So next I have this nomination by @amila_powerlifts A 112.5kg new PB and ultimate goal secured by @poornabell , I mean a great birthday present to yourself for sure. I got to see this in person too! It's been brilliant to see the progress this year! Here's to 2023 being even better! The day before my 42nd bday, I did my powerlifting qualifier competition - a mixed set of results but overall got what I wanted - which was a 112.5kg squat to comp standard, which is a 7.5kg comp PB and my ultimate goal for the whole comp. The second video is 135kg deadlift which failed because I couldn’t lock it out, but I tried my best - and knew that even if I got it up, it would be a failed lift because I couldn’t get it without hitching or ramping it up the leg (which is a fail). I didn’t expect to even get it beyond my shins so to even get it as far as I could - bearing in mind it was a risk, I have never lifted this weight before and I had no idea if I could do it, and I’m glad I went for it anyway. I know I’ll get this up next time. (Bench isn’t worth reporting back on😂) The biggest gains for me doing comps are a) being with my team and feeling that love within my own community b) trying, failing and succeeding in an environment which even at an amateur level takes a lot of nerve. It also helps my strength to grow year on year - what seemed scary and impossible in previous years ends up being the norm in following years. My niece asked me today how I felt about turning 42 and I said ‘pretty good, this is the strongest I’ve ever been’. I am continually grateful in a world filled with diet culture talk, a fitness industry that continues to peddle 6 packs and lean physiques as pinnacles of achievement, a mainstream society that lionises youth, that increasing strength and powerlifting shows me what is really important, and what matters. Especially surrounded by older female lifters on the day. A society that continues to insist getting older defaults to diminishing returns can do one. Huge thanks to @jacked_t @divinemacabre @barfight_team for coaching, @benjaminraymondpiner @tommy_inglis for spotting and plate loading, @gb_powerlifting_support_group @ironforgegymalton