The Jenn was quite possibly the most amazing weekend ever. It came at a time in my life where I was deficient in passion. Watching, Jenn Rotsinger, who is incredibly reserved when you first meet her, walk on stage and make an entire crowd of people erupt was incredible. At 112 lbs, she went for a world record deadlift of 413 lbs. Although, she did not make the lift, as Richard Ficca himself put it, “Some of the best lifts don’t need white lights”. You’ve probably all seen the video but in case you haven’t, the weight broke the floor, her knees locked out and then she passed out. The whole room was screaming, jumping up and down and clapping as she lifted it. There was more passion in her 112 lb frame than some people have in their entire lives. She is one incredible lady and that will be a moment I never forget.

That was the biggest highlight, but there were so many more. The weekend was filled with girls who hadn’t learned of the meet until two weeks prior come and break several records and qualify for the nationals was just down right cool. Watching 15 year old phenoms pull numbers some grown men would never dream of. Seeing the great Tony Conyers’ eyes light up watching his daughter lift. And seeing two little girls in the crowd hold up a sign that said, “Go Mom #strong” every time their mom walked on stage. It was magical.

As I sat there at my booth, watching the women on stage, I regretted not signing up to compete myself. I wanted to be a part of it. I wanted to be a part of the legendary event that was the first annual The Jenn Rotsinger’s Women’s Empowerment weekend in Tampa, Florida.

I’ve heard that there is absolutely going to be a second annual event and I implore all of you, if you are not going to compete, just be there. Support women and companies that support women. It’s so important for there to be event like this for us and only us! The world of women’s powerlifting is growing but we have to do our part to keep it alive.