My first powerlifting competition started with two missed squats. What happened next taught me something I already believed but hadn’t yet lived.
I recently competed in my first WRPF Great Britain powerlifting competition, finishing with a 495kg total and placing 2nd overall in my class.
What makes this result meaningful isn’t just the numbers; it’s the journey behind it.
When I first walked into Ash’s bootcamp class, I was pushed well beyond my comfort zone. It was one of those sessions where you genuinely question whether you’ll come back. I did, and that decision has led to a complete transformation in both my body composition and strength.
Competition day
Competition day itself was a lesson in resilience.
Squats didn’t go to plan early on; missing 140kg and 147.5kg. Resetting mentally was key, and I was able to come back and secure 150kg with three white lights.
Bench press was more composed. 120kg moved well, 127.5kg highlighted a small technical issue, but I adjusted and finished strong with 130kg. There’s more to come there.
Deadlifts were consistent throughout. The work I’ve put into improving my lockout paid off, and while 220kg was within reach, I made the call to secure a 215kg PB, building momentum for the future.
The mindset behind the lifts
Beyond the lifts, this experience reinforced something I already believed but needed to live: setbacks are part of the process, but how you respond defines the outcome.
When the squats went wrong, I had a choice. Fold, or reset. I reset. That’s not a powerlifting lesson; it’s a leadership lesson. It’s a life lesson.
I apply this same thinking to every team I’ve led, every difficult conversation I’ve had, every project that didn’t go to plan. You don’t get to control what happens. You get to control what you do next.
What’s next
I’m building on this now. The 220kg deadlift is there. The numbers will come.
More importantly, the mindset is locked in.
“Setbacks are part of the process. How you respond defines the outcome.”
