2015 Year in Review, so much happened so it is going to be hard to keep this short, it was an epic year for me.
January 2015
I was invited as a guest to attend the UGSS (Under Ground Strength Session) at Elitefts as part of the "Stronger" group of women. I was so nervous while I was there. For 3 days we trained, we met team members, other guests and of course the staff at Elitefts. We were included in Round Table discussions to share our knowledge and Ken and I were invited to film some of our Kettlebell knowledge. We had dinner with the Team and they even had a cake for my Birthday, I knew then this was a wonderful Team. This weekend was life changing for me.
January 16th, the day before my 53rd Birthday this happened.
I was invited to become a sponsored Athlete for Team Elitefts. As my heart raced reading the email I was shocked, surprised, excited, scared, honoured, so many emotions rolled into one offer. Of course I said yes and I became part of the Team promised to represent with honour.
January 30th Benches for Benefits
I competed in a bench only meet raising money for "Nelson Youth Group" I placed 1st and won best overall bench hitting 176.5 lbs for a Canadian National Record. This was my first competition representing Team Elitefts which made me nervous and I missed my 3rd bench but that was ok I knew I would hit 200 lbs at the XPC Finals.
February 28th, 2015
I became a Gramma, beautiful Baby Boy Cole ! My life was forever changed, I never knew my heart could hold so much more love.
March 2015 the XPC 2015 Arnold Classic
This video explains it all, 970 Lb total, 9 for 9, 84 Lb meet P.R., 4 XPC records, I joined the 200 Bench club and placed in the top 10 overall ! Not too bad for a 53 year old beginner, what an honour to have had this opportunity.
April 2015 Agatsu Kettlebell Competition
I was so sick this day, I was not going to compete and just coach but being the first Kettlebell Competition representing Elitefts I felt I must do my best and at least try. Well to my surprise I set myself on "Focus Mode" and crushed it. I achieved my ranking of "Candidate for Master of Sport" a ranking I had not imagined I would achieve on this day never mind being sick, 133 reps with the 16 Kg bell. Then I attempted the Double bell challenge, didn't make it all the way through without being sick to my stomach but regardless I tried and still ended up first in that category, Double 16 Kg Clean and Jerk is not easy.
My team did amazing as well, this was a great day all around.
This video shows how gruelling a sport this is. Here is the last minute of my 10 minute set.
June 13th 2015 "The RPS Great White North Invasion Powerlifting Meet"
Here is my log to sum it up, I was 5 lbs short of my goal of reaching 1,000 Lb raw total. I hit a 995 Lb total, P.R. Squat of 355 Lbs P.R. Deadlift 440 Lbs, just missed 450 I was gased, a 200 Lb Bench, giving me a 25 Lb Meet P.R. 4 World Records, 1st place and best overall lifter.
https://www.elitefts.com/training-logs/rps-great-white-north-invasion-meet-roundup-wvideos/
June 28th 2015 Elitefts Powerlifting Experience II
This experience was amazing, this time instead of being on the receiving end I was on the giving end, giving my input on coaching, helping others, while still learning myself amongst some of the best Powerlifters and Coaches in the World. This experience changed so many lives as well as my own. If you have never attended one you need too, it will change your life too. It was my privilege as a Team Elitefts member to be able to help coach so many people and meet other team members, especially the infamous Clint Darden.
Watch his speech here, it will change your life too.
July 2015 Another Epic UGSS (Under Ground Strength Session) at the Elitefts S4 Compound
This time I got to Live, Learn, Pass On and I got to teach Traci Tate how to use Kettlebells and meet the famous Clint Darden and his lovely wife Nefi. I also taught Nefi how to use kettlebells, another memorable fun weekend at the compound.
https://www.elitefts.com/training-logs/sunday-ugss-at-the-s4-compound-elitefts/
https://www.elitefts.com/training-logs/friday-ugss-at-the-s4-compound-elitefts/
August 15th 2015 "The Clint Darden Seminar"
The Clint Darden Seminar was amazing. Ken and I were invited by Clint Darden himself to assist him with his seminar. How could one refuse such an amazing privalege. Not only did we help coach over 24 lifters but we met some amazing people whom we have formed life long friendships with, I will be forever grateful for this opportunity. From showing the "Strongmen" how to use Kettlebells, to having dinner with Clint and Nefi Darden, to training all weekend with team members, a weekend never to be forgotten.
August 16th, Training at the Compound, Injury Day
Well, this day didn't go as planned, I was exhausted from training, coaching teaching all weekend and had been battling what I thought was a bicep tendon injury. To my dismay, I was attempting a 205 Lb Bench P.R. with the help of Matt Ladewski, and I tore my Rotator Cuff, here is my log.
https://www.elitefts.com/training-logs/torn-rotator-cuff-surgery-needed-a-long-road-ahead/
Sept 2015, Kettlebell Workshop at the Elitefts S4 Compound
Ken and I Instructed a workshop for 10 willing participants how to utilize kettlebells, included in our group was Traci Tate, what a privilege despite only having one arm to use.
Part 1, way too much information for one log
Part 2, a great group, great opportunity !
September 16th, 2015 I became a Gramma again to a beautiful Baby Girl, Princess Amelia, this little lady stole my heart and she is my world.
November 6th, Rotator Cuff Surgery
Read my article Undertheknife, lots of rehab and a huge set back for me but I will come back strongher than ever, being patient, doing my rehab properly and focusing on the positives in my life helped get through this experience.
There were also a large number of Kettlebell Workshops Ken and I ran this year as well as some Powerlifting seminars at a local gym. I also handled Ken as his powerlifting meets, so it was a crazy busy year but a memorable one for sure.
I would not change a thing, yes my injury sucked and set me back but it happens when you are an athlete and it's part of the game, the main thing is that I come back even Strong(her).
Thanks for reading and being part of my year, I will say the friendships I have formed will last a life time, thank you to everyone.
Hope 2016 brings you all the best it can, it's up to you to make it happen.
#teamelitefts #driven #livelearnpasson #strongher #passiontrumpseverything #injuriessuck