An introduction.
I must have been 15-16 years old when I signed up to the gym for the first time. As everyone around me got better at sports, I did not. Honestly my ego probably needed to be better than everyone else at something, so I chose this. While now - this is something I am forever grateful I did get good at. It did come with a few learning curves later down the track. Not only was I ‘stuck’ on a 40kg Squat for two years.
(hint: I was not stuck, I just didn’t know what I was doing)
I also added disordered eating to my gym bag. In lesser words… I found myself unrecognisable next to my friends. I felt as though I looked ill, but listening to comments about how I should feel lucky I’m so thin. I still get comments about it, but I am 8kgs heavier now and understand how my body works.
Towards the back end of this - I found Olympic Weightlifting.
I had just moved out of home for my first Personal Training job at Snap Fitness Dunedin. I’d been feeling a little dull with my own training and wanted to be bad at something again.
This leap was the best thing I have ever done.
Not only did I find my love for sport again, I found an incredible coach. All of these new movements, re-learning speed and power, timing and all of the small technical parts of Weightlifting really pushed me to be a better athlete and a better coach. I wanted to be good so bad, and it paid off. I worked really really hard - but outside of my own training, I do not give enough credit where it is due. My coaching style, my programming and the reason can still have this job today is because of what I learnt here. I give my success to you.
Callan Helms - Head Coach Otago Weightlifting.
Just over two years into my Weightlifting journey, I have a LONGGGGG way to go but I would do it all 100 times over again if I knew this is the person I would be today.
Now I strive to find others like myself, who have an undying desire to get better.