How and when did you first become interested in strength training?
I had double spine surgery during lockdown. Afterwards I was blighted by ongoing and unrelenting pain, despite doing pilates and physio. My daughter’s personal trainer suggesting coming to see Jon, as she believed his experience in sports therapy and strength training could benefit me.
You’ve been training with Jon for a couple of years now, what’s been the most challenging part of being consistent for this length of time – and the most rewarding part?
There are days when I do not want to train, I feel positive that my body will not cooperate! However, I go because I have developed a relationship with Jon, and I know how invested he is in my success and I don’t want to let him down. But in truth, I know that 100% of the times I have felt like this I have left feeling immeasurably better.
We work together to devise goals which brings clarity and focus to my training. I have come to understand how my progression is affected by training twice a week. Or not.
Being strong is addictive. It’s changed how I walk up hill, climb the stairs, sit down on the sofa – with control and power. Oh, and if the washing machine needs shifting, I can do that too!
As a full-time Mum, is it difficult to make time for your training?
It isn’t. Jon accommodates a time that works best for me. It is part of my routine, it’s just something I do. My week is balanced.
When did the idea of competing in powerlifting first come up? Was it something you had considered before training with Body Mentors?
No, never! Jon has worked out how to push my buttons! He casually dropped into conversation that the weights I was lifting would make me a contender to break the record for my class. I didn’t think I was competitive but clearly I was wrong.
Congratulations on setting a South East record for your squat – How did it feel? Were you confident of squatting 105.5kg on the day?
Thanks! We went to the competition without knowing the records had been broken the month before, we got the updated numbers on the day. So my record-breaking confidence went from high to low! We did a bit of tweaking to see if it would be possible to break the new record on the squat and the deadlift. I got the squat record by only 0.5kg and it felt amazing.
You were really close to setting a deadlift record too, do you plan to compete again and hopefully secure a second record?
The deadlift was too much for me on the day but now I’m obviously hooked so it’ll be my goal for next time.
How did the experience of competing match up with your expectations?
Body Mentors held a Christmas mock comp, Merry Liftmas, where I was really nervous. It was the first time being watched and my heart was pounding. I thought I’d be equally if not more nervous at the real thing. However, I wasn’t. I had excellent support from Jon and I just surrendered to the process.
And, finally, if you could share one piece of advice for women considering starting strength training, what would it be?
Do it! Especially older women. Coming out of the perimenopause and regaining mental and emotional balance with physical strength has been like a getting a super power. I’m excited about the next chapter of my life being full and fulfilling. I was fearing pain and inertia. What a fantastic and unexpected change.
