Lifting Makes Me – My Åström

My Åström is the fourth generation powerlifter in her family, but what sets her apart is that she is only 10. My started lifting at the age of six with her father, Simon. What started as a fun hobby has grown into a passion – and it’s only the beginning. In an interview with Eleiko, My shares how lifting has helped her in life, in the swimming pool, and reveals her big plans for the future: to become the best powerlifter in Sweden.

10-year old My lives in Umeå, northern Sweden, with her father Simon. The father-daughter duo has strength training as one of their favourite activities. Simon, who is a coach at UMEÅ POWER and studies at the University of Dalarna, expanded his home gym following the seperation from My’s mother to be able to fit training in the schedule while still balancing family life as a single dad. What began as a simple home gym setup has grown into a full strengh training area that is popular with kids and adults in the neighbourhood alike – and the Åström’s door is always open.

”I was only six when my father and I started training together, starting with basics such as squats and bench press. I was already so strong that I could bench press with the barbell. Now, strength training is something I love to do with family and friends. In the summer, we carry all the equipment outside and all the neighbourhood kids join in. Everyone is welcome,” says My.

My’s passion for strength comes as no surprise. She is the fourth generation lifter in the Åström family, and lifts several times a week as a compliment to her other hobbies - swimming and dancing.

”I am very proud of being strong. My great grandfather competed in powerlifting in the 70’s, my grandfather in the 80’s, my father competed in Crossfit and as soon as I turn 11, I am allowed to start competing in powerlifting in Sweden. I can’t wait,” says My.

Despite her young age, My continues to reach new personal bests, with an impressive 36 kg in bench press, 65 kg in squat and 70 kg in deadlift. My’s goal for the future is clear – she wants to become the best powerlifter in the country.

”My goal is to become the best I can be at powerlifting. In fact, I want to become the best powerlifter of all in Sweden! But I know that it takes time and everything starts with the perfect technique, so my father and I often focus on that. My favourite lift right now is bench press, and my biggest challenge is the deadlift. Most of the time, my father and I are best friends, but sometimes, we become enemies when he comes with too many technique pointers,” says My.

My shares that her strength has proven useful in many ways– especially in the swimming pool.

”As I become stronger, I also get better at swimming. I can swim twice as long as all the other kids my age – I think all the bench pressing has helped me with that! I am the strongest kid on the schoolyard, can lift and carry most of my friends and can even lift heavier than some of my teachers. Sometimes, I choose lifting over playing with my friends. Lifting makes me happy,” she says.

My’s father, Simon, coaches her on a weekly basis, a ritual that has become a weekly highlight for the family. My often joins Simon at the gym to watch his training sessions, or join a kid’s class. Simon shares his recipe for success when lifting with children – keeping it simple, fun and stress-free.

”Lifting comes with so many important benefits, such as increased muscle mass, better immune system, a healthy body image and a strong mind. It also teaches you about life itself. The lifting community is really supportive, and there is so much quality of life to be gained from being strong. I want My to train throghout her years, just as I have – and the training we do together today is really laying the foundation for lifelong strength. To be able to share my passion with my daughter is incredible,” says Simon.