"An Insult": Mattie Rogers on Being Left Off Team USA (& More)

One big thing: We conducted this interview with Mattie days before she announced on social media that she'd suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA); what the Mayo Clinic characterizes as a "brief blockage of blood flow to the brain ... that usually lasts a few minutes and does not cause long-term damage."

Mattie was hospitalized for several days. As of this interview's publication, she's playing USAW's National Championships by ear. We wish her a full and speedy recovery.

She's scheduled to lift on Sunday, Jun. 29, in the W77 class.

"There's a big difference between injury pain and regular 'old elite athlete' pain."

Weightlifting House (WH): What have you had to change about your training post-injury?

• In Context: In Mar. 2024, Mattie announced her withdrawal from Paris qualification due to a "soul-crushing" nerve injury in her leg. "Lifting has been an absolute nightmare ... my body physically will not keep going," she said at the time.

Mattie Rogers (MR): "I was injured for a good while before actually taking time to heal. I was trying to hang on for as long as possible and basically ignored every sign my body sent my way. I didn't get to 'pain-free' until March of this year.

My training is now essentially the opposite of what it was. I listen to my body a lot more intently now, hopefully so I'm never in that scenario again.

Training at nearly 30 is very different from 20 or even 25. Everything I do is very intentional, so I can get as much out of myself as possible without getting beat into the ground. I still do my PT exercises daily."

"It's not a quick process. It takes a lot of patience and problem-solving on both our parts."

WH: What was the biggest challenge you and Dr. Mills faced during your rehab process?

• In Context: Mattie, a Florida native, recruited Doctor of Physical Therapy William Mills (@docmills.dpt) for her rehab process. Mills operates out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

MR: "It was difficult to do my rehab almost entirely remotely due to [Dr. Mills] being 5-6 hours away. I could only make so many trips to see him in person, especially since traveling made my symptoms so much worse.

We both needed to be great communicators. I needed to hold myself accountable by asking questions and understanding the goal and focus of my exercises so I could do them with the proper intention.

It took a lot of patience and problem-solving on both our parts to make progress beyond just being able to lift again. I needed to be able to lift at an elite level again."

"When you've been training at this level for as long as I have, it takes a lot to move the needle."

WH: You do a lot of long complexes and uncommon variations. What's the rationale?

• In Context: Mattie has been coached by Aimee Everett of Catalyst Athletics since 2019. Complexes and niche accessories like cleanjerks are staples of the training she reveals to the public.

MR: "Every complex has a specific goal. I understand the 'why' of most of the things I do, but it comes down to trusting [Aimee's] reasoning. Bottom line, it just makes me flat-out tough.

I can count on myself in any competition scenario because I have been through so many knock-down, drag-out sessions, in probably worse conditions, on my own. 

If I can make it through those, I can follow myself on clean & jerks, rush my warm-ups, or slow my pace as needed. I have also always responded well to volume work—especially heavy volume."

"There will be medal-level athletes sitting at home in 2028. It's just tough all around."

WH: How do you feel about the IWF's latest changes to the weight classes, especially compared to 2018?

• In Context: The IWF's new batch of weight classes took effect this June. When the divisions were last adjusted in 2018, Mattie publicly decried the massive gap between the 64 and 76KG events that would be showcased in Tokyo.

MR: "So far I don't mind the weight classes, as they are essentially the same as when I started [in 2014].

I predict I won't love the Olympic categories when those become official. There is just no good way to cut eight divisions down to five without effectively ending really talented athletes' Olympic runs before they even start."

"It's been an uphill battle that has left me with little faith in [USAW's] policymaking and a bitter taste in my mouth."

WH: You had words for USAW on social media after the NTP announcement last year. Have your feelings changed?

• In Context: Mattie uncharacteristically bombed out at the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships, which made her ineligible to receive support as a member of USAW's NTP.

MR: "My feelings have not changed at all. For the past year I've received zero support from the federation, as well as have lost my healthcare through the USOPC, because of USAW's new policies and one subpar meet on my end. 

To not even be considered after competing at every single Pan-Ams and Worlds, and medaling at most, in the last ten years feels like an insult. 

I am not one to believe anything is owed, however I do feel my career and performances speak for themselves. I failed to do my part, but I don't think it should come down to a single bad event.

To lose all my funding while injured was a major blow. To be a professional athlete without health insurance is a major blow. Funding travel for myself and my coach, while being one of the top three ranked U.S. lifters, feels wrong.

I can qualify to the NTP at Pan-Ams, but the benefits wouldn't take effect until Jan. 1, 2026."

"The depth of talent, especially on the women's side, is HISTORICAL. It's getting tougher and tougher to be an old lady out here!"

WH: Of the up-and-comers on Team USA, who do you feel people are sleeping on the most?

• In Context: Team USA has a growing roster of exceptionally talented young weightlifters. Its Paris medalists, Hampton Morris (bronze) and Olivia Reeves (gold), are 21 and 22. At last year's Junior Worlds, Team USA won 10 gold medals, double that of runner-up countries Colombia and Vietnam.

MR: "Pick any and all of them. This sport is in an entirely different place from when I started, it's incredible to witness. It's equal parts (selfishly) terrifying and exciting.

I remember when a non-superheavy woman snatching 100KG or more in America was a huge deal. Now we have Youth and Junior lifters hitting it left and right!

The minimums keep rising and I wouldn't want it any other way. I hope I can hang around long enough to help guide this upcoming generation and continue to push for more growth in our sport."

Update Jun. 27: Weightlifting House spoke with USAW CEO Matt Sicchio on Jun. 26. The organization disputed several details regarding Rogers' eligibility for healthcare and financial support.

Mr. Sicchio had this to say:

• "Over the last eight years, USAW has invested nearly half a million dollars in Mattie Rogers. This includes more than $300,000 in direct athlete support (stipends). Yes, Mattie is currently on the outside of our National Team Program looking in. This is not personal, nor a subjective decision. Participation in our NTP is driven by results on the platform, looking at a full year’s worth of results. Unfortunately, Mattie did not post an international total in 2024. We still believe in Mattie and look forward to seeing her on the platform at the 2025 Senior Pan Ams and Senior Worlds. She is part of a very strong pool of American lifters propelling us to a place among the world powers in our sport."

Editor's Note: Portions of Rogers' answers in this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.