Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Salerni.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started powerlifting as a freshman at the Naval Academy. I fell in love and voraciously read and researched how to become stronger and better at the sport. I coached myself for two years, but after getting a few overuse injuries I realized I needed more guidance. My coach is a huge reason for my success and guided my work ethic to support the strength I’ve built. I started painting as an off day activity because I love lifting and I needed something to keep me distracted on my rest days! I’ve fallen in love with creating art and think about painting all week until I can do it on the weekends.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Initially, the hardest part of my journey was going into the gym by myself. It can be very intimidating as a woman in the weights section when you have no idea what you’re doing. I just asked advice from people who were bigger than me and did a lot of research on exercise and workouts. My journey has also hosted injuries, and many people telling me that I couldn’t do a lot of things. The most frustrating was being told I couldn’t compete for “raw” for powerlifting. I hated single-ply and had no interest in competing geared, so somewhat spitefully, I put on the very loose gear, so I could compete somewhat raw. After a year of that, I decided to give the gear a serious go and have training everything I had. I ended up winning nationals and made the national team, and will be competing at worlds in May. I wish I would have given gear my best shot, to begin with, by using gear that fits. I don’t recommend half-assing anything. Art-wise, initially, my paintings were awful! However, I really enjoyed making them so I continued. The more I learned about the science of paint and how certain things affected the outcome of the painting, the better the art began to look.
Please tell us about your work.
I specialize in the bench press and abstract art! Very different skills but both inspire joy. I bench three times a week and do a lot of grueling accessories to support that. Most of the time, I love bench day, but I think what sets me apart is I train even when I don’t feel like it or I’m tired. The difference between motivation and dedication is where success lies. You don’t need to be motivated to do everything, you just have to do it. Art though, I do for fun and I love seeing people’s emotional reactions to an arrangement of paint. I was inspired by a powerlifting friend whose art really spoke to me, so it’s interesting how lifting and art coincide in my life.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I think huge barriers to female leadership are people putting each other down, gossip, and lack of belief in our own abilities. There will always be outside forces trying to bring you down regardless of your gender, how you respond to that is what will make you stay down, or become more successful than before. Learning to use adversity to your advantage is how women and people, in general, will succeed.
Pricing:
- My art goes for anywhere from $5 to $500
Contact Info:
- Email: ksaaalll@yahoo.com
- Instagram: katyliftz, katypaintz
Image Credit:
Katie Salerni, Loaded Bar Collective
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