Unleashing the Strength Within: Meet Bonnie Schroeder, the Powerlifting Coach Extraordinaire!

Embarking on my powerlifting journey was like stepping into a thrilling rollercoaster ride. I was filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation, but I knew I needed a guiding force to ensure I stayed on track. As I searched for the perfect coach to help me navigate this exhilarating adventure, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment when I discovered Bonnie was fully booked. It was a race against time to prepare for my first meet in just 6 short weeks, and every moment counted. The clock was ticking loudly, and I was determined not to let a single second slip away. So I didn’t get the chance to work with her .  As I embarked on my journey, I couldn't help but be drawn in by her one-of-a-kind coaching tips and uplifting advice. Her contagious enthusiasm and unwavering positivity had me hooked from the start. With every word she spoke, I was captivated by her carefree spirit and boundless joy. There's just something about her that radiates strength and courage. She is a force to be reckoned with, an inspiration in her own right.

So Get ready to be inspired by Bonnie's incredible journey. Not only did she bravely face testing positive for Braca, but she also had the courage to undergo a double mastectomy. Her story touched me so deeply that I couldn't help but find the strength to get tested myself.  ( my mamma was positive ) And guess what? My test came back negative! Bonnie, you are an absolute inspiration in so many ways – a true leader and a positive role model for women's health and body image. And can we talk about her advice on powerlifting and mindset ? It hit the nail on the head and completely shifted my perspective. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this amazing interview. I was captivated from start to finish, and I know you will be too.

Has powerlifting helped you navigate and overcome the difficulties you faced after testing positive for BRCA1 and undergoing a double mastectomy?

Ever since I stumbled across a barbell in highschool, my confidence was never the same. Once I learned and EMBRACED that my potential was far greater than I ever realized, there was just no going back. Powerlifting gave me the outlet I needed in the period of my life when I was just starting to develop who I wanted to be. After seeing some success in the sport and adopting this new empowered mindset, there were a few years when I felt truly unstoppable and like I had the world wrapped around my finger. The sport connected me to so many incredible people, amazing opportunities and basically paved the way for the life I have now.  Powerlifting taught me valuable lessons about life, loss and when chapters should close; I owe everything to the barbell and the path it provided.

 

What advice would you give to other women who may be facing physical challenges or setbacks in their powerlifting journey? 

I would remind them to not lose sight of this sport being a HOBBY. We GET to do this. Generally speaking, most of our lives are so comfortable and easy that we are choosing to create stress on our systems FOR FUN. Powerlifting is not life or death, it is not going to war. It is a GIFT. Training is to honor our machines & what they're capable of, not to punish them. Even through injuries there are usually many movements that can STILL be done, so it's imperative to stay in a mindset of gratitude for all that you CAN do vs focusing on what you cannot. It's very easy to lose sight of this when many of us lead such privileged lives, but not everyone has a vehicle to get to a gym, can afford a gym membership, can physically WALK into a gym, can READ programming, has a body that is mobile & responds, or can afford to eat enough to gain muscle.

There's always something to be grateful for.

How did you mentally and physically prepare yourself to continue powerlifting after undergoing a double mastectomy?

My last competition was pre mastectomy and it was a blast! I knew I wanted to have one last hurrah before surgery because I didn't know how I would feel in my body after the fact so I'm glad I got that in. Post mastectomy, the only goal I had that was focused on a number was benching 200lbs again and I hit that within a few months of my surgery. Since then my focus has been maintaining some strength, feeling good and falling in love with my body more than ever before. I've been happily retired from powerlifting for two years now.

What's your secret to having such a big

bench press? And is Bench your favorite lift ? 

I'm not sure that it's considered "big" at all with all the incredible lifters out there now, but I do love the lift. It's been a very consistent movement for me and I LOVE all the tiny nuances that go into effectively executing it. Bench is definitely my favorite lift to teach because of that reason. Luckily, this is also a movement that people can typically handle a decent amount of frequency at, so benching more often is usually the secret to increasing your bench.

Congratulations on your engagement! As a successful female powerlifter who is now navigating the exciting journey of being engaged, what advice do you have for other female powerlifters who are juggling relationships, life, and their passion for lifting?

Thank you so much!! Understanding that you'll never have balance is key. Balance implies that the scales are even, when what we're actually looking for in our lives is harmony. There will be seasons of life when you need to give more attention to one thing and seasons of life where that needs to switch. Just like anything this should eb and flow, rather than be forced. If you're seeking to achieve an elite level in any sport, sacrifices will have to be made. And a supportive partner should never make you feel like you have to choose between your passions and them. That being said, be conscious of how your time is spent, what that is a reflection of and be intentional with your priorities.

You love to travel . If you could train in any location in the world, where would it be and why?

One of my favorite places to train & lift is in Iceland. I love the stone lifting culture there and have had the honor of competing there in 2019. I've got an incredible group of girlfriends over there that are always down to lift, explore and have a good time.

What’s the weirdest thing you have in your gym bag right now ?

Honestly, nothing too weird in there right now.

I do have some sage & palo santo rolling around in the bottom though which is a great representation of both of my worlds.