On September 22nd I will be participating in my second powerlifting meet. After my first meet, I wasn't sure that I would do another one, but here I am. When the opportunity to join the Boston Strength Alliance meet came up, I couldn't say no.
Why? This meet is a collaboration between Achieve Fitness (my gym) and The Women's Strength Coalition. AF and WSC share a common goal of making the fitness space more inclusive, more positive, and more welcoming to EVERYONE. Recently, the USA Powerlifting Federation banned - and then upheld the ban on - trans lifters. Since that is not something I can or will support, I'm thrilled to have the chance to compete in this inclusive space with all of my fellow athletes. The Boston Strength Alliance meet is fully inclusive and lifters are welcome to come as they are, in whatever way they identify, and I am here for it!
Additionally, the meet is a fundraiser for BAGLY, a local organization that provides incredible support and services to LGBTQ+ youth in Boston. You can find out more about their work here: https://www.bagly.org/what-we-are
Meet participants (that's me!) are asked to raise $1 for every pound they hope to lift and I'm going for a 595# total...let's round up to $600, shall we? Here's the breakdown of my pretty ambitious goals:
Squat: 200# (current PR 170)
Bench: 135# (current PR 125)
Deadlift: 275# (current PR 250)
Thank you, in advance, for your support! If you need me, I'll be at the bar.