Blog #1: Weightlifting Wisdom

Olympic weightlifting is centered on two lifts—the snatch and clean and jerk, and if your technique isn’t up to par, the risk for injury is bound to happen. Olympic weightlifting isn’t for everyone; it requires a great deal of discipline and patience. Before starting weightlifting I was in CrossFit, and I started training predominately in weightlifting because of one competition, the 2017 Iron Belle.

Last year, I decided to test my abilities, and compete in my first CrossFit competition with other members from my gym. We competed in the 2017 Iron Belle hosted by CrossFit Central in downtown Austin. When we entered the gym, I instantly felt my nerves race and doubt filled my mind. I saw what seemed to be Amazonian women sporting crop top t-shirts and six-packs lifting barbells without any difficulty. 

My first thoughts were, “Yup, that was fun, time to go now. You’re about to embarrass yourself out there.” But, I wasn’t the only one in the competition, so I needed to buckle down and silence those thoughts. My team and I fought hard and placed third in our division. Even though we made the podium, I couldn’t help but recall my moment of uncertainty. After the competition, I decided to ask myself, “How do I become better? How do I get stronger?”

During the competition the nerves hit me hard, but why? It was like I lacked confidence. The light bulb came on, that was it, I wasn’t confident in the Olympic weightlifting movements. After the competition, I decided to commit to Olympic Weightlifting. I have been weightlifting for 10 months now, and I still can’t believe I am able to lift 123 pounds over my head—from a girl that couldn’t even do a push-up at one point, it still blows my mind. 

Now that I am seasoned in Olympic weightlifting, I can see certain mistakes that Crossfitters make when they are trying to attempt a lift. I can see them jerk the barbell from the ground, instead of engaging their lats from the start and raising the bar at the same time as their hips.    

I know that I am still new to weightlifting, and I may not appear to be this bulky girl, but that’s what I love about this sport is that a person's appearance doesn't mean anything until you see them lift. 


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