The first-place individual women’s spot will be anyone’s for the taking this weekend at the East Coast Championships in Boston—last year’s champ, Talayna Fortunado, is not returning in 2015.

 

“I've decided to focus on getting ready and trying to stay healthy for the Open,” she said.

 

Just now getting back to training near 100-percent after suffering a quad strain at the 2014 Games, the three-time Games athlete (2012 “3rd Fittest Woman in the World”) is passing this year’s first-place torch to one of the 43 ladies competing at the ECC.

 

Here, FloElite caught up with Fortunado on her advice for the 2015 contenders and her goals for 2015.

 

Q. What was your experience like last year-first ECC? What were keys to your win?

Last year at the ECC I really loved the programming and I was coming off of two back-to-back competitions so I wasn't sure how my body was going to react to a third. I felt great during the individual competition up until the last workout. When everyone else still felt warmed up, I was beginning to crash. I can only attribute that to the build up of the prior weeks, but with wins on 2 of the events I was able to hold onto the lead during the last one. It was so gratifying to win. I sometimes get a hint before a competition or a premonition that I'll do well, but I never know that for sure until I compete. I had it last year before the ECC. I think the other reason I did well was the WODs were shorter and skilled. I excel at those.

 

The team part was probably my favorite though. Working with Emily Friedman and my other good friends Guido Trinidad and Noah Ohlsen was a treat. We almost took down the Dream Team until Froning showed what a monster he is with push jerks!

 

Q. How have you been feeling since the Games last year? You were injured, correct? What happened and what did you do for recovery?

I had a quad strain last year prior to the Games. I rested it before but not long enough to heal it and it was very painful at the Games leaving me unable to squat. I rested it a couple of months afterwards and started building back up my squat again. I got to within 5lbs of my max squat clean again and then had another set back. Since then I've gotten further treatment with PRP and dry needling, which has really been helping, but I've only been squatting for about a month now.

Q. Since then, what have you been up to—training wise?

I've been doing a lot of gymnastics while not squatting! Also trying to fix some of my movement patterns. Actually my volume has been reduced this fall and it's felt good. It's the first time I've treated an off-season like an off-season and my body needed it after 5 years of training without much of a break.

 

Q. What are your goals this year for the 2015 season and what you are working towards?

 

My goals for the 2015 season are to go back to the Games healthy. I'm not where I'd like to be strength wise due to last year's injury though, so if I feel that could lead to further set backs I'll have to evaluate if it's worth taking a year to fortify myself and come back stronger. It's a tough decision but it seems like everyone who has done it has come back better.

 

In my career, I've been doing more continuing education for physical therapy. I'm learning dry needling and want to take the FSMA. At some point I want to do my transitional doctorate as well and eventually transition into working with athletes as my main population when I'm no longer as focused on being one. One thing at a time though!

 

In life, I have a new puppy named Harvey. He's about 3.5 months old and I've been busy raising him. Other than that I don't have any set plans.

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