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IPL Women’s Athletic Pro Champion, Lanet Spence

“Quite frankly, I was a little shocked about the sweep. You never know who’s going to be on stage with you, so you always always always bring your A-game in all areas.”

PL Arizona Championship Women’s Athletic Pro Champion, Lanet Spence!

51-years-young IPL Athlete Lanet Spence DOMINATED ALL Women’s Athletic classes at the April 2022 IPL Arizona Championship! Including earning her Open Pro Card, making her Pro Debut in the same contest and WINNING!

“…’YOU CANNOT BE TOO BIG ON STAGE.’ OUR POSING BELIEF IS, ‘YOU ARE A WINNER.’”

BEN YOSEF: Massive congratulations to you for quite literally dominating the Women’s Athletic division at the IPL Arizona Championship this past April! What was that day like for you overall? And what was it like winning it all in Athletic?

LANET SPENCE: Thank you. When I came to Arizona in April 2022, I felt like I was meant to be there to bring others with me. I was literally star struck by the professionals that I was able to be near in the dressing room and I was so grateful to just be around them and feel their energy and focus.

I bring a team. This means the day’s a little about us, but a lot about calling others into their greatness. Watching my team members before me really pumped me up for Athletic when it was my turn. Quite frankly, I was a little shocked about the sweep. You never know who’s going to be on stage with you, so you always always always bring your A-game in all areas. I walked on a cloud, grateful to be there.

BEN: I love how grateful you are and how much gratitude you show. And congratulations to your team as well! So, back to Athletic! [laughs] You certainly looked like you were walking on a cloud! The way you were gliding across the stage!

In each of your classes did you have the feeling that it was yours? Did you have that kind of confidence? You definitely looked pretty confident and polished up there! Or did you just have a, “whatever happens, happens” attitude?

LANET: Thank you for the kind words. One of my favorite coaches told me one time, “You cannot be TOO BIG on stage.” Our posing belief is, “YOU ARE A WINNER.” No one does what we do without winning some battles along the way. So, you gotta, “Walk That Way!”

I have been at the end of the line on stage MANY times. I want to represent this sport and our organization for what it is. A great community of people who absolutely cheer each other on NO MATTER WHAT place we take. P.s. I didn’t have a clue. “Always bring your best YOU”, focus on what we can control (us).

BEN: Spoken like a true champion! Let’s talk for a second about that Pro lineup. That was certainly your toughest battle fought at the Arizona Championship. You went up against two fantastic Professionals. That lineup was super exciting and pretty close, across the board. What was it like up there in that class?

LANET: I was definitely nervous. It’s hard to explain how it feels when a judge asks you to make a split-second decision on stage to step up your game against PROS! I think it can only be described as exhilarating and frightening at the same time! What an honor. In my mind I kept repeating my prayer…“God give me the strength to perform well and honor You.”

BEN: Love it! Yes, that concept of giving new Pros (athletes who literally just earned their Pro Cards, seconds ago) the option to jump in to compete as a Pro that very same day is something we just started doing these last couple of years. Everyone seems to love it and it certainly generates some crazy excitement!

So, you would go on to win the Pro title in that class, in bit of a controversial decision. Some believe that perhaps Megan Johnson-McCullough, who placed 2nd, had that win. That being said, I certainly feel your win was well-deserved. On that note, does that sort of thing affect your outlook at all or do you just take it all in stride. I am sure I can guess your answer to that question. [smiles]

LANET: Well, as competitors we do not get to decide who wins. Winning is incredible! WIN = What’s Important Now. Being a professional in this sport means so much more than hardware and podium placement. What people out front may not know is that we have a community. Backstage and where we live. We support each other every day. Having said that, I believe you must congratulate your neighbor, with a smile, every time.

BEN: So far you have only competed in the IPL Women’s Athletic and Evening Gown divisions. Why are these your divisions of choice? What drives you to them? Also, are there any other divisions you plan to enter in the future?

LANET: Athletic is preferred for me because I LOVE TO BE BAREFOOT on stage. [smiles] Evening Gown is so elegant. It puts me out of my comfort zone and that is what draws me in. I am comfortable being uncomfortable and learning new things. My team loves choreography and suit design. I have my eye on the Sports Model division as well.

BEN: Very cool. Well you are certainly an exciting competitor and I look forward to what’s to come! At the time of this writing we are just three weeks out from IPL APEX VI. And you are going to be all over that dang stage! What can we expect to see you bring at APEX on November 12th? And any final thoughts?

LANET: Well, I believe that practice makes perfect, so you can bet that I am working hard behind the scenes to bring my best package ever! Having an invitation only opportunity with elite athletes in this organization is an honor and I am so excited about it! I believe that people do not stumble across a magazine like this, an organization like this, an opportunity like this on accident. There’s a reason why you’re here. If this sparks a fire in hearts to move forward on things that you have been hoping to do for a long time, just do it! It’s never too late to start. You can achieve anything you set your mind to! Thank you so much for the opportunity to share and for being an incredible game-changing organization. NMI