Lucy Robinson

How I Started:

I transitioned from high-board diving into powerlifting after meeting a strength and conditioning coach who encouraged me to explore my potential in the gym. Until then, I had never considered strength as one of my defining attributes. The first time I loaded a barbell with weight, I surprised myself by lifting 80kg with ease, and that moment completely changed the direction of my sporting career. I quickly realised I had a natural ability for powerlifting, and from that point I became fully committed to developing my strength, technique, and competitive mindset.

At just 14 years old, I entered my first powerlifting competition. Despite being completely new to the sport, I delivered an outstanding performance, breaking nine Yorkshire records and qualifying for the British National Championships.

In my first year of competing, I went on to win the British National Championships at only 15 years old, establishing myself as one of the top young lifters in the country. Following this success, I earned the opportunity to represent my country at both the European and World Championships. Competing on the international stage so early in my career was an incredible experience and a major achievement. I placed 3rd at the European Championships and 5th at the World Championships, accomplishments that exceeded my own expectations considering I had only been involved in the sport for a year.

My journey from diving into elite-level powerlifting demonstrates not only natural strength, but also dedication, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure. Progressing from a beginner to a national champion and international competitor within such a short space of time has been one of my proudest achievements and continues to motivate me to pursue even higher goals within the sport.

My Greatest Achievement:

My greatest achievement has been becoming the strongest junior female in the country for two consecutive years. Within my 10 year powerlifting career, I have broken three World records and eight European records, accomplishments that reflect not only my dedication to the sport, but also the consistency, discipline, and resilience required to compete at the highest level. Reaching this standard has involved years of hard work, balancing intense training, recovery, competition preparation, and the mental demands that come with elite-level performance.

One of the achievements I am most proud of, beyond medals and records, is the longevity of my career within the sport. I have been competing at a high level for over 10 years, which has allowed me to gain extensive experience both as an athlete and as a person. Maintaining success over such a long period requires constant growth, adaptability, and the ability to overcome setbacks and challenges. Through this journey, I have developed not only physically, but also mentally, learning the importance of discipline, perseverance, and self-belief.

Alongside competing, I have become passionate about helping and supporting other athletes within the sport. Over the years, I have built a strong understanding of training, competition preparation, and athlete development, which has enabled me to coach and mentor upcoming athletes as they navigate their own journeys. I take pride in being able to share my knowledge and experiences to help others build confidence, improve performance, and achieve their goals. Supporting younger athletes and seeing them grow within the sport has become just as rewarding to me as my own achievements.

My journey in powerlifting has shaped me into a highly driven and resilient individual. From breaking records on the international stage to contributing positively to the next generation of athletes, the sport has given me opportunities to grow as both a competitor and a leader. I continue to push myself to achieve more while also giving back to the community that has played such an important role in my development.

My Greatest Challenge:

My greatest challenge throughout my sporting career has been learning how to navigate setbacks in training, particularly injuries, while still remaining focused, disciplined, and committed to my long-term goals. Competing in powerlifting at a high level places significant physical and mental demands on the body, and over the years I have experienced periods where injuries disrupted my training, impacted my performance, and tested my resilience. These moments were some of the most difficult parts of my journey because they forced me to step back from the progress I was making and adapt both physically and mentally.

For an athlete, injuries can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you are used to constantly pushing yourself and working towards specific targets. There were times when I had to reduce or completely change my training, miss competitions, or spend long periods focusing on recovery instead of progression. Mentally, this was challenging because it required patience and trust in the process, even when results were not immediate. It taught me that success in sport is not always about constant forward progression, but also about how you respond during the difficult periods.

One of the biggest lessons I learned through these setbacks was the importance of consistency and maintaining a strong mindset. Even when I was unable to train at full capacity, I stayed committed to doing everything I could to improve, whether that was focusing on rehabilitation, mobility, recovery, nutrition, or strengthening other areas of my performance. I learned how important it is to adapt rather than give up, and to continue showing up every day even when motivation is low or progress feels slower than expected.

Another challenge has been balancing the demands of high-level sport with everyday life and maintaining consistency over many years. Competing for over a decade requires sacrifice, structure, and the ability to stay committed even when facing obstacles, pressure, or periods of self-doubt. Staying focused on my goals while managing the expectations that come with competing internationally has helped me grow into a more determined and resilient person.

My Hobbies:

Outside of powerlifting, I enjoy a range of hobbies that allow me to relax, stay creative, and maintain a healthy balance away from the demands of training and competition. One of my favourite hobbies is baking, which I find both enjoyable and rewarding. I enjoy trying new recipes, experimenting with different flavours, and challenging myself to improve my skills in the kitchen. Baking gives me an opportunity to switch off mentally from the intensity of sport and focus on something creative and calming. It also allows me to share something with family and friends, which makes it even more enjoyable.

I also enjoy reading and listening to podcasts, as it gives me the chance to unwind and continue learning outside of sport. I particularly enjoy books that focus on personal development, mindset, and performance, as I am always looking for ways to grow both as an athlete and as a person. Reading has helped me develop a stronger mentality, improve my focus, and gain different perspectives that I can apply to both training and everyday life. At the same time, I also enjoy reading for relaxation, as it provides a good balance to the structure and intensity of competitive sport.

Another hobby I enjoy is trying new sports, particularly sports that challenge me in different ways and push me outside of my comfort zone. Recently, I have enjoyed exploring sports such as bobsleigh, which has allowed me to experience a completely different environment and skill set compared to powerlifting. Trying new sports helps me stay active while also developing coordination, teamwork, and adaptability. It reminds me of the importance of enjoying sport for fun as well as competition, and it gives me a fresh perspective that I can bring back into my own training.

My Future Aspirations:

My future goals within powerlifting extend far beyond simply winning medals or breaking records. My biggest ambition is to become the strongest version of myself, both physically and mentally, and to continue pushing the limits of what I am capable of achieving within the sport. I am constantly motivated by the idea of self-improvement and personal growth, and I believe there is always another level to reach through hard work, discipline, and consistency. Every training session, competition, and challenge is an opportunity for me to develop further as an athlete and as a person.

One of my main goals is to have the opportunity to win the World Championships and establish myself amongst the best athletes in the sport on an international level. Having already competed at European and World Championships from a young age, I know the level of dedication, sacrifice, and resilience required to compete against the strongest athletes in the world. Achieving this goal would represent years of commitment, perseverance, and overcoming challenges throughout my journey in powerlifting. It is something that continues to drive me every day and motivates me to keep improving both inside and outside of training.

Alongside my personal ambitions, I am also passionate about growing the sport of powerlifting and encouraging more people to get involved, particularly young people and women who may not initially see strength sports as something for them. I want to help break stereotypes around strength training and show that powerlifting can build not only physical strength, but also confidence, discipline, resilience, and a positive mindset. Through sharing my own experiences, I hope to inspire others to step outside of their comfort zones and realise what they are capable of achieving. Strength sports have taught me valuable life skills such as discipline, perseverance, patience, and self-belief, and I would love the opportunity to pass those lessons on to others. Whether through coaching, mentoring, or simply sharing my journey, I want to create a positive influence and help young athletes feel empowered to pursue their own goals.

Another important goal of mine is to continue promoting positive mindsets within sport. I believe success is not only measured by achievements and records, but also by the attitude you bring to challenges, setbacks, and growth. I want to encourage people to focus on progress, self-belief, and long-term development rather than comparing themselves to others. By sharing both the highs and the challenges of my journey, I hope to show that setbacks are part of success and that resilience is one of the most important qualities an athlete can develop.

Ultimately, my future goals are about more than just personal success. While I remain highly motivated to achieve at the highest level in powerlifting, I also want to use my experiences to inspire, support, and positively influence others. I hope to leave a lasting impact on the sport by not only achieving my own ambitions, but also by helping the next generation of athletes build confidence, discover their strength, and realise their full potential.