Women at DePaul discuss their weightlifting journey and how the weightlifting community has impacted them

With this project, I wanted to showcase my weightlifting journey, which began just over two years ago at a small gym located in Southern California. I began weightlifting with my trainer, Alex Macip, who taught me form and discipline in an environment of powerful women, including my mom, who inspired me to start lifting and strive to become stronger, physically and mentally. 

When I came to Chicago for college, I continued to grow and progress in the gym, and I quickly became integrated into DePaul’s lifting community. I’ve met so many incredible people throughout my journey, including the four women featured in this video. For many women, the gym is about more than changing your physique and body image. It’s about building confidence and regaining power in an environment and world that is male-dominated. This film highlights what the gym means to women and the importance of the female-led gym community.