Powerlifting has been in my life since I was seven and it was quite some time before I realized it wasn’t a “normal” sport. “Normal” as in “mainstream”, at every high school, on TV, everyone knows the sport. I grew up with a powerlifter who later became my coach. Lifting weights and working towards a competition was normal and exciting.
My coach, Bruce, wouldn’t let me start training until I was in ninth grade. I wanted to start sooner. I had been going to contests for years; carrying a full backpack to keep me busy from early morning into late, late evening. One year I even had my paper dolls with me. This was back in the day when the contests were run on the progressive loading system. Those of you, who have experienced this type of system, know it is not “progressive”. Still, I loved the sport. The chalk, the adrenaline, the yelling, cheering and lights flashing on with each lift. Wow – I was hooked!
