Alumni Profile : Lottie McGuinness
Alumni Profile: Lottie McGuinness was at Highfield and HLC from 2009 – 2018 and was in Nightingale. Lottie was a Member of the Charity Committee. She is a GB Para Powerlifter, and also works part-time for the NHS at a General Practice.
Alumni Profile: Lottie McGuinness
Please tell us more about your time at HLC – What was the best thing about the school experience? What are your fondest memories?
My time at HLC was incredibly special; I look back and feel so fortunate to have had the experience of being a Harrogate Ladies’ College student. I have many memories at HLC, from boarding for a week with my friend to Christmas events. My fondest memories were the Christmas events and celebrating with your houses. Being able to sing carols at candlelight and partying with your fellow students was such fun and ended the winter term in such a lovely way. Sporting events were also a fun time, from house swimming to lacrosse and cheering for my friends in their events. I specifically remember screaming for my friend who was running a solo race around the field. Another memorable event that sticks with me is Auld Lang Syne as I stayed in the outer circle for five years watching others start their next adventure in the inner circle, and when it was my time to step into that inner circle, it felt very surreal and a special moment as I was about to start my next adventure.
Are you still in touch with the girls that you went to school with?
I am – my best friend I met at Highfield in Year Four, and we have been friends ever since. I still speak to many girls I attended with and am friends with them over social media.
What did you do straight after you left school?
I went on to study Sports Science at Leeds Trinity University in Leeds. I recently graduated from University and plan to take time out before studying nursing.
Tell us about the journey from there to Para Powerlifting.
Amongst all the studying, in 2019 I was spotted at the National Dwarf Games for Para Powerlifting and from there I was put on the National Talented Pathway Programme, which led me to compete at international competitions in just 10 months after being spotted for the sport. A year later I was then put on the World Class Programme, which I am still currently on, which I hold a top eighth ranking in the World for my weight category.
Tell us more about your experience of entering competitions?
I used to be very anxious and nervous, so on my first competition I was extremely nervous and was unsure how to react to a big stage while competing against many international athletes. As time has gone on, I love competing, I look forward to it and I have developed rituals that I use for an optimal performance.
What is it like being a Junior World Championship medallist?
This medal will always hold a special place for me as it was my second international medal but my first major event medal. I remember being on the platform with my teammate, and I had my phone in a pocket on record so I could always have on record the first time the national anthem was played when I made the podium. I will never forget that day, as I had only been in the sport for a year and a half.
Where around the World have you competed or about to compete?
I have competed in Georgia three times, St Louis in Missouri once, Manchester twice and I am about to head off to Dubai for the World Championships.
What advice would you give to someone looking to take part in competitive sport?
I would say that every journey has obstacles, and you must make the obstacles a part of your journey to reach the destination. Competitive sport is not easy I will say, it’s hours of training accompanied with aches and pains of tired muscles as well as mental battles that an individual may face which I have, these are the obstacles that we overcome and make a part of the journey. I train four times a week 3 hours at a time for a major event that happens every 4 years for myself to be on a stage for 3 minutes total. However, I train for that moment as I want to have that feeling of winning a Paralympic medal as that feeling cannot be taken away from anyone, even to attend a games are something my younger self never would have thought.
To anyone starting your sport and whatever your end goal is, always think of what that feeling is to motivate you when you come across an obstacle as there always will be one, but we must overcome them to reach our goal and achieve that for which we set out.
What is on the wish list of future competitions?
My goal is to compete at next year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. My current goal is to retain a top eighth title in the world for my category, so I am in an advantageous position when entering the Paris games.
How did your experience at HLC equip you for the successful role you are now in?
I had a particular teacher who made me realise what I was capable of as I did not have that self-belief before. If it were not for Miss Horgan (now Mrs Christie), I would not be in the position I am now having just graduated from university. HLC made me become the woman I am today, the motto “I Am Me” really empowers young women to be themselves and not let anything change that. I know especially when performing – if I am my true self I will perform well.
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