This Saturday Spotlight series showcases the participants of the Kim to Zim Outreach Group.
Q: How did you get started in powerlifting?
A: I was in my last semester of business school (circa 2014), when I decided as a post-grad gift, to volunteer at an animal conservation in Belize.
The work required a lot of movement and physical labor, so I knew I needed to be fit for the job. Needless to say, I wouldn't have considered myself "fit" at the time! I ran a beginner progressive overload program and quickly grew passionate towards lifting weights.
By the time the Belize project came around, I was ready to maximize my value. The strength training was especially useful when carrying wheelbarrows full of prepared food for the animals at the conservation. My fondest memories were interacting with the snakes, handfeeding jaguars, and hearing the howler monkeys at night (it's the T-Rex roar you hear in Jurassic Park).
Q: What is your favorite lift and why?
A: Deadlifts! In competition, saving "the best for last" resonates with me when going for maximal effort attempts. There's nothing more exhilarating than giving it everything you have!
Q: How has strength training impacted your life?
A: Leadership starts from within. Before leading others, or to be of service to others, you need to be able to lead yourself. Strength training has taught me valuable lessons about discipline and learning from failures (learning opportunities). But the most valuable lesson is to enjoy the journey throughout its entirety. Connecting with others along the way that are also striving for improvement, and empowering others to unlock their truest potential.
Q: What motivated you to want to be a part of the Kim to Zim Outreach Trip?
A: I was compelled to join Lift4Life immediately after connecting with John and Nicola. Hearing their stories resonated with me; the impact they've made thus far in improving the social welfare of communities in Zimbabwe. I'm an advocate for improving physical and mental health, empowering others, and bringing communities together. I started serving as Treasurer for Lift4Life about a year ago. We've been making some big strides since then and are continuing to grow as a team. I'm thrilled for this upcoming trip; working with a strong team with big hearts!
For more on Mitch ‘s powerlifting journey and impact of strength training on his life and impact he wants to have, check out his long form interview here with Fitness Journeys