How Kettlebells Lift My Life
by Mayachela (Maya) Garcia, IC Kettlebell Team • Dec 10th, 2009 • Category: Kettlebell
One of the greatest things about my involvement in Kettlebell Sport over the past two years has been the opportunity to travel across the US and abroad to attend various meets and competitions. Even though the commitment to travel has been challenging as a mother, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Leaving home is not only an essential part of being a competitor in this sport, but also an important catalyst for cultivating time for my own interests and sense of well being. I think many mothers have a challenging time prioritizing their own needs, and I’m certainly no exception, but what I haven’t had the courage to share publicly until now is that we’ve also been coping with our son’s gradual regression into the world of autism.
He no longer attends the wonderful little preschool in which he was initially enrolled so I became a full-time mother again this Fall. I wish I could say that I’ve become a champion of acceptance and awareness, but the truth is that I’m still doing a lot of internal kicking and screaming while learning to deal with the reality of the challenges ahead for our family. 
All things considered, I do have great moments of peace and optimism (like the beautiful time we spent together at the beach last week) and, like any mom, I am profoundly dedicated to my son’s growth, development, and happiness… So I know one thing for certain: I have to take really good care of all three of us at home and that has involved compromising important commitments like my return to work — both a personal and professional disappointment — among other obvious sacrifices. However, I did not give up on the goals we set out to achieve as a competitive kettlebell lifting team. Our focus on technical improvement and refinement of the foundational lifts has served as a critical lifeline for me throughout 2009. It’s allowed me to stay present and engaged.
As I look back on our domestic travels across the U.S. in addition to the international trips to Greece, Latvia, and Croatia, I can say for certain that we have incredible memories to cherish as a result. My competition season was mixed with highs and lows, and yet through it all, each destination provided a unique perspective on the value of coaching, training and bonding with unfamiliar places and people outside of our comfort zones. 
For me, each trip was also a much needed escape from the private, often heartbreaking, times we were facing at home. Today, I appreciate these aspects of Kettlebell Sport much more than my personal achievements on the platform. In fact, our most recent trip to Croatia proved to be the most pivotal in this regard because we decided to go knowing there would not be rank issued. In other words, it would be just for fun and our love of lifting kettlebells.
Along with my teammates Sara and Surya, head coach Cate Imes, and my husband Steve, we flew to Zagreb as part of the U.S. delegation to the WKC European Long Cycle meet. My performance there was less than satisfying to say the least, but it was easily overshadowed by the joy of meeting new friends and discovering this fascinating ancient city through their eyes. From the moment we touched down in Croatia, we were treated with a level of hospitality that I’ve yet to experience anywhere. Our Croatian hosts treated us like long lost relatives reuniting for the first time. We were treated to foods, historic sites, and local hot spots that even Samantha Brown (Travel Channel fame) would be envious of. 
We spent the rest of the trip exploring with fellow lifters from Slovenia, Germany, Denmark, U.K., and Finland. With my teammates and husband by my side, any sense of failure that the day triggered for me was quickly overcome by love and support. In a touching discussion with them immediately after the meet, we all came to the same conclusion that the experiential process of our unique sport (training individually and then traveling to lift collectively) has given us unexpected life lessons beyond our wildest dreams–truly the best part of competitive athletics in our opinion. Who would have ever predicted the journey taking so many amazing twists and turns in only twelve months time?
Our team took home national titles at Arnold Schwartzenegger’s Sports Expo in Columbus, OH this past March.
In Greece, it was quite an adventure training in a male dominated Kettlebell Sport camp. You may recall, this earned me lots of cool points as a new mom.
In Latvia, I traveled with my own mama (one of the most compassionate and generous grandmothers on the planet) and several great friends to compete amongst international lifters. To my shock and amazement, I took 1st place and won the Best Lifter Award in the overall women’s division (ironic since I felt like the Worst Overall as a mom).
Along with Coach Cate Imes, we became the first team of women in the country to achieve our Candidate for Master of Sport rank and therefore become eligible to compete with the 20kg bell at the World Kettlebell Lifting Championships in Chicago in August.
One of the main highlights of my kettlebell lifting career thus far was personally coaching my teammate, Jessica DiBiase, to a Master of Sport victory on the platform in Las Vegas last month. We are proud to say that Jessica is now the first American female to have earned this distinguished rank with the 20kg bell under the WKC Rank System. Go Jess!
In Croatia, I learned that the greatest gifts that I’ve received from the sport have nothing to do with competition on the platform, but instead are grounded in friendship, self-discovery and empowerment. And speaking of which, I’m still dedicated to finishing in 2010 what I set out to accomplish last year: my own Master of Sport rank someday. Wish me luck!
MAYACHELA (MAYA) GARCIA is a mother and co-founder of Ice Chamber, a unique athletic training facility in Albany, CA. Her area of expertise is getting women (especially moms) in top shape utilizing kettlebells, bodyweight movements, weightlifting, and their natural environment... {more»}
Related Chi: Kettlebells in Greece
My Road to Kettlebells
A Coach’s Gold Medal?
IC Kettlebell Girls on Top of the World
Kettlebell Tutorial: One Arm Push Press
Maya,
It is an honor to have you as a coach, team mate, and friend. I applaud your courage to share your personal experiences as a mother in the midst of a deeply challenging time. I have no doubt that many mothers will find inspiration in your words. In order to take care of those we love so deeply we need take good care of ourselves. I admire your commitment emotional, physical, and spiritual well being. It is pretty amazing how much can be experienced in the course of year. Every moment is precious! As we move into the new year I will be right by your side training hard and having fun! Congrats again on an amazing article!
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Hi Maya
You are an inspiration to all. I was really touched by your story. I am wishing you and your family the best this holiday season. Once again, an amazing story. Thank you for sharing.
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Maya,
You are a wonderful role model on so many levels. Thank you for sharing the story of your journey…my respect and admiration for you continues to grow.
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Maya,
You and your family are such a inspiration. I always love reading the stories and watching your videos of hard work paying off. I myself have dreams of the MS title and plan on not resting till achieved. It is truly patient hard work but we’ll keep chipping at the stone. Happy Holidays
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Maya,
Thank you for sharing your experiences as a fellow parent and kettlebell sport athlete. Blessings to you in both areas of your life in the coming year.
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Maya,
Thank you sharing your story with us. You have become a warrior woman with a tender heart. I have no doubt you will achieve your goal next year. All the while, I know your son and husband will be your biggest cheerleaders! You continue to inspire us all. Your son couldn’t have a better mom or role model.
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Maya,
Beautiful article- it brought tears to my eyes… Thank you for always leading the way for us both on the platform and off!You are an amazing mom. :-) I’m looking forward to sharing a wonderful and successful 2010 with you and have no doubt MS is in your near future.
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maya
as always what a beautifully written piece i am so fortunate to call you a friend, partner and teammate! thank you for being a constant inspiration to all of us
love and hugs always to you, mateo and steve
jess
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Maya, from the first video you shared on the chi I could see your strength. It’s been truly inspiring to follow your journey through one challenge after another — some self-imposed, others outside your control. While I’m so sorry to hear about your son’s diagnosis, I have no doubt you, your family and your global community of friends will find a way to overcome whatever comes your way. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Great write up Maya!
All the best with your goals, I hope to see you again in 2010!
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Dearest Maya! You continue to inspire and impress me not only with your skill as a writer but how your words convey such a deep message. Congratulations on being brave. I hope to see you and the rest of the Ice Chamber Team again very soon. Just as you mentioned, it takes a lot to get under the ‘bells and compete but the best part is again seeing and cheering for each other! Best of luck on your journey.
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Maya,
What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us.
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Maya, I have missed seeing you at the Ice Chamber, but completely empathize with your challenges as a mother. My younger son was diagnosed with PTSD following a wrong-side surgery, with alarming consequences. My other son was just diagnosed with atypical ADD (inattentive type). It’s amazing how much work being a parent is, but just as you reap rewards from your intensive physical workouts, you will indeed gain immense rewards from the time you put into parenting. Your son is very blessed to have you and Steven as parents, and I’m sure he will benefit from whatever you are doing for him. Just knowing how much you love him does wonders. I would love to speak to you further about this, as I have a few ideas for you that may not yet have been explored.
Congratulations on your extraordinary accomplishments in the world of sports. You’ve not only won medals, but deep and lasting friendships along the way.
Warmest wishes.
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I’ve been a special educator for more than 15 years and have supported 100s of parents (including my own brother) as they grapple with the heartbreaking news that their child has special needs. For parents, there are often deep feelings of grief; after all, what parent hasn’t imagined the kind of life their child will live – what interests they’ll have, what their friends will be like, what schools they will attend. It’s natural for parents to mourn these lives they wish for their children. But children don’t have the experience of hindsight. They only know what they live. Our jobs, really, as parents are to keep our children safe, healthy and happy. And to love them fully. The rest of the images we project on them say more about our own lives than our children’s. So, you already have the tools you need to make this journey as I know how deeply you love and care for your son. And you are way ahead of so many parents because you understand the necessity of taking care of yourself and meeting your own needs. The focus and tenacity you have on the lifting platform will greatly serve you and your son as you grown together. Try to keep perspective, don’t get bogged down in the big picture and remember, there are miracles in the simplest milestones.
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Great article and I think a documentary on KB training around the world for the travel Channel is in your future ;-)
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Dear Maya,
it’s always a pleasure to read your writings – your heart is right there behind every word. Time we shared with you guys in Zagreb has made each and every one of us become more and for that I’m deeply grateful.
Your friend,
Bruno
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments and generous offers of support. I really appreciate those of you willing to share the wisdom gained from your own experiences as well. We are learning more about our son everyday and consider ourselves extremely fortunate to live in an area that continues to advance early intervention. He’s also surrounded by an incredible support network of family and friends who love him dearly — just as he is — and as a result of writing this post, his circle has only grown larger. My heart is full of gratitude.
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I also want to take this opportunity to thank John and Michelle and everyone at Athleta for taking a risk in sponsoring their first team of women in 2009… especially considering that we were coming from a sport they had never heard of before! You guys welcomed us with open arms and open minds. Your foresight has played a significant role in the growth of female participation in Kettlebell Sport over the past year by illuminating the beautiful femininity behind the strength and power of this sport. I think I speak on behalf of many lady lifters out there when I say that we will always be grateful to you for this unexpected reward! …and as you can see in a few of the photos above, I wear my gray Athleta hoodie that you gave me three years ago everywhere John (including other countries)! You guys have generously given us more great gear to wear over the past year (I’m just attached to the gray one!), and I hope you know how much Jessica, Sara, Surya and I appreciate everything you guys have given us on and off the platform.
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Dear Maya,
I ‘shared’ your story on my Facebook page today and included a short passage:
“Each day as we face our own challenges and obstacles, I believe it is incredibly important to remember not to judge another or make assumptions based on what we ‘see’ on the outside. We can’t know what courage and strength it may take for that person to brave each day.” I truly feel this to be true, and it is through your strength that you will be successful in your pursuits, as well as have a life full of deep appreciation and love for your beautiful son. I know this to be true, because I was faced with having to make a true life or death decision with my son when he was just 10 days old. A wise friend told me to start running -to make ‘me’ strong’- so that I could be strong for him. To this day, each time I run, I run 23 extra steps for the time he spent in the hospital fighting for his tiny life. His fight helped me to realize nothing is as important as the moment you are in, and that you are not alone. Peace to you and your family. Continue your journey-it promises to be a fascinating one.
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