So here it is. . . my amazingly supportive husband and I have decided it’s officially time to take Girls Who Powerlift on full time.

Some of you may know, I was working a full-time job when the GWPL Instagram page was created. At the time, it was a hobby within my hobby of powerlifting. When the shirts were conceived and received with overwhelming support the idea of doing both was a constant struggle. My degree and my daytime job is something that I worked incredibly hard for to the point of receiving 4 promotions in 5 years at the same firm. However, the job was incredibly stressful but more than anything it was thankless and not what I expected. It was days full of tears, being belittled and disrespected. There were perks but not enough to make me happy and satisfied with where my life was headed and it started affecting my health.

Being passionate about something has always been something I craved.  I’m a huge Dana Linn Bailey fan and even more so a Rob Bailey and the Hustle Standard. A while ago they put out a video of DLB doing a shoulder workout and in the background was this song. I found it and downloaded it and in the beginning of the song the wrestler, Warrior, is speaking and he says, “People always ask me, ‘what are you passionate about’. And it finally hit me. I’m passionate about (expletive) passion”. And every time I hear that song I think about that line and I say it over and over again. It pumps me up but why??

I thought about this a lot over the last several months. I never considered myself an athlete. I never did a lot of extracurricular activities as a kid. I’m creative but I wouldn’t call myself an artist so I was never really passionate about anything until I started powerlifting. I tend to shove the thought of being a "powerlifter" down sometimes because I don’t have incredible numbers or bulging muscles, although I’m very proud of my traps LOL. I don’t hold a record of any kind and my training can be sporadic because… well… life! But when I'm training I’m fully immersed. I feel unstoppable and stronger than life and all my goals are geared towards becoming a better powerlifter. Powerlifting has changed my life!

More to the point is the idea of being passionate. What’s the point of living if you aren’t passionate about something? And just because you powerlift as a hobby doesn’t mean that has to be your passion. Your passion might be your job. It might be a cause or a charity. It might be a different type of “hobby”. Like makeup or painting. It might be your faith. But merely existing should never be an option.

I realized that I was merely existing until you all made me realize that the GWPL community in addition to powerlifting IS my passion. I am so honored to be the mouthpiece for women everywhere who may not feel like they are athletes but squat, bench and deadlift for the love of strength.

Honestly, I'm SCARED AS HECK! This isn't the most ideal time for me to take this leap but I’m excited as to see where this adventure takes me and I’m so happy to have my band of iron sisters by my side because frankly I will need your support and encouragement to continue on my mission of helping women around the world realize that Strength Is Beautiful! #UpliftAndLiftHeavy