The Beast Within

Maya is a very calm and quiet on the outside.

She doesn’t say much, she just observes and usually only speaks when she is spoken to.

When she lifts, she does not get hyped up the same way other athletes do.

She calmly and quietly approaches the bar, and others perceive that she’s not psyched up or not ready for the lift she’s about to attempt.

And I’ve heard other others say Maya needs to be more “into” the lift.

When her previous coach wanted Maya to change her approach to the bar, he said: “Show more emotion before the lift, Maya”.

It would be frustrating for her to hear that because it just isn’t her personality.

So, I told her: “NO! Don’t change if that’s how you approach a lift, and if that’s what makes you comfortable.”

The funny thing is, I know Maya.

I’m her father after all, and let me tell you Maya has a raging inferno inside her and it erupts on the platform.

In competitions, or when she’s going for a big weight in training, is when she lets it out.

She is a competitor and doesn’t shy away from competition.

She is always ready for a fight, so don’t let that beautiful smile fool you, this girl is a BEAST, and the ultimate beast has not be let out yet.

So, stay tuned into Maya’s journey.

As her father and coach, I am proud to watch her growth and the way she conducts herself in sport and in life.