It All Starts with Believing...

"If you don't believe in yourself, no one else will."

At first glance, that statement might sound harsh. After all, we all need encouragement from others. We need parents who cheer us on, coaches who teach us, teammates who support us, and friends who stand beside us.

But here's the truth...

None of those things can replace believing in yourself.

We've watched this firsthand with our son over the last several years. Whether it was competing in Taekwondo or now pursuing Olympic weightlifting, there has been one thing that has remained constant: his belief that he could become better than he was yesterday.

That belief didn't mean he thought success would come easily. Quite the opposite.

It meant showing up to practice when he was tired.

It meant getting back under the bar after a missed lift.

It meant trusting the process when progress seemed painfully slow.

It meant believing that one bad competition didn't define him.

When others saw a difficult lift, he saw an opportunity.

When others might have questioned if he could do it, he chose to believe he could.

That confidence didn't come from arrogance. It came from preparation.

Over time, something amazing happened.

The more he believed in himself, the more everyone around him believed in him too.

As parents, we saw the work he was putting in every single day. We saw the sore muscles, the sacrifices, and the determination. It became easy for us to believe in what he was capable of because he believed it first.

His coach believed in him enough to push him harder because he knew our son wasn't afraid of the challenge.

His teammates believed in him because they watched him refuse to quit. They saw someone who wasn't looking for shortcuts or excuses. They saw someone committed to becoming the best version of himself.

Belief is contagious.

When someone consistently works hard and refuses to give up, people naturally begin to rally behind them.

But it all starts with the person looking back in the mirror.

There were plenty of moments when the outcome was uncertain. There were competitions where things didn't go as planned. There were lifts that didn't go up. There were disappointments that could have convinced him to settle for less.

Instead, he chose to keep believing.

That belief eventually led to personal records that once seemed impossible.

It led to national medals.

It led to becoming a Junior National Champion.

Those accomplishments didn't begin on the platform.

They began long before anyone ever handed him a medal.

They began when he decided he was capable.

As Christians, though, we also recognize that believing in yourself isn't about placing all your faith in your own abilities. Real confidence comes from understanding who God created you to be.

Scripture reminds us:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Notice Paul doesn't say, "I can do all things because I'm talented."

He says his strength comes through Christ.

God gives us gifts, talents, opportunities, and the ability to grow. It's our responsibility to steward those gifts well by working hard, remaining teachable, and refusing to quit.

Believing in yourself means believing that God doesn't make mistakes.

It means trusting that if He has called you to something, He will equip you for it.

It means walking onto the platform, into the classroom, into the office, or into whatever challenge you're facing with confidence—not because you're perfect, but because God is with you.

People are naturally drawn to those who carry quiet confidence.

Not pride.

Not arrogance.

Confidence.

The kind of confidence that says, "I've prepared. I've worked. I'm trusting God with the outcome."

Our son's journey has reminded us of something we'll never forget.

Our encouragement mattered.

His coach's guidance mattered.

His teammates' support mattered.

But none of it would have taken root if he hadn't first chosen to believe he could become the athlete God created him to be.

The people around you can encourage you.

They can coach you.

They can open doors for you.

But they can't believe for you.

At some point, you have to decide that you're going to trust God, put in the work, and believe that you are capable of more than your fears tell you.

Because when you believe in yourself—and ultimately in the God who created you—you give others permission to believe in you too.

And sometimes, that's where the extraordinary journeys begin.

(I saw these on social media and wanted to share them here while making this blog post)

More Than a Coach...

"How you treat your athletes is a direct reflection of who you are as a coach."

That statement reaches far beyond sports.

It's easy to measure a coach by championships, trophies, or a winning record. Those accomplishments certainly have their place. Competition is meant to challenge us, teach discipline, and inspire excellence. But when the season is over and the medals are packed away, what remains?

The answer is simple: people.

Every athlete will eventually forget some of the scores, statistics, and even many of the games. But they'll never forget how their coach made them feel.

Did they feel encouraged or constantly torn down?

Did they feel like they mattered, even when they weren't the best player on the team?

Did they know someone believed in them when they doubted themselves?

Those are the moments that shape lives.

The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:23, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." Coaching is no exception. It's more than teaching fundamentals or developing physical ability. It's an opportunity to reflect Christ through patience, integrity, encouragement, and love.

A coach's words carry tremendous weight. One sentence can either build confidence or plant seeds of doubt that last for years. One act of kindness can change the trajectory of a young person's life. Every practice, every correction, every conversation is an opportunity to build character—not just athletic ability.

The greatest coaches understand that leadership isn't about demanding respect; it's about earning it.

It's found in being patient when an athlete struggles.

It's found in correcting without humiliating.

It's found in treating every athlete with dignity—not just the stars, but the ones who rarely hear their name announced or spend most of the game on the bench.

While my son competes in Olympic weightlifting, which is considered an individual sport, I've come to realize there really is no such thing as an athlete who succeeds entirely on their own. His name may be the only one on the platform, but every lift reflects the people who have invested in him along the way. His coach, his training partners, the encouragement they offer, the standards they uphold, and the culture they create all play a part in his success. You don't build great athletes in isolation—you build them through relationships. That's why great coaching matters just as much in an individual sport as it does in a team sport.

Jesus modeled this kind of leadership perfectly. He invested in people the world overlooked. He led with truth, but He also led with compassion. He challenged people to grow while never forgetting their value. That's the kind of leadership every coach should strive for.

Wins are exciting.

Championships are memorable.

Records are meant to be broken.

But character leaves a legacy.

Years from now, your athletes probably won't remember every drill you ran or every game plan you drew up. They will remember whether you showed up for them. They'll remember if you treated them with respect. They'll remember whether your actions matched your words.

As coaches, teachers, parents, pastors, employers—or anyone God has entrusted with influence—we should all ask ourselves one question:

Am I building performers, or am I building people?

Because one day the scoreboard will be forgotten, but the impact you made on someone's life will last for eternity.

"Let all that you do be done in love." — 1 Corinthians 16:14

More Than a Medal: The Reward of Choosing the Hard Road...

Athletic Lab made a post on instagram that I wanted to share with you all here:

More Than a Medal: The Reward of Choosing the Hard Road...

There are moments as a parent when you stop and realize just how far your child has come.

This week, Athletic Lab recognized Tim for becoming the 2026 USA Weightlifting Junior National Champion in one of the most competitive junior divisions in the country. Reading those words was incredibly humbling.

It would be easy to focus on the gold medal. It would be easy to celebrate the personal records—101kg (222 lbs.) in the snatch, 130kg (286 lbs.) in the clean & jerk, and a 231kg (509 lbs.) total. Those accomplishments deserve to be celebrated.

But the medal is only the final chapter of a much longer story.

Three years ago, Tim made one of the hardest decisions of his young life. After dedicating eleven years to Taekwondo and earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt, he chose to step away and start over in Olympic weightlifting.

Starting over isn't glamorous.

No one hands you success because of what you've done before. You become a beginner again. You have to learn new techniques, build new strength, earn the respect of new coaches, and prove yourself one lift at a time.

There were sore muscles, missed lifts, frustrating training sessions, and competitions that didn't go the way we hoped. There were moments when progress felt painfully slow.

Then there was last year's Junior Nationals.

Many people don't know that Tim actually blacked out and passed out on the competition platform after one of his lifts. It was a frightening moment that none of us will ever forget. Instead of allowing that experience to define him, he went right back out on that platform and made the lift he had blacked out on.

That's what champions do.

They don't let one bad day, one setback, or one scary moment determine the rest of their story.

This year, Tim returned to that same national stage—not just to compete, but to win.

He hit a lifetime personal record in the clean & jerk to secure the overall Junior National Championship.

What a difference one year can make.

One thing that has made this journey special is the people who have poured into him. Athletic Lab and Coach Jarrod Nobbe have believed in Tim, challenged him, and helped develop him into the athlete he is becoming. Great coaches don't simply produce stronger athletes—they help shape stronger people.

As proud as I am of the title, I'm even more proud of the young man behind it.

He's learned that success isn't built overnight. It's built in thousands of unseen moments when no one is watching. It's built by showing up when you're tired, staying humble when you win, and refusing to quit when things don't go your way.

Those lessons extend far beyond sports.

Whether you're chasing a dream, raising a family, growing a business, or simply trying to become the person God has called you to be, the path is remarkably similar.

You keep showing up.

You keep doing the work.

You trust God with the outcome.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Tim's gold medal didn't begin in Colorado Springs.

It began years ago with a decision to take the harder road.

It continued through every practice, every sacrifice, every disappointment, every personal record, and every lesson learned along the way.

The medal simply revealed what had already been forged long before he stepped onto the platform.

Sometimes the greatest victories aren't the ones hanging around our necks.

They're the character, perseverance, and faith that God builds within us while we're pursuing them.

And those are rewards that last a lifetime.

#OlympicWeightlifting #USAWeightlifting #JuniorNationalChampion #Faith #Perseverance #HardWork #NeverGiveUp #Parenting #AthleticLab #TrustGod

One Bold Move: How God Rewrote Our Son's Story...

One Bold Move: How God Rewrote Our Son's Story...

Three years ago this month, our family made one bold move that completely rewrote our son's story. After 11 years in Taekwondo, we walked away and stepped into a brand-new adventure: Olympic weightlifting.

It wasn't our decision—it was Tim's.

After all, it's his life.

We gave him the time and space to decide what he wanted to do next. When he told us he wanted to pursue Olympic weightlifting, I immediately went searching for the right coach and the right gym where he could grow and thrive.

When you have a child who is incredibly focused and driven, they'll stop at nothing to pursue their goals. But they also need the right people guiding them.

God led us to exactly that.

Tim's coach has been everything we could have hoped for. Not only has he invested in Tim, but he's also connected to Olympic-level coaching, giving us confidence that if Tim ever needs to take the next step, he'll be guided by someone who truly has his best interests at heart.

Even more than that, we've discovered an incredible community.

In Olympic weightlifting, people genuinely want to see one another succeed. They celebrate each other's victories, encourage one another through failures, and understand that every athlete is on their own journey. It's authentic, uplifting, and something we are incredibly thankful to be a part of.

Looking back, allowing our 15-year-old son to make what many would consider an "adult" decision wasn't easy.

But we listened.

We trusted him.

And we took the risk with him.

Many parents struggle to give their teenagers that kind of ownership over their lives, but we realized something important: one day Tim would have to live with the consequences of his decisions—not us. Our job wasn't to control every step. It was to guide him, pray for him, and support him as he learned to make wise choices.

That one decision changed everything.

Three years ago, our lives were filled with stress.

Today, there's peace.

In our previous athletic environment, there was constant pressure. If you didn't win gold, you often felt like you had failed—even if you stood on the podium. Sometimes even winning wasn't enough because someone always found something you should have done better.

Weightlifting has been completely different.

Here, every competition is another opportunity to learn.

When Tim misses a lift, his coach doesn't tear him down. He reminds him, "The lifts are coming. You'll make them."

Those words matter.

Instead of fear, there's confidence.

Instead of pressure, there's growth.

Instead of feeling defeated, there's hope.

A tremendous weight has been lifted from all of us.

Looking back, I honestly don't know how we stayed where we were for as long as we did. The only reason we did was because Tim still wanted to keep going at the time.

As a parent, hindsight is powerful. There are moments when I wish we had recognized sooner just how much it was affecting him and had been willing to walk away earlier. But God, in His perfect timing, allowed everything to unfold exactly when it needed to.

What felt like everything falling apart was actually God opening the door to something so much better.

Today, we have our son back.

He's genuinely happy in a way we haven't seen since before his competitive Taekwondo journey began.

He's become an incredible young man.

At just 18 years old, he's experienced challenges that have shaped him with a maturity far beyond his years, and we couldn't be more proud of the man he's becoming.

This year he accomplished one of his biggest goals.

He became a USA Weightlifting Jr. National Champion. 

Ironically, that dream didn't come true in the sport where we once imagined it would.

It came through having the courage to walk away and take an entirely different path.

If there's one lesson we've learned over these last three years, it's this:

One bold move really can rewrite your entire story.

Sometimes the greatest blessing isn't holding on tighter.

Sometimes it's having the faith to let go, trust God, and walk through the door He's opening.

Our son's life is living proof.

He took the risk.

And God wrote a better story than any of us could have imagined.

Maybe you're standing where we once stood.

Maybe you're exhausted from carrying the weight of a situation that no longer brings peace. Maybe you know something needs to change, but fear keeps whispering, "What if it doesn't work?" or "What if we make the wrong decision?"

I've learned that staying where God is no longer calling you can be far more costly than stepping into the unknown.

Change is rarely comfortable. It often requires courage, trust, and a willingness to leave behind what's familiar. But sometimes God uses those moments of uncertainty to lead us to places we never imagined possible.

If you're struggling today, don't let fear be the loudest voice you hear. Pray. Seek God's wisdom. Listen to the people He has placed around you. And when He makes the next step clear, have the courage to take it.

It may not happen overnight, and the path may not look anything like you expected. Ours certainly didn't.

But God is faithful.

Three years ago, we couldn't see what He was doing. Today, we can look back and see His fingerprints over every step of the journey.

Your story isn't over.

The chapter you're in today doesn't have to be the chapter that defines the rest of your life. God specializes in bringing beauty from brokenness, purpose from pain, and hope where it once seemed impossible.

So if He's calling you to make a bold move, trust Him.

The step you're afraid to take today may be the very step God uses to rewrite your story tomorrow.

Your Strongest Muscle Isn't Your Body—It's Your Mind...

Olympic weightlifting is often viewed as a test of strength. People see the heavy barbells, explosive lifts, and impressive numbers on the scoreboard and assume success belongs to the strongest athlete.

But anyone who has spent time in the sport knows that's only part of the story.

The truth is, your mind is either your biggest weapon or your biggest weakness. It's often the difference between good and great.

Every weightlifter has experienced it.

You walk up to the platform feeling confident. You've made the lift hundreds of times in training. The strength is there. The technique is there. But when your name is called and the clock starts, your greatest challenge often isn't the barbell—it's the battle taking place in your own mind.

Fear.

Doubt.

Pressure.

Expectation.

Those thoughts can become heavier than the weight on the bar.

The best lifters understand that success isn't just about building stronger legs, a stronger back, or a stronger pull. It's about developing a stronger mind. They learn to trust their preparation, stay composed after a missed lift, and refuse to let one bad attempt define an entire competition.

Our family experienced that lesson firsthand.

Last year at USA Weightlifting Nationals, Tim had one of the scariest moments we've ever experienced as parents. During his second clean & jerk attempt, he blacked out on the platform and collapsed after completing the lift. Watching your child lose consciousness in the middle of a national championship is something you never forget.

It would have been understandable if that moment had become the defining memory of Nationals for him but he got back up, came back out, and made that lift but unfortunately the clock was so close to running out that when he did the lift the judges called it a no lift.

It could have ended differently. It could have planted fear every time he approached a heavy clean.

It could have made him question whether he wanted to compete at that level again.

Instead, he chose to learn from it.

He trusted his coach, stayed committed to the process, continued training, and refused to let one frightening experience write the rest of his story.

One year later, he returned to Nationals—not carrying fear, but carrying confidence built through preparation.

This time, he stood on top of the podium as the Junior National Champion in his weight class.

The difference wasn't simply that he had become stronger physically.

His mindset had become stronger, too.

That's what separates good athletes from great ones.

Great athletes don't pretend failure never happens.

They don't avoid adversity.

They face it, learn from it, and come back better because of it.

Every missed lift, every disappointing meet, every injury, every setback becomes another opportunity to grow—not just as an athlete, but as a person.

As followers of Christ, we know our confidence ultimately isn't found in ourselves.

It's found in God.

Scripture reminds us:

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." — 2 Timothy 1:7

A sound mind doesn't mean you'll never feel nervous.

It means fear doesn't get the final say.

Whether you're attempting a personal record, stepping onto a national platform, or facing a challenge completely unrelated to sports, remember this:

Your mind can convince you to quit, or it can remind you why you started.

Feed it truth.

Train it with discipline.

Trust your preparation.

And place your confidence in the God who walks with you through both the victories and the setbacks.

Because sometimes the greatest victory isn't adding more weight to the bar.

Sometimes it's having the courage to step back onto the platform after life knocked you down.

And that's often the difference between being good... and becoming great.

Stay Humble, Stand Firm...

Stay Humble, Stand Firm...

That truth has been at the heart of our family’s journey, especially watching Tim grow as an athlete.

Scripture tells us in Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” That verse reminds us that no matter how far God takes us, humility must always lead the way.

Watching Tim’s journey—from 11 years of Taekwondo, earning his 3rd degree black belt, to stepping into Olympic weightlifting—has been a lesson in both humility and confidence. There have been victories, setbacks, transitions, hard decisions, and moments where we had to trust God even when we couldn’t see the full picture.

Leaving one sport after so many years wasn’t easy. It meant walking away from what was familiar and stepping into something completely new. But sometimes God calls us out of what is comfortable so He can lead us into what He has prepared.

Over the last few years, we’ve watched Tim grow—not just in strength, but in discipline, perseverance, and faith. We’ve watched him sacrifice, train, trust the process, and keep showing up. And now, in his first year as a Junior athlete, God allowed him to reach a huge milestone: becoming a Junior National Champion with USA Weightlifting.

At Nationals, Tim hit personal records with a 101kg/222lb Snatch and a 130kg/286lb Clean & Jerk, totaling 231kg/509lb, earning Bronze in Snatch, Silver in Clean & Jerk, and Gold in Total—making him the overall Junior National Champion in his division.

That moment was bigger than medals. It was the fruit of years of trusting God, staying disciplined, and being willing to walk through change.

But through it all, one thing we’ve tried to keep in front of him is this: medals, titles, and championships do not define him.

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” His worth was never in the platform—it was in Christ long before he ever stepped on it, and it will remain there long after.

As a family, we’ve learned that humility means understanding every gift, every opportunity, and every victory comes from God. It means celebrating wins with gratitude, learning from losses with grace, and remembering that no matter what titles you earn, you are never above anyone else.

But wisdom reminds us we are no less either.

God has uniquely equipped each of us for the road He has called us to walk. Sometimes that road requires hard decisions, stepping away from what no longer serves the purpose He has for us, and trusting Him enough to keep moving forward.

Tim’s journey has become part of our family’s testimony. It’s not just about becoming a champion in sport—it’s about becoming who God created him to be.

And as parents, our journey has been learning to trust God with the process—even when it stretched us, humbled us, and pushed us beyond what felt safe.

Through it all, we keep coming back to this truth:

Stay Humble.
Stand Confident.
Trust God Fully.

Because when your identity is rooted in Christ, your purpose will always be greater than your platform. 

Focus on Where You’re Going...

Focus on Where You’re Going...

“Focus on where you’re going & discipline yourself to get there.”

That sounds simple, but living it out is where the real work begins.

Too often, we get distracted by what’s behind us—past mistakes, setbacks, missed opportunities, or even the opinions of others. But if you spend too much time looking backward, you’ll lose sight of the path ahead.

The truth is, reaching any goal takes vision, sacrifice, and discipline.

Discipline is what keeps you moving when motivation fades. As Jim Rohn said, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”

I’ve watched that truth play out firsthand in our son Tim’s journey.

This past week, USA Weightlifting Jr. Nationals became the stage where years of hard work, sore muscles, missed social events, and relentless training all came together. Tim didn’t become a National Champion overnight. That title was built in the unseen moments—the days he showed up when he was tired, when lifts didn’t go his way, and when progress felt slow.

He stayed focused on where he was going.

He disciplined himself to get there.

And because of that, he stood on the platform and earned the title of 2026 Junior National Champion.

That’s the lesson.

Success in life, faith, family, and goals isn’t accidental. It’s intentional.

The road won’t always be easy. There will be obstacles. There will be people who doubt you. There will be moments when quitting feels easier.

But if God has placed something in front of you, keep your eyes fixed on it.

Stay focused.
Stay disciplined.
Stay faithful.

Because where you’re going is worth every step it takes to get there.

Tim's Medal Ceremony...

Here's the video of Tim's medal ceremony from June 24th...

The video is a little chopped up, but in Scot's defense, he's used to me being the one behind the camera...LOL! I was so excited and emotional for our boy that I just couldn't do the video myself. What a moment.

Tim's Winning Lifts from HOOKGRIP...

101kg Snatch Lift

130kg Clean & Jerk Lift

These are his best lifts that won him National Champion at USA Weightlifting Junior Nationals this year on June 24th. Enjoy watching them.

All of Tim's 2026 Nationals Loot...

All of Tim’s 2026 Nationals Loot…

Tim’s competition number, lift card, event tee, medals, and Champion patch from Nationals—each piece tells the story of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice it took to get here.

None of this came easy.

From intense training sessions, sore muscles, missed lifts, and learning to trust the process, Tim has put in the work day after day. To see it all come together on the national platform in his very first year as a Junior competitor makes this moment even sweeter.

He walked away with Bronze in Snatch, Silver in Clean & Jerk, and most importantly—Gold in Total, earning him the title of 2026 National Champion in the 71kg Junior Division.

And just to clear up any confusion—being a National Champion means finishing first in total. That’s the standard. That’s how it works.

So while others may try to claim the title, there’s no debate here.

Tim earned it.

We are beyond proud of him—not just for the medals or the patch, but for the grit, humility, and determination he’s shown throughout this journey. This is only the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what God has in store for him next.

USA Junior Nationals 2026 Champion...

Today was an incredible day for our son, Tim, as he stepped onto the platform for the first time as a Junior competitor at the USA Junior Weightlifting Nationals in Colorado Springs.

He walked away the Champion in the 71kg Junior Men’s Division.

His results on the day:

Snatch: 98kg, 101kg, 104kg (attempted, but missed)
Clean & Jerk: 120kg, 124kg, 130kg (PR)
Total: 231kg (PR)

And the medals:

🥉 Bronze in Snatch (101kg)
🥈 Silver in Clean & Jerk (130kg)
🥇 Gold in Total (231kg) — making him the overall National Champion of his division.

To say we are elated is an understatement.

Tim has worked incredibly hard to reach this moment. In many ways, this has been years in the making—stretching back to his foundation in the sport he trained in before weightlifting, where discipline, perseverance, and grit were first forged.

To think that less than three years ago he made the transition into Olympic weightlifting, and today he stands as a USA National Champion, is nothing short of remarkable.

We are beyond proud of the young man, athlete, and competitor he has become. This is only the beginning.

Lift Day...

Lift Day...

Today, in Colorado Springs, Tim lifts at 2:00 PM local time (4:00 PM Eastern) for all of you back home cheering him on. The event will be available to stream online, though there may be a viewing fee—please check for the official broadcast details at USA Weightlifting National's Event page. There is a link as you scroll down the page for livestreaming. 

We’ll continue to update this blog with how Tim performs once his session is complete, so stay tuned for results and highlights.

As a first-year Junior, Tim is excited for the opportunity to compete alongside some incredible lifters today. More than anything, he’s looking forward to learning from the experience—watching how other competitors do, and continuing to grow in the sport he loves.

Tim Found His Name...

Tim found his name on the board. Such an exciting time to be alive and thriving and going after goals and achieving them here in 2026...

Tim is really looking forward to stepping onto the platform again at USAW Junior Nationals 2026 this year. It will be his first time competing as a Junior.

Prayers that he meets all the goals he has set for himself at this year's Nationals. Also, prayers that his sinuses settle down and don't affect his ability to lift the numbers he's aiming for.

We love being part of the weightlifting community and seeing so many people we know succeed at their meets. It has been such a joy to be involved in this sport and to get to know so many wonderful people. We feel more connected to this sport than we ever did when Tim was competing in the sport side of TaeKwonDo.

Life has a funny way of working out the way it's supposed to, exactly when it's supposed to. I'm so thankful to God, whose timing is always perfect.

Now the Work Begins...

After days of traveling across the country, we finally arrived yesterday in Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals Week.

As exciting as it is to get here, the reality is that the competition doesn't start the moment you arrive. In many ways, this is where the real work begins.

Over the next couple of days, Tim will focus on getting his body acclimated to the elevation, adjusting to the environment, and spending time in the training hall preparing for competition day. Every athlete has their own routine leading up to a meet, and these days are an important part of the process.

It's always impressive to watch the level of dedication these athletes have. Most people only see the few minutes they spend on the competition platform, but they don't see the months and years of training, early mornings, sore muscles, sacrifices, and discipline that got them there. They don't see the countless hours spent perfecting technique, chasing personal records, and pushing through days when motivation isn't easy to find.

As parents, we're incredibly proud of the work Tim has put in to reach this point. His journey into Olympic weightlifting began after closing the chapter on a sport he had spent over a decade pursuing. Watching him embrace a new challenge, commit himself fully, and continue growing as both an athlete and a young man has been a blessing.

Now we wait for competition day.

Lift Day is June 24th at 4:00 PM Eastern, and we're excited to see all of his hard work put to the test. No matter what happens on the platform, he's already accomplished something special by earning his place here among the nation's best.

We're grateful for the opportunity to be here, grateful for the coaches, teammates, and supporters who have encouraged him along the way, and grateful for the memories we're continuing to make as a family.

The travel is done.

The preparation continues.

Now the work begins.

#USAW #USAWeightlifting #AthleticLabWeightlifting #CarolinasWSO #Nationals2026 #RoadToNationals #WeightliftingFamily #ProudParents

We Have Arrived in Colorado Springs...

Well, we did it again—we drove all the way to Colorado Springs for USA Weightlifting Nationals with Tim!

Thankfully, this trip got a little easier this year now that we can divide the driving between the three of us. I can still remember the days when Tim was competing in Taekwondo and Scot and I had to split all of those long drives ourselves. There were plenty of early mornings, late nights, countless hotel stays, fast-food meals on the road, and more miles than I could ever begin to count.

Looking back, I wouldn't trade a single one of those moments.

Those years gave us so many memories together as a family. Some of our best conversations have happened while traveling down the highway. We've laughed together, prayed together, dreamed together, and watched our son pursue the goals God has placed before him.

One of my favorite parts of road trips is seeing parts of the country that we'd never experience otherwise. Last year and this year are no exception. As we crossed through the Midwest, we saw what felt like endless fields and some of the largest windmills I've ever seen—it's impressive to see. Pictures truly don't do them justice. Standing hundreds of feet in the air, they seemed to stretch endlessly across the landscape. It's amazing to think about the engineering behind them and how small they make everything else look by comparison. They are a reminder of just how vast and beautiful God's creation really is.

Now we're settled in and looking forward to an incredible week together. We love supporting Tim on this journey he's on with Olympic weightlifting. Watching him grow—not just as an athlete, but as a young man—has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

This will be Tim's first Nationals as a Junior lifter, and we're excited to see what he accomplishes. More than the medals, records, or rankings, we're proud of the discipline, perseverance, and character he's developed along the way. Those things will serve him long after the competition platform is gone.

And yes, we still have a dream tucked away in our hearts. We can't wait for the day when we see "USA" across his chest. Whether that day comes or not, we're incredibly grateful to be along for the ride and to have a front-row seat to this chapter of his story.

Here's to another road trip, another competition, and more memories we'll cherish for years to come.

❤️🏋️‍♂️🇺🇸🚗

Travel Day - USAW Nationals 2026...

Travel Day - USAW Nationals 2026...

Today we begin our journey to Colorado Springs for USAW Nationals Week! The first leg of the trip includes a stopover at Tim’s uncle’s house for about a day and a half—roughly an 8-hour drive from home.

From there, we’ll start the second leg of the trip, which will be a much longer drive into Colorado Springs.

Thankfully, there are three of us taking turns driving, which will make the trip much easier. Tim will actually be driving the entire first leg to prove to his dad and me that he can handle that kind of distance on his own. He’s hoping to make a solo trip later this year to visit a friend, and it’s about the same driving distance as this first stretch to his uncle’s house.

Once we arrive in Colorado, on Sunday the 21st, the fun begins—two days in the training hall followed by competition day.

This will be Tim’s first time competing at Nationals as a Junior competitor, and he’s excited for everything he’ll learn from the experience, especially getting to watch so many talented athletes compete and lift at that level.

Safe travels to everyone heading to Nationals this week! We are looking forward to seeing everyone lift—especially Tim😊.

Before the Elevation...

Before the Elevation...

This season has taught me something deeply—before God elevates you, He will often reveal the hearts around you.

Not to hurt you. Not to discourage you. But to prepare you.

As I’ve watched Tim grow—not just as an athlete, but as a young man stepping into adulthood—I’ve seen this firsthand. From homeschooling for 12 years, to watching him graduate, to now standing on national platforms in weightlifting, it has been a journey of faith, sacrifice, and obedience. And with every new level, God has been faithful to show us who is truly for him, who is simply watching, and who needs to be loved from a distance.

Growth has a way of exposing things.

When God begins to move in your life, not everyone can go where He’s taking you. Some relationships shift. Some people celebrate you from afar, while others become uncomfortable with your growth. That can be hard—especially as a mother watching your child step into his purpose.

But I’ve realized something: God doesn’t reveal hearts to make us bitter. He reveals them to give us discernment.

As Tim steps into this next chapter—competing, working alongside us in the family business, and figuring out what adulthood looks like—I know the road ahead will be filled with opportunities, challenges, and lessons. And one of the greatest lessons is understanding that your circle matters.

Who you walk with matters.

Who speaks into your life matters.

Who prays for you matters.

God has a way of pruning before promoting.

Sometimes the separation feels lonely. Sometimes it feels unfair. But often it’s protection. He removes what would hinder the calling He placed on your life.

As a mom, I can honestly say this season has stretched me too. Watching Tim grow up, watching him chase big dreams, and knowing I can’t go into every room with him like I used to has made me trust God in a deeper way. Because ultimately, Tim belongs to God before he ever belonged to me.

And I trust that the same God who has brought him this far will guide every next step.

Before elevation comes revelation.
Before promotion comes pruning.
Before the next level comes discernment.

And for that, I’m thankful. Because God is always preparing us for where He’s taking us.

Packing for National's...

Packing for National's...

Washing and packing for a long trip always seems never-ending—even when you have a list to guide you. You can check things off one by one, feel like you’re making progress, and then suddenly realize there’s always something you forgot or didn’t think you’d need. Of course, that item ends up being the exact thing you’re now trying to squeeze into your luggage at the last minute…LOL!

As exciting as the destination is, it’s the getting there that can really drain you. Between washing clothes, organizing gear, double-checking lists, and making sure nothing important gets left behind, it feels like the to-do list just keeps growing instead of shrinking. There’s always something else that needs attention, and it never quite feels “finished” until you’re finally on the road.

If you’re anything like me, lists are your best friends. Honestly, I don’t know how people keep track of everything without them. My family likes to tease me about how many lists I make, but they’ve also seen how helpful they are—so the jokes are only so serious. At this point, they know if it’s not on the list, it probably won’t happen.

But even with all the packing chaos, there’s still something special about it. It means Nationals is here. The preparation, the rush, the last-minute reminders—it’s all part of getting ready for something exciting and meaningful.

In four short days, we will be on the road traveling to our first destination—Uncle Jeff’s—before heading to our final destination: Nationals. Looking forward to the week ahead and all the fun we will have.

Nationals Bound...

I ordered this t-shirt for Tim, and we'll pick it up when we arrive at Nationals in just a couple of weeks.

It may seem like a simple shirt to some people, but to us it represents so much more. It represents the countless hours of training, the early mornings, the sore muscles, the sacrifices, and the commitment it has taken to get to this point.

This year marks Tim's first Nationals as a Junior competitor, and that makes it even more special.

As a parent, it's incredible to watch your child pursue something they truly love. I've watched Tim pour his heart into this sport, setting goals for himself and working day after day to achieve them. Success doesn't happen overnight, and it certainly doesn't happen without hard work. What makes me proud isn't just the numbers he puts on the platform—it's the discipline, determination, and character he has developed along the way.

Nationals is about more than medals and records. It's an opportunity to compete against some of the best athletes in the country, to learn from experienced lifters, and to gain valuable experience that will help him continue to grow in the sport. Every competition teaches something new, and we know he will come home stronger, wiser, and more motivated regardless of the outcome.

Of course, we're praying that he reaches the goals he has set for himself. We're praying for personal records, successful lifts, confidence on the platform, and a competition day that reflects all the hard work he has invested throughout the year. But more than that, we're praying that he enjoys the experience and embraces every moment of it.

Looking back, it's amazing to see where this journey has taken him. What started as an interest has grown into a passion, and now he's preparing to compete on one of the biggest stages available to him at this level. That's something worth celebrating.

The shirt is a fun souvenir, but the real reward is seeing a young man chase his dreams with determination and perseverance. No matter what happens at Nationals, we're already proud of how far he's come.

Now the countdown is on, and we can't wait to see what God has in store for him during this next chapter of his journey.

When One Door Closes, God Opens Another...

When One Door Closes, God Opens Another...

I came across this graphic about bad coaches, and it immediately brought back memories of a difficult season in our family's life.

A coach has the power to influence an athlete in ways that go far beyond wins and losses. The right coach can inspire confidence, encourage growth, and help an athlete reach their full potential. Unfortunately, the wrong coach can do just the opposite.

A bad coach can make an athlete question their abilities. They can tear down confidence instead of building it up. They can create an unhealthy environment where athletes feel like they are never good enough, no matter how hard they work.

We experienced that firsthand with Tim.

There was a time when Tim was involved in a sport that he truly loved. He worked hard, showed up, put in the effort, and gave it everything he had. Yet despite all of that, he found himself under the leadership of a coach who treated him unfairly. Instead of encouraging him, the situation left him discouraged and questioning whether he even wanted to continue.

As a parent, it's heartbreaking to watch your child go through something like that. You want to fix it. You want to protect them from the hurt. But sometimes all you can do is walk beside them and trust God with the outcome.

Eventually, Tim made the difficult decision to walk away.

At the time, it felt like a loss. Walking away from something you've invested so much time, energy, and passion into is never easy. There were moments when we wondered what would come next. Would he find something else he loved? Would he ever regain the confidence that had been chipped away?

What we couldn't see then was that God was already preparing the next chapter.

Not long after leaving that sport behind, Tim discovered Olympic weightlifting.

What started as something new quickly became something much bigger.

The sport challenged him physically and mentally. It required discipline, focus, consistency, and perseverance. More importantly, it put him around coaches and athletes who believed in him, encouraged him, and helped him develop both as an athlete and as a person.

Today, watching Tim compete in Olympic weightlifting has been nothing short of amazing.

The young man who once had his confidence shaken is now setting goals, breaking personal records, competing at a high level, and pursuing a dream of one day wearing USA across his chest. The very setback that seemed so devastating at the time became the stepping stone that led him exactly where he was meant to be.

Looking back, I can honestly say that if that coach hadn't treated Tim the way he did, Tim may never have left. And if he had never left, he may never have discovered the sport where he is truly thriving today.

That doesn't excuse the hurt or make what happened right. But it does remind me of a powerful truth:

God can use even painful circumstances to redirect us toward something better.

Sometimes a closed door isn't punishment—it's protection.

Sometimes a disappointment is actually a divine redirection.

Sometimes what feels like the end of a dream is simply God leading us to a bigger one.

If you're walking through a difficult situation right now—whether it's a coach, a job, a friendship, or some other disappointment—don't assume the story is over. What feels like a setback today may become the very thing that launches you into your next season.

Tim's story reminds me that our greatest opportunities can sometimes be found on the other side of our greatest disappointments.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." — Romans 8:28

Today, I'm grateful that Tim didn't quit altogether. He simply found a different path. And that path has led him farther than we ever imagined. ❤️🏋️‍♂️🇺🇸