Zelda’s Interview was brought to you as part of our "More than" campaign for International Women's Day 2023.

In association with

Zelda (she/her) is a weightlifter, amongst many other things such as being a civil engineer. We’d love to share with you her newfound love of weightlifting and the change it’s brought to her life!

How long have you been weightlifting and how did you start?

I started weightlifting a year ago, through a taster session that I saw advertised online at GCB (Glasgow City Barbell).

How do you feel when lifting weights?

Strong & powerful!

How has weightlifting impacted your life?

It’s increased my confidence in myself and how I look. It allows me to love by body and improve my overall strength in other sports I participate in!

Have you ever felt underestimated because of your gender identity in life?

Yes, on multiple occasions. As a Female Civil Engineer your skills are always questioned, you’re faced with the dilemma of people assuming you are where you are due to positive discrimination, that you don’t belong, and feeling you’re lesser than your male counterparts.

Do you feel there is an equal balance of opportunities for your gender in weightlifting?

Weightlifting is one of the fortunate sports where I have not experienced lack of opportunity due to my gender. Although this could be biased as I’ve only been competing for a year.

What would you say to a younger version of you hesitant to get into weightlifting?

Ignore the stereotypes surrounded by particulate Genders in certain Sports and do what you love.

What would you love to see change for people of your gender in the sports you do or life in general?

I would love to see female sports gain the same recognition as men’s, it’s the most frustrating aspect. When there are positions such has most capped player that completely disregard the female category, it should be corrected with “most capped male player”. I just want female sportswomen to get the recognition they deserve.

What makes you feel powerful?

Being in the gym with my training partner, I feel invincible.

When do you feel your best?

I feel my best surrounded by like minded people, doing the things I love without the fear of judgement for my sex, gender or race.

International Women's Day: Introducing Zelda (she/her)