About Me
I started to explore fitness in 2018. Since then, I have learned various training theories and implemented multiple methods throughout my training career. Eventually, I found my passion in powerlifting. I started personal training early on by becoming a certified personal trainer (CPT) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). I was part of the personal training team at the Boston University Fitness & Recreational Center (BU FitRec). I have offered 500+ hours of personal training service and instructed a for-credit weight-lifting course.
I have been actively competing in USA Powerlifting (USAPL) and have achieved a 707.5kg total at 81.8kg body weight. I also hold the Florida State Junior Squat Record (280KG/617LBS) in the 82.5KG weight class.
Outside of powerlifting, I have received extensive undergraduate training in psychology, statistics, and communication from Boston University. I am actively pursuing a Ph.D in clinical psychology at Florida State University.
My first powerlifting competition was in the Summer of 2022 at the Cambridge Strength Summer Classics. I have been adopting the "powerbuilding" training style at that point, and my friend nudged me to compete and have some fun. I knew there were people much stronger than I was, so I was reluctant to sign up. Looking back, without this first outdoor meet in a sweaty summer in Boston, I would not have fallen in love with powerlifting.
I did a drastic water cut to make weight at 181lbs ( I was 188lbs). I totaled 610 kg and got third place. It was not the performance I anticipated, but I was delighted with the environment and the energy. I have decided to stay close to this supportive community and continue competing.
My second powerlifting competition was at the MA Collegiate Cup in 2022.
Well, it was an emotional one. I experienced a high-grade partial tear on my ACL and a bucket-handle meniscus tear at my left knee, from playing a pick-up basketball game (I had been playing since the 6th grade), when I was 6 weeks out from this meet. My friends suggested that I should drop out. Competing at Collegiate Nationals was my goal, and I wanted to give all I had to get qualified. My left leg could not extend fully without excruciating pain, and I had to hold crutches at the gym. I put tremendous effort into physical therapy and the mind game. It started to get dark and cold in Boston, but the support I have received illuminated the path. I was able to recover just in time to compete and hit a total PR (+17.5 kg) of 627.5 kg, and finish third in my weight class.
Since then, the spirit of "grind" has started to grow rampantly.
After qualifying for Collegiate Nationals in 2023, I began to devote myself to powerlifting in the lead-up to the meet. It was my first time competing at a national-level meet. The thrill and the excitement were memorable. I missed both my last squat and deadlift attempt by a hair. Still, I further increased my total to 657.5KG (+30KG) PR. I knew I had more. It meant a tremendous amount to me because I proved to myself that I could grind through a devastating injury and perform at a higher level. I developed a great rapport with my coach, Eric, and I received immense support from my beloved friends.
"The grind has to be continued."
My fourth meet was the OBC Classic 2023. I carried the momentum from the Collegiate Nationals and wished to further my personal record in this stacked roster. This time, I brought my strength to a new level. I achieved a 700KG total (42.5KG PR) and qualified for Raw Nationals in 2024! My next goal after that was to become a 500+dots lifter and continuously achieve my personal best. My love for powerlifting was at an all-time high.
I wanted to use my fifth meet to wrap up my powerlifting journey in the New England area. Afterall, I knew I would start a new chapter of my life in Florida - pursuing a Ph.D in clinical psychology. The 2024 Titan Open was bittersweet. I weighed in 40 minutes late and did not have enough time to rehydrate and refuel. The flight was also extremely short, so I had to get up and go with minimal rest. I failed my last squat at 280KG, and did not have the chance to take my third bench at 155KG, because I had to retake my second attempt at 147.5KG due to technical issues. I PR'd my deadlift at 280KG (+5KG). Still, I PRed my total by 2.5KG. This is precisely why I love powerlifting. It's never easy to get to the top. This gave me another opportunity to keep becoming a better version of myself and pursue my strength goals. Next up was Raw Nationals.
I regressed in my 6th meet, competing at Raw Nationals in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was highly challenging to make it to the destination because of the flight delay, the flight switch, and the cutting I was doing to make weight. The rehydration approach I used was too aggressive (a large amount of dextrose) to be beneficial, causing dizziness and nausea. I completely failed my plans for squat, which was my best lift. When things started to pick up at the end, I attempted a 285KG deadlift, but failed again because I didn't hold it for another half second at the top. Important lessons were learned from this experience. I knew that to compete at the highest level and achieve personal best, I still have significant room to improve.
After the setback at Raw Nationals, I wanted to put all odds together and strike another personal best. My new home gym, Capital City Barbell, hosted its annual meet in March, 2025, and I used this opportunity to achieve. I knew this would be my last junior meet, and I had been eyeing the FL junior squat record at 82.5KG for a long time. I was happy to set the record at 280KG, albeit missing my last attempt at 290KG. The ending of this meet was unpleasant because I again missed my deadlift at 280KG, which I have already failed several times during training. The looming issues around deadlifts started to haunt me, but I was up for this new challenge.
I was trying hard to put together my training and performance for the rest of 2025. In addition to the objective stress experienced in life, all the setbacks I have experienced made me start to have self-doubt and a lack of motivation. It was hard to visualize success on the platform. Still, maintaining my status as a national-level lifter was an undisputed goal to achieve. We made it to the Collegiate States and tried to rekindle my passion for this sport. Missing my second squat on depth and having to retake it was unexpected, but I finally pulled myself out of the dreaded deadlift performances. The 282.5KG deadlift rekindled the fire in me. The 707.5KG total brought me a small PR, but importantly, it showed me what I am capable of and offered me deeper reflections on integrating this sport into the new chapter of my life.
The grind never stops. Simple as that.
