Breaking Out: It's never too late.

I started power lifting almost two year ago. Over fifty (and all that implies), going through upheaval professionally and counting the months until my youngest child left for college, a friend told me that I owed it to myself to give power lifting a shot. It seemed like such a ridicules idea, but I knew I needed something to break out of my funk, so I gave it try. After the first session, I was hooked.

Two year later, I am so much stronger in body and mind. I have learned to challenge the concepts of what the “ideal” female body looks like. When I look around my gym, all I see are strong women, taking care of themselves. Not a particular shape or size. I feel more confident taking up space, making noise, holding my neck long, driving my shoulders down and raising my chest high. I am undoing 50 plus years of feeling like there is much to hide and tamp down.

Through powerlifting, I have come to realize that progress is not linear. Sometimes progress is not more weight on the bar, but instead its fewer reps done with perfect form. Sometimes it is simply getting myself to the gym and permitting myself the grace to take pride in that accomplishment. And yes, sometimes, progress is working towards a max day and establishing a new personal best.

Powerlifting has introduced me to a community of likeminded women. We are juggling families, jobs, hobbies, relationships, getting older and so much more. And we all know we need to be strong in body and mind to hold up the weight upon us.