Summary: In Episode 047 of the D&D Fitness Radio Podcast, we welcome muscle researcher and Titan Games competitor, Kara Kilian Lazauskas. We speak with Kara about her development as a young athlete, growing up in a ‘wrestling’ family with a wrestling mat in the basement. This hard working and competitive attitude persisted throughout her high school and college athletic careers, culminating in an impressive performance at the recent Titan Games hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Kara also has extensive experience working and studying as an exercise physiologist, conducting everything from muscle biopsies to testing aerobic capacity. We dive into her expertise around athletic performance and the science behind testing and training.<br><br>Kara was born and raised in the heart of New Jersey and grew up in a household where athletics and academics were the top priority. At the age of 3 she had her lung removed due to a tumor covering 75% of the left lung. Her love for human anatomy and physiology was born from that moment. Through hard work and dedication, she was able to gain a scholarship to play at the NCAA level in basketball. However, 4 ACL reconstructions later in her right knee and no real basketball career left in sight, she was left to direct her energy into other pursuits. This carried her into graduate school under Dr. Andy Galpin and Dr. Irene Tobias studying Muscle Fiber Typing and Protein Signaling at California State University-Fullerton. Now, as a coach, mentor, and masters of muscle physiology, she helps athletes and fitness clients to meet their potential.<br><br>For more information on Kara Kilian Lazauskas, you can follow her via the links below:<br><br>Website: <a href="https://www.karakilian.com/" rel="noopener">https://www.karakilian.com/</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kilerk0/" rel="noopener">https://www.instagram.com/kilerk0/</a><br>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kara.lazauskas" rel="noopener">https://www.facebook.com/kara.lazauskas</a><br><br>The D&D Fitness Radio podcast is available at the following locations for downloadable audio, including: <br><br>iTunes – <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d-d-fitness-radio-podcast/id1331724217" rel="noopener">https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/d-d-fitness-radio-podcast/id1331724217</a><br><br><a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/dd-fitness-radio-28797988/" rel="noopener">https://www.iheart.com/podcast/dd-fitness-radio-28797988/</a><br><br>Spreaker.com – <a href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/d-and-d-fitness-radios-show" rel="noopener">https://www.spreaker.com/show/d-and-d-fitness-radios-show</a><br><br>You can reach both Don and Derek at the following locations: <br><br>Don Saladino: <br><a href="http://www.DonSaladino.com" rel="noopener">http://www.DonSaladino.com</a> <br>Twitter and Instagram - @DonSaladino <br>YouTube - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/donsaladino" rel="noopener">http://www.youtube.com/donsaladino</a> <br><br>Derek M. Hansen: <a href="http://www.SprintCoach.com" rel="noopener">http://www.SprintCoach.com</a> <br>Twitter and Instagram - @DerekMHansen <br>YouTube - <a href="http://youtube.com/derekmhansen" rel="noopener">http://youtube.com/derekmhansen</a>
