Power Champ Chat with Jennifer Thompson

As the countdown to the most significant competition of my life continued,  (Wrpf nationals ) the anticipation swelled within me. Just when I thought the excitement couldn't get any higher, my phone chimed with a notification. To my astonishment, the legendary Jennifer Thompson, a true icon in her field, had responded to my request. It had been three long weeks since I reached out to her, hoping she would agree to be featured in my latest blog as one of the phenomenal female coaches I'm interviewing. And now, her response had finally arrived, filling me with a mix of awe and gratitude.

Are you ready for this? Just hours before she was about to make history yet again, breaking another world record for the bench press, I received her message.

The first thing I wanted to know the minute we talked was  what is going through her mind during that incredible iconic moment 322.5 lb bench press  ??? Determined and focused,  Jen hears the unwavering support of her loving husband  yelling SQUEEZE  !! ( meaning her pinkies ) as she prepares to take THE WORLD RECORD With each passing second after the command, she feels an overwhelming connection between her chest  and what feels like forever and her final goal. She shared with me it’s

the pinkies that hold the secret to her success,  “ that’s what got me the record “

IF you haven't witnessed Jennifer's incredible strength firsthand, you are missing out!

Get ready to be inspired by the incredible journey of this strong and determined woman.  I know I am . It all started with her husband's passion for lifting weights, which ignited her own interest in the sport. But it was his unwavering belief in her abilities that truly set her on a path to greatness.

Their home gym became a haven of motivation, with the walls adorned with her goals. And even after 12 long years, they never once took down her ultimate aspiration: to squat an impressive 350 lbs. And guess what? She did it. She conquered that goal and stood tall, proving to herself and the world that she is a force to be reckoned with.

While her incredible bench press may steal the spotlight, let's not forget about her equally impressive squat and deadlift. This woman is a triple threat, and she deserves all the praise and recognition that comes her way.

Sure, there are many emerging athletes out there, but none of them even come close to touching her numbers. It must be an incredible feeling to know that, with all due respect, she is in a league of her own.

But let me tell you, there's something truly remarkable about her. It's not just her impressive achievements or the world records she holds. No, it's something much deeper. It's her heart, my friend. When I asked her about the elite athletes she's coached, she surprised me with her response. She said her ideal client is someone who is just starting their journey in powerlifting, someone who is discovering the sheer joy and passion for the sport.

As a coach, this really struck a chord with me. It's not about the fame or the glory for her. It's about the impact she can make on someone's life. I could hear the pride in her voice as she spoke about the students she works with at the school where she teaches. The sense of accomplishment she feels from changing lives is what truly shines through.

It's a testament to her genuine love for the sport and her dedication to empowering others.

So, my friends , it's not just about the weight she lifts or the titles she holds. It's about the immense impact she has on those she works with. Her heart,is what truly weighs the most

It's incredible to think that even with all her records and being inducted into the powerlifting Hall of Fame, she remains so humble.   You wouldn’t believe me that she was not at all impressed with her performance in squats and dead’s . ( we think you were nothing short of amazing girl )While , discussing topics like the bench press arch, and general topics that you could imagine a couple of master lifters might discuss like teenage laziness and lack of work ethic out there in the world today . We talked about how she was lucky enough to not have to face a lot of challenge being a female in this sport , that was mostly at one time dominated by males , and has watched it grow tremendously .

We chatted about the tediousness of cooking and how life would be great if we had personal shoppers and a chef and although she  may not be a professional chef, she certainly knows how to keep her family well-fed . Which led me to thinking how does someone of such stature , keep it all together and  According to her, if you have a passion for something, it never feels like a struggle. And that's exactly how she feels about working out. It's not a chore for her, but rather something she genuinely enjoys. What's more, she gets to share this passion with her husband and sons, which adds even more value to the experience.

Now, I know what you're thinking, how can that be relatable?  We talked about how  how it absolutely could be if more mothers asked for help .

Jennifer’s story struck a chord with me, and it will with you too.

She is also a teacher at middle school and teaches Science . My least favorite subject but that’s ok !

The goat has had her fair share of gnarly injuries  It turns out that athletic injuries don't have to be the end of the world.  I would  unfortunately experience my own injury at Nationals and thoughts of our conversation and  the way I was impacted  and inspired by her words helped me get through it . I can train around my new injury and In fact, “ there are some amazing work-around exercises that can help you bounce back stronger than ever.” She shared with me the belt squat was a life saver  , These exercises have been a total game-changer for our athlete friend. Not only do they provide a safe and effective way to work out, but they also offer a much-needed boost to her mindset.  Say goodbye to feeling defeated and hello to a whole new level of confidence.   

“ we kind of have to be our own advocate for our health doctors and a lot of physical therapist just tell you to stop training.”

She was open to trying everything even acupuncture when it was suggested that she check out Squat University, and what a game changer that was for her to be able to squat and dead lift, pain-free, and achieve new Prs . Calling them “small gains “ Jen leans towards linear progression as her  go to training style and her knee sleeves lol

  “ it’s all mental , you know that right ?”

With pain free training , new goals are in sight with 475/500 lb being a huge goal for deadlift and 375/400 lb squat ! I say …. Write it on the board Jen , and don’t stop until you’re there !

We had such a great conversation I almost forgot how nervous 😬 I am starting to feel for nationals and asked her if she still gets nervous . Can you believe the goat does !  She asked herself questions like “ will I meet everyone’s expectations ?” ( um … of course you will girl ) “ how will my body perform at night ?”  She said if your not nervous , do you even care lol “ looks like she answered both of those questions with her incredible performance at USA nationals securing another world record ! Congratulations are in order !