World Silver. That sounds a bit bonkers.

Five months ago, I left a powerlifting qualifier in Nottingham in tears. I’d failed all three squats and walked away without a total.

On 9^th September, I stood on a World Championship podium with a silver medal around my neck.

There was quite a lot in between!

I went back 13 days after Nottingham and qualified. In July, I took silver at the British Championships. Then in September I represented Team GB at the AWPC World Powerlifting Championships in Manchester, competing against lifters from around the world, in my age and weight class.

I weighed in at 55.1kg and finished with a 247.5kg total: 90kg squat, 52.5kg bench and 105kg deadlift. What I love about powerlifting is you’re lifting against women who are similar in age and bodyweight, so it’s completely fair.

But this competition was really about numbers for me. I needed this competition to prove that I’m good enough, that I matter and how can I show my hubby and kids that I’m actually good at something and inspire them.  It’s about what can happen when something goes horribly wrong and you decide that it’s not the end.

For me strength isn’t always about lifting the bar.  It’s about going back 13 days later after you fell down.

I got a World silver and I’m still taking that in!

I’m gonna keep going for as long as my body will allow me to.