Dear Friends and Family,

We are so excited to share some news with you! Mom and I made the USA Powerlifting Team and will compete in our first Powerlifting World Championships on June 1st-8th in South Africa! We need YOUR help!

As you can imagine this is an expensive trip! We need approximately $12,000 to cover airfare, accommodations, food and other misc expenses. Our coach Jeff Robison will be joining us because without him this opportunity would never have happened; not to mention we can't imagine going without him!! Any amount will help! Aside from financial support we would also ask that you help us get the word out by sharing our page with your friends and family. Also please pray for us as we train and prepare for this adventure!

Last summer, my mom and I competed in the Powerlifting National Championships in Orlando, Florida. It was and amazing week, and we had a blast!! Mom had a fantastic meet! She came in first place in her age and weight class, qualifying her be on the USA World Team! ( I love to brag on her!) I am also very happy to say that I won my category as well, and have been invited onto the team!

Many people ask if I could qualify for the Olympics, and I am sorry to say that powerlifting is not an Olympic sport. Powerlifting consists of three movements called the Deadlift, Back Squat, and Bench Press, whereas the Olympic movements are different. In the sport of Powerlifting, this is the highest level of competition out there, and I am so excited to be part of it!

So now, we are training hard and getting ready! We now work out 3-4 times a week at 6am, with our amazing coach, Jeff. Whenever I'm a little out of it, coach promptly reminds me that there is some little Russian girl out there training hard! Well, that Russian girl better learn about the little American girl who is ready to take on the world!

In addition to the Worlds meet, my mom and I are planning to spend a few days visiting a missionary family stationed near Johannesburg. My father and brother had an opportunity to minister there last summer, and we are excited to be able to go as well. They have a flourishing ministry there which includes a baby house!! (So adorable!) I am so blessed to be able to serve God in this way!

Please consider giving us your support, any amount will help, as mom and me get ready to lift big at RAW Powerlifting Worlds in Johannesburg, South Africa!

Feeling so blessed!!

Love,

Lydia

A little about who we are:

Lydia is 15yrs old and with only a year and a half of lifting experience she currently holds 5 USAPL American Powerlifting records and 8 GA State records!She is a homeschooled sophomore and loves learning. Her favorite subjects are calculus, physics, and literature. In addition to powerlifting, she loves Crossfit, softball, skiing, reading, and crafting.

Cathy is married to Robert Mele and together they have three beautiful children. Robert (18), Lydia (15) and Ethan (11). They are all home schooled. About a year ago, after bringing Lydia to many early 6am training sessions, coach Jeff finally convinced her to give powerlifting a try and she quickly fell in love with the sport. She holds 2 GA State records for Deadlift and Total. She has always been athletic, but now in her late 40's she is enjoying a brand new sport and getting super strong!