Claire Bentley, our very own Editor-in-Chief, is an Olympic hopeful in weightlifting. Her versatility in humanities and the arts puts her on the map to be the reigning world champ in three different categories: squat, deadlift and bench press.

Q: What is your daily training regimen?

A: As a writer, I have to keep my fingers nimble. In order to do so, I take typing tests online to maximize my typing speed against my fellow online competitors. I’m also a big advocate for “shop ‘til you drop.” My favorite workout is filling up 100% recycled paper bags with the bundles of clothes that I’m constantly thrifting and then I run up and down the aisles of the thrift store until the handles on the bags snap and the contents spill onto the floor.

As an artist, I get my inspiration from dumping buckets of paint on my head. While the paint is dripping off of my hair, I use myself as a paintbrush to create large-scale abstract paintings, a la Janina Antoni [contemporary artist who uses this techniques in her work]. I’m more spiritually connected to my pieces using this process.

On my recovery days, I allow my muscles to rest by watching Christopher Nolan movies by myself in the dark.

Q: What were your past struggles?

A: I used to struggle to lift my arms because they were covered in metal bracelets. I have clearly seen the results from my training and now I can almost lift my arms above my head.

Q: What is the biggest challenge that you had to overcome?

A: A few weeks ago I broke my tattoo choker necklace, which nearly led to my death because it keeps my head and the rest of my body connected. That was really hard, but luckily I managed to save myself by replacing it with a different choker.

Q: What is your meal to eat after a workout?

A: I enjoy the squirrel diet. This consists of eating whatever food I can find on the floor, because not only is normal food just so expensive, people tend to throw out food that is completely okay. On the occasion that I go out for dinner, I always make sure to bring back home the free bread the waiters give you at the table.

Q: What is your favorite pump-up music?

A: I listen to recordings of Mr. Rehak yelling at me about The Beacon, which is a very frequent occurrence.