Southside Storm Weightlifting Club

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The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, will begin in exactly 25 days, with the Opening Ceremony officially commencing on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

As many of you know, the journey back to competition hasn't been an easy one.

Over the years I've undergone 14 surgical procedures on my dominant arm, and 20 months ago I suffered a serious back injury that left me hospitalised for more than three weeks. There were many times when returning to competitive weightlifting seemed unlikely.

I would like to sincerely thank James and everyone at Unity Gym in Newcastle Upon Tyne (Unit 1b, Union Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, NE2 1AH) for your friendship, support, and generosity during my recent stay in the UK. By allowing me access to your gym, you gave me the opportunity to continue training and maintain a level of strength that made it possible for me to compete upon my return to Australia.

Without your help, that simply would not have been possible.

While my numbers on the platform were not spectacular, the result was never just about the kilos on the bar. It was about being around like-minded people, continuing the journey, and proving to myself that setbacks don't have to define the future.

I'm proud to have achieved:
🥇 1st Place in Australia – Masters 60–64 Age Group, 88kg Weight Class
🥈 2nd Place in the World Cup – Masters 60–64 Age Group, 88kg Weight Class

Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, and believed in me along the way. Your friendship and support mean more than you know.

The journey continues.

POST 3 -Cut Ultra-Processed Foods

Eliminate ultra-processed foods like packaged snacks and fast food. These age your cells and increase chronic disease risk.
Go whole foods, protein-forward, fibre-rich.

Follow us, we will introduce you to small lifestyle changes which will impact your total wellbeing.
Want to live longer and feel stronger while doing it? The science is clear, longevity isn’t just about adding years, it’s about protecting your heart, brain, metabolism, muscles, sleep, stress, and community. Every small daily habit you eliminate or improve compounds over time into more energy, better recovery, reduced disease risk, and a healthier life for decades to come. Whether you're supporting NDIS participants to thrive holistically, or lifting iron to build resilience and strength culture, the foundation is the same: remove the things that damage you, replace them with habits that repair you, and surround yourself with a community that lifts you up. Longevity is a lifestyle, and it starts today.

POST 2: Remove Sugary Drinks

Eliminate soft drinks and energy drinks. They drive inflammation, diabetes risk, and metabolic stress.
Swap them for water, tea, or unsweetened coffee.

POST 1: Eliminate Smoking

To boost lifespan and quality of life, eliminate smoking and va**ng. No amount is safe — this is the biggest avoidable health risk.
Replace it with fresh air, daily walks, and lung-friendly habits.