Lottie McGuinness

How I Started:

Growing up, I was inspired by Ellie Simmonds, which led me to pursue competitive swimming throughout my childhood and teenage years. My ambition was to become a Paralympic swimmer; however, despite my dedication and commitment to the sport, my times were not quite at the level required to achieve this goal.

In 2013, Ellie invited me to attend the National Dwarf Games, organised by the Dwarf Sports Association UK. The Games provide competitive sporting opportunities and a supportive environment for individuals with dwarfism to connect and socialise.

One of the events featured at the Games is para powerlifting. After seeing a friend compete, I decided to enter the event myself in 2019. During the competition, I met two coaches from British Para Powerlifting who observed my performance and recognised my potential.

Following the event, I was invited to attend a trial at Loughborough University, the training base for Great Britain’s para powerlifting programme.

After successfully completing the trial, I was selected for the Talent Development Programme. Within just ten months, I progressed to representing Great Britain at a World Cup competition, marking a significant milestone in my athletic career and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in elite sport.

My Greatest Achievement:

One of my proudest milestones was achieving my first world top-eight ranking in Para Powerlifting. Breaking into the top tier of the sport was a defining moment, reflecting years of resilience, technical development, and consistent performance on the international stage. It marked my transition from a developing athlete to a genuine contender among the world’s elite.

Being selected for the Team England Futures Programme was another significant achievement in my journey. The programme recognises athletes with the potential to represent Team England at future major championships and provides tailored support to accelerate development. As part of this experience, I had the honour of meeting Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, along with Princess Charlotte of Wales. Sitting down with them was an incredibly special moment, offering the opportunity to share my story and experiences at the highest level of sport.

Qualifying for my first Paralympic Games was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. To step onto the Paralympic stage and compete against the very best in the world was both humbling and empowering. Having the opportunity to compete in front of my family and friends made the experience even more meaningful; their unwavering support has been the foundation of my journey, and to share that moment with them in the crowd was incredibly special. Finishing fourth at my debut Games was a bittersweet result, just outside the medals but it firmly established me as one of the leading athletes in my category and fuelled my determination for future success.

To be recognised as one of the most rapidly progressing female Para Powerlifters in the world is something I take immense pride in. My progression has been built on discipline, resilience, and an unwavering belief in my potential. Each competition, record, and ranking milestone represents not just performance improvement, but personal growth, demonstrating that setbacks can be stepping stones to achieving excellence at the highest level.

My Greatest Challenge:

I’ve had a few challenges in my career, each of which has shaped me not only as an athlete but as a person. One of the earliest challenges I faced was learning to understand and accept my condition while growing up. Navigating sport and identity at a young age was not always easy. Watching Ellie Simmonds was a turning point for me. She gave me the dream of becoming a Paralympian. Seeing someone with a similar condition succeed on the world stage showed me what was possible and gave me the belief that I could one day achieve that goal too.

Another significant challenge came later in my career when I experienced burnout. A few years into competing, I began to lose my love for the sport. Training felt draining, my motivation declined, and I struggled to find the passion that once drove me every day. It was a difficult and emotional period. However, with the support of the incredible people around me, my family, coaches, and support network, alongside the guidance of a clinical psychologist, I was able to rediscover my purpose. That process helped me reconnect with my “why,” reignite my passion, and remind myself that I am living out the dream I once had as a child. Overcoming that period ultimately made me stronger, more self-aware, and more resilient in both sport and life.

My Hobbies:

Outside of my sporting career, I have a range of hobbies that reflect both my personality and my passions beyond competition. I am a livestock owner, caring for goats and chickens, which provides a complete contrast to the high-performance sporting environment. Looking after animals requires consistency, responsibility, and patience, qualities that also translate into my athletic career. Spending time with them allows me to switch off from training, enjoy the outdoors, and maintain balance in my daily life.

I am also highly active on social media and have a genuine passion for creating and posting content regularly. I enjoy sharing my journey as an athlete, offering insight into training, competition, and life behind the scenes. Social media provides me with a platform to connect with others, inspire people with similar experiences, and advocate for disability sport in an authentic and relatable way.

Alongside this, I am currently studying to become a Personal Trainer. I have a strong interest in fitness, strength development, and helping others achieve their goals. Pursuing this qualification allows me to expand my knowledge of performance and wellbeing, while preparing for a future where I can support and motivate others in their own health and fitness journeys.

My Future Aspirations:

Looking ahead, my ambitions are clear and driven by a desire to reach the very highest level of my sport. My ultimate goal is to become a Paralympic Champion at the Paralympic Games. Having already experienced the Games, I know what it takes to compete on that stage, and my focus is now on turning that experience into a gold-medal performance. Standing on the top of the podium would represent not only athletic excellence, but the culmination of years of dedication, resilience, and belief.

I also aspire to become a European Champion and a Commonwealth medallist, proudly representing my nation at major international championships such as the Commonwealth Games. Achieving success across multiple major events would demonstrate consistency at the highest level and establish my legacy within Para Powerlifting.

Another key ambition of mine is to break a world record. Setting a world record would be a powerful statement of progression and performance, symbolising the standards I set for myself and the impact I aim to have on the sport. It would reflect not only physical strength, but the technical precision and mental discipline required to push beyond existing limits. Beyond competition, I aim to build a strong and engaged following on social media. I want to use my platform to inspire others, promote disability sport, and share the realities of elite performance. By growing my presence online, I hope to connect with a wider audience, influence the next generation, and create opportunities that extend beyond my athletic career.