A woman whose parents were warned she could spend life in a wheelchair is celebrating a decade in strongwoman competitions.

Shauna Moar, originally from Shetland but now living in Teesside, has opened up on her “success story” to mark the 10th year of her weightlifting endeavours.

Despite being born with benign congenital hypotonia - which makes children’s limbs feel floppy, and delays development of standing and walking - Moar said she has been determined to “prove” she can tackle anything others can do.

Moar went one step further, setting a world record in the trap bar deadlift, in addition to multiple podium finishes.

When asked if there is a secret to her success, Moar said there was none. She had to work hard and be consistent.

“I'm somebody that doesn't give up,” Moar said.

“I'm very competitive with myself.

“A lot of strongwoman is you're out there trying to beat what you can do. It's not so much trying to beat everyone else.”

The 38-year-old was brought up in Lerwick and is the eighth of nine children born to parents Marilyn and Jim Moar.

Her brother Dhanni, also competes in strongman competitions and the pair won the male and female categories of Shetland’s Strongest in the same year (2021).

Last year Dhanni and Shauna each broke world records at the World Deadlift Council (WDC) European Championships, held at The Foundry gym in Paisley.

Dhanni came away with an all time overall World Record of 520kg in the Viking Deadlift, and set a new overall Scottish record of 456kg in the trap bar deadlift.

He also came away with two gold medals as the European men's champion having the heaviest lifts in both events.

Shauna lifted only in the trap bar, aiming to beat both the current Scottish and world records.

She did just that with a massive lift of 280kg.

Moar said that when she was four-years-old, a doctor told her parents she would “amount to nothing” because of the hypotonia diagnosis.

Her parents were told she would “probably” be in a wheelchair as a result of the condition.

“It's really quite a success story,” Moar said.

“But I had to build strength as a child. So I have kind of gone beyond what they said.”

Moar said the condition had made her determined to overcome the obstacles it brings.

“My mum would say stubborn, but I'd say determined - a very determined, independent person.

“If people tell me I can't do it, it spurs me on to do it 10 times. And being told I can't do things is probably a big part of it. I'll definitely prove them wrong.”

Even today, Moar has to overcome difficutlies because of the affects it can have on motor functions.

Moar said half of her brain was telling her to do something, while the other said not to.

It has affected her ability to walk on uneven surfaces, or even stepping over a puddle.

“I've had to retrain myself to be able to do those things,” she said.

Since 2016, Moar has competed in around 45 events. However, she was focused on other things for three of those years.

And she has grown and improved as a competitor.

For the first two years, Moar competed in rugby and in 2020, Covid struck.

However, 2021 was the renaissance for her strongwoman ambitions.

At her first event, Moar took part in a log press reaching 40kg. Now, she can press 95kg.

Moar was unable to single out one event as her most cherished memory in the sport because there were so many to choose from.

“I guess one of the highlights is I went to Natural World Championships twice, which was held in Finland,” Moar said.

She said it was a “lovely experience” to visit Finland, where she finished in a podium position (third) two times in a row.

Another highlight was qualifying for the official strongman pathway - the highest level of the sport before turning professional.

This meant she had made the Strongman games for the first time last year, held in Texas - the sport’s biggest event.

It meant she had an “amazing experience” competing alongside the best in the world.

Moar will compete again at this year’s event - just five weeks away - when it is held in Florida.

Despite so many years away from the isles, Moar said she manages to return regularly.

When she gets back, she tries to impart some knowledge and advice to those with less experience.

Moar, who owns a gym in Teesside, said she will offer coaching to budding Shetland weightlifters.

One of those is Shetland Sports Awards nominee Lauri Siegel.

Moar said: “She's definitely got a big career ahead of her if she sticks at it.”

The 38-year-old said she can see similarities between herself and the young Siegel.

But what stands out most is Siegel’s “passion, drive and determination”.

Moar added: “This is what makes me believe she has a really successful future in Strongwoman ahead of her.

“The sport of Strongwoman/man is a marathon not a sprint, and it takes a lot of work and time to get to the top.”

Also reflecting on her time in Shetland, Moar said the late Jonni Manson was “like a brother” to her.

They trained together, alongside Moar’s brother Dhanni, every week.

Moar added: “Me and Jonni went to a few competitions together. We even did a pairs one - a male-female team competition, which was quite fun. But I've got a lot of good memories.”

Moar’s next coaching block will take place in January.

Anyone interested can get in touch via Moar Coaching.