This interview is a special one for me because I had the pleasure of coaching Chelsea Ryan at her first National Championship in 2014. That nationals was a huge one for Catalyst Athletics, with Greg and Aimee bringing a big squad of lifters to rock and roll. Because of the size of their team, there were often multiple Catalyst lifters competing in the same session. We had three athletes going during Chelsea’s session, so it was all-hands-on-deck for the coaches. Greg took one, Aimee took one, and I took Chelsea.
 
She had a terrific performance at her first big meet, and afterwards I told her the same thing she was probably hearing from a lot of people at the time…that she had tremendous potential and a big future in the sport if she wanted it. Coming out of Los Gatos, CA as one of the numerous female talents who have found their way to Olympic weightlifting through CrossFit over the last five years, Chelsea has been a sensational addition to the Catalyst lineup. Already closing in on a 200 kg total in the 69 kilo class with only a few years of serious training under her belt, this young lady has the tools to make a name for herself in the game. She continues to work her way up the national ladder with her trademark big smile on her face. We’re proud to give you a look at the life of one of our own, Chelsea Ryan.
 
Tell us about your background. Where are you from, where do you currently live, what’s your occupation (if you work in addition to training), family life, what kind of sports background do you have outside of lifting, etc.
 
I was born in Long Island, New York and raised in Los Gatos, California. I graduated from Santa Clara University in 2012, and currently live in Los Gatos. In addition to training, I also work at a CrossFit gym where I teach classes and train personal clients. I played soccer and basketball growing up, both very competitively at a young age. My soccer team in fourth grade was ranked third in the state of California. Since basketball and soccer are in the same season in high school, I eventually made the decision to focus entirely on basketball. I played year round, and still hold two records at Los Gatos High School; the most 3-pointers in a single season, and most 3-pointers in four-year career. I have always had amazing support from my family; my mom and dad are easily my number one fans, and my older sister and younger brother are close seconds.
 
Describe your weightlifting history. When/how did you start? Who have your coaches been? What championships and international teams do you have on your record? What are your best lifts?
 
In high school, I was small and skinny and kept getting injured in sports, mainly lots of sprained ankles. I first joined a gym when I was about 16 in an effort to get stronger so I wouldn’t be pushed around the basketball court quite as much. My first experience lifting weights consisted mostly of dumbbells and cable resistance training with an “injury prevention” focus. Fast forward a few years, and I was introduced to weightlifting through CrossFit in 2009. In 2012, I contacted Greg Everett to book a few private sessions at Catalyst Athletics. I loved the challenge of weightlifting and was fortunate that I lived close enough to learn from the best. We did three private sessions, and I spent about the next two years wondering when I would finally “make the switch” and be a full-time weightlifter. In 2014, Catalyst needed a 69kg female lifter for upcoming nationals, and I was almost in disbelief when I received an email from Greg asking if I wanted to lift for the team. I spent the weeks leading up to the meet practicing with the Catalyst Athletics team, with Greg coaching me every step of the way. My first national meet was a success, I went in with zero expectations and ended up placing 7^th overall with an 82kg snatch and 100kg clean and jerk, a 4 for 6 overall performance. My performance at the 2014 Nationals was enough to convince myself it was time to focus on weightlifting full-time. Catalyst Athletics women’s team won our first national championship in 2016. My best training lifts are 91/106 and my best competition lifts are 85/105.
 
Please give a basic description of your training. Just tell us as much as you can about your program, weekly/yearly planning, etc.
 
Greg does all my programming, which he sends me one week at a time. I train five days per week, resting Friday and Sunday, which means Saturdays are typically heavy days. My program is progressive and I usually spend about three to four weeks adding weights, and that next week would be a back off week, to let my mind and body recharge. I typically squat twice per week; I personally take a while to recover from squats. That’s definitely one of the more challenging parts of my program: placing the squats effectively while still performing well on the big lifts. My program template lasts about twelve weeks before things are switched up. Meaning, I usually add weight on the same, or similar, complexes throughout twelve weeks, before the complexes/movements are switched. As the big meets approach the complexes become less taxing, and ultimately turn into heavy singles that help build confidence and establish openers.
 
Describe some of the obstacles you face, or maybe some things that frustrate you in your weightlifting life. What kinds of changes would you like to see, either personally or with the sport in general?
 
That’s a tough question because there are several things that come to mind. Above all else, I wish more people knew what “weightlifting” actually is. It is not bodybuilding, and it is not a sport saturated with just big burly women. The truth is, we compete in weight classes, so all competition is relative. Every ounce of bodyweight should be useful for weightlifting. A lot of the lighter weight classes have athletes who could not possibly lose another pound. Their body fat percentage is low and they look incredible. The media tends to show the supers lifting heavy weights because that is what the audience wants to see. I remain amazed at what the 75+ women can lift and it is so exciting to watch them lift these massive amounts of weight with grace, and what appears to look like ease at times, too. The general population often does not know about the six lower weight classes, so they do not necessarily understand that this sport is broken up into weight classes, so everyone is competing against someone within bodyweight range of themselves.
 
What are your plans and goals for your weightlifting career? How do you see your future in the sport? Do you plan to stay involved in weightlifting after your top competitive years are over?
 
My goals for weightlifting are first to medal at a national meet. I feel my future in this sport is promising. I have the best coaches and the best support system I could possibly have. I truly believe I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. I have all the pieces that I need to be successful in weightlifting, and it is coming together one meet at a time. I definitely plan to stay involved in weightlifting after my top competitive years are over. If anything else, weightlifting has provided an incredible outlet for me and I would love to have some sort of program later down the road for kids and adults to have that same outlet. I love the challenge of the sport, although it can drive me crazy at times, but I also think weightlifting is a great way to train athletes in other sports as well such as football and basketball.
 
Who are some of your major influences, people you look up to, etc.? Who are the people you want to thank for your success?
 
Thank you, to my coaches, Greg and Aimee Everett, for world class coaching, and all the guidance during this journey. The coaching from Catalyst Athletics is truly second to none and I am so lucky to be a part of the team. I also want to thank James and Michael Fitzgerald, OPEX and Optimum Performance Training Calgary, for their coaching and guidance during my CrossFit career, which ultimately lead me to weightlifting. My whole team, Catalyst Athletics, keeps me motivated to get better. I believe we have a good name to represent, and I am honored to be a part of it. And lastly, anyone that has ever helped out at the big meets, Matt Foreman and Mike Gray. The big meets can be chaotic and stressful, so it is always important to have the best support team behind the scenes. And finally, thanks so much for this interview and listening to me trying to describe my weightlifting life in a few paragraphs.
 
Great job Chelsea, and best of luck in all your future weightlifting pursuits. We’re lucky to have you in the program!