Hey guys! Me llamo Melissa pero me pueden llamar Meli! I was born in El Salvador, raised in LA, and now I’ve been living in Washington State for about 3.5 years.
I played soccer since I was 5 until college ball. Between soccer and my outdoor activities, I also played flag football, hockey, and participated in track&field events. It wasn’t until I turned 18 when I discovered my ultimate passion, my one true love, LIFTING WEIGHTS! Because of sports, my coaches always put a limit in my weight training so I wouldn’t compromise my “athleticism”. And let me tell you they were sooo wrong!!
Now in WA, I decided to get a job at Planet Fitness as front desk and began my fitness journey and was exposed to the fitness industry. Fast forward 8 months, I became the gym’s Fitness Instructor and a certified Personal Trainer. I had finally found my home!
I began to train like a bodybuilder and as the days went by, as the gains started to come in, I fell more and more in love with the human body. Unfortunately, my time as a trainer came to an end due to the fact that I work at Peak Sports and Spine Physical Therapy Clinic as a Physical Therapist Aide/Exercise Specialist. This job has reassured my passion and commitment to lifting weights and studying the human body as my career. Fast forward to March 2020, the world was shut down with no timeline in sight. At this point, the gym had become my best friend and my therapy, I didn’t know what I was going to do.
I was blessed with the news that one of the doctors at my clinic had a home gym! Fully equipped with dumbbells, a squat rack , and two platforms. I had never heard the term powerlifter in my life, and she explained it to me and I was hooked! I realized that this is what I wanted to do: squat , bench, and deadlift without weight restrictions, wellll except when ya know you’re in the process of getting stronger of course.
My powerlifting journey began in April 2020 and I have not and WILL NOT look back ever! What powerlifting has become in my life is larger than words can describe. From lifting over 300lbs + , to feeling strong, confident, sexy, way more mentally and emotionally stable to placing FIRST in my FIRST meet ever…powerlifting is the one thing I intend to do until I physically can’t LOL It is NOT easy but it is sooo fulfilling and incredible to see how far you can push your body.
Our bodies are beautiful temples and we only get ONE, love it, cherish it, treat it with respect, keep it healthy, and most importantly always put yourself first!
Remember, when life weighs you down and you hit that ass to grass bottom with alllll that weight on your back and shoulders, the only way is UP! NEVER STOP PUSHING!
You can follow Meli's journey @_meliiee20
