Taryn Turcotte
Age: 42
Gender: Female

Taryn at her first Powerlifting Competition in Boston, MA

Sarah O: Where were you on your fitness journey BEFORE The Form Lab?
Taryn T: I was consistently training 5-6 days/week doing high intensity workouts, which was giving me what I thought I needed. I’d recently dabbled in strength training, and then when I turned 40, I decided I wanted to make sure I stayed strong. That’s why I got into regular strength training… I was really motivated when I started at TFL, and I knew there was a lot of potential for me to build on my strength.

Sarah O: How did you find TFL, why did you join?

Taryn T: I joined TFL on day one! I knew TFL was opening from knowing the owners and having already been working with Coach Andrew on strength training. Because of the success I was seeing from my training w/ Andrew, it was a no-brainer for me to continue to train with him at TFL.

Sarah O: You recently completed your first Powerlifting Competition! What made you decide to set that goal?

Taryn T: I knew I was strong and getting stronger. Andrew said very quietly and subtly one day in a session, “have you ever thought about doing a competition?” I blew off the question, initially thinking the idea was absurd. When I found I couldn't stop thinking about the idea for a few weeks, that was a sign for me, and I made the decision to sign up for my first competition. I ended up falling in love with the process of getting myself prepared for the competition as much as the event itself.

Sarah O: What were your original goals stepping into TFL, how did that change over time?

Taryn T: At first, my goal was to not lose strength as I aged. My goals have since changed because now I have quantitative goals associated with lifting heavier weights. The seed was planted in my head to compete, and since then I’ve enjoyed the process of continuing to assess, tweak, and build on my training to see how my strength grows as the numbers progress in what weights I’m lifting. I really want to hit that next number!

Sarah O: You worked with both Alyssa & Andrew, tell me how each of them impacted you.

Taryn T: I love this question. I strength trained with both Alyssa and Andrew, as well as did nutrition coaching with Alyssa. I’d say that most importantly, they both were able to truly listen to me, and to receive and understand my goals and needs before making suggestions for me…either in my strength training or nutrition coaching. It wasn’t about them saying “here’s what you should do”...it was about finding the right motivational button to push. I’m a data- and process-driven person, which they both understood, and I think this helped them to build my confidence and improve my lifting. On the nutrition side, Alyssa focused on the “why”. She didn’t give me meal plans and ingredient lists (which you can find anywhere). Our sessions were a discussion of the ‘why’, which is about the process…and it was important to me that she understood that finding the ‘why’ was exactly what I needed. And… of course, they’re both just super fun people!

Two days before the competition I jumped on a zoom call with both Andrew and Alyssa to talk about where I would start for my first attempts. They kept saying “WE”. It wasn’t just me performing, it was the team of the three of us that were working to achieve this goal. Yes, this was about me and my lifting, but this was a collective goal that WE worked on together. That was huge.

Sarah O: Describe the experience of preparing for the comp, both at TFL and elsewhere…

Taryn T: I had a 17-week training goal to get ready for the comp. I changed my weekly programming with Andrew to focus more on building strength with less reps. I also added strength training with Alyssa to have two sessions per week. I also began an 8-week nutrition program with Alyssa to build healthier habits to fuel my body through the training. I wanted to reduce body fat, gain strength, and make sure I was fueling my body properly. I then added a 2nd 8-week program with Alyssa to continue my progress on losing body fat and preparing for the competition. What I took away from this additional 8 weeks was the confidence that my habits were now going to stick…for the long term. In the past, I’ve been able to set and achieve nutrition goals that were focused on small chunks of time…. a month or two. However, I said to Alyssa “I’m probably going to need you more at the end of the competition than at the beginning!” Over the two 8-week sessions with Alyssa, I’ve changed my mindset and have addressed the ‘why’ behind my nutrition and came to understand how to change the poor nutrition habits I had. Now I know there is no end date to this journey just because my competition is over, I’m still going strong. I’ve kept the habits I built leading up to the competition and I’m no longer scared about the day after the end of my competition like I was before.

Sarah O: What did you get out of the competition, physically, mentally, and how did it contribute to your motivation moving forward?

Taryn T: The one word is SUPPORT. I went into the competition on my own, wanting to do it for myself, and I was determined to make it happen. I got a ton of support from Andrew and Alyssa of course, but what surprised me was the outpouring of additional support from others at TFL, OrangeTheory, my family and friends. It came flooding in, I didn’t ask for it, it was just there in an instant like a collective goal. I also got support from the other competitors, even though I expected a really competitive, even caddy environment. It was a really supportive environment, which was very different from my experience with sports in the past. Knowing I had the support of my coaches and everyone around me gave me the confidence to meet my original goal, which was to get valid lifts. It also gave me the confidence to set specific goals for my next competition. I just want to be part of that environment all over again!

Sarah O: What’s next for 2023? You mention the next competition?

Taryn T: Yes! My next comp is June 10th, and this time it’s in Maine! I want to increase my weight totals by 60lbs, move down a weight class, and I want to get 27/27 white lights! That means no form violations on any of my attempts… 3 lift types (deadlift, bench, and back squat).. 3 attempts at each lift, and 3 judges’ rulings on each attempt. I want them all to be a “YES” and have a perfect meet! For me, in all of my work so far, form is so crucial to strength and I want that to be my focus.

Sarah O: What would you tell a client about TFL who is on the fence about joining or setting a new goal?

Taryn T: For those that are new, come in and try it! Ask the questions you’re nervous about; everyone is there to make you feel comfortable. For someone who is going to set a goal…I would tell them to talk to the coaches, have them understand your ‘why’ and they can help guide you to setting and achieving a goal that is important to you.

Sarah O: Any additional details you’d like to share?

Taryn T: For me, although I knew TFL people before TFL, it is a very welcoming place and provided me with the confidence I needed to make changes and reach my goals. That’s a crucial part of a gym and that’s been there from the start.

Finding the WHY, Feeling the WE