Page 23 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 126

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #126 July 2023 23

Stormont-Dundas-South Diary of a Weightlifter -

On June 2 , Elect Glengarry MPP Making Weight
nd
Nolan Interview By Thorin Gault sports, we weigh in less than two

with
hours before we lift, not the day
Quinn MPP Nolan Quinn before.

I currently compete in the 96kg
(211.4 lbs.) weight class but
typically walk around anywhere
from 98kg to 101kg. Depending
ongratulations to all the graduates who are celebrating the completion of
NolanQuinn.ca 1-866-477-9477 on my starting point, I will begin
Chigh school in the coming days. Take some time to enjoy the culmination
of years of focus, dedication, and hard work. my cut anywhere from two weeks
to a month prior to competition.
To the graduates who are off to college or university, good luck in your
This season I made my life easier
future studies. To the graduates who are returning to school for another year, and kept my bodyweight at 97-
look at the many opportunities that cooperative education programs can
98kg, so I really have not needed
provide in preparation for your future careers. Having hands-on practical to think about my weight cut,
experience can help you determine your career pathway; there are many which will just require decreasing
opportunities in the future in the skilled trades pathway. To the graduates
my carbohydrate intake over the
that have decided to enter directly into the workforce, there are many jobs to last ten days.
choose from, but you will need to find the right one that meets your interests
and passion. I haven’t always been so
responsible and have had a few
As many of you are aware, the career options are endless. Whether you
stressful and miserable weight
are trained in the trades, health care, automotive, or many of the other jobs in
demand; there are limitless possibilities. With the shortage of trained labour, cuts. In 2019 I decided to compete
in the 89kg (196lbs) class.
having a positive nature and a strong work ethic will open many doors to
your future endeavors in any career that you choose. s I write this article, I am two On New Years Day I weighed
230 pounds. I competed at the
We have many opportunities to help offset the costs of tuition. Some newer Aweeks away from competing
options are the “Learn & Stay” grants which include Practical Nursing, at the Canadian Masters Canadian Championships in mid
Paramedic & Medical laboratory technology/ Medical laboratory science. Weightlifting Championships in April at 195lbs and felt pretty
After completing schooling, the graduate must work in the geographic area Midland, Ontario. Training has good. The real challenge was
of need for a time commitment of half of their studies to be reimbursed for been going well and now is a great staying at that body weight for the
their tuition costs. As an example, someone who completed four years of time to talk about an important World Masters Championships in
schooling will need to provide two years of employment in the area of the – and one of the more stressful August. My body did NOT like
province signed on to. parts of competition preparation being that light and it made for a
– making weight. miserable summer and having to
Thank you to all educators for all the work and dedication you provided to
your students during the pandemic. You went above and beyond to meet the Most weightlifters train at a spit out halve a kilogram in the
needs of your students in very challenging times. bodyweight heavier than the limit morning before my weight in. I
of the weight class they compete felt terrible and did not lift well
As I look back at my high school days, I fondly remember the dedicated
in. More bodyweight allows us to on that day. On the other hand,
teachers who worked diligently to help us all succeed. The teachers helped the strategy did pay off and I
us to find and build upon our strengths so that we were able to attain succuss. train with heavier loads, which
primes our nervous system to came home with a silver medal.
I am very grateful to my teachers who helped guide me through school to
attain a diploma. I gained lifelong friendships during my high school days, become accustomed to them. Since that experience I
not only with fellow students, but with some of my teachers as well. These We then dropped down into the promised myself that I would
lighter weight class in the last
friendships continue into my professional & political career and guide me to NEVER attempt to lift in that
make informed decisions. weeks in order to give ourselves weight class again and have
a competitive advantage. You DO become much more responsible
I would also like thank all the educational leaders who have helped develop have to be careful cutting weight
my own leadership abilities. in the sport of weightlifting in the off season in order to make
my weight cuts as stress free as
I want to wish all of the students and staff a happy and safe summer holiday. because unlike many fighting possible.