Lifting Makes Me – Jessica Buettner

With three unofficial world records under her powerlifting belt, two time-IPF powerlifting world champion (JR 72 kg) Jessica Buettner is a force to be reckoned with. In an exclusive interview with Eleiko, the Canadian powerlifter shares her story of overcoming the odds, what motivates her to lift heavy and how the sport of powerlifting has influenced who she is - and who she is becoming.

How did you get from track and field to powerlifting?

I competed in pole vault and shot put on a varsity level in university, but a snowboarding accident resulted that I couldn’t run properly for a while. As part of rehab, I decided to start lifting weights that summer. I joined a gym in the small town where I grew up and had a friend there who showed me the basics of powerlifting - and I ended up really liking it. Leaving track and field behind was a hard decision to make, as that is where all my friends were, but once I started meeting the powerlifting community, it really made a difference for me.

How was your first competition experience?

My first competition was a provincial meet that I decided to go to on a whim. It was a very spur of the moment sort of thing. I was used to track competitions which can be pretty cutthroat where your competitors are trying to intimate you. Powerlifting was the complete opposite. Everyone was very welcoming. I did not even have a belt, so Rhea Stinn, who was one of my competitors, lent me hers. That supportive nature is what I still love about the powerlifting community. After the meet, I knew that powerlifting was something I wanted to continue with.

How does powerlifting influence who you are?

Lifting makes me motivated and confident. No matter my mood, it puts me in a positive headspace and makes me feel like I have achieved something and done something for myself before the day even begins. Lifting kicks my anxiety to the curb so I can focus more clearly on other things going on in my life and gives me something to look forward to. It just makes me feel so stable as a person. Powerlifting is my outlet and has allowed me to achieve things that I never thought I could. It also helps me manage my type 1 diabetes.

How does having type 1 diabetes influence your training and competing?

I always say that nothing is impossible when you have type 1 diabetes, but it is going to be more difficult. I take insulin about 10-15 times a day and check my blood sugar every few minutes when I am competing. When my sugars go high or low, that really messes with my performance. I do lose some strength when my sugars are out of line but I do my best, correct and go from there.

However, it’s not all bad. An advantage of being a diabetic is that I always have to keep track of my blood sugars, forcing me to watch my diet, which helps to set myself up for competition and to have a good body composition. Having diabetes helps keep me in a routine, which is good for powerlifting.

How would you describe the powerlifting community in Saskatoon?

Rise Strength Lab in Saskatoon, where I train, is one of my favourite places in the whole world. It doesn’t matter if you are doing heavy squats or simply some bicep curls - somebody is going to be there cheering you on. Something I really enjoy at the club is hosting ladies nights where we hosted women who may be intimidated by lifting and showed them the basics of powerlifting. It’s an accepting and encouraging atmosphere.

What motivates you to become stronger?

I look up a lot to my competition. There are so many strong women in the sport of powerlifting, and I want to stay on their level. Getting stronger is important for everyone, and especially for women. But ultimately, for me, it’s about self-motivation. I want to work towards being stronger, and lift heavier, than I ever have before.

You work full time as a pharmacist, but still manage to train 5-6 times a week. What is your secret?

My best advice to make time for lifting is to just make it happen - to show up. I prioritize training by lifting before work. Now that I am training at home, I am up at 6 am trying to deadlift without waking up my neighbours. I also make time for other things that give me energy, like hiking, cooking, hanging out with my puppy, and cross-country skiing. I’ve recently gotten back into snowboarding - although I am pretty nervous that I am going to hurt myself every time I go…

Can you tell us about some of your competition highlights?

Winning the world championships in 2018, where I also broke three junior powerlifting records, was an amazing experience. I love Canada, but I had never really felt super patriotic until the moment when I was standing on that platform.

At the 2020 Canadian Powerlifting Union Nationals in Winnipeg, I hit 210 kg on the squat rack, deadlifted 250 kg and managed a total of 562.5 kg through the three lifts. All three of those are unofficial world records in my weight class. Only lifts performed at sanctioned world events are eligible to count for world records—not a national event. But I surprised myself with how heavy I was able to lift. It gives me that confidence that I need moving forward, and the drive to continue to lift heavy. I also had a few people from Rise Strength Club there cheering me on, which was a highlight for me.

How do you best prepare for competitions?

Every time I do a heavy squat, deadlift or bench, I just visualize what it is like to step up on that platform and have that audience around you. It usually helps me, gives me an extra bit of adrenaline. The mental energy to lift heavy is harder than the physical. Rehearsing it mentally sets me up for doing it physically. If you hit depth every time, and you squat as heavy, you are going to be fine. I like to say “It's not practice that makes perfect; it's perfect practice makes perfect.”

What are your goals for 2021?

I really want to deadlift 600 pounds. And I don’t care if I have to use a deadlift bar, straps or a deadlift suit. It’s hard to have solid goals for 2021, because of the situation in the world and competitions being postponed. But 600 pounds deadlift is something I really want to make happen this year!