[8] As she later reflected, she entered the competition confident that her physique was impressive and feminine, and other contestants believed she was top of the class.
Laszewski remained primarily a personal trainer without plans to compete professionally until 2005, when the introduction of the "light-heavyweight class" created a niche she felt more at ease with.
Laszewski was initially encouraged by the possibility of a win in the newly formed light-heavyweight class and entered several amateur Southern States competitions.
Laszewski was frustrated with the judges' paradoxical explanations, as they said her back was too defined and detailed, which would render well in a professional league, but not in an amateur pre-qualifier.
Laszewski and her boyfriend were highly disappointed, and spoke with Amanda Dunbar and Debbie Bramwell, two competitors close to her about the judging decision.
She has been encouraged and said she uses her creativity to enhance her physique for what the judges want consistently, even developing her own exercises to best meet those goals.
This was her best performance in a professional IFBB event for her entire career, and she was considered a serious threat to the reigning champion, Iris Kyle.
She also admitted to doing no cardio for 6 weeks prior to the contest, a strong contrast to Nathalia Melo, the 2012 Bikini Olympia winner, who ran 10–12 miles a day for her competition.
[12] Following the 2012 Olympia, Laszewski categorized her current status as near "a pinnacle" where she could finally reap the results of years of work.
[13] According to Muscle Insider, Laszewski was predicted to take 3rd place in the 2013 Ms. International contest, behind Iris Kyle and Yaxeni Oriquen,[14] which she did at the 2013 Ms.
[17] Some of her clients are: Mr. Bahamas 2011 Robert Harris, Southern States contestant Chad Awad,[18] 2010 NPC Southern States 1st-place winner Beth Wachter[19] photographer Blake Reagan,[20] and professional women's figure contestant Traci Pate.