Happy World Weightlifting Day!

Today is World Weightlifting Day, and as the mom of an Olympic weightlifter, this day means a little something extra to me.

When I think about weightlifting, I think about so much more than the weights being lifted on a platform. I think about the dedication, discipline, and determination it takes to become an athlete in this sport. I have watched Tim put in countless hours of hard work, push himself to reach his goals, celebrate victories, and face setbacks. I have also learned that sometimes the hardest part of being an athlete isn't the training itself, but having the patience and perseverance to work through the challenges that come with it.

Weightlifting has taught our family that success is about so much more than the number on the bar or the medals hanging on the wall. It's about the character built along the way, the lessons learned, and the person you become through the process.

I also think about the coaches who invest so much of themselves into their athletes. They do more than teach technique and help athletes get stronger. They encourage them, challenge them, believe in them, and help them see what is possible even when the road gets difficult.

Then there are the officials, volunteers, clubs, and everyone who works behind the scenes to make this sport possible. Their time and dedication help create opportunities for athletes to compete, grow, and pursue their dreams.

And, of course, there are the families. We may not be the ones standing on the platform, but we are right there alongside our athletes through the excitement of competition, the sacrifices required, the disappointments that sometimes come, and the moments that make all the hard work worthwhile. We celebrate their victories, hurt when they hurt, and pray for them through the challenges.

One of the things we, as a family, have come to appreciate most about weightlifting is the community. People from different backgrounds, different ages, and different walks of life come together because of a shared love for the sport. Athletes compete against one another, but there is also encouragement, friendship, and support that extends beyond the platform.

Watching Tim grow in this sport has allowed our family to be part of something bigger than just weightlifting. We have met wonderful people, watched athletes accomplish incredible things, and seen how much heart goes into pursuing a goal.

Today, we celebrate not only the athletes who step onto the platform, but also the coaches, families, volunteers, and everyone else who helps make this sport what it is.

Happy World Weightlifting Day to the entire weightlifting community! May you continue to lift one another up, both on and off the platform!

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!

Carolina WSO Championships 2026

Tim wanted to go support his team as they lifted today, even though he wasn't able to compete himself this year.

What a day it was! We had so much fun watching the team lift. It is always so impressive to watch these athletes lift those heavy weights over their heads. One of the competitors, Eva Young, on the ALWC team made lifts that were Carolina Records across the board. We were so proud of her.

It was so thoughtful of them to give Tim an event t-shirt even though he couldn't compete this year. They also presented him with an award recognizing him as an Elite Carolinas Athlete! We didn't realize he would be receiving this award, and since we had somewhere else we needed to be, his coach graciously accepted it on his behalf.

But as wonderful as it was to watch the team compete and see Tim recognized for his accomplishments, one of the things that blessed my heart the most was watching my son encourage his teammates.

As a mom, it blesses my heart to see the man Tim is becoming. Being there to support his team, even when he couldn't be out there lifting alongside them, speaks volumes about his character and commitment. His love for the sport is about more than just lifting weights and winning competitions. It's also about showing up, encouraging others, and being part of something bigger than himself.

This year may not have gone as Tim had hoped, with his elbow injury keeping him off the platform, but that doesn't take away from the athlete he is or the accomplishments he has already achieved. Sometimes, the moments when we can't do what we love give us the opportunity to grow in ways we might not have expected.

His dad and I couldn't be prouder of him. We are proud of his accomplishments, but even more than that, we are proud of his heart, his dedication, and the man he is becoming.

The weights he lifts may show his strength, but the way he shows up for others shows his character. And that is something his dad and I will always be proud of. ❤️

(picture just before going into surgery)

Tim’s Elbow Surgery Update

We wanted to share an update on Tim and how things went with his elbow surgery.

First and foremost, the surgery went well, and we are thankful! 🙏

The doctor was able to get the fluid off Tim’s elbow and also took a sample of the inflamed tissue. Both the fluid and the tissue samples are being sent off to be cultured, and we should have those results in about two weeks. We are hopeful that this will give us some answers as to what has been going on with his elbow and help determine the best course of action moving forward.

While the doctor was in there, he also removed a bone spur along with some scar tissue and smoothed out the area. We are thankful that these things could be addressed during the procedure and are hopeful that this will help Tim as he continues to heal.

Tim’s first day of recovery has gone pretty well overall. Knowing Tim, sitting still and taking it easy isn't necessarily his favorite thing to do! 😂 He may have pushed himself a little too much today because he started experiencing some swelling earlier tonight. Hopefully, this is just a reminder that his body needs time to rest and heal. We will continue to keep an eye on things and follow the doctor’s instructions as he recovers.

As a parent, it’s hard watching your child go through something like this, especially when you know how much they love what they do. Tim has worked incredibly hard in his sport, and I know how much he wants to get back to training and competing. But sometimes, the hardest part of the journey is learning to slow down, be patient, and trust the process.

We are thankful for a successful surgery, for the doctor’s care, and for the opportunity to take another step toward finding answers. Now we wait for the culture results and focus on healing one day at a time.

Please continue to keep Tim in your prayers as he recovers, that the swelling will settle down, that the culture results will provide answers, and that his elbow will heal properly. Most of all, we pray for wisdom for his medical team and patience and encouragement for Tim during this recovery.

We know that God's timing doesn't always line up with our own plans, but we continue to trust Him through every step of this journey. We are praying for complete healing and looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for Tim.

One day at a time, one step at a time, and always trusting God!

What Sports Teach Our Kids

What Sports Teach Our Kids 

I saw this in a post on social media and made an image for it because I thought it was such a great message for parents.

Take youth sports seriously. Not because your kid might go to the Olympics. But because it teaches kids what school can't.

I couldn't agree more.

We can't protect our kids from every hard moment.

And maybe we shouldn't.

I mean, right now Tim is dealing with an elbow injury that is keeping him from doing the sport he loves so much. This isn't the first hard moment he's had to work through in sports, either.

He spent 11 years doing TaeKwonDo sparring. Eleven years of practices, competitions, wins, losses, medals, disappointment, pressure, and learning how to get back up and do it again.

Then, after earning his 3rd-degree black belt, he made the decision to walk away from TaeKwonDo and start something completely different.

He went from being an experienced martial artist who had spent more than half his life doing the sport to being the new kid in Olympic weightlifting.

He had to start over.

And starting over isn't always easy.

There were missed lifts. Frustrating competitions. Days when things didn't go the way he wanted. Days when progress felt slow. And there were moments when I know he would have rather had a different outcome.

But that's one of the things I love about sports.

They give our kids a safe place to learn that not getting what you wanted doesn't mean you quit.

Let them miss.

Then let them try again.

The first missed lift hurts. The second one teaches them to keep getting after it.

I've watched Tim learn that firsthand.

Last year at Junior Nationals, he had a really hard moment on the platform. He actually passed out after a lift.

That wasn't how we wanted Nationals to go.

But he went home.

He rested.

He went back to work.

And he came back the next year.

This year, he returned to that same national stage and had the kind of day athletes dream about. He hit personal records, including a 130-kilogram clean and jerk and a 231-kilogram total, and became a USA Weightlifting Junior National Champion.

But honestly?

The championship wasn't the most important part of that story.

The most important part was coming back.

Because that's what resilience looks like.

Let them lose.

Then watch them shake the hands of the people who won.

Allow sports to teach them to respect someone who just beat them.

There is something powerful about watching two competitors give everything they have on the platform and then, when it's over, shake hands and congratulate each other.

You can teach resilience a thousand times with your words.

Sports gives them somewhere to actually practice it.

Let them sit.

Then let them keep cheering.

Being part of a team doesn't stop when you're not the one competing.

Tim is going to learn that lesson in a very real way this weekend.

He'll be at States, but he won't be lifting. His elbow injury has taken that opportunity away from him.

And I know that's hard.

He's worked hard. He's trained hard. He wanted to compete. He wanted to be on that platform with his teammates.

Instead, he'll be sitting in a chair watching them lift.

And he'll be cheering them on.

That's not exactly where he wants to be.

But there's a lesson in that, too.

Sometimes being part of something bigger than yourself means supporting someone else when you're the one who is disappointed.

Let them have the bad day.

Then let them come back.

Let them experience disappointment without immediately trying to make it disappear.

Let them learn that a bad day isn't a bad life.

Let them learn that a missed lift doesn't define them.

Let them learn that an injury doesn't erase everything they've accomplished.

Let them learn that sometimes the plan changes, and you have to adjust.

And sometimes, as parents, we have to learn to step back and let them do it.

There were certainly times when I wanted to fix things for Tim.

That's what parents do.

We see our kids hurting, frustrated, disappointed or struggling, and our instinct is to make it better.

But I've learned that I can't always—and shouldn't always—take the hard thing away.

Because some of the hard things we want to fix are the very things teaching our kids the most.

Sports have taught Tim things I couldn't teach him sitting at the kitchen table homeschooling him.

They've taught him how to fail in front of people and show up again the next day.

How to lose without quitting.

How to win without thinking he's better than someone else.

How to respect the person standing across from him.

How to be part of a team.

How to cheer for someone else when he's the one who wishes he were competing.

How to keep working when progress is slow.

How to handle disappointment.

How to get back up.

Missed lifts. Still showing up.
Losses. Still shaking hands.
Injuries. Still supporting his team.
Disappointment. Still moving forward.

That counts too.

And that's why I don't believe youth sports are only about winning.

I've said before that my goal was never to raise an athlete who wins everything.

Medals are nice. Championships are exciting. Personal records are worth celebrating.

But they aren't who our kids are.

One day the competitions will stop.

One day the medals will sit in a box.

One day they may not remember exactly how much their competitors lifted or who won a particular meet.

But I hope they remember what sports taught them.

How to lose without falling apart.

How to compete without disrespecting someone.

How to work hard when nobody is handing them a trophy.

How to be part of something bigger than themselves.

How to handle disappointment.

How to get back up after failure.

How to show up when things aren't going their way.

And how to keep going.

Because one day, life is going to hand them things that no coach can prepare them for and no parent can fix.

And when that happens, I want them to already know:

I've been here before.

I know how to get back up.

That's what youth sports can give our kids.

Not just stronger bodies.

Not just medals.

Not just championships.

Success. Failure. Resilience. Grit.

That's what sports teach.

And those lessons have somewhere to go long after the sport ends.

Update on Tim's Elbow

(This is not Tim)

Update on Tim's Elbow 

As you all know, Tim has been dealing with an elbow injury that has kept him from doing the sport he loves.

The last update I gave was that his orthopedic doctor had decided to take the path of physical therapy and see how things progressed. However, after consulting with the other elbow specialists on staff and discussing Tim’s case, the general consensus was that it warranted exploratory arthroscopic surgery.

The plan is to address several things while they are in there:

1. Remove the fluid that no one has been able to successfully aspirate and send it off for lab testing.
2. Remove a bone spur that is exacerbating the problem.
3. Address anything else they find that may need attention while they are in there.

So, surgery is scheduled for this Friday. He'll come home same day.

After surgery, Tim will begin post-op physical therapy with a specialist who works with this type of injury. The hope is that by taking this step now, we can get to the bottom of what is going on with his elbow, get him on the right path to healing, and ultimately get him back to the sport he loves sooner rather than later.

This injury has affected more than just his weightlifting. It has also put a halt to his ability to work alongside his dad in our family business. He hasn't been able to train, work, or simply live life the way he normally would. I know that has been frustrating for him.

So, pray. 🙏

Pray for God to guide the hands of the surgeon and that everything that needs to be addressed is addressed while they are in there. Pray for Tim’s healing to be quick and complete so that he can get back to not only training, but to simply living life.

We know healing will be a process. We know there will be recovery and work involved. But we also know that God has got Tim—and Tim knows it, too.

God has seen him through so much in his young life, and Tim trusts Him for his complete healing. So, as we head into Friday, that's where our faith is—not in the surgery itself, but in the God who is with Tim through all of it.

Please keep praying. ❤️🙏

More Than A Coach

(Coach Jarrod and Tim after he won Junior Nationals this year)

More Than A Coach 

Today we celebrate our coaches who pour so much into their athletes, helping them become the best athletes they can possibly be.

They lead. Encourage. Challenge. Believe.

But a great coach does so much more than teach an athlete how to lift, compete, or win.

They teach them how to work hard when things don't come easily. They teach them how to handle disappointment, celebrate progress, keep showing up, and believe in themselves even when they aren't sure they can.

Coach Jarrod has taught, mentored, pushed, believed in, guided, supported, inspired, developed, and encouraged Tim. And through all of that, he has made a huge difference in Tim's life.

Coaches are so much more than coaches.

Their athletes look up to them. They watch how they handle challenges. They listen to their words. They learn from their example. In many ways, coaches become someone their athletes aspire to be like—not just as an athlete, but as a person.

And being a coach in weightlifting certainly isn't an easy job. You're working with such a wide range of athletes, from kids just discovering the sport to adults who have been lifting for years. Every athlete is different. They have different goals, different personalities, different strengths, and different challenges.

A great coach learns how to meet each athlete where they are and help them move forward from there.

I've watched Coach Jarrod do that with Tim.

Tim has been so incredibly happy in the sport of weightlifting. He has found something he loves, a team he enjoys being part of, and a coach who has helped him grow—not only as a lifter, but as a person.

And then came this elbow injury.

Being sidelined is hard for an athlete who loves what he does. Tim has had to put his training on hold in ways he never expected, and I know there have been frustrating days.

But Coach Jarrod has continued to support him through it.

He's even taken the time to load weights for Tim so that, while he can't do his upper-body training right now, he can still work on maintaining and building his lower-body and core strength.

That may seem like a small thing, but to an athlete who wants to be training, it means a lot.

It says, I'm still here. We're still working. This isn't the end of your journey.

And that's what a great coach does.

They don't just coach you when you're winning medals or hitting PRs.

They coach you through the hard stuff, too.

They remind you that one injury, one missed competition, one bad lift, or one setback doesn't define you.

They help you see that there is still progress to be made, even when the path looks different than you expected.

When Tim is finally able to get back to full strength and continue the journey he's started in weightlifting, I know he'll be even more excited to get back to doing what he loves.

And I also know that he'll carry with him everything he's learned along the way.

We are so thankful for coaches who understand that the goal isn't just to create great athletes. It's to help develop great people.

So today, on Coach's Day, I want to say thank you to Coach Jarrod.

Thank you for everything you have poured into Tim.

Thank you for believing in him.

Thank you for challenging him.

Thank you for encouraging him.

Thank you for supporting him through the good days and the difficult ones.

And most of all, thank you for being the kind of coach who understands that you are making an impact far beyond the weight room.

Happy Coach's Day, Coach Jarrod! 🏋️‍♂️❤️

We are grateful for you and the difference you've made in Tim's life.

Tim's Elbow Update

                   

Tim's Elbow Update

We went with Tim to see Ortho today to discuss his elbow, the plan of action, and the next steps toward getting him back to competing.

The doctor we saw was, by far, the best we've seen so far. He was extremely informative and took the time to explain what he believes is going on and what he feels we need to do moving forward.

In a nutshell, Tim will be spending the next six weeks working with a physical therapist who specializes in the type of elbow injury he has. Apparently, this is something they see quite often in baseball players.

The doctor believes Tim has a sprained UCL, with the possibility of a tear that may or may not require surgery down the road. He also believes Tim has a bone spur that is further complicating things.

The next six weeks of specialized PT will help us better understand just how serious the injury is. If PT helps and Tim responds well, he could potentially get back to lifting sooner rather than later. If it doesn't improve the issue, we could be looking at surgery to address the bone spur as well as the UCL.

One thing we really appreciated about this doctor is that he doesn't just jump to surgery. He explained that, more often than not, a good PT specialist can get elite athletes back to their sport without further intervention. And if Tim does ultimately require surgery, it will mean a longer healing process, but he should still be able to get back to his sport.

So, at least as of right now, this isn't a “you'll never lift again” scenario. It's a “when will you be able to lift again?” scenario. And we'll take that.

Tim has been beyond frustrated through all of this, but he knows this is something that has to happen in order for his elbow to heal properly. He's taking it in stride and is willing to do whatever it takes to get better. He just wants answers, wants to heal, and wants to get back to doing what he loves.

And that's where we come in.

We're going to continue being there for him, supporting him and helping him keep his head on straight as he jumps through all of these hoops he has to go through in order to move forward.

It's not the road he wanted to be on, but it's the road he's on right now.

So we'll take it one step at a time, trust the process, and keep moving forward because Tim loves Olympic weightlifting—and he's not ready to give that up. 

Keep praying in agreement with us for his complete healing as he does all that ortho and the physical therapist advise him to do. 

Record Holder

(These numbers are in kg so you have to convert them to #'s)

Record Holder

Tim is officially a record holder!

Tim now holds the record in the Men’s Junior 70kg Division for the Carolina WSO (Weightlifting State Organization), which includes lifters from both North Carolina and South Carolina.

This is something I’m pretty proud of because it’s not just a record for a particular competition or gym. The Carolina WSO records include lifters across North Carolina and South Carolina, so his name is now part of the record books for his state organization.

He actually beat the requirements for the States record by a long shot when he competed at Junior Nationals this past summer.

There is a little bit of a story behind how his results ended up in the 70kg category.

When Tim competed at Junior Nationals, he was competing in the 71kg Junior division, which was the weight class at the time. Since then, USA Weightlifting has changed the weight classes, and the 71kg division no longer exists. When Tim weighed in at Nationals, he was actually under 70kg, so his results qualified to be placed in the new 70kg Junior division.

And now his name is at the top of that record.

How cool is that?

As his mom, I am incredibly proud of everything Tim has accomplished this year. He won Junior Nationals in his division, set personal records, and now has his name in the Carolina WSO record books.

But here's the part that means just as much to me...

Tim is currently out with an elbow injury.

This is the first time since he started his Olympic weightlifting journey that he has had to sit out of States. And I know that's not easy for him.

He misses lifting.

He misses training.

He misses making gains and working toward his next goal.

When you're used to walking into the gym, putting in the work, seeing your numbers go up and constantly pushing yourself to get better, being told you have to stop can be incredibly frustrating.

But even in the middle of that disappointment, Tim is keeping a positive attitude and making the best of a tough situation.

That makes me proud too.

Because being an athlete isn't just about what you can do when everything is going right. Sometimes it's about how you handle the seasons when things aren't going the way you planned.

And this is one of those seasons for Tim.

He won't be competing at States this year, but he will still be there.

He'll be there supporting his teammates, cheering them on and helping his coach wherever he can.

That's the kind of thing I love seeing in him.

He's learning that being part of a team isn't dependent on whether you're the one standing on the platform. Sometimes your role is to compete. Sometimes it's to encourage. Sometimes it's to help. And sometimes it's simply to stand beside the people you've trained with and support them.

And while I know he'd much rather be lifting, I'm proud of the way he's handling this setback.

What a year this has already been for him.

He became a Junior Nationals champion.

He hit some huge personal records.

And now he's officially a Carolina WSO record holder.

That's a pretty incredible list of accomplishments for one year.

But as I've said before, the medals, the records, the numbers and the titles are just part of the story.

What matters most to me is the young man behind all of it.

I'm proud of the lifter Tim has become, but I'm even more proud of the person he's becoming.

This injury may have temporarily taken him off the platform, but it hasn't taken away his accomplishments, his work ethic, his determination or his place on his team.

The platform will still be there when he's ready to return.

For now, we're taking this one step at a time, trusting God through the process and making the best of where he is right now.

This Is Just Another Chapter

This Is Just Another Chapter

It’s with a sad heart that we let you know that Tim will not be competing at States this year. This will be the first time he has had to miss a competition since he started his journey in Olympic weightlifting. He will still be there at States supporting his teammates and helping his coach wherever he is needed. Even though he won’t be on the platform this time, he’ll still be part of his team—and I know he’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.

Now, let me give you the backstory on his injury.

A couple of months before Nationals, Tim started having some pain in his elbow. It wasn’t anything unbearable, and his body guy was able to get it under control pretty quickly—or so we thought.

You just never know what may be lurking underneath.

His body guy could only treat the symptoms Tim was experiencing. He did dry needling and shockwave therapy on the area, and for a while, it seemed to be doing the trick.

When Tim went to Nationals in June, his elbow was feeling good. He went on to make PR lifts and win his first USA Weightlifting National Junior Championship. It was an incredible Championships week, and we were so proud of him.

Then we came home, and he went back into training.

His elbow progressively started getting worse.

After doing everything he could, his body guy advised us to have Tim seen by an orthopedic doctor. We put in for an appointment, which took some time to get, and now we are going through all the hoops trying to figure out exactly what is causing this issue.

Here’s what we know so far.

His X-rays show nothing broken and no loose particles. An MRI without contrast showed fluid on his elbow. The medications they gave him haven't helped resolve the fluid issue. Blood work also showed that he does not have an autoimmune issue causing the problem.

The next step is to aspirate the fluid from his elbow and have it tested—which happens later this morning. After that, we may need to do an MRI with contrast to get a better look at the tendons surrounding the elbow.

So, what initially seemed like a minor issue could very well be just that—a minor issue.

But it could also be that his elbow is so pointy that it's irritating his tendon or there could be a small tear in one of his tendons that is being irritated by the movement of his elbow. In the case or the first scenario, that could possibly mean surgery to round the bony part that is irritating the tendon. In the case of the second scenario, we are fairly sure that it would simply require some rest time for it to heal. With either case that would mean Tim is done competing for the remainder of this year. 

And that's hard.

Not just because he loves competing, but because weightlifting has become such a huge part of his life and he absolutely loves it. He has worked incredibly hard to get where he is, and he has some pretty big dreams for where he wants this journey to take him.

So we’re asking our family and friends to pray in agreement with us🙏.

Pray for quick healing of Tim’s elbow. Pray that the underlying cause is revealed to his orthopedic doctors so they know exactly how to treat it. Pray for wisdom for everyone involved in his care.

And pray that he comes back stronger than he was before.

It is also our prayer that, Tim heals in time to train and prepare for The Arnold in March 2027. This will be the 50th Anniversary of the event, and being able to compete there would be an incredible opportunity.

Tim's passion is weightlifting. His dream is to compete at Worlds and, someday, carry the title of Olympian.

We don't know what this detour is going to look like yet.

But we do know Who holds the road ahead.

God has brought Tim through so much in his young life. We have watched God's hand on him in ways that are impossible for us to deny. And while we don't understand why he is dealing with this injury right now, we trust that God does.

I truly believe God has a plan for Tim’s life—and that plan is bigger than a medal, a competition, a championship, or even weightlifting itself.

This injury doesn't erase everything Tim has accomplished. It doesn't take away the work he has put in. It doesn't change who he is.

It's simply an unexpected part of his journey.

And maybe, just maybe, this is another opportunity for Tim to learn that strength isn't always found on a platform.

Sometimes strength looks like sitting on the sidelines when you'd rather be lifting.

Sometimes it looks like patience when you want answers.

Sometimes it looks like trusting God when you don't understand what He's doing.

And sometimes the biggest victories have nothing to do with medals.

Scot and I know that Tim will continue to honor God and his family through this journey because he knows just how much God's hand has been on his life. He's seen God carry him through things before, and we believe God will carry him through this, too.

So for now, we're taking it one day at a time, trusting God, praying for healing, and believing that Tim's story isn't over.

This is just another chapter.

And whatever comes next, we'll be right there beside him.

More Than the Medals

This quote hits home with me because it describes exactly how we've tried to raise Tim.

We've never wanted to raise a child whose entire identity was wrapped up in winning. We wanted to raise a young man who could face life—both the good and the hard—and know that he could handle whatever came his way.

Unfortunately, that's not always the message Tim received from coaches along the way.

Some of the coaches he's had put so much emphasis on winning that the message became, If you don't win, you didn't accomplish anything worth accomplishing. And honestly, that mentality turned both Tim and us off big time.

Winning is great. Who doesn't love to win? 

But winning isn't the only measure of success.

The coach Tim has now understands that. He doesn't focus solely on the wins. He focuses on the gains—the progress, the improvements, the little victories that happen along the way. He's more interested in helping Tim become better than he was yesterday than simply making sure he beats everyone else.

That's the kind of coach every athlete should have.

I wish Tim could have had a coach like this all along because I think there's something incredibly valuable about learning early that your worth isn't determined by a scoreboard, a podium or a medal.

The goal was never to raise an athlete who wins all the time.

The goal was to raise someone who knows they can handle anything life throws at them.

That's the ultimate goal.

Because one day the competitions will end. The training will slow down. The medals will eventually stop coming.

And yes, those medals will hang on a wall and tell a story. They'll remind us of the hard work, the sacrifices, the early mornings, the disappointments, the victories and all the moments in between.

But at the end of the day they're still just medals.

They are not who you are.

When there are no more competitions and no more medals to win, you have to be able to look at the person you've become and love who you are.

What kind of person are you when nobody is keeping score?

What kind of heart do you have?

How do you treat people?

Do you encourage others to succeed, even when they're competing against you?

Do you get back up when you fail?

Can you handle disappointment without allowing it to define you?

Can you celebrate someone else's success?

Can you walk away from something knowing you gave it everything you had, even if the outcome wasn't what you wanted?

That's what matters.

I want Tim to leave behind more than a collection of medals for people to talk about.

I want people to talk about his character.

I want them to say he had an amazing heart for people. That he cared about others. That he encouraged people. That he wanted to see others succeed. That he worked hard, stayed humble and didn't let either success or failure determine his worth.

Our son is an athlete, and he's had some incredible successes in his sports journey. We're incredibly proud of what he's accomplished.

But there's so much more to him than what he can lift, how much he can lift, how many competitions he's won or how many medals hang on his wall.

You just have to take the time to get to know him.

And that's what we've always wanted for him—not simply to raise a winner, but to raise a young man who knows who he is, whose worth isn't determined by what he accomplishes, and who knows that no matter what life throws at him, he can handle it.

Because at the end of the day, the medals may tell part of his story.

But his character tells you who he really is.

(I made the concept—AI helped sharpen it up)

The Journey Behind the Lift

Tim's plans are to lift at this year’s State Championships—prayerfully🙏. A lot will depend on how his elbow responds to rehab between now and then, but he’s signed up regardless.

Before Tim went to Nationals, he had already started having some issues with his elbow. We thought we had gotten everything lined out with his body guy, but once he returned home and got back into training, the problem got worse.

I shared a little about what was going on in an earlier blog post. If you missed it, you can read it here: When Strength Looks Different.

Thankfully, rehab is going well. Just not quite as quickly as Tim would like😊.

The next step is getting an MRI scheduled while he continues working with PT. At this point, Tim wants to know exactly what he’s dealing with—and quite frankly, so do we. Having some answers would help us understand what’s going on and what the best path forward looks like.

For now, Tim is hoping and praying that his elbow will allow him to compete. If he does get to lift, he’ll be taking a very conservative approach with his numbers. As much as he wants to compete, he doesn’t want to push things and cause further injury.

For someone who loves to lift and compete as much as Tim does, being patient through an injury is not easy. But sometimes strength looks different.

Right now, strength looks like showing up for rehab, being patient, listening to his body, and trusting God with the outcome.

God has blessed Tim with an amazing athletic ability, and we don't believe that gift is an accident. We believe God has a purpose for Tim's life, and we believe that purpose includes this athletic journey he is on. We don't know exactly where God is going to take him through it, but we know that God does have a purpose and plan.

Maybe this season is about competing. Maybe it's about learning patience. Maybe it's about perseverance. Maybe it's about something we can't see yet. Whatever it is, we want Tim to remember that his identity and purpose are bigger than a platform, a PR, or a championship.

We're praying for total healing, answers, and the opportunity for Tim to step onto that platform at State Championships for his 4th straight time. 

Whatever happens, though, we trust that God is using this journey Tim's on for something bigger than we can see right now💪🙏. 

WHEN STRENGTH LOOKS DIFFERENT

This picture is one of the last times that Tim lifted weight over his head.

I love this quote and included it with the picture because it's true.

After winning Nationals, Tim had been on such a high. He had worked so hard for that moment, and to see all of that hard work pay off was pretty incredible.

Then this...

For weeks now, Tim has been dealing with an issue with his elbow where it won't fully straighten out. He had some issues with it a few months back before Nationals. We thought it had gotten better with his working with his body guy, but after getting back to training, it has gotten worse.

He's been strictly doing lower body and core work while we figure out what is going on with his elbow.

Now we're going through the normal ropes to get everything that needs to be done, done. Tim has seen an orthopedic doctor. He's had X-rays done. There's no fracture or OCD changes and his joint spaces and alignment are normal. He's doing everything the orthopedic doctor is asking, along with PT. Next will be an MRI that will hopefully tell us what is really going on with his elbow.

We have to give what the orthopedic doctor is trying a chance first before we can move to the MRI step in order for insurance to pick up the tab.

Gotta love insurance... NOT!

But honestly, this has been a reminder that strength isn't always about what you can lift.

Sometimes strength is being willing to put the weights down when your body is telling you that something isn't right.

Sometimes strength is being patient when you want answers NOW.

Sometimes strength is doing the exercises you're supposed to do, going to PT, following the doctor's instructions and trusting the process—even when the process isn't moving as quickly as you'd like.

And sometimes strength is dealing with disappointment without allowing it to define you.

I know this isn't where Tim expected to be right now. After the excitement of Nationals and everything he had worked so hard for, I'm sure it's frustrating to have to back off and wait and watch others make the forward progress that you want to be making.

But this is just a pause. It's not the end of his story.

That quote says, "You can fake and buy a lot of things in life these days, but muscle and strength aren't one of them."

Tim has spent several years building his strength. He's put in the work when nobody was watching. He's learned that you don't get stronger by taking the easy road.

And maybe that's exactly what this season is teaching him too.

Because there are different kinds of strength.

There is physical strength.

There is mental strength.

And there is the kind of strength that comes from having to trust God when you don't have all the answers yet.

We don't know exactly what is going on with his elbow right now. We don't know how long this will take. We don't know what the MRI will show.

But we do know that God isn't surprised by any of it.

So for now, we wait. We do what the doctors tell us to do. We keep working the parts of his body that he can work. We keep moving forward instead of sitting still and feeling sorry for ourselves.

And we pray.

Because sometimes getting stronger doesn't mean adding another plate to the bar.

Sometimes getting stronger means learning how to keep going when you can't lift the bar at all.

This isn't the chapter we expected after Nationals, but it's the chapter we're in.

And we'll trust God with the rest.

Tim's Senior Yearbook

 Here are Tim's Senior Yearbook pages from Lighthouse Homeschool Association: 

I still can't believe that we aren't getting ready to go back to school again this year. It hasn't really sunk in yet, but I have a feeling it will once everyone else starts heading back to school.

Tim is taking a gap year.

When you say that, most people gasp because they immediately assume it means the person isn't going to pursue further schooling.

Honestly, I don't know what lies ahead for Tim. But I do know that whatever he chooses to do, he will be as focused and driven as he has always been.

We are so incredibly thankful for the blessing it has been to raise this incredible young man. To say we are proud of him is an understatement.

And yes, I know I said the word proud, and I know what the Bible says about pride. I promise you, that's not the kind of pride I'm talking about.

It's the kind of pride that comes from watching your child walk through hard things, learn from them, grow through them, and become someone you genuinely admire.

Tim has been through a lot in his young life. He's learned a lot, too.

He knows what kind of person he wants to be—and what kind of person he doesn't want to be.

He has dreams and goals that he is going after with all of his heart. And I don't believe there is any amount of anything anyone can say or do that will keep him from pursuing those dreams and goals.

For Tim, living a full life means living life on purpose and with purpose.

For him, being an elite athlete isn't just something he does. It's his job, his passion, and what he believes he was put on this earth to pursue. We believe he will continue to strive for greatness in athletics and in life.

And honestly, if he never accomplished another thing from this point forward, he could still look back on his life and know that he has already done more in his time on this earth than most people do in an entire lifetime.

And that's okay.

Everything hasn't always been great. There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. But the man he is today makes us smile because when we look at him, we know we did something right.

I love the person he is.

I'd love the person he is even if he weren't our son.

He's just that good of a man.

And getting to watch him step into this next chapter of his life is something I don't take for granted.

I may not know exactly where this road is going to take him, but I know Tim.

And wherever he goes, whatever he does, he'll give it everything he's got.

A New Chapter in Weightlifting

A New Chapter in Weightlifting: The IWF’s New Weight Divisions Begin Tomorrow

Weightlifting is about to enter another new chapter.

Beginning tomorrow, August 1, 2026, the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) will implement a new set of bodyweight categories for senior and junior competitions around the world. USA Weightlifting will also adopt these adjusted categories for sanctioned domestic competitions moving forward.

For those of us who follow the sport closely, these changes are more than just numbers on a chart. Weight classes can impact an athlete's training, nutrition, competition strategy, and even the direction of their career.

The New IWF Weight Divisions

For senior and junior men, the new categories will be:

60kg | 65kg | 70kg | 75kg | 85kg | 95kg | 110kg | +110kg

For senior and junior women, the new categories will be:

49kg | 53kg | 57kg | 61kg | 69kg | 77kg | 86kg | +86kg

These divisions will take effect at IWF competitions beginning August 1, 2026. Those in bold text are the Olympic Categories for the Olympic Teams. 

These new categories will help establish the weight classes that will be used for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. 

What Does This Mean for Athletes?

For some athletes, the changes may not make much difference at all.

For others, a few kilograms can completely change the game.

An athlete who has spent years competing in one weight class may suddenly find themselves deciding whether to stay where they are, move up, or work toward a new category. The difference between being at the top of one weight class and the bottom of another can affect everything from strength ratios to competition strategy.

And then there are athletes who have already had to navigate multiple changes in a relatively short period of time.

Our son, Tim, is one of those athletes.

He began 2025 competing in the 61kg category before having to move into the 67kg category (which was made the 65kg category in June of 2025 when IWF adjusted the categories). He wasn't, and neither was his coach, on the page of cutting down to 65kg, when he was in the top end of the 67kg category, so he made the hard decision to move, yet again, to the 71kg category. Now, another change is coming.

After August 1, the 71kg category will no longer exist. The new men's divisions will include 70kg and 75kg. 

That means another decision.

Does an athlete try to make 70kg? Do they continue to grow and compete at 75kg? What is best for their strength, development, health, and long-term goals?

Those are decisions that cannot be made simply by looking at a number on a scale.

Weightlifting Is About More Than a Weight Class

One thing I have learned watching Tim compete is that the number beside an athlete's name never tells the whole story.

It doesn't show the hours spent training.

It doesn't show the missed lifts, the injuries, the setbacks, the doubts, or the moments when an athlete has to decide whether to keep going.

It doesn't show the work that happens when nobody is watching.

And it certainly doesn't show the journey.

Tim has already had to learn how to adapt. He moved from Taekwondo into Olympic weightlifting. He changed weight classes. He competed at the national level. He experienced the disappointment of missing lifts and the joy of hitting personal records.

At the 2026 Junior National Championships, he walked onto the platform with something to prove—not to everyone else, but to himself.

He hit a personal record in the Clean & Jerk with 130kg, set a personal record total of 231kg, and became the Junior National Champion in his division.

Now, another change is coming.

And that is one of the lessons weightlifting continues to teach us: you cannot always control the circumstances around you. But you can control how you respond to them.

Every New Division Creates New Opportunities

Change can be frustrating.

Especially for athletes who have worked hard to build themselves into a particular weight class.

But change can also create opportunity.

A new weight division can give an athlete a fresh start. It can change the competition landscape. It can open the door for someone who may have previously been caught between categories.

Sometimes the path forward is not about forcing yourself to remain exactly where you are.

Sometimes the path forward is about taking a look at where you are, where you want to go, and what is best for the next stage of your journey.

That applies to weightlifting.

And honestly, it applies to life.

The Weight Class May Change. The Goal Doesn't Have To.

August 1 will bring another change to the sport of weightlifting.

There will be new categories.

New decisions.

New strategies.

New opportunities.

For athletes like Tim, the question will be whether 70kg or 75kg is the right path forward.

But regardless of what number appears beside his name, one thing will remain the same.

The work.

The discipline.

The determination.

The willingness to step onto the platform and give everything he has.

Because ultimately, the weight class is just a number.

The real measure of an athlete is found in the work they are willing to put in, the challenges they are willing to face, and how they respond when the path doesn't go exactly as planned.

Weightlifting has already taught Tim—and our entire family—that progress rarely happens in a straight line.

Sometimes the categories change.

Sometimes the goals change.

Sometimes the plan changes.

But the journey continues.

And I have a feeling this next chapter is going to be another exciting one.