Weightlifting has helped me develop self motivation, it has given me confidence, and it has encouraged me to live a healthy lifestyle and taking fitness as a way of life. For over 30 years I’ve been pumping weights by extending and contracting muscles for strength and for helping discipline.  Literally anybody can get the benefits. And the great thing about weight training is you can do it anytime you like, and even on your own, so it’ll fit in with your daily schedule easily.  As long as you are close to a gym, which nowadays doesn’t present much of a problem; gyms are popping up everywhere.

Although most of the time I trained because I enjoyed it I used to witness a group of Olympic-style weightlifters practice at the Hebraica club in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This type of sport involved rapid explosive movements. There were two: the clean and jerk and the snatch, but part of the training included the squat to get strength to support the trunk when lifting the weight and help create explosive strength. One of the reasons I had never participated was because the competitors would often be complaining about knee injuries, or back ache. And they’d always be wearing wound dressings. Not so appealing after all.

The C&J is considered the “the king of lifts” because the heaviest possible weight can be lifted and then jerked above the head.  The snatch is very technical because it involves a powerful grasp of the barbell and specific flexed body preparation, rapid while controlled lift close to the body, small push while turning the weights so the bodybuilder can get underneath while using leg motion to add support, and then finally thrusting the barbell above the head to a locked arm position. It sounds easy, but you can trust me when I say it isn’t.

Anyway, during the many years that I had been weight training in Brazil using lots of Joe Weider's muscle and fitness magazine’s bodybuilding tips, I had shown no interest in Olympic-style weightlifting. Yet having built several friendly relationships with the club’s weightlifters they used to invite me to have a go. I felt it wasn’t for me, but on one occasion I said aloud, ‘how do you know unless you try it!’ I don’t know exactly why, but it struck a spark and so I transgressed into it one day. It took plenty of discipline and hard work to follow Roberto, the trainer’s regime, but six months into it he invited me to participate in the Brazilian Club Championships.

It wasn’t easy as explosive movements put a lot of pressure on my joints; then into my 42nd year. On occasions my head felt like it was about to explode, and I would have a check up; my blood pressure was high. I wanted to give up, but the team encouraged me to finish the season. I made it to competition day thinking once it’s all over that is it for me. I remember warming up, putting chalk powder on my hands (for grip), and walking the steps to the podium to compete. Fortunately luck was on my side and I won both events in my weight category.

As a team we won the inter-clubs championship in Sao Paulo, but that was it for me. I’ve been back to weight training at my own pace ever since, but in time of need I pushed myself to reach perfection.

I believe you too can push yourself to reach new heights!