Written by Team Juggernaut
Jacob Tsypkin – Don’t cut weight. Go six for six (or nine for nine.) Focus on the process and learning how it works. Talk to a lot of people and make new friends. Have fun.
Nick Shaw – Enjoy the process, don’t do a ridiculous weight cut UNLESS you’re going for some type of record.
Samantha Lower – Have a coach there to help! People don’t realize but it can get crazy in the back and at the cards table. As a lifter you are there to lift. You shouldn’t be worrying about counting attempts, loading weights, or putting in your own changes. Another thing, don’t let the adrenaline change your lifts! It’ll take a few times, but you’ll learn to use that adrenaline to your advantage rather than let it get the best of you where go out and power or just throw the bar overhead and miss. Your lifts should look just how you train them. So stay patient and focused, don’t rush.
Ariel Stephens– Don’t cut weight and don’t try to PR. At an athlete’s first competition, there are going to be a ton of factors that play into their performance. Don’t make cutting or gaining weight one of those factors. It’s important to build confidence on the competition platform and practice competing because it’s a skill in itself. Trying to attempt PR’s and cut / gain weight at your very first competition is a recipe for disappointment.
Chad Wesley Smith– Make a checklist of all your equipment, food, etc the day before the meet and check it twice.
Kalle Beck– Talk to people! Make friends and get advice from them
Dr. Quinn Henoch– Don’t worry about weight class (unless you have a legitimate shot at qualifying for a national meet or setting some kind of record), just have fun and gain experience.
James Townsend– Go out there and be the best that you can be. Learn from everything that is going to happen in the meet. Whether its good or bad, itll shape your character and your future.
Dr. Reena Tenorio– Pre-plan for meet day: pack your meals, competition gear and necessities ahead of time. It will be one less thing to have to worry about the day of.
Marisa Inda– Have fun and enjoy the experience and meet and talk to the other lifters. I’ve made some amazing friendships at meets.
Maya Winters– If you can have a coach or handler, have one. You want to be as focused on your performance, judges commands, etc. as much as possible. The less external stress you have, the better. Have someone who can help you remember not to leave your kit bag in the hotel. Small stuff like this give you the storage space you need to completely be present for your performance.
Do not bring a pain in the ass with you. If someone wants to help but you know they will stress you out or have demands that will take you off center, treat them to some bourbon later in the week-they’re not an ideal meet mate!
Colin Burns– Don’t go in trying to hit new pr’s. There’s plenty of time for that. Go in with the goal of going 6/6 and gaining the experience of how a meet goes from the athlete perspective. After you get comfortable with how it works, then start pushing for placing and numbers.
Blaine Sumner– Pick very easy openers and have fun.
Alyssa Ritchey– Just because you are not the most muscular or biggest girl out there doesn’t mean you cannot kick those other girls behinds.
Jamie Hagiya– Have fun! I know it’s nerve wrecking but go out there and do your best, that’s all you can ask of yourself. But remember why you’re doing it, the love, passion, and enjoyment that comes from it. I always remember this phrase, “I’m going to do it until it stops being fun”.
Greg Panora – Don’t worry about weight cuts and singlets worry about getting through it and having fun.
Ewa Januszk– Have fun! Understand that you have done all you can in training to prepare for this moment. There is nothing more you can do to prepare, so stay calm, and smash some freakin weight! Find cues that work best for you, and stick with those to make meet day as seamless as possible. The less stress, the better the result.
