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Ella Nicholson is a lot of things.
- Two-time Junior World Champion in 2024 and 2025
- Medalist at every single international meet since her debut in 2023
- 113KG snatcher at age 18 weighing 76
She’s also a freshman at Lindenwood University—one of a very, very small number of higher education institutions in the U.S. to offer athletic scholarships to weightlifters. For a sport which famously doesn’t always pay the bills, it’s a pretty sweet deal.
“I’m studying business marketing, but I still train five days a week,” Ella, 19, tells us.
Despite having line of sight on being one of Team USA's first-string Senior competitors—she's currently ranked 5th in the States for the upcoming Pan American Championships, and first for Junior Worlds—Ella wants to finish her Junior career on a high note.
And beyond being able to use her strength to pay for her education, Nicholson has also turned to powerlifting programming to bring up a weakness in her weightlifting. We're discussing those changes and more with Ella. Enjoy.
Weightlifting House x Ella Nicholson
Below is our conversation with Ella Nicholson. Portions of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
Weightlifting House (WH): What's the day-to-day of a student athlete on a weightlifting scholarship?
Ella Nicholson (EN): "I'm at Lindenwood University studying business marketing. I've got two classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, plus a Wednesday lab and three online classes.
I'm able to train five days per week; weekday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
I'm not sure I can discuss too many details of my scholarship, but it is tied to my weightlifting performances. My coach decides who stays on our team, based on how training is going, past performances, and attitude."
WH: How are you working to bring up your clean & jerk?
EN: "Last training cycle, my coach and I used the Texas Method, but for front squats!
(If you're unaware, the Texas Method is a three-day powerlifting program. Typically, day one is a 5x5, day two is a low-intensity 2x5, and day three is a five-rep max.)
My focus is still on the front squat, just with different rep schemes. These days, I front squat twice per week and back squat once. We're also pushing accessories hard to keep me healthy and pain-free."
WH: What surprised you the most at your first international competition?
EN: "Literally everything. I had no idea that, as an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, you could travel all over the world to compete. It was so mind-blowing to me."
WH: What's your most cherished memory from your Junior career?
EN: "I'll always cherish the experiences I've had. Setting personal records is awesome, but nothing can beat the people I've met, and the relationships I've been able to form, through weightlifting."
WH: If you weren't pursuing weightlifting, what would you be doing instead?
EN: "I'd probably be involved in another sport. I was an athlete growing up. I played basketball, lacrosse, and did gymnastics, swimming, and track. I've also dabbled in CrossFit. I guess it depends on where life would've taken me!"
WH: What have you been listening to during your workouts lately?
EN: "I don't usually listen to music when I'm doing my main lifts. But during a squat session, I'll throw on 21 Savage, Drake, or Glorilla. I love upbeat music!"
WH: What weightlifting goals have you set for 2026?
EN: "I'd like to win Junior Worlds again this year, and make the Senior team as well so I can go to Worlds in China and compete."
Featured image courtesy of USA Weightlifting.
