An Intensive Care Nurse from Haverill hopes to bring home gold for Team GB
Siobhan Taylor will be competing in Austin Texas in just under 50 days at the Powerlifting Championships
Last updated 14th Apr 2024
An intensive care nurse is aiming to become the powerlifting world champion after being selected to represent Great Britain at the 2024 IPF World Championships in Austin, Texas.
Siobhan Taylor works at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and began powerlifting seven years ago, in August 2017 after a back injury.
She told us that while nursing a back injury often means giving up your job, she was determined this wasn't going to be her.
She sought advice from a physiotherapist who recommended she learned how to lift weights and strengthen her core.
Since then she has gained multiple titles:
- Commonwealth Champion
- All England Champion for powerlifting
- British Champion and European Champion on the equipped bench
"It's a very big source of pride and I'm hoping that I do it justice and make people proud of what I'm able to achieve."
We spoke to Siobhan about everything from starting the sport at 39 years old, balancing the sport whilst working full time and being a mum as well as what it's like to be a role model for others out there who might want to get involved.
When asked about being a role model for others she described how inclusive the sport has been for her, and the support she has received.
She commented how previously it was seen as a very male-dominated area but that this is changing to be more accepting of women as "society is a bit more accepting of women doing what we consider male-based things."
"I'm super grateful for the support. I'm very, very, very fortunate."
With multiple titles under her belt, Siobhan has become a role model for others in the community.
She explained how happy this makes her - when she started "it was difficult for me to find somebody that looked like me to say that was a place I could be.
"So if that's if that's the only thing that I can ever put out in the world. If that's my legacy, that there are women that are like, that's for me too, that makes me really happy."
She told us she is currently training 3 times a week with her coach and personal trainer, is eating well, staying hydrated and making sure to get enough rest as well.
She went on to say how her family have continually supported her and her youngest even claims "bragging rights" by saying " My Mum I'm stronger than your dad."
"I wept happy tears"
Siobhan was ecstatic when she learned she would be representing Team GB at this event and recalled the moment she saw her uniform for the first time.
It came via post, and sat on the table for 2 days before she could bring herself to open it.
"It still makes me want to cry. I'm incredibly proud that I get to do this.
"Little Siobhan who grew up in a tiny village in South Cambridge... this was never something that was on her radar of,when I grow up, so to be able to be doing this sport, at this level and being able to wear the kit that says GBR written across my chest.
"I'm really, really, really proud"
"To bring home any medal off that podium at a World Championship level, it's a dream."
We asked what it would mean to her to bring home gold for Team GB, she revealed the thought of it happening makes her "tummy flip" makes her feel "slightly sick - in a good way" and gives her "goosebumps."
But she'd be happy with any medal.
Powerlifting is not yet considered an Olympic Sport but this is something Siobhan would love to see.
But in order for that to happen, she believes there needs to be "good support and good coverage from grassroots level right up to the level" she'll be competing at.