What is your name?
Katherine. Most people call me ‘Kat’, though.
How old are you?
I am 30 years old.
What is your occupation (if applicable)?
I work for a small, veteran-owned business. We sell fitness equipment.
What sport(s) do you play?
Olympic Weightlifting.
Why did you first choose your sport?
My track and field career had just ended, and I wanted to continue to train as a competitive athlete. I have always enjoyed lifting weights, so weightlifting was a natural option. Also, the person I was personally involved with at the time was a weightlifter and encouraged me to give it a go.
Why do you continue to play your sport?
Because I love doing it. I enjoy training and competing (equally), and at this point in my life it is very therapeutic.
If you could achieve anything you wished for in your sport, what would it be?
To continue to improve. I’ve done well enough so far, but I think I can still do better.
How important is achieving your sporting goals to you?
Looking at where I am in my weightlifting career and considering all the mileage I’ve logged as a competitive athlete, athletic improvement will require personal growth. It will be imperative. Yes, physical strength gains and overall fitness are undeniable factors in weightlifting success. Much of this can be realized with airtight programming, commitment to mundane routine in the gym, and responsible nutritional / recovery choices. Not to make light of these things as I still find myself under-delivering with some of the most fundamental. However, it’s the focused pursuit of emotional and mental mastery that truly gives weightlifting, and in turn, personal growth, real substance. My aim to improve in weightlifting is to strive for such substance.
Over the years, I’ve found that lofty goals are difficult to meet without help from others. With any marked personal achievements in weightlifting, I also hope to be a positive reflection of my coach, team, loved ones, and affiliations. I hold them all in such high esteem and I only wish to return the support I receive so abundantly from them. This is deeply important to me as well.
What is your favorite sports quote?
“Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a lion or a gazelle – when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
What emotions do you feel when you play well?
There is a slew of emotions that I experience during competition. Feeling genuinely happy (I may venture to say ‘actual joy’) tends to be the most potent and leaves the longest impression on me.
What is your favorite song to listen to prior to competing?
A tricky question. How I am feeling that day dictates music selection. I don’t always listen to music before or during competition, though.
What is your favorite movie about sports?
“Million Dollar Baby” and “Chariots of Fire”
How does being an athlete make you a better person?
Weightlifting is as humbling as it is rewarding. Any lessons learned in the gym can be carried over to other aspects of life. Being an athlete allows you to cross paths with all types of people as well. Any gains in cultural perspective is invaluable for personal growth.
What is the one thing you always do after a good performance?
I make sure to enjoy the competitive moment, commit what went well to memory, and discuss what I can look forward to working on for better results with Coach.
(Yes, those three things I just listed are a “one thing”).
What do you do to calm your butterflies while you compete?
I focus on what I can count on to make lifts out on the platform – practiced technique, earned physical strength, genuinely enjoying competing. Knowing the right feedback will come from Coach when necessary is also reassuring.
If you could play another sport what would it be?
Competitively, I like weightlifting best. Perhaps golf or table tennis for leisure.
What age were you when you started your sport?
I started weightlifting at 22 years old.
What is your favorite food to eat the night before a big competition?
Steak, medium-rare, with vegetables.
Who inspired you as a young athlete?
Tiombé Hurd. When I was in high school, she held the American Record in the women’s triple jump (14.45m). I got to meet her and she even gave me signed autographs because one of my high school track coaches was also one of hers. I thought it was the coolest thing that I was running for the same track team she ran for, graduated from the same high school she did, and we even had a mutual coach. It was very inspiring to know that one of the greatest athletes in the world started where I was starting.
What one word describes you?
I bet my teammates would have more insightful answers to this question.
Who was your favorite coach and why?
Corey Bowerman, Don Beeby, Dan Lundin, Dennis Mitchell, Tomasz Smialek, Brian Forrester, Dan Bell, Cyrus Peterson, Cara Heads Slaughter, and lastly Dan Rose.
I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from my coaches throughout the years. There is no question of their passion, expertise, and love of teaching for the sport. They were all incredibly patient and showed tremendous care for me as an athlete. Much of what I learned with their guidance is with me, (hopefully in better form by now), today.
What do you give up to play sports?
I have never viewed being a competitive athlete with this attitude. What I gain from it far outweighs what could be considered “missing out” on. Being physically able is honestly a gift. Being a committed athlete is a personal choice. Keeping these things in the forefront of my mind helps me prioritize and adjust.
What is your favorite place to compete?
The Arnold Weightlifting Championship (2017 and prior) was an incredible competitive experience. The massive stage, energy from the crowd (spectators were packed in to the venue), and tangible excitement of everyone there made it easy to get caught up in the competitive moment.
What mental tool do you use under pressure?
Mostly visualization. I focus on what I need to do to successfully make the lift, anticipating the feeling and rhythm of the movement from start to finish.
What is your favorite mantra?
“Do it right and do it well”.
Do you think attitude is a factor in winning?
It absolutely is. A positive, proactive mindset is a much lighter thing to carry to the top than negativity and excuses.
What image gets you ready to compete?
Any image or memory of me competing poorly.
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good?
In my experience, I’ve found that for whatever reason, people pay close attention to athletes. Whether this athlete is a celebrated super star or a complete beginner in their discipline, someone is always watching. It’s my hope that if anyone is watching me (again, for whatever reason), they can consider what they find something positive.
How does athletics make you a better student or worker?
Athletics is a great means for learning patience, communication, tolerance, discipline, and work ethic. There are certainly countless other skills that can be gained by being an athlete, but these ones are key for success in any environment.
