Olympic Trials: One Month Out

Training for the Olympics has been a long, hard, journey. It has had a lot of positives too. Being that there are four weeks left to the Olympic Trials, I thought I'd tell you all a little about what's been going on with with me and tell you how things are going with my preparations.

The last two big competitions I had were very disappointing to say the least. It was difficult to come back after a bomb out at the Pan Am Games. Two weeks later, I had to compete at the World Championships. My Snatches went well, then, I only made my opening clean and jerk.  Weeks later, I admitted, "It's really hard to shake off my performance from Pan Ams." You know what? If you put your shoulder to the wheel, you can move past those bad moments. I told my coach, "I'm going to train and lift at Trials like it's the last meet of my life. No regrets."

Whenever you try to do something good it seems like there's something or someone there trying to stop you. If it's not one thing, it's another.  I've dealt with some health issues with my thyroid, back, wrists, sinus infection, you name it! I've struggled financially too. Man, it's been rough! Like Rocky said in one of his 1,000 movies "It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can hit and keep moving forward. If you know what you're worth, go out and get it. But you have to be willing to take the hit."

Those sound like excuses, yeah, I know. The point is, I struggle too. Like many of you. But, to be successful we all have to endure these things and keep pushing forward setting new goals for the day, week, and cycle getting ready for whatever our ultimate goals are.

Despite these challenges, this training cycle is the heaviest I have ever had. I've been more consistent and training heavier more frequently than I did before I broke the Collegiate National record in clean and jerk and before I attempted the 150 at Nationals. I am more and more confident as I hit bigger weights. Even if I miss bigger weights, the fact that I am attempting those weights is a positive. 

The Olympic Trials is going to be the biggest determining factor in what I do with the rest of my life. It may sound extreme to those who don't understand athletics but, I, as well as so many of my friends, family, and generous supporters, have sacrificed so much and have worked hard for so many years for me to make our dreams come true. Becoming an Olympian is something bigger than I can comprehend right now. A moment and feeling I could never forget for the rest of my life.

Am I nervous? Heck yeah!  This is the hardest thing I've done or quite possibly will do, in my life. At the same time though, I am super excited. I am training and trying to do everything I can outside of the gym to get better. I want this Trials to be the best meet of my life. I want to showcase my talents. I want this meet to show that it can be done. I may never be able to repay you all for what you have given me but, I hope my performance can be the biggest display of gratitude.

Here are some interesting happenings:
I am going to be on a Topps Trading Card for the 2012 Olympics

I am now sponsored by Power Bar

Yum!

I competed at the American Record Makers meet in California as my final tune up before the Olympic Trials

Me and the other medalists

100 kgs second attempt Snatch

Me and all the competitors

My family came out to support me. Love them <3