Sponsored Athletes
2024 -25

Powerlifting

Julene Hurley

I have been powerlifting for 5 years now. It took me the same number of years to figure out that this type of training was for me. I went from home workouts and running, to body pump style workouts, to strength training. I knew once I started strength training, it was what I wanted to do and pursue to be at a competitive level in the sport of powerlifting. My first competition was in 2018. It was the most fun & empowering thing to meet new people, and cheer each other on to make our lifts! The community surrounding powerlifting is so amazing, and I am forever grateful for those who have been a part of my journey. I set IL State records at that meet and all of it fueled me to get better on every level of my health. My driving force is to be a healthy Mom for my son who is now 11. To love on him and show him that with faith, patience, dedication, and consistency, we can meet our goals in everything we want to do. 
In May 2020, during Covid I was training in my barn and failed a squat. I ended up breaking both fibulas and was put in ankle to thigh splints. I was wheelchair bound for a day and then was told I could cut off the splints and try to walk. From there, I progressed walking, then training again. I kept the faith, determination, and consistency in my rehab and vowed that I would be back on that platform again as soon as possible. Ten months later, I did a meet and successfully completed the weight that broke my legs. During my rehab, a bone density scan was done on me since I was 46 years old. Fifteen years prior to that, I had one done because I was in the throes of anorexia. I was diagnosed with Osteopenia because the health of my bones were poor for my age. The bone scan, now at 46 years old, came back and my bone density was normal for my age! I fully feel that strength training and changing my nutritional habits directly contributed to my bones being now healthy!
I knew then that I wanted to empower every woman I knew to employ some type of strength training into their life.
I now compete at the highest stage of Multi-ply Powerlifting with top lifters in the nation. It was a level I wasn't sure I'd ever achieve, but I just followed the philosophy I wrote about above for my son and for others that I work with to get here.
I believe in strength and stability training. The stronger and more stable you are, the better you can handle healing from any injury, accident, health procedure, or surgery. Being strong and stable also helps prevent all those things! My philosophy aligns wonderfully with Rituals Chiropractic & Wellness. I enjoy training functional movement for all ages & body types, to employ methods to help others move efficiently, and to empower others feel confident in their progress towards optimal health. I am so grateful for this opportunity!