Miranda Ulrey Gets Right Between the Ears

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Miranda Ulrey is on her way up: Four international gold medals in two years, squat strength that rivals athletes three classes above her own, and, of course, signing on with WLHOUSE. 

Powering that trajectory is a commitment to training that starts, but doesn’t end, with the barbell.

For Miranda, mindset is everything. 

In the gym, she doesn’t think about the weights she’s assigned by her coach. 

At competitions, she pays no heed to the scoreboard or the athletes sitting next to her.

Mental resolve has propelled Miranda to the front of Team USA and put her within striking distance of world records. 

We spoke at length about her career trajectory, the challenges she faces in and out of competition, and how she shoulders the mounting burdens of a career in strength.

This interview was conducted during USA Weightlifting's National Championships, where Miranda comfortably won the Women's 58KG as a train-through meet.

Miranda totaled 210 (96/114).

Weightlifting House (WH): How do USAW events compare to what the IWF puts on?

Miranda Ulrey (MU): "There are pros and cons to every competition. USAW has the challenge of managing many more athletes at each competition. It's more hectic here, since we run multiple platforms simultaneously, but USAW puts a ton of effort into Nationals.

One thing I really like are the logistics. You can get a hotel or AirBnB that's very close to the venue, which limits travel time. At international competitions, I may not be as lucky. Sometimes you have to travel up to an hour to get to the training hall."

WH: What happened at Pan-Ams this year?

MU:  "We always go into meets with multiple strategies loaded. At Pan-Ams, I wanted to run a strategy that would end with my taking a crack at the snatch world record (100 kilograms breaks the standard of 99). It was the first time a world record had been in the conversation, so I think I got too focused on it.

When I missed my opener, I thought to myself, 'That's weird. At least I get to try again.' After my second miss, I thought, 'That stinks, but it's in God's hands now!'

I swear, I was the only one who wasn't stressed out. I knew I wasn't going to bomb out. I've been working with a sports psychologist, and we've tried to let misses just be misses and not have them push me into a negative headspace."

WH: Does USAW provide psychological support? Is it something you think all weightlifters should have?

MU:  "Team USA has two sports psychologists on staff who are accessible to us at any time. They're great and travel with the team in case we need anything, but I have my own psychologist whom I've worked with for around four years!

I do think everyone should have one. Our sport is as mental as it is physical. You could be the best weightlifter in the world, but if you aren't right between the ears, it doesn't really matter."

WH: Weightlifters often say their only competition is themselves. When you're in the back room at an international meet, does it still feel that way?

MU:  "I do agree that it's a competition against yourself. Obviously we're literally lifting against each other at competitions, but at the end of the day the burden falls on you. If you tried your absolute best, that's something to be proud of.

I never know what my competitors are doing. I don't stalk them on social media, I don't look at the start list, and I don't glance at the scoreboard. It truly does not matter, and I do not care.

I think people put too much stock into what their competitors are doing; praying on people's downfalls and getting caught up in worrying about everything but themselves."

WH: Were you aware of Team USA's rapid international improvement when you started competing?

MU: "Not at all. When I was a Youth athlete, I never really paid attention to what the Juniors and Seniors were up to. It wasn't until the end of my Junior career that I saw what we are capable of. It's awesome to see, and I'm proud to be a part of the sport's growth in America."

WH: You've said you want to "make a statement" at LA28. What needs to be said?

MU: "Up until recently, I've only ever totaled the bare minimum to make international teams, or sat in the bottom half of the rankings. 

I don't want it to be like that anymore. I want to be the best."

WH: What was your athletic background prior to weightlifting?

MU: "I've played sports my whole life. I started in gymnastics, soccer, and softball. After middle school, I started going to a local gym, where one of the trainers mentioned I might try weightlifting. At first, I wasn't interested at all. It took about a year to come around on it."

WH: If you could start your technical instruction over again, what would you do differently?

MU: "That's tricky! I'd have taken my progression slower and spent more time working solely on technique. Right now, we're trying to find more consistency in my positioning off the floor in the snatch.

In my cleans, we're workign on rigidity in my receiving position and not getting crumpled at the bottom. I've also lost some leg strength cutting down to 53."

WH: How has weightlifting changed your social life?

MU: "People my age who aren't involved in the sport don't understand anything about it, and that's totally okay by me. I don't think it's negatively impacted anything, except for having to make certain choices in order to be the best athlete I can be.

I think a lot of people view choices as sacrifices. I like to believe I've never sacrificed anything for weightlifting. I just choose to do, or not do, certain things. Everything is a choice."