Strength means the ability to keep pushing my boundaries despite opposition.
I feel the strongest when I've just accomplished something I've never done before, inside or outside of the gym.
Strong means being able to continue fighting against odds that aren't always in my favor. It means not giving up.
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.
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.
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!
I do the best I can to follow the program that my coach Kevin gives me. I just do what I'm told!
I can take ALL the groceries inside in one trip. Haven't you seen The Incredibles!
Confidence.
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.
That you can't be an effective weightlifter if you can't maintain a positive mental state.
Every day the weights are heavy but I buckle down and go do it and get to work.
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.
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!
Having a strong support network of family, coach and friends.
A hunger of self improvement and showing what I know I'm actually capable of.
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.
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.
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.
No, I have a terrible memory...that's probably why I am a good lifter because I can forget how heavy something was. It's a new lift every time!
