the National Enquirer, to teach David Letterman how to throw an axe and appear on Current Affair just to name a few, brought National Attention and Television Experience.

Touring the country with Timber Tina's World Champion Lumberjills gave me the confidence as a professional show woman and technique to speak in front of large crowds.  Awed spectators still fascinated with handtools that have been a part of our heritage for hundreds of years, especially in the hands of a Woman. 

 

With the same intensity devoted to competitions, I now pursue a career as a certified personal trainer at the National Personal Training Institute in Norwalk, Ct.

 

Today, I divide my time between many local lumberjill appearances and individual coaching and personal training.  No longer on the long road to competitions our local demonstrations keep the sport alive and entertaining.  Our shows offer a mix of safe interactive competition for young people who have never known the feel of an axe handle or a race to stack firewood. Currently, I am working with lumberjack trainees as well as any special individual willing to make a positive change in their lives.  Longevity is the key!

 

Happiness, Diet, Nutrition, Flexibility, Balance, Strength, Focus and Confidence! 

Please feel free to check out "About Us"  for the next Still Goin' Strong Lumberjack Demonstration schedule!  Or "contact Shannon" if interested in booking a private in-home personal training session.