A couple people have told me "I could never do what you do!" or "I could probably lift the bar, LOL" after hearing me say that I competed this weekend. When I ask why they can't do what I do, they don't really have an answer other than "I can't wear a singlet in front of people" or something equally as silly.
Was I nervous Saturday? you bet your ass I was. I was terrified, then Nick and Tamara put things in perspective. I wasn't about to be beheaded by Isis, that's something to be scared of. Lifting at this meet? not even on the list of things to be scared of or nervous about. No one was rooting for me to fail, no one was thinking about how I looked like a giant blue m&m in my singlet. I did what a lot of people never do.
I got up on the platform and I competed.
I didn't let nerves get the best of me, I didn't use excuses like having to wear a singlet or being afraid of what people would think stop me from doing something I so enjoy. There is no other feeling like it in the world, and you really will meet some amazing people. I enjoy every minute I get to spend with the people on my team. They're smart, funny, supportive, encouraging and yell for me before I even touch the barbell. It makes this thing we do a lot easier, knowing that we have coaches who genuinely give a shit that we are good people first and foremost, and good lifters after that. We also have each other to high five on the way back from a great lift, eat sour patch kids and cookies in the crowd with and to hug on the hard days. If you are ever lucky enough to find a group of people like I've described, hold on to them. It took me years to find something that I enjoy as much as Olympic lifting and I can't tell you how grateful I am for every single person on my team.
I say all that to say this, if I can do this, you can too. If you want a medal, you have to show up and lift.
