CLEARFIELD – Clearfield native Rachel Clarke discovered a passion for powerlifting as a teenager. After some years away, she returned to the sport and became one of the most decorated lifters in her category along the way.
On April 20 at the 2024 National Masters Championships York Barbell/Weightlifting Hall of Fame event, Clarke set a world record with a deadlift of 451.9 pounds in an event sanctioned by the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation, a federation that is 100 percent drug free. Her impressive performance in this most recent competition helped her to qualify for a world championship event set for Virginia Beach, Virginia, in November. “I was surprised that I made it, but I’m really excited about the next competition,” said Clarke. “It’s also a privilege to represent my hometown and my country. I’m hoping this may encourage more females into powerlifting. I understand it’s scary to get started, but I think women would get a better picture if they’d give it a chance.”
Clarke’s most recent accolades not only included a world record deadlift but also a 330 pound back squat and 154 pound bench press. Her back squat and bench press were also personal bests that contributed to a total weight of 936 pounds. Clarke also swept the push-and-pull events, making for the best overall outing of her entire powerlifting career. Her performance helped her to not only win first place in her category but also go home with the ‘Best Lifter Award’ for the entire competition.
“I owe a lot of credit to my coach, Vanessa Lettich. She is the main reason I could perform this way and get to this point. She convinced me to get involved with her programming and the 13-week powerlifting and nutrition program she had me on was great. The last few weeks were super hard, but it got me ready for the competition.”
This recent performance is not her only strong outing within the last year’s time. Back in November 2023, Clarke competed in the 41st Annual Central Pennsylvania Open Powerlifting & Coal Country Strict Curl / Bench Press Championships in Clearfield. She set an event record for her category in the deadlift with a mark of over 429 pounds. In just six months, Clarke has improved her deadlift even more, but she is still short of her current goal of a lift of 465 pounds. “I hit my goal in the back squat in April at 330 pounds, but I’m still pushing towards my personal goal in the bench press of 165 and deadlift of 465. I know I can get there.”
The hardest part of the current program Clarke recently completed in her opinion was the discipline with her meal planning and discipline to not just portion, but eat the right number of carbs, macros, micros, and protein. Generally, this is one of the more difficult aspects for every athlete, regardless of sport. The investment in this part of her preparation definitely made the difference and has Clarke recognized not just on the national stage, but on the global one.
Clarke’s time as a power lifter began in 2006 and continued seriously until 2011. She got her start at Al Seigel’s gym in the basement of Siegel Engraving not long after her high school basketball career concluded. She progressed well and started competing for a few years before stepping away for some time to address her health. Her goal was to eventually return to the sport, which is what she did in 2021. However, the return was to the world of lifting Cross-Fit. This stint was a rather short-lived venture, however, as the gymnasium she was regularly training at closed in the fall of 2023.
This is what led her to return to powerlifting and join REAKT Fighting Arts & Fitness in DuBois. The results have unquestionably paid off in just about six months of attending her new gym. The program has gotten her into better shape, helped her become more disciplined, and even introduced her to more lifters in the community. Her weekly routine includes four days on, three days off of workouts, allowing for enough time for her body to recover between lifting sessions.
Clarke’s coach Vanessa Lettich shared a special testimonial about her progress and drive in recent months. “Rachel is the epitome of dedication in the world of powerlifting and as an athlete in general. From the moment we started working together, her relentless drive and prior groundwork she had done on her own made my coaching role a breeze. With a shared vision, my coaching aimed not only for achievement but also safeguarding her from injury leading up to her meet. Beyond incorporating a comprehensive training regime, we worked together to overhaul her nutrition, which was a pivotal factor in enhancing her strength and overall well-being during rigorous training sessions. Her seamless adoption of these dietary changes was emblematic of her unwavering commitment to the sport. Rachel’s dedication to her craft sets her apart. It’s been an honor to witness her unwavering dedication and help her achieve the national record for the deadlift in her age group.”
Clearfield’s Rachel Clarke gave powerlifting a chance in her teenage years, but has found an even deeper passion for the sport here two decades later. Her marks have been noticed on the local, national, and international stage. November’s competition in Virginia Beach is sure to be another great one for Rachel Clarke.
