Having to train as much as I do is not a problem for me, but my recovery habit is the tough part. For example, having to remember to take my supplements on time daily, eating healthy and getting enough but not too much good carbs in my diet; like sweet potatoes, yams and green banana. Taking 45 minutes out of my busy schedule to take weekly Epsom salts baths and also getting chiropractic...
My Experience in Russia
It was 2 weeks before one of the biggest and most important trips in my life to the Junior World Championships in Kazan, Russia. I was having numerous problems with my body, which prevented me from performing the Olympic lifts. I was trying extremely hard not to worry about it, not think about how my injury would affect my competition, which was very hard for me because I am a perfectionist. As...
She’s my Rock
My best friend and older sister, Kia, had taken a year off from weightlifting because she had badly injured her hip. She was told that she had to immediately stop lifting or risk developing further debilitating injury. I was devastated when I heard this, Kia is my rock, she is the person I go to and connect with on numerous levels about the highs and lows of the sport. I could not imagine not...
One Kilo Away from Records
The Toronto Pro Supershow is held every year on the first weekend of June. I was not very excited to lift in this year’s Supershow because I had competed just two weeks before in the Canadian Senior Championships. I felt that I needed a longer rest period. It turned out that I didn’t because I made three personal bests! One in snatch, 87kg and one in clean and jerk, 107kg raising my...
Randomly Chosen
I was first drug tested at the Canadian Senior Weightlifting Championships in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It was an interesting experience. Right after I had won my gold medal in 75kg weight class, a woman approached me like I was being arrested. She stated, with a poker face and in a stern voice that I “was randomly chosen for drug testing”. Still frustrated, annoyed and dealing with the fact that...
Too Hot for Hell
How do you feel about saunas? Not sure, well let me tell you how I feel about them. Saunas are the worst creation invented by man. They are dangerously humid, extremely uncomfortable, and scathingly hot! I do not understand how people can go to saunas and “relax”. Believe me, I was far from relaxed. Both my father and my coach, Hani Kanama, had decided it would be a great idea for me to attend...