We talked to Jess Nish, Australia’s Strongest u73 of 2023 about her journey as an athlete.
Can you tell us about your journey as an athlete? How did you get started in your sport, and what motivated you to pursue it?
Started strongman as a way to get fit and lose weight. Completely fell in love with it and the community.
What is your favourite aspect of being an athlete, and what challenges have you faced along the way?
Favourite aspect of being an athlete is going and smashing my own personal goals i set for myself. Travelling and meeting other athletes is also a perk.
How do you balance your athletic career with other aspects of your life, such as work, education, or family commitments?
Balance can be difficult having 100% care of two kids. Luckily I can take my kids with me to the gym while I train. Having only 4 days of training a week gives me plenty of flexibility.
What does a typical training day or week look like for you? How do you prepare yourself physically and mentally for competitions?
Training session go anywhere between 2-3 hours depending on how much gasbagging I do. I have a 4 day training split that’s determined on comps and goals coming up.
Physically for comps is a lot of taking care of my body. Getting treatments done when needed, eating well and listening to my coaches goes a long way too.
What role do you believe gender plays in the world of sports? Have you encountered any stereotypes or biases related to being a woman in your sport?
100% gender plays a role in sport as it does in all of society. I however have been lucky to not encounter anything negative personally but I am aware of the “don’t lift, you’ll get too bulky” stigma women face.
Can you share a memorable achievement or highlight from your athletic career that you are particularly proud of?
My most memorable achievement is definitely placing 3rd at the middle weights final in Toowoomba this year. Super happy to podium at my first national level comp.
How do you stay motivated during difficult times or when facing setbacks in your athletic journey?
Motivation comes and goes. Having specific goals set keep me accountable and give me something to chase. Deloading when the body is feeling rough helps too.
Are there any specific goals or aspirations you have for your athletic career in the near future? How do you plan to achieve them?
Goals for this year are breaking the u73 Australian log record and prequalifying for middle weights final next year.
Leave a comment