Gym Saved My Life!

When Charlie Hartwell began powerlifting five years ago, he was searching for a way to cope with his mental health challenges and channel his energy into something positive.

At just 13 years old, Charlie described his life as being "a bit of a mess" at the time.

It didn’t take long for him to discover that exercising made him "feel good," and it quickly turned into a passion.

Now 18, Charlie balances nightly gym sessions with college and a part-time job, saying, "The gym pretty much saved my life."

Hailing from Harborough in Leicestershire, Charlie recently triumphed in his category at the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) Championships held in March.

This victory secured him a place at the World Championships, set to take place in Italy.

Charlie achieved this milestone by bench pressing 122.5kg and deadlifting 190kg in the over-18 classification, earning him the title of champion.

"It took me a couple of weeks to fully process that I’m the champion," he admitted.

As an engineering student, Charlie is now eagerly preparing for the "massive" World Championships in Rome, which will be held this June.

"It's such an exciting time for me, everyone at the gym, and my family as well," he shared.

A Journey of Dedication

Reflecting on the road that brought him to this point, Charlie emphasized the determination required to achieve his goals.

"It’s taken a lot of dedication, time, and effort," he said. "The gym has helped me tremendously—not just with my mental health but also academically, professionally, and socially.

I honestly couldn’t picture myself in a better place than where I am right now."

Ian Bartlett, who trains alongside Charlie at Bruno's Gym in Market Harborough, spoke about the impressive progress Charlie has made in such a short time.

"When Charlie first started, I was lifting much heavier weights, and he’d always tease me, saying he was going to surpass me," Ian recounted.

"Now, three years later, he’s done just that."

Ian added, "I’m just so proud of him."

Source: bbc

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