First of all, some background! I’m Darcy, your new powerlifting coach. You’ll find me perennially pacing the turf, dowell in hand, every Tuesday and Thursday.

Growing up, athletics was an obligation. My sisters and I had no choice in the matter, and to be honest, it never occurred to me that we should. We just had to show up. To some extent I carry this philosophy with me today – that you just haveto show up sometimes.

I grew up in figure skating and synchronized skating. I was good enough at one to make it to Canadians to compete a few times (in synchronized skating – guess I’ve always been drawn to niche sports), and entirely average at the other. That kept me busy, and, as my mom put it “out of the malls” until I was 16.

I didn’t fall in love with athletics again until I was nearly 30. I started with the same goal so many of us do, to lose a little weight, and I came out of it with an entirely different personality, and a strong sense of accomplishment and self-worth. Me and the barbell were meant to be.

To the Crossfitters: I was one of you once! Occasionally, I still am. Crossfit was a sort of gateway drug for me. It came into my life at a time when I was struggling and made it better. I guess I’ve done it off and on for nearly 7 years now.

I started powerlifting just about the second Hank’s Powerhouse came into existence – I think sometime in 2017, and it spoke to me. I’ve loved being fit, but to be frank, me and cardio are just barely acquaintances, let alone friends. I love chasing that PR feeling, and the sense of community the smaller powerlifting program provides.

Lifting something you’d never have even considered 6 months or a year ago comes with such a sense of pride in the work you’ve done and the capacity your body has or it’s own small kind of greatness.

Now, I’m fascinated by the “why” behind it all. Why do we train this way? What’s the purpose of this move? How does it all fit together, and how do the different lifters I train respond? It’s so simple: just three main movements. With a world of complexity and thoughtful planning behind it.

What’s the strangest talent you have?

I can partially dislocate both my hips on command.

What are three things still left on your bucket list?

Learn guitar, do a long distance hike, live abroad

If you could have any one superpower, which would you choose?

Healing – just think of my recovery scores!

You are stranded on a desert island and can only bring one item with you. What would it be and why?

Probably a book on how to survive that.