I started weightlifting with Kurtis in October 2022 with the initial goal just to get stronger and improve my technique in the snatch and clean and jerk. A few weeks into it, I did the Just Lift training camp with Greg and the team, and this is when I realized I wanted to train this as my sport.

The first thing we trained for was the Landmark Lift Off in December. It was at this point that I realized how much I missed training FOR something. Soon after I signed up for my first weightlifting meet in January. The support from Landmark and Just Lift as I worked towards my first competition was amazing. I had a great experience, and had so much fun doing it! I had so much fun that I signed up for Winterlift only 3 weeks later! 

I have always thrived in competition, and since gymnastics I haven’t had the opportunity to feel that feeling, until Winterlift. It was scary because it was something new, but with the Just Lift team in the back coaching, I knew it was going to be a good one. I ended up with a 135kg total, which was 4kg more than my first meet!

The sense of community from Landmark is what has kept me there for nearly 5 years, and now the addition of the Just Lift team is just more reason to keep going. Lifting with friends who share similar goals and mindsets makes for a great training environment. My plan is to keep training, see how strong I can get and hopefully compete more in the future!