Finding Strength: How I Got Into Powerlifting at UMass Amherst

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Picture of me after my second competition where I placed third in my weight class.

It was the summer of 2025 when I started my summer job at the University of Massachusetts Recreation Center. That’s when I met my new coworkers, whom I would be working with for the whole summer. One of the new additions to the Rec Center staff was Asa Jackson. I shared with him what my experience had been like working at the Rec so far, and in return I asked him about his interests. Asa shared that he had been a member of the powerlifting club for a few years and was now stepping into a coaching role.

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This is my coach Asa Jackson and I after my competition in Boston.

After a few more shifts working together, he urged me to give powerlifting a shot and offered to make me a powerlifting program for one week to see if I liked it. At first, I was a little nervous to try everything. I did not really have any experience doing deadlifts or even barbell squats, because I mostly worked out with machines and dumbbells. 

After I completed the first week, I found myself really enjoying it, and I wanted to do more powerlifting. I loved that it allowed me to push myself to see what I was capable of while methodically planning out my workouts and keeping track of my progress. 

It also allowed me to overcome the self-doubt I had, as I was continuously hitting new personal records throughout the summer. After I completed a whole month of training, Asa suggested that I sign up for a competition. My first competition date was set for November 8th, 2025.

Competing for the first time was definitely an interesting experience for me. It required me to travel to Boston and wake up extremely early to make it to the venue by 7:30 a.m. to weigh in. 

My nerves were running high. I was worried about making weight, my overall performance, making sure I ate enough, and staying focused. 

Your typical competition is set up with three attempts each on squat, bench, and deadlift. While it was very nerve-racking, I was able to overcome my nerves and step out onto the platform and execute my lifts. Since then, I have competed again on February 1st, 2026, and experienced the mental and physical battle that powerlifting is. Even though the competition felt like a fight, I’m determined that it is a struggle I am willing to embrace.

Powerlifting has given me so many things, much more than just a regimented training routine and permanent calluses on my hands. It has opened me up to a new community of amazing people, helped me overcome my own mental challenges and doubts, and shown me that what you put in is what you get out.

Unlike other sports, powerlifting does not really have an offseason. Even if you don’t have a competition coming up super soon, you still need to stick to the plan and keep training and progressing. Through competing and training, I have excelled and reached places I did not think possible at first, and I can’t wait to keep progressing and getting better. If you're interested in powerlifting, check out the UMass Powerlifting club on Instagram!