Mama Lou having a quiet heart to heart with her fist.

By Sierra McWilliams

The Climbing Place, located downtown at 436 W. Russell St. is now hosting lessons for the unique and grueling skill of aerial acrobatics, taught by none other than Mama Lou, the self-proclaimed “American Strong Woman.” Fayetteville’s infamous bearded lady best watch her stuff, ’cause there’s a new sideshow in town.

Having been a longtime fan of The Climbing Place I was intrigued to learn more, so I called them to set up a lesson.
As I walked into the gym the next evening, I was met by the usual sights and sounds of the place; a cavernous room filled with climbing walls and an eclectic mix of people. Groups of sweaty military men in hiking shorts stood around with serious expressions on their faces while mothers herded small children wearing belaying gear to the easier walls, and relaxed people in hippie-attire wandered around looking for a “totally-more-wicked wall” than the last one they’d climbed.

The only thing out of place was the woman in black spandex at the rear of the gym, standing in front of a rope and an honest-to-goodness trapeze that was suspended from the ceiling. Mama Lou greeted me with a smile and a handshake, “Hey! Call me Linsey!”

It was then that Mama Lou, also known as Linsey Lindberg, began to reveal the real life person behind the larger than life character.

Mama Lou poppin' and lockin'

Originally from Kansas, Lindberg gained a love for performing when she started working as a clown, and then shifted to aerial acrobatics. She attended an “aerialist” school in Canada, but eventually left the field when she realized she did not wish to stay limited to it for the rest of her career.

“Aerialists can be kind of… elitist.” said Lindberg.

After living and working in Seattle, Wash., and New York, N.Y., Lindberg developed the persona of Mama Lou during a period of her life when she began to soul-search about what sort of performance truly drew her. Her natural attraction to the circus and knowledge of its history drew her to the idea of being a “strong woman,” an idea that hasn’t been in style since the 1930s.

Lindberg knew that the strength she had developed as an acrobat would be a good starting point for her, and laughingly admitted that she had recently begun lifting weights to “look the part.”

Fayetteville gained Mama Lou as an asset when her husband, who is in the military, was recently stationed here. She sees the acrobatic lessons she can offer as a way to give to her local community every day, and she is also in the process of setting up a variety show with herself, a comic, and musicians, to perform at local bars.

At this point, I was politely directed to stretch while asking questions. After some light stretching, we began with some simple strength tests, to ensure that I would be able to do the different maneuvers without falling from a rope and thudding to the ground. Apparently, Lindberg is experienced at teaching people of many different ages, strength levels and abilities. I climbed the rope, demonstrated my abdominal strength, and then quietly melted to the floor to recover. Lindberg was correct about one thing; she is strong. While I groaned and struggled my way through the exercises she glided effortless up and down the ropes. We then moved immediately into some simple but showy positions on the rope and trapeze. I learned at least five different “tricks,” and was feeling quite pleased with myself, as a few children gathered around us to stare in awe. Even a few of the rock climbers strolled over to watch us surreptitiously and mutter things about “core strength” and “flagging.”

I dropped from the trapeze to the floor with a flourish, and Lindberg smiled at me happily, “Great! Go climb the rope to the top twice.”

A stern taskmistress. I sighed. The mind was willing but the body, not so much.. Once again, she gave me that sympathetic smile that I knew was not going to let me off the hook, and then she moved onto teaching me to climb the rope using my legs instead of my arms. It took far too long, but I managed to inch my way to the ceiling, victorious.

After stretching one last time, I thanked Lindberg for the great experience, and set up an appointment for another class for the following week. Hopefully, by that time I will again be able to lift my arms over my head. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends as an incredible workout routine. If the men try to tell me it’s not a manly enough endeavor, I will simple have to challenge them to an arm-wrestling match with Mama Lou. She will beat them, and then smile at them sympathetically and order them to go climb the rope. Like Chuck Norris, a strong woman may have empathy, but she has no mercy.

Be sure to check out Mama Lou’s website for more info.