'I found gyms terrifying - now I'm a record holder'

BBC News

05-06-2025

Visiting new gyms was once a prospect Ella Brincat-Smith found "terrifying".The 19-year-old, who is autistic and also has ADHD, explained she "doesn't do new places", but decided to take up powerlifting to spend more time with her dad.Ella said she found a powerful community within the sport and she has progressed to such an extent she recently set a new British junior record after bench pressing 132.5kg (292lbs)."Through this sport I have met so many people and done things I never thought I would be able to do," said Ella.
Ella, from Newark, Nottinghamshire, said she struggled with traditional sports but took up weightlifting five years ago because her father competed and coached."I have autism and ADHD so I don't do new places and I was really scared," she said."You need to go to new gyms and for me that was absolutely terrifying, but I feel like that through this sport I have met so many people and done things I never thought I would be able to do.""It's nice to be good at something," she added."It makes me so happy. You can have a bad day but then be good at this and it is 'Yes, I have achieved something, I'm happy now'."There's a really great community. You can't do this sport alone, you have to do it with other people."You see other people achieve as well as them helping you and everyone gives something back and I love that."She now trains three times a week, which, along with working as a nurse, has been "a challenge".
'Really transformative'
But her dedication has brought rewards. Ella she recently set a new British record in the junior 84+ category when she bench pressed 132.5 kg (292lbs). She also came second at the World Equipped Bench Press Championships in Norway. Ella added: "I want to win as a junior girl at the world's, that would be amazing, but also to inspire more people to get involved in the sport."We need more junior females lifting and I feel that people won't realise how much they will enjoy it until they do it."Some girls are scared to start lifting because they think 'oh no I don't want to get big and bulky'."But once you start it is so fun!"Her father, James Brincat-Smith, described her progress as "mind blowing" and said he believes she has the ability to set new records.Stepmother Jenni Sherwood added: "The change happens when you become confident, when you become excited about something, when you know you are good at something and just want to share it."I think that has been a really, really transformative thing for her."The family are all targeting taking part in the world championships next year, in the junior and masters categories.The Youth Sports Trust, is a charity which has campaigned about access for those with autism.Ali Oliver MBE, YST CEO, said: "Every child is unique and therefore there is no one-size-fits-all approach to engage them, but we know that with the right understanding and support, sport has the potential to be a powerful force for good. "It can help autistic young people to develop social connections and skills, increase their self-confidence, and support their emotional wellbeing, with lifelong benefits."