Lainey Galloway is a new teacher and coach at Livingston ISD. Those responsibilities can absorb many of the day’s hours, but she has found enough time to train and become a world champion.
On Sunday, Galloway won at the IDFPA World Championships. It is a drug-free powerlifting community and program.
“We get up there and lift big, heavy things,” the newly crowned champ said. “We lifted with Guam, the Netherlands, Jamaica, and the U.S. and just people all around the country. So, people all around the country traveled to (Houston) to lift in this competition.
“There are age groups and there's weight classes. So, I was in the juniors, which is the 21-23. And then, there's also open and masters, which also are age groups. You can lift in those up to 100 years old.
Galloway started powerlifting in college for Sam Houston State University.
“I really got into it after high school. I was encouraged to try out because I had been lifting with some friends just at our local gym at LFC.”
Still not sure if she was strong enough, she attended a meeting at Sam Houston.
“I just really threw myself out there and I ended up being one of the strongest girls on the team,” Galloway said. “I went to nationals twice and got fifth my first year and third my second year that I lifted. I was an All-American, and then it just kind of progressed from there.
“Then, I went to nationals this summer and got first, and I qualified for World. So, I've been lifting for three years now.”
Galloway is teaching ag courses at Livingston Junior High and High School. Along with that, she also coaches tennis and helps with volleyball and powerlifting. Somewhere before, after or in between, she trains.
“We typically go with like an eight- or six-week prep. I was in offseason from August through September. And then, we really started training hard for Worlds in October. This was probably one of the hardest preps I've had. Not only mentally, but physically, just because of the new job, new opportunities, coaching, and just being busy and wanting to be super involved with my athletes and my kids. It does take a toll on you.
“I would typically train for like four to five days. But me and my coach, we revisited the drawing board, because I want to be the best athlete I can be personally, and be the best coach I can be as well. We visited about only doing a three-day split and I was just going to have to go really hard those three days. So, it was a lot of early mornings and late nights, and just three-plus hours in the gym those three days. It takes a toll on your body, but that's just what you have to do to be a champion, to be honest.”
Galloway was kind enough to speak with the Enterprise just an hour after winning a world championship.
“Today was probably one of the best meets I've had mentally and physically. I’ve had a little bit of congestion and all the sinus pressure yesterday and slept it off and felt really good today. I (recorded a personal best) on every lift in my total.”
Galloway squatted 530 pounds, benched 209 pounds, and deadlifted 463 pounds, for a total just over 1,200 pounds. Even after reaching the pinnacle of the sport, she still wants to accomplish more.
“World is really right now the best you can be, so that is pretty awesome, but there's definitely more meets ahead. Hopefully, more championships are ahead and more Worlds ahead.”
