I used a longer version of this for my common app personal statement for colleges. I think it’s a   good time to go look back on how far I’ve come and why I enjoy training. 

One day in December 2013, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning and asked my father to drive me and a friend to the local YMCA so I could “work out.” Afterwards, we showered up, ate breakfast and headed off to high school. That morning started a routine that I continue to this day, and began my journey of becoming a competitive Powerlifter and a better, more mature person.
Powerlifting involves three attempts at lifting weights three different ways: squat, bench press and deadlift. To me, Powerlifting is much more than just a strength sport; it is something that gives me purpose and motivation in all areas of my life. For each event I have to set goals, create a plan to achieve those goals, schedule workouts and rests, eat well, and prepare mentally. It is a discipline that requires me to be responsible and dedicated, and as a consequence, has improved many aspects of my life.

After I began working out on a regular basis, I chose individual competitive Powerlifting over school sports. In early 2014, while researching weight lifting techniques, I discovered Powerlifting. After learning more about Powerlifting online, I decided to follow an event preparation guide to train for my first Powerlifting competition scheduled later that year. Four months of hard work and dedication paid off, and I earned a silver medal. At this point I started working with a professional trainer at his local gym. I have since competed two more times, winning a gold medal and most recently a silver medal at the 2015 USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Raw Nationals.

My research into Powerlifting sparked my interest in Kinesiology, the study of muscle movement. I eagerly read books such as Arnold’s Bodybuilding for Men, Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett, Westside Barbell: Book of Method by Louie Simmons, and Spartan Up by Joseph De Sena. I also follow industry bloggers such as Barbell Shrugged, Powerlifter Mark Bell, and Zach Even-Esh. It is one of my ambitions to train at Westside Barbell in Columbus, Ohio, which was founded by Louie Simmons; the world’s best known and most respected Powerlifting and strength coach.

During the spring of 2014, I researched colleges with Kinesiology programs and learned about (and attended) the University of Massachusetts Amherst Summer Pre-College – Human Health & Movement (Kinesiology) program. It was exactly what I was hoping for and more. During the two short weeks of all day classes I realized that Kinesiology was the educational path for me to pursue. I learned about the importance of strength and conditioning for athletes, as well as how proper nutrition provides for increased glycogen (energy) storage that leads to better endurance. The class learned about anatomy and physiology using new technology (nicknamed by the class “a Cadaver iPad”) that displays virtual cadavers with images that are interactive. I approached Kinesiology the same way I approached Powerlifting. I set a goal (learning more about Kinesiology), created a plan to achieve the goal (finding a program), applied for the program, and worked hard to get the most out of it.

Upon returning home from UMass, I started a lifestyle blog millerlite714.com “a Teenager’s Powerlifting Journey”. I use the blog to share what I have learned and to help others learn more about Powerlifting. I experiment with techniques and write about my workouts and insights.

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