Bye Bye Comfort Zone, Hello Growth Zone!

A self-reflection debrief on my first ever ABPU Powerlifting Competition.

First of all, let me introduce you to The Team!

I can honestly say whole-heartedly that I am so proud to be part of such an inspiring team of strong and empowered ladies.

Every single female you see here, gave it their all today and some even broke British records. And in the process the wonderful team spirit strengthened too. I am grateful to have experienced today alongside these incredibly supportive ladies and thankful to have met Katie Cornish (our coach) in 2021 to push me to step up.

Top left to right: Jo, Me, Fiona, Michelle, Leanne, Cath
Bottom left to right: Laura, Hannah, Katie (coach), Liz

For those that aren’t familiar with powerlifting competitions, they are unlike anything I have ever been to before. They may seem intimidating and ‘macho’ but the reality is that they are the most supportive, inspiring and exciting environment. As you can tell I am even still a little buzzed even now writing this blog, hours later.

The format is pretty simple: 3 Lifts, 3 Attempts, 3 White Lights. You each have three attempts to lift as much weight as you possibly can in Squat, Bench and Deadlifts. If you get three whit lights on your lift, it is a clean lift and the weight is locked in to contribute to your overall total.

How did I do? Today I hit eight out of my nine lifts and walked away pretty pleased with my results.

Squat - 67.5kg, 72.5kg, 77.5kg
Bench - 47.5kg, 52.5kg, FAIL
Deadlifts - 97.5kg, 102.5kg, 110kg

Now I am fully aware that these are not ground breaking weights nor were they enough for me to make a qualifying total this time round,. However, that is the beauty of the sport - It doesn’t matter! Everyone just wants you to do the best YOU can, for YOU!

I went in to this weekend accepting that today was all about getting some experience under my belt. It was about pushing myself so far out of my comfort zone in something I love, that I would even remember what that comfort zone was. And boy did I do that! And more!

With powerlifting I have found something that I have to really work hard at and that challenges and pushes me mentally. It doesn’t only help build physical strength but it builds mental strength. To put it into perspective, 2 weeks ago I was still clinging on to my mental block that I couldn’t lift 100kg deadlift. My coach knew that I was more than strong enough to lift it but every time I stepped up the bar, I just could not get it to move. Yet today… I lifted 110kg as my last lift of the day and absolutely nailed it! (see video on my instagram).

So the day started with me waking up very groggy having struggled to sleep last night; my heart pounding so hard that I could feel a pulse in my ear! And those nerves continuing as I drove to the gym (Mammoth Gym in Lowestoft). As I warmed up, my stress and nerve levels continued to increase and the sickness feeling arrived. It didn’t take long once I had completed my final warmup squat for the emotions started to creep in (I took myself off to the toilet to have a little word and a few deep breathes).

SQUAT! “Oh holy….I’ve actually got to do this now”. That’s what my head said to me as I watched Cath do her first attempt. My legs were shaking, heart pounding and stomach summersaulting.

“67kg Emily - that is nothing! You can do this on a bad day - you know you can!”

SQUAT! I’m in the hole, bar on back. I don’t really remember much more of this lift after that. I was asked ‘did you get it?’ by one of the other coaches and I had absolutely no idea what had just happened! I got it! But I could no longer hold the tears in so took another little moment off to the corner to compose myself.

SQUAT! “72.5kg… you got this Emily!” And I did! But that didn’t stop my legs from shaking uncontrollably as I walked up on to the platform.

SQUAT! "You can do anything for 1 rep” I heard my client’s saying in my head. It’s what she says to herself every time we increase the weight in her program. My legs were still trembling, but it’s strange something just switched on inside me. I knew that I was going to get it before I even descended. I suddenly had this unshakable self-belief that I have in many other aspects of my life. Perhaps it was the shear adrenaline or perhaps it was that I knew it was my last squat attempt or perhaps it was something inside me that knew how much I wanted it and so stepped out and got it! We will never know!

For the rest of the day, I just enjoyed the experience. What nerves I had, I channeled in to strength and combined them with the adrenaline. I had hit 3/3 of my squat attempts - the lift I dreaded the most and so whatever happened throughout the rest of the day, it didn’t matter. I had achieved more than what I thought I would do already.

Skipping over a few hours, we then come to my final deadlift attempt. By this point, I am feeling pretty achy and a bit tired. But the way my deadlifts were feeling, I confidently said to my coach, let’s go 110kg. Knowing full well that I failed 107.5kg the week prior. And it flew up! The grin on my face must have been from ear to ear. I was so proud that I just went for it and so pleased that I finished the day on a high.

Thank you Mammoth Gym. Thank you Team. And Thank you Coach! xx

There were so many incredible females competing today and I am in awe of every single one. The spirit of the day was truly phenomenal and one I will remember for years to come. Today was about pushing myself out from that comfort zone and propelling myself into the growth zone. It has fuelled me to keep going after my goals no matter how long it takes me to get there. I am embracing this new zone; my growth zone!

To all you strong ladies reading this, your goals and ambitions are reachable. You just have to jump into your growth zone too!