Helensburgh woman took up powerlifting to overcome loss

Sammie Smith, originally from Garelochhead, joined her local gym in 2021 in the hopes of regaining control of her grief and help her leave the house.

It wasn't until she began experimenting with equipment other than the treadmill that she found the spark she desperately needed.

She told the Advertiser: "I got into the gym after my best friend Izzy passed away. I needed something to focus on. I started going originally to lose weight and tone up, but then I tried weightlifting one day and I ended up enjoying it.

"I discovered through research that the three lifts I enjoyed doing at the gym is what made up powerlifting as a sport."

The 22-year-old student, who is in her third year at Glasgow Caledonian University, found out that the university had their own powerlifting club. She joined in October last year and hasn't looked back since.

The 22-year-old joined her local gym as a way of coping with the loss of her best friend (Image: White Lights Media)

She has now been selected to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships after succeeding in two national competitions.

"I decided that my decision to join the club was down to the flip of a coin", she admitted.

The former Hermitage Academy pupil added: "I was so new to the sport and everyone at the club was experienced as they had entered competitions. I began going to weekly training sessions with my boyfriend. When I first went along I was so terrified as I am not a person who does new things.

"They suggested I enter the Scottish University and College Championships which I didn't think I was good enough for. I was nominated near last for the competition and I came second which felt incredible. 

"The women's team at my university came first because my total dragged the average up. I just couldn't believe it."

She continued: "I saw on Instagram that Scottish Powerlifting posted online encouraging people to apply for Team Scotland at the Commonwealth, and I did doubt if it was something that I could even do.

"I was trying not to get my hopes up because it a huge thing and I am still super new to the sport. I am still in shock that I got the email to say I am in the team. If I stay healthy and everything goes to plan then I am hoping I can reach the podium, but that is a big if."

In the future she is hoping to break the Scottish deadlift record after the Commonwealth in South Africa (Image: White Lights Media)

Sammie admits she couldn't have got to the stage she is at without the constant support and motivation from her parents who now live near Craigendoran.

She said: "My mum has been one of the most supportive people I know about this whole experience. I would come home from the gym and show her the muscles and she would always tell me how brilliant I look.

"I lost a lot of weight after my best friend died, so I think she was happy that I was healthy in every way shape and form.

"My dad has shown his support in his own way by watching all of my training videos and making sure I have the right equipment to train with. I couldn't have been more lucky with them throughout this experience.

"And my parents are coming to see me in South Africa to compete which is all I ever wanted."

Sammie will be competing in the 2024 Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in Sun City in South Africa in October.