OLIVIA BLATCH, 26
GB Olympic weightlifter who currently ranks seventh in Europechunkier powerhouse,
which wasn’t the ideal
gymnastic physique.
But, in weightlifting,
there’s a lot less focus
on how you look. Body
shape isn’t important,
it’s about how much
you can lift.
I started weightlifting
just four years ago. But
I’m very competitive.
I became English
champion in January,
and lifted enough to be
invited to the European
Championships. I
always think I could
do better, but that
day I came away
feeling proud. The
dream now is to go
to the Commonwealth
Games in 2022.I train five or six
times a week around
a full-time job. I might
be tired coming
home from my role
as a consultant at an
accounting firm, but
I work out at the gym
on autopilot. Besides,
missing training
makes me miserable.
I never worry about
the number on the
scales. It only really
becomes relevant
around competition
time. I sit a couple
of kilos above my
bodyweight class, so
I cut back on calories
a few weeks before
competitions to drop
back down. One thing
I never do, though,
is cut out carbs –
they’re an essential
part of your diet.
I don’t lift to look
good, I lift to be
strong. I have a good
bum because I’m
squatting every day- it’s just a byproduct
of training hard.
There are definitely
preconceptions about
what weightlifters
look like, but I think
the introduction of
CrossFit has made
people reassess
how they perceive
muscle. Strength has
become desirable.
I don’t think I’ve ever
been so utterly naked
in front of anyone
before. I feel pretty
confident about my
body, but I was quite
nervous at the shoot- I’m a bit bigger than
I’d be for a competition.
But I was pleasantly
surprised when I saw
the photos.
Changing disciplines
definitely improved
my body image. My
background is in
gymnastics – I started
when I was four –
and I was never the
petite, elegant one in
the squad. I was the
94 | SEPTEMBER 2019 Women’s Health
WI
THTHANKS
TOBULL
DOG^ GEARP
R
O
J
E
C
T
B
O
D
Y
L
O
V
E