Update: Tim's PT Yesterday

Update: Tim's PT Yesterday 

Tim had another good physical therapy (PT) session yesterday! He's a little sore today, but we're pretty sure some of that soreness is from PT and the rest is from his lower-body workout at the gym yesterday😂. He's still finding ways to get his workouts in while giving that right arm the time it needs to heal.

He's glad to be making forward progress, and we're encouraged to see how things are going. After dealing with elbow pain for so long, it's exciting to see him making progress toward getting back to doing what he loves.

The hope is that around Thanksgiving, he'll be getting to the point where he can start doing some weightlifting again. Of course, that will depend on how his recovery goes and what his medical team says he's ready for, but we're hopeful that he'll continue moving in the right direction!

His physical therapist is very knowledgeable and specializes in working with elite athletes, which we're excited about as Tim works toward getting back to weightlifting. We know rebuilding strength and getting back to where he was before all of this happened will take time, patience, and a lot of hard work.

We're looking forward to seeing what the coming weeks hold for Tim as he continues with PT. One session at a time, one step at a time, and celebrating the progress along the way!

This is just another chapter in his weightlifting journey, and we're hopeful for what lies ahead❤️!

Senior Worlds in Ningbo, China 🇨🇳

Senior Worlds in Ningbo, China🇨🇳

We’re l👀king forward to watching the World Weightlifting Championships starting October 27! We always enjoy watching the world’s weightlifters compete and seeing how everyone performs on the international stage.

One of the things we love about this sport is getting to watch so many talented athletes push themselves, hit big lifts, and accomplish their goals. We’re always cheering them on!

We’re also thankful for our WH membership, which allows us to watch the sessions whenever it works for us. With the competition taking place in China, that means we don’t have to be up in the middle of the night to watch everything live! 😂

We’re excited to follow the competition and see what these athletes accomplish. Let the lifting begin!

Here is the USA Lifters Schedule adjusted to our time zone:

You might have to click on it to be able to read it clearly.

Update on Tim's Elbow: One Step at a Time

Update On Tim's Elbow: One Step at a Time

Tim’s stitches are officially out! 🙌 It may seem like a small milestone to some, but after everything he has been through with his elbow, it’s another step in the right direction.

He’s still limited to lifting no more than 5–10 pounds with his right arm, so he has to be patient and follow the restrictions given to him. For someone who loves Olympic weightlifting and has worked so hard to get where he is today, having to slow down and let his body heal has not been easy.

Now, the real work begins with physical therapy. The goal is to rebuild his strength, get him back to where he was before all of this happened with his elbow, and then continue building from there.

Tim is so glad to finally be getting to the other side of this, and Scot and I are excited for him. We know there's still work ahead, but we're thankful to see him moving forward.

Watching your child work toward something they love and then having to step away from it because of an injury is hard. As parents, we want to see our children succeed, accomplish their goals, and keep moving forward. Sometimes, though, the road to those goals takes an unexpected turn.

This journey has been a reminder that progress doesn't always happen as quickly as we'd like. Sometimes progress looks like a new personal record. Other times, it's getting through surgery, having the stitches removed, or being able to straighten an arm a little more than you could before.

Not every victory comes with a medal. Some victories happen quietly, one small step at a time.

For now, Tim's focus is on healing, showing up for PT, and doing the work necessary to rebuild. We don't know exactly what the road ahead will look like, but we're encouraged by the progress he's making and excited to see what comes next.

We're learning to appreciate each step along the way instead of focusing only on the finish line. And if there's one thing this journey has reminded us, it's that sometimes the small victories are the ones worth celebrating the most. 

Tim's 1st Post-Op PT

Tim's 1st Post-Op PT  

Today was a really good day for Tim!

This morning, Tim had his first post-op physical therapy session with the baseball specialist his orthopedic doctor wanted him to see. Because of the type of injury Tim had, his doctor felt it was important for him to work with someone who specializes in the kinds of elbow injuries commonly seen in baseball players.

Going into this first session, we were hopeful that things would go well, but I don't think either of us could have anticipated just how encouraging the day would be!

Today's session went amazing! Tim was able to straighten his arm all the way for the first time in months, and the best part was that he was able to do it without any pain!

If you have followed Tim's journey with this elbow injury, you know how long he has struggled with being unable to fully extend his arm. There have been so many questions, appointments, and moments of frustration along the way. For an athlete who loves what he does and has worked so hard to get where he is, having something as simple as straightening his arm become a struggle has not been easy.

So, you can imagine the smile on his face when he realized he could finally straighten it without pain! He left PT smiling from ear to ear, and honestly, I don't blame him one bit. 😊

Of course, after months of dealing with this injury and the time he has had to take away from his normal training, Tim can already tell that he has lost a significant amount of muscle strength in his elbow and upper arm. He has some work ahead of him to rebuild that strength and get back to where he wants to be. But he is thankful to have this time to heal properly and give his body the opportunity to make a full recovery.

One thing I know about Tim is that he is determined. He has put so much time, discipline, and dedication into his sport, and I have no doubt that he will bring that same determination to his recovery. He knows that getting back to full strength will take work, patience, and consistency, and he is ready to put in the effort.

Of course, as his mom, watching today's progress makes me hopeful that he will be back to full strength before we know it! I know we still have to take things one step at a time and follow the doctor's and therapist's guidance, but seeing this kind of progress on his very first day of PT is so encouraging.

And if you could see Tim today, you would understand just how happy he is! He hasn't stopped straightening his arm since he left PT. 😂 He keeps moving it and testing it because he is just so excited to be able to do something that has been painful and difficult for so long.

Sometimes, it's the little things we take for granted that become the biggest blessings when we have to go without them. Something as simple as straightening your arm might not seem like a big deal to most people, but after months of pain and limited movement, it means the world to Tim.

We are so thankful for today's progress and for the people who are helping him along this journey. We know there is still work to be done, but today gave us another reason to be hopeful and reminded us that progress, even when it takes time, is worth celebrating.

We are taking this one day at a time, trusting the process, and thanking God for every bit of progress along the way. We know recovery is a journey, but today was a really good step in the right direction!

Here's to continued healing, rebuilding that strength, and getting Tim back to doing what he loves fast💨! 

2026 Carolinas Elite Team Recognition

2026 Carolinas Elite Team Recognition 

Tim has made the Carolina Elite Team for the second year in a row! His first time earning this recognition was as a Youth competitor, and this year he has earned his spot as a Junior competitor. It is so exciting to see him continue to grow and progress in his weightlifting journey.

The Carolina Elite program recognizes the highest-performing Olympic weightlifters across North and South Carolina, honoring the top-ranked athletes in the Youth, Junior, Senior, and Masters divisions. Being selected for this team is a wonderful accomplishment and a reflection of the hard work these athletes put into their sport.

Tim and his teammates have put in some serious work to earn their spots among the Carolinas' best. Behind every lift are hours of training, discipline, dedication, and a commitment to getting better. There is so much more to being an athlete than what we see on competition day. It takes determination to keep showing up, pushing through the hard days, and working toward goals that aren't always easy to reach.

As his mom, it is so incredibly awesome to see Tim's hard work, dedication, and performances recognized at this level. I know how much effort he puts into his training, and seeing him earn this recognition for a second consecutive year makes me so proud of him.

I am also proud of all the athletes who have earned a place on this team. They have worked hard for this recognition, and it is wonderful to see their efforts celebrated.

Congratulations to Tim and all of the 2026 Carolina Elite Team members! Keep working hard, keep chasing those goals, and never stop believing in what you can accomplish. I can't wait to see what the future holds for each of you!