Athlete Spotlight: Abby Raymond
Abby Raymond is a 13 year old National Champion and American Record holder in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. If that's not impressive enough, she's also only 53kg and can snatch 65+ and clean and jerk 83+. She's also the youngest person I know that is so diligent and disciplined with her sport and her nutrition. I've gotten to know Abby over the past 8 months and she's like my little sister. She's so much more than the numbers and the records and here's some more about her below!
How were you introduced to Ashleigh/A-Hub Nutrition?
I was introduced to Ashleigh by another lifter when I needed to start making weight for competitions.
How long have you been coached by Ashleigh?
I have been working with Ashleigh for about 8 months now.
What is your background like? (Hometown, hobbies, sports, etc)
I am 13 years old and am going into 8th grade. I live in Chicago and stared off doing gymnastics when I was little. When I got older I stopped doing that and got into soccer and crossfit. After about a year, I stopped with crossfit and got into weightlifting. I took first in the Youth Nationals last year, and broke several American Records through out the year.
What was your nutrition like before you started with A-Hub Nutrition?
Before I started working with A-Hub Nutrition, I would eat pretty much what ever I wanted to and whenever I wanted to.
What is your style of training and do you compete?
My style of training is olympic weightlifting and I do compete in some local competitions and some national competitions.
What are some of your future goals?
Some of my future goals are making the Youth Pan Am team, Youth World team, Youth Olympic team, and eventually the Olympic team for the sport of weightlifting.
Has your performance in the gym changed at all since tracking macros?
My performance has changed, my numbers have increased and I feel better and stronger lifting.
What are some changes you've made in your life since tracking macros?
Some changes I have made was going up a weight class, eating different/healthier, and learning how to work with different foods so you get better results when preforming.
What's your favorite workout and/or lift?
My favorite lift is the snatch.
What's your least favorite workout and/or lift?
My least favorite lift is a front squat.
What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is pizza or pasta!
Who inspires you the most?
My coach, Roger Nielsen, and my family inspire me the most when lifting.
Last but not least, what is one piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to make a lifestyle change and hire a nutrition coach?
One piece of advice I would give someone who is looking to hire a nutrition coach is that you will need to be prepared to say no to foods that you will want to eat and stay strong mentally. Keep your eyes on the goal you set for yourself when you made the decision to start working with a nutritionist, don't let food get in the way of that.
