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News

Transgender Powerlifter Janae Kroc’s First Photo Shoot

The bodybuilder formerly known as Matt Kroczaleski is back in front of the lens.

by Matt Tuthill
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janae-kroc-trophies
Photography by Per Bernal
View Gallery

Transgender Powerlifter Janae Kroc’s First Photo Shoot

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1 OF 12

1 of 12

janae-kroc-trophies

Photography by Per Bernal

Meet Janae

When Janae Marie Kroczaleski was known as Matt, or simply, “Kroc” to a legion of powerlifting and bodybuilding fans, she was photographed countless times—training, competing, and showing off a powerful physique that many guys would die for. But since coming out as a transgender woman, Janae has granted only one photo shoot—for the October 2015 issue of Muscle & Fitness, on newsstands now.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable StoryMuscle & Fitness was granted unprecedented access for an exclusive photo shoot by photographer Per Bernal to accompany Deputy Editor Matt Tuthill’s in-depth feature. There wasn’t nearly enough room in the magazine to fit all of Per’s amazing photos, so we’ve collected some of the best selections from that shoot in the gallery here. Click through for incredible photos of Janae Kroczaleski that you won’t find anywhere else.

2 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

In Her Element

Janae poses in her basement gym.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

3 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

Keeping it Cool

Kroc performs walking lunges with a length of telephone pole in the Michigan snow. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

4 of 12

janae-kroc-prep-makeup

Photography by Per Bernal

Camera Ready

Moments before putting on a wig, a makeup artist helps Janae get ready for the photo shoot.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

5 of 12

janae-11

Photography by Per Bernal

Nearly Ready

With the wig in place, Janae is a few brush strokes away from beginning the shoot. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

6 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

Warming Up

Janae stretches prior to a quick cardio warm up. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

7 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

Getting a Grip

Janae was happy to demonstrate some lifting techniques, but now that her transition has begun in earnest, she says she is done competing in powerlifting and bodybuilding.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

8 of 12

janae-bench-2

Photography by Per Bernal

‘Light’ Weight

At the time of the shoot, Janae was still recovering from a muscle tear and could only push light weight, which, for Janae, is still at least 315 pounds on any lift. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

9 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

Easy Does It

When she was known as Matt, Janae once pulled over 810 pounds in competition. She says she has trained heavy a few times as Janae, but that it didn’t feel quite right. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

10 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

Rack ‘Em

In addition to this standard dumbbell rack, Janae still has the custom “Kroc Row” dumbbells that can be loaded up to 300 pounds.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

11 of 12

janae-kroc

Photography by Per Bernal

A Pleasant Escape

Janae told Muscle & Fitness the story of her tumultuous childhood. Lifting weights, she said, offered her a pleasant escape. SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

12 of 12

janae-kroc-split

Photography by Per Bernal

Then and Now

Matt typically weighed in around 250 pounds. Janae says with hormone therapy she expects to drop 80 pounds or more.SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Back to intro

Meet Janae

When Janae Marie Kroczaleski was known as Matt, or simply, “Kroc” to a legion of powerlifting and bodybuilding fans, she was photographed countless times—training, competing, and showing off a powerful physique that many guys would die for. But since coming out as a transgender woman, Janae has granted only one photo shoot—for the October 2015 issue of Muscle & Fitness, on newsstands now.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Muscle & Fitness was granted unprecedented access for an exclusive photo shoot by photographer Per Bernal to accompany Deputy Editor Matt Tuthill’s in-depth feature. There wasn’t nearly enough room in the magazine to fit all of Per’s amazing photos, so we’ve collected some of the best selections from that shoot in the gallery here. Click through for incredible photos of Janae Kroczaleski that you won’t find anywhere else.

In Her Element

Janae poses in her basement gym.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Keeping it Cool

Kroc performs walking lunges with a length of telephone pole in the Michigan snow. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Camera Ready

Moments before putting on a wig, a makeup artist helps Janae get ready for the photo shoot.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Nearly Ready

With the wig in place, Janae is a few brush strokes away from beginning the shoot. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Warming Up

Janae stretches prior to a quick cardio warm up. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Getting a Grip

Janae was happy to demonstrate some lifting techniques, but now that her transition has begun in earnest, she says she is done competing in powerlifting and bodybuilding.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

'Light' Weight

At the time of the shoot, Janae was still recovering from a muscle tear and could only push light weight, which, for Janae, is still at least 315 pounds on any lift. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Easy Does It

When she was known as Matt, Janae once pulled over 810 pounds in competition. She says she has trained heavy a few times as Janae, but that it didn’t feel quite right. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Rack 'Em

In addition to this standard dumbbell rack, Janae still has the custom “Kroc Row” dumbbells that can be loaded up to 300 pounds.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

A Pleasant Escape

Janae told Muscle & Fitness the story of her tumultuous childhood. Lifting weights, she said, offered her a pleasant escape. 

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

Then and Now

Matt typically weighed in around 250 pounds. Janae says with hormone therapy she expects to drop 80 pounds or more.

SEE ALSO: Janae Kroc Shares Her Unbelievable Story

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