Courtesy Photo | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jarod Smith, first sergeant, 133rd Medical Group, lifts...... read more read more
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jarod Smith serves as a drill status guardsman first sergeant for the 133rd Medical Group. During the week, you can find Master Sgt. Smith in the emergency management office with the 133rd Civil Engineer Squadron. Both roles require a great deal of focus, understanding, and attention to detail. Powerlifting provided the groundwork needed to take on the demands of the roles.
The mental and physical demands of the positions can be overwhelming for people. Smith discovered powerlifting while attending technical school as an emergency management specialist, as a way for him to stay focused.
“I really got into powerlifting at my tech school when I was down in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri,” said Smith. “My mindset was that of one needing to continue to focus on the fitness foundation that was built at basic training. With less structure at tech school, many Airmen would fall off and only do the minimum. But basic training sparked a yearning to want to continue to better my fitness levels, so that focus transitioned to powerlifting while at Fort Leonard Wood.”
Smith has been competing in powerlifting competitions with the last one taking place earlier this year at the Military Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia. Despite a competitive weight class and taking time off to recover from a bicep injury, Smith was rewarded with new personal records in deadlifts and squats.
“To qualify for military nationals, you have to be in the military and [complete] at least one sanctioned event in the year prior,” said Smith. “I was in the 100-kilogram weight class, and it was tough. I set personal records in my deadlifts, squats, and total weight overall. I am very happy with the final results with only 12 weeks of preparation.”
Reaching his personal records took more than strength, it was his mindset that helped him through it. Smith gives credit to his military training, pushing him forward due to setbacks and getting ready for a competition.
“It wasn’t really the strength side that prepared me; it was the mental side, the military grind,” said Smith. “Our careers can span over 20 years or more. The military taught me patience, what is important, and to pay attention to the details so I can execute the mission to the best of my ability. When people prepare for a competition, they will prep for 10 to 12 weeks. They would plan lifts, ensure the lifts are done in a certain way, and work their way up to the weight category. It is called progressive overload, and it can be exhausting.”
Looking back on his journey, Smith credits the success that he has received in the world of powerlifting to the lessons he learned in the military and never setting limits on what he could do.
“Don’t be afraid to remove your boundaries,” said Smith. “Go above and beyond what your expectations are. When you don’t limit yourself, you can accomplish anything. It’s amazing what the human body can do from a physical standpoint and also from a mental standpoint. This is probably the thing I want Airman to know the most. If you can shoot for the stars, you can get there if you put in the effort.”
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.01.2025 08:01 |
| Story ID: | 549804 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Strength in mind and body, by MSgt Amy Lovgren, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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