Weightlifter Mattie Rogers knows a thing or two about competing in strength sports.
- Rogers got her start in CrossFit over a decade ago before turning to Olympic lifting full-time. Since then, she’s competed on the biggest stages in the world, including the World Championships and Olympic Games.
After so many years carrying the Team USA banner all over the world (and on the weightlifting podium), Rogers knows exactly how to handle the pressure cooker of a strength sports competition.
Here are Rogers’ top three tips for competing in weightlifting and clearing the mental hurdles that come with it.
If Olympic lifting isn’t your bag, don’t worry: We think her advice works just as well for any sport.
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Mattie Rogers: Top 3 Tips for Strength Sport Competition
Rogers recently attended the 2024 USA Weightlifting North American Open Series II in Fort Worth, TX. It was a rare appearance for Rogers, who typically only competes on international stages.
But Rogers found herself in need of a “tune-up” meet as she battles back from a grueling injury that sidelined her early in 2024. In Fort Worth, Rogers was swarmed by fans, many of whom were first-time strength sports competitors.
Rogers decided to take to social media on Sep. 9, 2024, to explain how she contends with the mental rigors of a strength sport competition:
1. Visualize the Good
“I read this one in a book shortly before the Olympic Trials in 2016,” Rogers explained. “It’s been my number-one tip since.”
Rogers explained that she maintains a laser-sharp focus on imagining the positive outcomes of competing in strength sports, rather than dwelling — or “dooming,” you could say — on what could go wrong.
- “Imagine how happy you’ll be once you make a lift you really wanted; hold onto that feeling,” Rogers said.
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2. Acknowledge Your Fears
Rogers thinks burying anxieties or apprehension is an unwise strategy for strength sports competitors. “Some people try to avoid [anxiety] or act like it’s not there, but letting it simmer and fester just helps it grow.”
- Instead, Rogers endorsed acknowledgement. “Tell someone how you feel,” she said. “Voicing how you feel makes it less scary.”
If you’re a first-time strength sports competitor, be honest with yourself and your coach if they ask you how you’re doing. You’ll probably struggle to display your strength if you’re trying to suppress a bubbling feeling at the same time.
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3. Distract Yourself
Rogers’ third and final tip for new weightlifters or strength sport competitors involves a bit of cognitive trickery. She prefaced her advice by saying it was borne out of her time spent in therapy:
- “I started doing this at the recommendation of my therapist. What works best for me is to spell things I can see but backward.”
She offered an example from Fort Worth, an event that is partially sponsored by Rogue Fitness. “The amount of times I said E-U-G-O-R to myself at this last meet was…a lot,” she joked.
This technique may help you pass the time during a strength sports event without allowing your mind to wander to negative places. “Before you know it, you’ll be taking your next warm-up snatch,” Rogers explained.
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Head Down, Eyes Forward
Rogers has competed internationally in weightlifting for the United States for over a decade. She’s the most thoroughly decorated weightlifter in the States’ modern history. You don’t build a resume like that without knowing how to handle tough or unpredictable situations.
- Rogers’ appearance in Fort Worth booked her a ticket to the upcoming 2024 World Weightlifting Championships this December in Manama, Bahrain.
As far as strength sports events go, Rogers hasn’t missed Worlds since she first qualified years ago and has no intention of breaking that streak anytime soon.
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Featured Image: @mattierogersoly / Instagram
