"Stay True" With Alyssa Ritchey
Self-confidence is a POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL thing. For so many people, including myself, it can sometimes feel like this unattainable fairy tale.
However, when we see others simply be themselves, and have the unshakable courage to just DO THE FRICKEN THING, then it becomes possible for us too.
Alyssa Ritchey, Team USA 48kg weightlifter, is a woman who I deeply admire for her playful, beautiful spirit. She is JUST HERSELF and her authenticity and tenacity is so inspiring to women everywhere. This BittyStrong woman kicks ass, and in this interview, she gave me more courage to be myself than she probably knows.
What's your sport and how long have you been doing it?
I am one of the top weightlifters in the USA. I currently lift for Team USA as a 48kg weightlifter. I made weightlifting my sport late September 2016.
How does weightlifting affects your sense of self and body image?
Weightlifting is a sport that has weight classes. When I decided to make the switch to weightlifting, I also made the decision to cut 7kg/15.5lbs to compete as a 48kg/106lbs weightlifter. At the time I was weighing in at 55kg, so it took all the willpower I had to lose the weight in 9 weeks before my first competition as a 48kg weightlifter. When I made the cut to 48kg people were amazed with the amount of weight I lost in such a short period of time. Nick Shaw from Renaissance Periodization (RP), provided the diet template & expert advice to make the weight cut a success.
A year and a few months later I have made 5 successful weight cuts into the 48kg weight class with RP. Now I walk around at about 51.5kg-52.5kg, it depends on how clean my diet is.
I would say that don't necessary struggle with body image. There are days that I feel a little softer than others but come on, I am human. What I learned this past year from the diet is self control, will power, and how to fuel my body properly for training. I have always loved my body. I never struggled with an eating disorder or thoughts of one. I am just a girl that loves her sweets and eats big portion sizes. I still struggle EVERYDAY with making the right choices but there are days that are easier than others. I learn what fuel my body loves. I have self control. I have willpower.
But some days I just want a fricken cookie. And there is NOTHING wrong with that.
How has your body image changed through your weightlifting and sport journey?
I started sports when I was 9yrs old and I have been an athlete since. I think I might remember a small portion of my life without quads and biceps. There was a little less than 2 years when I was a little squirt around age 21-22. I was transitioning from track and field in college to just being a person that wanted to stay fit in the gym. I lost all my muscle in a few weeks because once I stop lifting heavy, I lose everything. In a few months I was 100lbs again, which for me that is a normal weight when I am not lifting heavy weights.
A few men noticed the muscle loss and commented that they thought I looked better with bigger quads and defined shoulders. I couldn't agree more. I felt little, underestimated, and I felt like I was losing my true identity.
I am Alyssa the athlete.
I have defined shoulders and no thigh gap. I love lifting heavy weights and feeling athletic. It's a part of who I am. It was those 2 years that I stopped staying true to my self. I have never wanted to be the skinny girl. I always have loved the definition, its just so gorgeous.
How does your sense of self relate to your sport?
I am a very small weightlifter that lifts heavy things. I am BittyStrong and I want all women to know that size determines nothing. Confidence can mask anything in the sport of weightlifting. If you think you cannot lift the weight then that is exactly what is going to happen. But if you are confident and attack the weight then most likely the lift will be made.
If you could describe your relationship with your body in one word, what would it be?
Powerful. I love how powerful my body is when I feel it move during every lift. It has never changed. I have felt this way ever since I was a little girl because my mind is just as powerful as my body.
If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be? Has sport changed that word?
Tenacious. Sports have built my mind over years to the beautiful strong minded woman that I am today. Without sports I might have never found my true purpose.
If you could write a letter to your younger self what would you say?
Stay true to yourself and never lose that unforgiving confidence people with tease you about.
If you could write a letter to your future self, what would you say?
Slow down and enjoy the journey because it is only a short time in your life. But dream big every chance you get.
If you could write a letter to all women of the world, what is one piece of advice you would give them?
Stop thinking so much and if you want something then DANG IT fricken go after it.
Chase it even if you are unsuccessful somedays. Rome was not built over night so remember that it might take years to accomplish what you set out for.
But never lose hope because you can have ANYTHING you want and if you want it bad enough you will have to give up other things in life to build the dream life you have in your mind.
How do you think your life would be different if you had never been involved in weightlifting?
I don't want to know. I love this life way too much.
Find Alyssa on IG: alyssaritchey1