About Me!
I'm often asked about how I got into Powerlifting. So I thought it'd be good to have some background information about previous sports I've done and what it all means to me.
For more information on Powerlifting as a sport; see the Powerlifting page on my website.
Background
I was born and brought up in Cambridgeshire (Eastern England) and from the age of about 11 was involved in competitive sports. I initially competed in Athletics, running 100m and 200m, subsequently the 400m and held the title of County Champion. This all ended around the same time I left 6th Form College as I badly tore a hamstring. After plenty of physio and time away from Athletics, I decided to try other things to keep me active which could fit around my then working life. My brother had given me some dumbbells (looking back, they were probably only about 6kgs each hand) but as a teenager I religiously did a mini workout every night in my room, working my arms and shoulders; which explains quite alot about why they look how they do rather a few more years on!
During the nineties I enjoyed Aerobics; mainly high impact and some step, although good fun and great cardio, it was somewhat of a departure from needing to compete at something! I also got back into running, though mainly just road running and some gym work on treadmills with the odd 'fun run' thrown in.
I also started boxing training at a local gym which was excellent and must have ignited my passion for strength-related exercise. This lead onto freestyle Karate Kickboxing which became more competitive and I enjoyed the strength and flexibility side of it. During this time I actually won a local fight and graded as far as brown belt until I realised that although I did enjoy the training and of feeling strong; I didn't particularly enjoy hitting, or being hit!!!
In the 'noughties' this need for strength training meant I was seduced by the idea of using weights in a gym and I did this along with a weekly session of indoor climbing. The weight training was satisfying since I realised I was naturally fairly strong and enjoyed pushing myself and seeing visible differences in my body too. I must admit, however, that at this stage I probably was training like a bodybuilder - i.e. higher reps and never trying a 1 rep max...ever! I also mainly used the fixed-resistance machines, and did isolate muscle groups; something I rarely do now.
Indoor climbing was great fun as my upper body was strong but it made me think about using my legs more. Plus I was also road running several times a week - short runs but working on speed or doing intervals (I've never been big on endurance!).
I met and started training with one of the PT's at a gym I subsequently joined and he really started pushing me to lift heavier. Its a huge matter of confidence to do compound exercises heavy (such as Squat and Bench) and absolutely vital to have a spotter whom you can trust. So started my foray into proper strength training...this all provided a solid base for what's since become my passion for Powerlifting.
Throughout all of this time I've trained in various gyms, from initially a small council gym, to large commercial ones, then to smaller 'real' weightlifting gyms and health-type clubs. I've also been many (about 20) times to Club La Santa in Lanzarote where I've tried lots of different sports and done a few races; mostly running, cycling or a combination of the two. See the pictures at the end of this page to prove it!! This is also where I was initially spotted by some Champion Powerlifters who were training and noticed I was lifting fairy heavy and in reasonably shape. I got chatting to them, agreed to a training session and from then on I realised I'd got some potentia and had found the absolute ideal sport for me.
Powerlifting training
Its assumed that I train virtually evey day. However I don't! It would be impossible for me to commute, work full-time and train heavy without getting ill or injured - so I've found a balance that works for me. I lift heavy (about 98% at the lightest) of my maximum, 3 times a week, in either of the 2 gyms in which I train. I do a spin class once a week, and I go out on my mountain bike at the weekend doing anything between a hard 10 mile very off road (ploughed fields etc) or a 20 miler on farm roads and tracks - depending on the weather!
I always enjoyed running, but found that the constant pounding my knees took, didn't work too well with the heavy squatting so it had to go in favour of the less impact cardio (and good fun) that is MTB-ing!
My diet is a fairly healthy one. Since I prefer to stay light and lift heavy, in relative terms, for my bodyweight I do eat low-fat, try to stay away from too much sugar or wheat and keep the protein intake pretty high. I'm a virtual tee-total now - probably only having a drink a couple of times a year, and frankly I don't miss the fact that my tolerance for alcohol got worse the leaner and stronger I got! I drink lots of water instead, some coffee and I'd be lying if I said I didn't ever eat junk food. I very rarely crave a pizza or fish and chips, but find when I do have something like that - my body reminds me that it's got used to not having fatty stodge and I feel sluggish as a result.
I'm pretty determined to stay lean and light and represent the athletic side of Powerlifting. The compulsion exacerbated by the media for women to be super thin but look feminine isn't a realistic one in most cases. And women who try to get fit, particularly in a gym are often scared that they'll 'get big, muscly and look like a man'. I'm proof that you can look strong and actually BE physically strong without compromising what nature gave you.
I've also been asked this one too, but I actually don't have any sporting hero or role models. My parents inspire me in many ways and continue to give me the confidence to know that if I want something badly enough - I'll get it. I truly believe you should be your own inspiration as ultimately you have to rely only on your own abilities to achieve - I guess that's why I've never been a team-sports player and have only ever done sports which ultimately test your self-reliance.
The following are some pictures taken over the years during some races (mostly in Lanzarote..hence the usual tan!) and I plan to find and load some other sporty shots of me from my Athletic and Kickboxing days.