Women of iron: Local moms become competitive lifters:
Posted: Sunday, May 31, 2015 3:00 am
By Marty Queen The McDowell News
Shelly Yates and Melissa Byrd started lifting weights for different reasons, but their results have been pretty much the same: Spectacular.
Yates, 39, wanted to improve her health for the sake of her two children. Byrd, 40, admired the camaraderie she saw among the teammates at Nebo Barbell, the gym owned by her boyfriend, Joey Smith, and wanted to be a part of the group.
A little more than a year later, the women have a slew of meet wins and record lifts to their credit, and both have qualified for the GPC (Global Powerlifting Committee) World Championships in Las Vegas in September.
The transformation into competitive lifters has come about quickly for both.
“I had gained a lot of weight,” said Yates, who began training after Smith, a childhood friend, offered his help. “I had just had my second child at 38, and I was sort of kidding around. But he said, ‘I can help you.’” For six weeks, we met (for) an hour, and I just fell in love with the sport. I stuck with it for six weeks, and I saw results.”
Byrd also made rapid gains, and yearned to compete.
“The more I got into it, the more I wanted,” said Byrd. “I was always this little tiny person, and it gave me more determination that I could do this.”
Yates and Byrd have each won first place in their divisions at all three of the meets in which they’ve competed.
Yates has set 17 North Carolina records, five national records and five world records. She is ranked 25th for squat and 26th for total (bench press, squat, deadlift) in the U.S. by “Powerlifting Watch” magazine, which compiles an annual list of the top lifters in the nation. Recently, Yates picked up a full sponsorship from Complete Nutrition.
Meanwhile, Byrd has established 15 state, two national and two world records, and is ranked 10th in both squat and total and 22nd for deadlift by “Powerlifting Watch.”
But Yates and Byrd agreed records and rankings aren’t the only benefits they’ve reaped from lifting.
Yates, who has taught language arts at East McDowell Middle School for the past 15 years, said she has embraced a healthier lifestyle.
“I have a 2-year-old and a 12-year-old, and I wanted to be healthier for my kids,” she said.
Yates also started a strength training club at East McDowell, and said it has been wildly popular with students.
“They think it’s the coolest thing in the world,” she laughed. “It gives you a connection that, otherwise, I would have never had with these kids.”
For Byrd, a full-time nurse with children ages 20, 16 and 13, powerlifting offers a chance at some much-needed “me” time.
“I’ve always been there for my kids and supported them no matter what they did, but to have something for me – my own personal goals – means a lot,” said Byrd. “To have that support from my team means the world to me.”
Byrd said becoming stronger physically has helped her in every aspect of life.
“It’s made me healthier and stronger and made me feel better about myself,” she said, “and it gives me more confidence, not just in weight lifting, but in life in general.”
Byrd added she’s overjoyed at being a member of the tightly knit group of lifters on the Nebo Barbell team.
“It’s a family,” she said. “Anytime you need anything, anybody there will be there for you, and they’ll love you and support you.”
Support, both in the gym and at home, is important for both women. Yates said she could never have become a competitive lifter without the help of her husband, Jason, who, she added, is her biggest fan. Byrd said having a solid support system in place helps her remain dedicated to training hard every day, which isn’t always easy.
“You make time for it, and it becomes a part of your normal day,” said Byrd. “It’s hard and it’s hectic sometimes, but it’s worth it.”
Yates concurred wholeheartedly.
“When you get to that goal, it is such an awesome feeling to know I did that,” she said.