I’m incredibly excited to share that following the 2023 British Powerlifting Masters Classic Championships in my birthplace Belfast, where I took bronze, I’ve been invited to join the national team and represent Great Britain at the IPF World Masters Championships in Mongolia this October. I’m pinching myself as I write this! Not only is this a huge honour, it will be an amazing adventure too. It seems very surreal for somebody that hated sport as a younger person. I’m grateful for all of the highs, lows, lessons and opportunities that the journey of lifting heavy offers.

Powerlifting is not the fancy one where they fling the bar overhead like in the Olympics. It’s a test of maximum strength on the squat, bench press and deadlift. I got into the sport after meeting the very inspiring Pat Reeves and Cat Smith at a regional sports event I organised for my union. Pat encouraged me to compete, and before long I had well and truly got the bug. I love the life lessons and mental health gains that come from a deceptively simple activity. I’ve built my life and my work around pursuing lifting and teaching it to others, so that they can also share in and enjoy the many benefits.

Powerlifting is an entirely self-funded sport, and so for me to take up this great opportunity, I will have to meet costs for travel, accommodation, competition entry fees, kit and drug testing. If you feel inclined to chip in to help towards these costs in any way, I’ll be incredibly grateful. I have a GoFundMe page here. I also appreciate page shares if you can’t donate – I understand that times are too tight for too many of us. Although it’s an individual sport, nothing happens without a team and you will be coming with me all the way to the platform in Mongolia. Thank you.

You can follow my journey on Instagram @takethebigbag