About four years ago, at age 34, Tamara Walcott took up competitive powerlifting. Since then, as one of the sport’s emerging names, she has more than made up for lost time. On April 7, 2022, ahead of the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation (WRPF) American Pro, Walcott shared some of her recent training progress when she busted out a 151.95 kilogram (335-pound) bench press for two reps.
Never give up
Walcott’s journey to powerlifting success is notable for the adversity she overcame. In addition to crushing deadlifts and squats professionally, she is a single mother with two children, a full-time job and a business owner. Anyone can struggle to get that much on their plate, but so far it doesn’t seem to have been a problem for Walcott.
As a prominent powerlifter with a platform, Walcott knows she can’t resist. She seems only too happy to wear this honor with pride.
“Like the video said, I never give up,” Walcott wrote in the post’s caption. “Why? Because I’m doing this for myself. The bonus in the process is that what I do inspires others! I hate that, but that can’t be our motivation. We have to be our driving force.”
Indeed, Walcott has no shortage of situations where she has been a quality powerlifting role model. In eight career competitions, she has racked up seven wins. In one of her more recent wins at the 2021 WRPF The Bucked Up Showdown, she pulled a current global deadlift of 288.5 kilograms (606 pounds).
Always take care of yourself first
However, her success does not mean she can always go full steam ahead. Walcott seems to understand that achieving powerlifting glory is a gradual process † which explains why she says she recently took a break from training for about a week. For Walcott, every small win, at a good pace, is a credit to a long and fulfilling journey.
“I always listen to my body,” Walcott continued. “For now, I’m back and I’m coming vengeful. There is work to be done. There are records to be broken. So preparation and proactiveness are key! I am a beast; therefore regular maintenance is essential.”
The Queen of Deadlifts
Walcott seems to have no desire to waste her current opportunity. In recent interviews, she hasn’t been shy about passionately discussing how her quest for powerlifting has reshaped her self-image.
More importantly, while taking care of her personal life, Walcott says she now possesses revitalizing energy that she wants to transfer to others. Her March 2022 spot on Access Hollywood saw her delve deeper into the past and this ongoing honorable mission for visibility:
“I’m at a crossroads, I can’t keep doing this, I have to live for my kids,” Walcott said of her mindset during her low point. “I have to be there for them. I have to change my life. So I decided to go back to the gym and lose some weight.”
It’s the next step that may have changed not only Walcott’s life trajectory, but perhaps the future of powerlifting. While she was working out one day, she saw some athletes clattering weights and “throwing chalk.” The rest was history.
“I asked about it and they said, ‘Oh yeah, they’re powerlifters, that’s what they do,'” Walcott said. “And I was like, I want a piece of that.”
As for whether Walcott would approve of powerlifting for other women, her answer couldn’t have been more resounding.
“I would recommend it [powerlifting] to more women, especially since I have a 15-year-old daughter,” Walcott said. “It translates to so many aspects of your life. It keeps you committed, motivated. You can go to the gym and do things you thought you couldn’t do. Not only has it changed me physically, it has also changed me mentally. It made me mentally strong.”
As she continues to expand her reach, Walcott will host an upcoming open forum on April 24, 2022 on tackling stereotypes in New York City. Tickets for the event are on sale on its website. Walcott’s next game † the 2022 WRPF American Pro † will take place on July 29-30, 2022 in Manassas, VA.
This post Tamara Walcott Notches 151.95-Kilogram Bench Press (335 Pounds) for 2 Reps, was original published at “https://fitnessrewop.com/2022/04/09/tamara-walcott-notches-151-95-kilogram-bench-press-335-pounds-for-2-reps/”