Ambroise moves for belief
“On the spiritual aspect, weightlifting has given me the ability to believe in myself as an athlete. I have always struggled with self-doubt in sports”
Sagamok Anishnawabek First Nation member Ambroise Stevens Paquette found more than strength in Olympic weightlifting. The sport became a way to quiet doubt, connect to spirit, and trust her own ability.
Ambroise Stevens Paquette was 15 when she was photographed, already focused and determined, building a relationship with sport that went beyond results. At the time she was doing CrossFit. Today she competes in Olympic weightlifting and sets her sights on higher levels of competition.
For Ambroise, lifting is physical and spiritual. “Physically I have never been stronger in my life and more in shape,” she says. The bigger shift, though, is internal. “I have always struggled with self doubt in sports,” she says, and adds that the struggle has not disappeared. “I still to this day do,” she says, “but weightlifting has helped me connect to my higher self and break down these self doubts, fear and negative self talk.”
Before competition, she creates a small ritual. “When I train or am in the back warming up for my competition I get in touch with my spiritual side and do a bit of mindfulness,” she says. Music helps her settle into her body. “I tend to listen to drumming and A Tribe Called Red music to really feel connected to my body and the lifts,” she says.
Ambroise has competed since 2018 and recently won gold at the Junior Canadian National Competition in La Prairie, Quebec. She aspires to compete internationally and earn a place on Team Canada’s weightlifting team.
But no matter where the sport takes her, the heart of her story stays the same. Ambroise lifts to become more herself - stronger in her body, steadier in her mind, and more connected to her spirit.
Ambroise moves for belief.
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Story source: https://www.nugget.ca/news/sagamok-member-wins-gold-medal-in-weightlifting-2