BLK BOX Athletes | Emma McQuaid

MEET EMMA

WHAT DOES STRENGTH MEAN TO YOU?

Strength means the ability to keep pushing my boundaries despite opposition.

WHEN DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE AT YOUR STRONGEST?

I feel the strongest when I've just accomplished something I've never done before, inside or outside of the gym.

WHAT DOES BEING STRONG MEAN TO YOU?

Strong means being able to continue fighting against odds that aren't always in my favor. It means not giving up.

HOW DOES THE STRENGTH THAT YOU’VE BUILT IN THE GYM TRANSLATE INTO YOUR DAY-TO-DAY LIFE?

The strength that I've built in the gym helps me push myself in academics. I want to go on to practice medicine and I know that I'll need every bit to get me through.

WHEN HAVE YOU HAD TO RELY ON STRENGTH TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY IN YOUR CAREER? IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE?

I've had to have mental strength in order to succeed in my high school AP classes, especially when I've traveled for multiple weeks at a time. In my personal life, mental strength allows me to stay driven towards my Olympic and my career goals.

IN ORDER TO BE STRONG...

I must try maintain unwavering focus and discipline. I need to continue to train my mind as I train my body. But still have fun!

HOW DO YOU APPROACH GAINING STRENGTH IN THE GYM?

I do the best I can to follow the program that my coach Kevin gives me. I just do what I'm told!

HOW HAS TRAINING AS A WEIGHTLIFTER HELPED YOU TO BE STRONGER OVERALL?

I can take ALL the groceries inside in one trip. Haven't you seen The Incredibles!

WHEN I GAIN STRENGTH, I ALSO GAIN...

Confidence.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL MAKES YOU STRONG MENTALLY?

I have the ability to look at an obstacle and decide, without question, I will overcome it. My family and friends also foster this strength. They help keep me grounded and remind me that I am more than the weights I lift.

WHAT HAS WEIGHTLIFTING TAUGHT YOU ABOUT MENTAL STRENGTH?

That you can't be an effective weightlifter if you can't maintain a positive mental state.

WHAT ROLE DOES MENTAL STRENGTH PLAY IN YOUR TRAINING ROUTINE?

Every day the weights are heavy but I buckle down and go do it and get to work.

HOW DO YOU BRING MENTAL STRENGTH TO COMPETITION?

I don't allow myself to be intimidated or have self-doubts. I have faith in my training and coaching that when the time comes, I am able to block my mind and allow my body to do what it's been trained to do.

SINCE IT IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN LIFTING, HOW DO YOU BUILD AND GAIN MENTAL STRENGTH?

Mental strength is something that you choose to strive for. If you truly believe you can do something, then there isn't anything that can stop you. The best way to train mental strength is to not doubt yourself. As soon as you doubt yourself, you've lost half the battle. That's why I don't think about anything when I walk up to a bar!

FOR ME, A STRONG MIND COMES FROM...

Having a strong support network of family, coach and friends.

IN REGARDS TO PERSEVERANCE: EVERYONE HAS EXPERIENCES OF DEFEAT; WHAT KEEPS YOU MOVING FORWARD IN THOSE MOMENTS? WHY KEEP GOING?

A hunger of self improvement and showing what I know I'm actually capable of.

IN A COMPETITION SETTING; HOW DO YOU MENTALLY PREPARE FOR A LIFT/COMPETITION. WHAT’S GOING THROUGH YOUR HEAD AS YOU APPROACH THE BAR?

Honestly, nothing goes through my head as I approach the bar. I try to keep all the thoughts out of my mind. It is my belief that the time for thinking is in training and the time for doing is in competition.

IS THERE A SINGLE MOMENT WHEN YOU KNEW THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

After powerlifting for a year, I realized that weightlifting would give me both mental and physical challenges that I craved. I knew after my first weightlifting competition (Washington State) that I wanted to continue in this sport and see how far I could get.

WHO IS SOMEONE WHO INFLUENCES/INSPIRES YOU?

All my family, including my coach and his wife, influence me the most. They always push me to be a better version of myself. They also keep me humble.