MARLEN: “Working with Kate has been a pleasure. I definitely have more confidence in my body, and the goals I set my mind to. The most significant experience was setting our eyes on an Olympic Lifting meet. I was still hesitant about competing in sport. There was still this false belief, that I couldn’t quite rewrite my experience on the mat as a wrestler. And what had defined me might somehow overshadow the experience of competition. In addition, I didn’t think I was ready to experience the nerves associated with competition, especially on a platform in front of judges and a crowd.
The training spoke for itself and I felt very prepared. I appreciated the thoughtful direction of how we warmed up and how we listened to the body for its feedback on where I would need a little more attention that day. I was glad to see progress in many areas, including technique, weight lifted or overall body awareness. There was always something new to learn and take home.
On competition day the nerves were still there. When it came time to step onto the platform and lift though, I surprised myself. I was empowered, I felt strong and capable. The adrenaline was helping. The experience opened up a new possibility to competition in sport. I felt certain I could brush off the experiences of the past, and celebrate the possibilities for the future. It was truly liberating to validate that, regardless of results. With a grateful heart, I appreciate Kate’s intentions and the direction of her training. I have found it altogether thoughtful, and the right amount of push to try new things and challenge my limits.”
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KATE: “I’ve been working with Marlen for the better part of 2 years. As a former national-level wrestler, she was familiar to competition and the intensity of the athlete lifestyle; however, as many athletes experience, retiring from competitive sport can come with a plethora of unforeseen hurdles. When you devote a large amount of time and energy to one avenue of life, we can begin to identify as whatever that is, as many of us can relate. In this case, retiring from being a competitive athlete can pose the new question of “who am I outside of sport?”
It’s a tough question to answer, but I was lucky to be on this ride with Marlen as she navigated life beyond being an accomplished high-level athlete. Training would take on a new form as well. She was no longer training specifically for wrestling. Our focus for her shifted to following a sustainable method of training for life. She would develop different goals and broaden her horizons in terms of challenging herself and stepping outside of her comfort zone.
She expressed interest in wanting to do a Tough Mudder Race. So I said, “ok let’s make it happen!” and quickly began to organize a team of people who would join in the experience with us. Marlen is not inherently an endurance athlete, so I knew this particular event would be an awesome challenge for her. I knew the rewards of her efforts in training for it would be great. I knew she would surpass her own expectations of her capabilities. And in July of 2018, Marlen and the crew, made up of a couple of her family members and a few other friends, would crush the 10 mile mountainous course in Whistler, BC. I was fortunate to be able to witness her complete her goal and I think it unlocked a renewed sense of pride and ambition in her.
After the Tough Mudder, she re-evaluated her goals and decided to pursue the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Having just completed my Weightlifting Coaching Certification, I was eager to teach and learn alongside her. This sport was more in her wheelhouse. Her being a very strong and coordinated athlete, she would excel. After a handful of weeks, she decided to put her newfound aptitude to a tangible test. She signed up for a weightlifting meet here on the island and after many weeks of prep, ended the meet first in her weight class and successfully making 5/6 of her lifts. No stranger to the competition setting, she shook off the initial jitters and after playing it a little bit safe in the snatch session to build her confidence, she went no holds barred (which coincidentally is a wrestling term ;) ) on the clean and jerks in terms of pushing her weight attempts. She thrived out there on the lifting platform. We were both happy to share in our first experiences at a weightlifting competition together.
Marlen always shows up to training sessions and put in 100% effort every day, even after coming off a biological clock-altering nightshift as a nurse at the hospital. Even in a sleep-deprived state, you’d never hear her complain, always demonstrating a consistently pleasant demeanour. Marlen continues to make fitness part of her lifestyle and I am excited to see what she conquers next.”