Erin Mullady Hamlin is a three-time Olympian and the first female American luger to medal at any Winter Olympics, as well as the first American of either gender to medal in singles competition. She took the singles bronze medal in Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympics, something the Associated Press called “a feat that will surely go down as perhaps the greatest moment in USA Luge history”.
Having opened her luging career in 2005, her first major international victory was the gold medal in the women’s singles event at the 2009 FIL World Luge Championships in Lake Placid, New York. This marked the first time in 99 races that a German woman was not the top finisher. Hamlin finished 12th in the women’s singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. She was selected in December 2009 to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. In the games, Hamlin placed 16th in the luge competition, coming in as the highest placed American in the event.
A native of Remsen, New York, Hamlin also makes her home in Lake Placid. She is the daughter of Eileen and Ronald Hamlin who both reside in Remsen. In 2009, Hamlin became a spokesperson for the National Headache Foundation. She won the “Best Female Athlete Award” at the 2014 Best of U.S. Awards, honoring the most inspiring accomplishments and outstanding performances of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Games.
She became the first United States athlete to win a winter Olympic medal in singles luge after claiming bronze at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi. In 2009 she won gold at the world championships in Lake Placid, NY, United States, becoming the first non-German woman in 12 years to finish first at the event. “I think it was just a big one because so many people had been waiting for someone to beat the Germans for so long. It was like, finally. And everyone was excited. They didn’t really care who it was.”
In her hometown of Remsen, NY, United States, she is something of a celebrity and even has a sundae ice cream named after her. “It’s very good. I’m getting acknowledged for what I’ve done and what I’ve worked for. It’s kind of refreshing. But if I never become famous for being a world champion luge athlete, is that going to bother me, Not completely, because I know what I’v accomplished. And I want to accomplish more.”
In the off-season, she goes to the gym five days a week. She also does sprints, yoga and agility exercises, as well as playing soccer and basketball. During the season, she lifts weights three times a week and does cardio training on the opposite days.
She was named US Luge Female Athlete of the Year in 2008, 2009 and 2012. She also won the 2004 US Luge Junior Female Athlete of the Year.
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Erin Hamlin is winner of 2009 FIL World Luge Championships and awarded US Best Female Athlete 2014. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You took up luge at a young age of 12 years and reached the pinnacle of success on winning Gold at World Championships 2009 in Lake Placid as the first U.S. woman to win a World Championship title, and breaking a 99 race German winning streak, and most recently a Bronze Medal at Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympics in Women’s singles category of luge-the first American, male or female, to ever win an Olympic medal in singles luge, and the first female to ever win any medal for Team USA in luge. What factors do you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
Having 15 years of experience in the sport definitely helped at the Olympics this year. Also getting experience at the Games at a fairly young age (I was 19 at my first Olympics in Torino in 2006) gave me the opportunity to get comfortable on a big stage as soon as I began competing on the senior World Cup circuit. I was able to stay completely relaxed and I knew the drill when it came to the things that make the Olympics a bit different from normal racing. I knew my years of training, hard work, and experience prepared me.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after winning Bronze at Sochi’s 2014 Winter Olympic Games? With this, you became the first female American luger to win any medal at the Olympics, as well as the first American of either gender to win any medal in the singles luge competition?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
Before, I was feeling good. I mean I had already done some cool stuff in my career (World Cup medals, won a World Championship, and had been to two Olympic Games) so I didn’t feel much pressure going into the race in Sochi. I was really looking to have fun, take in the whole experience & enjoy it fully, since who knows if I will be back at another Olympics again.
It was the third time I was experiencing it and had been disappointed at the Games before & it wasn’t the end of the world, so I knew there was nothing to lose. I had no expectations for myself, really. Of course everyone there wants to do as well as possible- I mean, Olympians tend to be pretty competitive people, but I actually wasn’t focused on that. I just wanted to go out there and have fun, enjoy the experience, and as long as I know I gave it my best, that’s what was most important to me.
Afterward it was super exciting. It was a total surprise/shock and so great to have everything come together and have such an enjoyable two days of racing. Coming around the final curves of my first run, I thought to myself, hmm this could really happen right how, but I also knew I had to stay relaxed. My years of training, dedication and every sacrifice paid off and I accomplished my dream of winning a medal at the Olympics. I couldn’t have felt better the whole time and getting to xperience everything at the Games as a medalist (media, etc.) was pretty surreal.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
I try to do a lot of yoga to supplement the training I do in a gym. We focus a lot on strength, explosive, and power movements and workouts so being able to recoup my body with yoga is awesome. Core strength is also pretty big . I even like to SUP board, which is upper body as well as balance and core, which is important. Pull ups are always on the program and grip strength work (which is beneficial for the start). Olympic lifts, like cleans and snatch, are also big and are good for full body power.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
I always try and eat everything in moderation. It’s always been my mom’s motto. I rarely cut anything completely out, but generally have a good amount of protein and always try to eat minimal fatty or junk foods. But I am a huge chocoholic, so I splurge on a regular basis! It is beneficial for it is to be heavy, so I’m always trying to put on good weight, which is the reason for a lot of protein. Leans meats and a lot of veggies are at the core of my diet.
Limiting the amount of toxins that go into my body and snacking on fresh veggies and fruits and products that contain natural ingredients that I can recognize is better than the artificial stuff out there, filled with preservatives. One of my favorites is Kind granola or their bars, which are non-GMO and contain all familiar ingredients. They’re healthy, natural, easy to carry around, and they actually taste great. It’s important to have those kinds of snacks around that are easy to take with you and you feel good about eating.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Do you take some kind of skin treatment to keep it young and glowing and secondly what you do to your hairs to make it look so stunning? Any special treatment to protect your skin in cold conditions?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
I always use a face lotion with SPF in it and try to use the most natural one I can easily get. Right now I’ve been using an Aveeno one that has oatmeal proteins in it. I avoid using anything too strong or things with chemicals on my skin because it never feels great and can be irritating. I wash my face with a cream wash once a day and plain water in the mornings. An exfoliating scrub once or twice a week.
I have made the mistake of over washing it before so learned that sometimes less is more! My hair is pretty low maintenance…right now I use John Frieda smoothing/hydrating shampoo & conditioner and a Redken protecting cream after. It is naturally wavy/slightly curly but when it’s this long it is weighted down and stays pretty straight. I have a lot of it so when I do stuff with it it takes forever!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding girls taking career in sports of any sort, so many of whom are your fans and look at you as a picture of health and success, they would like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in sports ?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
This really applies to anything you do in life, not just athletics. The biggest thing always to make sure you are having fun & enjoying what you’re doing. After Sochi where I have really focused my energy on truly enjoying the experience. I competed extremely well and had a blast. Not that other times I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, but was so focused on not messing up, or doing well, that it clouded my emotions.
Being dedicated is also a big factor. Finding something you are passionate enough about that you are willing to give up pretty much everything else is a key to finding success in whatever it is you are doing. Stick with your dreams and goals…they are YOURS and you should be the only one who can change, affect, or reroute them, nobody else. Be true to yourself and who you are, in the end it will be more beneficial than trying to live by somebody else’s standards or beliefs.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been awarded US Luge Female Athlete of the Year in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012 and also you have won the 2004 US Luge Junior Female Athlete of the Year. How these awards bestow upon you the additional responsibilities towards the sport of Luge?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
It has been an amazing experience the past 10 years moving in as the top female athlete in the sport in the US. It has been fun to see the impact on our younger female athletes in the program and see such an increase in the strong number of girls coming through the ranks. I now know that they are looking to myself and my teammates to give them success to shoot for as well as inspire them to be better and best our results. This is what breeds a successful programs and will build for future success for our team.
Most recently I won the “Best Female Athlete Award” at the 2014 Best of U.S. Awards, honoring the most inspiring accomplishments and outstanding performances of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Games. This was a huge honor since it was chosen on by fans, and American’s across the country and I am very honored to be the recipient. I want to use this to show that anyone can do anything if you take an opportunity and reach for the stars, and never give up on your dreams.
Even if you’re from a very small town in upstate New York, competing in a relatively unknown sport, you can do anything you set your mind to. Luge definitely got some limelight and I know that it will really help the sport to grow in the US and that is crucial to ensuring the future of the sport here, and building generations for the future. But this truly isn’t about me. I’m honored to be recognized and much more importantly, be able to shed light on this awesome sport of luge and put the sport into the public eye and give luge as a sport much more recognition.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive Luge?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
My family has always been incredibly supportive and encouraging throughout my career. Using all vacation time to stand in the cold at luge races over the past 15 years has made them pretty die hard! Knowing they are watching no matter where I am racing and that I am always representing them as well, it makes me want to give them something to celebrate.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have been associated with several organizations which are dear to your heart. Tell us how you have been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through this endeavor of your?
Ms. Erin Hamlin:
I’m involved in several organization that I love working with and giving back to others and opening opportunities for people, particularly kids, from all over to have opportunities to try new things, be involved in sports, have access to many opportunities, and education. I have had the opportunity because of my status as an elite athlete to give back in a lot of ways, and look forward to being able to continue that and get involved more, whether locally or on a bigger scale. From working with a rehab program that raises money for adaptive sports (Sitrin STARS) to mentoring kids in undeserved classrooms (Classroom Champions).
One of my biggest goals in using my public platform is using it to help others, inspire others, and make a real positive impact. I really try to use the publicity as a platform to spread awareness and interest in important causes, inspire others, and generate interest in having others get involved to take action and do the same. I’m lucky to be in a position to some degree to do that and I’m so glad I have the opportunity and ability to use it in a positive way.
I want to be a good role model, inspire others, give back, and have an impact in a positive way. I’m still sliding this World Cup season and I’m really looking forward to it, but whenever I do decide to retire, that will definitely continue to be a big focus.
To know more about Erin Hamlin, check her out at: http://erinhamlin.com and check out her latest on twitter at: https://twitter.com/erinhamlin
Women Fitness Team thanks Erin Hamlin for giving
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.