JACKIE Young in many ways is just like any other woman. She is a nurse, a wife, and the mother of two teenage sons, but somehow, between her work and family commitments, she finds the time to do the training that has taken her to the top rank in her chosen sport.
Young, 35, who lives in Ayrshire, sets off for South Africa today where she will be Scotland's only representative in the first World's Strongest Woman competition.
The contest, which takes place near Victoria Falls, starts on Friday and will be televised at Christmas alongside the men's event.
Young's participation marks a change in direction for her as she normally competes in body-building events which are judged on physique rather than brute strength.
However, Forbes Cowan, Britain's strongest man, contacted Young to say that the organisers of the event wanted her to take part and so she began to prepare, changing her training programme to adapt her body to the new demands that would be placed upon it.
Despite this different focus and the fact that she is Scotland's only representative, Young is surprisingly laid-back about the event. She has already met some of her fellow competitors during the Callander Games, where she came fourth, and the Killin Games, in which she achieved third place, which were both held at the end of July.
She makes no promises to win the World's Strongest Woman event, but is quietly confident that she will be able to give the other women a run for their money.
''I can only go and give it my best shot. I think I have a fairly good chance because I have already met three of the girls who will be there and I was on a par with them.
''I had not really thought about it too much until a few days ago when my friends started saying 'you're representing Scotland - that's great' and that can make you feel a bit nervous.''
Women's weight-lifting and body-building can be controversial sports. Competitors tend to come under fire because their muscled bodies do not conform to traditional concepts of womanhood, with some critics calling for such sports to be abandoned altogether.
It is true that Young lifts weights that many men would not even attempt, and her measurements at 44-32-36 are very different from the average British woman's statistics of
36-28-38.
However, Young is proud of her body, which she has spent eight years developing to the proportions it is today, and is unconcerned about the critics, except when they threaten the continuation of the sport.
''Last year people were saying that the women were getting too big and were talking about stopping the sport.
''There are a lot of big girls out there that love the sport, love competing, and it would really feel as though something was being taken away from them if the competitions were stopped.
''I do feel feminine, and I have never come across any men who feel threatened by me. Most of the time I am in my nurse's uniform and I just look like anybody else.
''It is only when you are competing that you wear a bikini and all the muscles show.''
Young believes that in modern society, where women are supposed to have equality, they should have the right to chose whether they want to compete in such sports.
''In this day and age, if a woman has got the courage to go and train and build up her muscles, then who is to say she shouldn't do that?''
What is important to Young is not the opinions of the critics but the support she receives from her family and friends - particularly her husband.
''My husband and most of my friends are body-builders. My husband is my training partner and I think his support gives me the push I need to go and give competitions like this my best shot.''
Jackie Young: Chest 44in, waist 32in, hips 36in.
British average: Chest 36in, waist: 28in, hips 38 in.
Kate Winslet:
Chest 36in, waist 29in,
hips: 38in.
Kate Moss:
Chest: 34in, waist 25in,
hips: 34in.
