Discovering Powerlifting Through Chaos

Have you ever watched your entrée come out of the kitchen, carried like royalty and placed before you? That euphoric, life-is-good moment? That’s how I’ve always felt after a great workout—like something extraordinary just arrived in my life. Back then, I didn’t even realize I was in the middle of discovering powerlifting—something that would change my world in ways I couldn’t imagine. The joy and satisfaction of moving my body were undeniable, even when I didn’t know what I was doing. It all feels like a beautiful mess—a chaotic path that somehow led me to powerlifting when I needed it the most.

Here’s What To Expect

Starting to Work Out, Feeling the Vibes

It all started with my sister’s workout routine.

 

Imagine this—30 minutes of relentless sweat, awkward grunts, and facial expressions that definitely weren’t Instagram-ready. Yet, for some reason, it looked fun or I was just crazy.

 

So, I joined her. Her workouts were tough, but they hooked me in. I didn’t know it at the time, but those moments of flailing through jumping jacks and squats were the first steps in a journey that would eventually bring me to powerlifting.

Using Various Apps Looking for Structure

Like many fitness newbies, I found myself on YouTube, trying workouts from Blogilates and FitnessBlender. Their energy was contagious and more importantly, the workouts were beginner-friendly. So, I made it my mission to complete a video daily for an entire month. It was incredibly satisfying to scratch off a day of the calendar.

 

But here’s the thing… doing the same videos every day gets old fast.

 

My enthusiasm started to wane.

 

I wanted more variety, more challenge—something I didn’t even know how to name yet.

 

Enter the Nike Training App.

 

It was like a magical fitness genie made just for me.

 

Every workout was new, exciting, and motivating enough to get me out of bed at 6 a.m. to train—sometimes twice a day. Sometimes, it would be lifting weights or pushing the boundaries of my mobility.

 

You could call it an unhealthy obsession, but it gave me something I didn’t know I needed: structure.

 

Even though I didn’t yet know what I was building toward, it felt like I was moving in the right direction.

Joining the Gym in Highschool

I joined a gym to escape running outside in the cold and to appease my dad’s belief that girls shouldn’t jog alone.

 

My routine was simple: run 5 km every other morning before school.

 

At first, it felt great. But over time, I started to feel weak—frail, even.

 

That joy and confidence I once felt? Gone.

 

Then my brother stepped in. He handed me a pair of dumbbells and showed me a few basics. From dumbbell bicep curls to barbell squats, I was hooked. The rhythm of lifting weights, the challenge of pushing myself, it all felt strangely satisfying. I still didn’t know what I was doing half the time, but I loved the feeling of discovering something new. One thing became clear: high-rep workouts were not my thing. And when someone from the gym casually mentioned powerlifting, it piqued my interest.

Discovering Powerlifting

At first, I wasn’t sold on the idea. I’d always been the “sporty one” among my friends, but let’s be real—I’m also the person who trips over flat ground. Powerlifting seemed…intimidating. Then came a breakup. Fueled by the “independent-woman” energy that only heartbreak can provide, I decided to give powerlifting a shot. My sister wrote me my first program, and I jumped into training for a mock meet.

 

It was messy. My form was questionable.

 

I didn’t know what to expect.

 

But none of that mattered because something finally clicked.

 

The first time I hit a personal record, something shifted. It wasn’t just about the numbers—it was the feeling of strength, both physical and mental. I’d found a space where I could focus on myself, free from judgment or comparison. Powerlifting wasn’t something I’d been looking for. It found me in the chaos—through jumping jacks in my sister’s living room, obsessive Nike App sessions, and lifting weights with no clue what I was doing.

Looking back, every misstep and detour led me here.

 

It wasn’t a straight path, and it wasn’t perfect, but that’s what makes it so satisfying.

 

There are endless ways to discover powerlifting.

 

Some people stumble into it like me, through a mix of trial, error, and chaotic determination. Others find it intentionally, drawn by the promise of strength and structure. No matter how you get here, the journey shapes you.

 

Powerlifting is more than a sport—it’s a process of self-discovery, resilience, and growth.