‘Weightlifting reminds me what I’m capable of’
After turning to training to help overcome her grief, the journalist discovered so much more
How weightlifting transformed Poorna Bell’s life
‘It’s had such a positive impact on my career’
Now a competitive amateur powerlifter who can lift over twice her body weight, Poorna Bell’s journey to getting physically strong started with the realisation that following the death of her husband Rob, she had been relying on men to do the heavylifting. Weightlifting has helped her find the confidence, resilience and community she needed to deal with the trauma of her husband’s suicide in May 2015. As part of our Every Body Can campaign, Poorna – lifting an incredible 110kg – opens up to heat about how she’s continuing to overcome huge challenges. As well as discovering an undetected hole in her heart nine years ago, Poorna, 40, recently dealt with months of long COVID – her biggest challenge to her mental health since losing Rob.
Is the perception of women in weightlifting changing?
I’ve heard of a lot more women taking up strength sports – powerlifting, which I do, Crossfit, and strength-work classes. Grassroots organisations are meeting a need – it’s incredible. One of my favourite things is people Dm-ing to say thank you, as they started lifting after seeing me.
Weightlifting has helped you overcome huge challenges, including losing Rob?
It’s been life changing in really unexpected ways. When I started training, the goal was to become stronger. Then this entire world opened up. I’m more confident and self-assured in other areas of my life – it’s had such a positive impact on my career. I don’t feel intimidated in meetings when I previously did. How I carry and view myself is different. So much of it is psychological – it’s motivating yourself, having faith and belief.
Is there anything else it has taught you?
All my life I’ve dealt with imposter syndrome [where someone doubts their success and believes it’s merely down to luck]. Powerlifting means
I appreciate what I’ve achieved, while I’m achieving it. Last week, I did squats and thought, “I’m not feeling strong today.” But I exceeded what I thought I could at 90kg. That changed my entire day. I walked into the gym one person and came out a completely different one. Weightlifting is a reminder that I’m capable of more than I give myself credit for.
How do you feel hitting a PB?
You’re doing something that requires an enormous amount of physical exertion, then you move into this space of absolute quiet and calm mentally. The stillness of that stays with you for days afterwards. You can take that calmness everywhere.
What’s the training like?
I have to eat well, eat regularly and take care of myself. I have a fairly strict sleep routine, so I can recover and heal. In the evening, I turn off my phone. In the morning, I do yoga and have an hour without social media. I train about four times a week. Once a day, I’ll go outside, even for just ten minutes.
Our Every Body Can campaign is encouraging people to move more postlockdown – any advice?
Start with the smallest thing rather than a massive programme. That’s too overwhelming after an overwhelming year. How do you like to move – swimming, dancing, weights? Expand on that. An immediate go-to for people is cardio – they think it’ll get them in shape straightaway, which isn’t true. Cardio improves certain aspects of your fitness, but if you don’t like cardio, weightlifting is an amazing workout. It improves cardiovascular health, protects against osteoporosis and improves bone density.
There’s a real issue with teen girls not participating in fitness at the moment...
There’s a gender gap of physical activity. It’s not because teen girls don’t want to move. Apart from PE, I didn’t exercise between 14 and 23. There was part of me that thought it wasn’t important. Girls who have a good relationship with sport see massive benefits – being mentally agile, dealing with failure, problem-solving and confidence. Fitness is a really powerful part of your emotional toolbox – and everyone should have access to it.
How can people gain confidence?
It’s about dismantling this idea that fitness means weight loss.
That can be part of it, but fitness is so much bigger. It is getting stronger, healthier and improving athleticism – a different motivation to, “I need to exercise to lose weight.” ■
Stronger: Changing Everything I Knew About Women’s Strength by Poorna Bell is out now, priced at £16.99