Sports and Exercise Science student coaches at Strongest Woman Competition

Coaching success for student Laura Dye

Laura Dye, 32, has had a busy start to the year coaching Rebecca Roberts at the Arnold Strongwoman Competition in Ohio, USA. 

Rebecca is an LJMU graduate and recently lost her partner and coach of seven years, Paul, ahead of the competition. LJMU student Laura stepped in to help advise and support her during the competition, in which Rebecca placed second. 

On her role coaching at the Arnold Strongwoman Competition, first year Sport and Exercise Science student, Laura said: 

“I describe myself as a Coach which means I help my athletes get from A to B, no matter what that journey looks like. I'll be the person in between and in Rebecca's case, it was getting her in a physical and mental state of being able to compete at the largest sport event in the world, while dealing with the loss of her partner.

“For this event, it was important for me to look after Rebecca, assist with travel arrangements, guiding hot and cold therapy for recovery throughout the competition, preparing her mentally for interviews, whatever she needed, I would be there for.  

“After a full weekend of lifting a ridiculous amount of weight over her head, it was amazing to see Rebecca place second!”   

The competition is not the first time Laura has coached high level sports people; she’s worked with the American Football Team at the University of Wisconsin and also coaches the Great Britain Men’s American Football Team. 

Laura’s busy schedule for 2023 doesn’t stop there, she plays American Football for the Great Britain Women’s Team and has two European games scheduled this year. She’ll also be back coaching in the US this summer and is heading to West Virginia alongside Rebecca Roberts in November, for the World’s Strongest Woman competition. 

Asked what the future looks like, when she graduates in two years' time, Laura said: 

I would love to add value to a professional female sports team. The dream would be to work with Liverpool Football Club Women’s (LFCW) Team and be the female version of 'Ted Lasso.' Whatever my future looks like, I know it's in sport and I know it's with female and gender minority athletes. 

Find out more about studying in the School of Sport and Exercise Science at LJMU.