Welcome to the 2023 Holiday edition of the USAPL Women’s Newsletter. We have a great roundup of topics for you, including our first lifter interview with Katie An! Read on, enjoy, and as always please let us know what kind of content you would find useful in upcoming editions.

Staying Consistent During the Holidays

For many of us between the holiday season and end of the year there are a number of additional activities on our calendars during this time. Stress can also be increased during this time of year. Regardless of how you spend Q4, grace and consistency can help us stay on the path to our goals. During this season a few tips that may help:

•           Enjoy checking out new gyms during your holiday travels (USAPL Gyms: https://www.usapowerlifting.com/gyms/)

•           Not enough time? Do what you can with the time you do have, some activity is better than no activity

•           Train with a partner

•           Register for a 2024 meet (Calendar: https://www.usapowerlifting.com/calendar/)

•           Give yourself grace

Share with us on social media (https://instagram.com/usapowerliftingwomen), what are your top tips to staying consistent when life gets busy?

Member Spotlight 

Full Name: Katie An (pictured above)

State: MA

Age: 25

Social media: @ricekrispie.lifts on Instagram!

How long have you been competing/powerlifting? 

I have been competing since January 2016! I’m about to start my 9th year in the sport which feels a little crazy but awesome at the same time. 

How did you get into the sport?

I was extremely blessed to have Liane Blyn as the Strength and Conditioning Coach at my high school. She had started a powerlifting team and a friend of mine on the team encouraged me to join since I had really enjoyed getting into strength training that summer. I competed 4 times by the time I graduated high school that year because I fell absolutely in love with competing and feeling strong. 

What is your favorite lift, and why?

Squat. It’s a lift that comes naturally to me. I think I’m able to get the most excited about it during training and in competition, even doing sets of 8 excites me (maybe I’m crazy haha). 

What has powerlifting brought to your life? 

I have made so many incredible friends at Odyssey Barbell Club (my gym), in New England, around the country, and even the world. I feel so genuinely supported by the people around me. 

What is one message you would give to women who may feel intimidated to compete? 

Have fun. Don’t overthink. Just do. I was trying to think of something that doesn’t get said all the time. But this gets said all the time because it’s true. 

What is your next meet/event? 

I am planning to compete at 2024 New Hampshire State Championships. I would be a guest lifter but I like competing at Odyssey and surrounded by my friends!

How do you like to give back to the sport? 

I referee, coach, and volunteer at a lot of the meets here in New England. I became a National Referee in April this year and had the pleasure of refereeing at High School Nationals, Collegiate Nationals, and Raw Nationals. I’m really passionate about helping people learn the rules of the sport and encourage everyone to become a referee. I believe that becoming a referee has made me a better athlete too. While coaching is only part time for me, I really enjoy helping my athletes reach their goals. They inspire me to be a better athlete myself. I love being at meets and just making sure everyone is given an opportunity to experience a good meet, so you’ll see me there either reffing, handling, or spotting and loading. 

Anything else you think we should know about you? 

Thank you to Sophia Veiras for nominating me for this newsletter!

Thanks so much, Katie, keep on dominating!

Have an athlete you think we should interview next? Let us know!

Become a Referee

As Katie mentioned above, becoming a referee is a fantastic way to give back to the sport that gives so much to all of us.



Why become a ref?

•  It’s a great way to gain a deeper understanding of the rules and procedures

•  You can become more invested in the sport

•  Occasional opportunities to travel if that interests you

•  Build a community

•  Make friends

•  Have fun

USAPL is in need of more referees so that we can continue to put on more meets and give you all a chance to compete. If you’re interested in pursuing this path, here are some resources:

•  Newly updated rulebook (we highly recommend checking this out regardless of your intention to become a ref, it’s important to know the rules!) https://www.usapowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/USAPL-Rulebook-v2023.1.pdf

•  Updates to the USAPL Ref System https://www.usapowerlifting.com/changes-to-the-usa-powerlifting-referee-system/

•  Referee Requirements (includes information on the process of how to become a ref) https://www.usapowerlifting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Referee-Testing-v2023.1.pdf

Need more info? Feel free to reach out to us with questions and we can help direct you to the proper resource.

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

USA Powerlifting Women’s Committee

women@usapowerlifting.com