Christina Leonatti
Ever talk to someone and feel like you instantly know their entire life experience and everything about them? Not sure if that is the fact that they are 100% themselves, they wear their heart on their sleeve, or something else. That unmistakable characteristic (whatever it is) is what I get when talking to Christina. From the moment we started chatting on Instagram, I felt like I knew her. After putting together her Athlete Spotlight for today, I wasn’t surprised in the least by any of it. I laughed and went “yep, sounds about right”.
I hope this comes off as a huge complement to her, because I think we’d get along real good if our paths ever cross in the face to face life. For now, I’ll settle for a cool friend I talk to on Instagram about lifting weights in our garages, dogs, and various non-profit involvements. If you like badass women, you are going to like today’s Athlete Spotlight.
Let’s meet Christina
Christina, tell us a little about yourself.
First and foremost, I am humbled and honored to be featured here! I am Christina Leonatti, a martial artist turned bodybuilder turned powerlifter. I grew up in rural Illinois but have lived a ton of different places including New Hampshire, Florida, Colorado, and currently Texas. I did, however, do a year tour of the states living out of a VW van back in my hay day. I guess one might say I am a free spirit of sorts, with ADHD. I worked for 13 years as an ASL interpreter and case manager for at risk youth, which is how I started my lifting obsession. After heart surgery, martial arts had to take a back seat for a while. A former student and I basically made a bet that he would quit smoking and I would do a bodybuilding competition. What I discovered through this training is that lifting somehow helped ease suicidal thoughts and depression. Although I had a strong support system with friends and family, it was the iron that truly helped me through dark times. I eventually found powerlifting when someone casually mentioned I would never be good at the sport. Challenge accepted. Since then, I have competed nationally and hold a few state records and had a national bench record for a period, which I plan on coming back for!
Three years ago, I started the nonprofit Pull Your Heart Out to help others find an outlet and safe space to work through hardships through lifting. We have awarded dozens of gym memberships and access to training to individuals interested in strength sports. I work closely with Liberation Barbell Club in Austin, TX where we have made an impact in this area. PYHO also started a program S.W.A.P (Share With A Powerlifter) where we loan new and gently worn powerlifting gear to anyone who has a need. We all know that powerlifting can be an expensive start up sport.
How did you get into the home gym community?
During quarantine, I was fortunate enough to have enough equipment to build a gym in a storage unit in Denver. It became a haven for myself and many others during a time that may have otherwise caused us to lose our minds. We trained in relentlessly hot conditions and then through snow and ice storms. Ryan Di Pompeo from Working Class Barbell first told me about the Garage Gym Competition during that first year. This gave me something to look forward to and train for in a time when all meets had come to a halt. I did my lifts in the storage unit and curiously enough, I had the same adrenaline I would get at a sanctioned meet.
Fast forward to life now…I moved to San Antonio and was again lucky to use Amanda Wolff’s home garage gym. If you know her, you know she is an absolute force. We definitely have to get creative at times, but training with her has brought my mental game to another level. I was in prep for Nationals during my 2nd GGC but we did it anyway. With her guidance, I finally got my 203.9 bench. After hitting that lift, she asked if I had checked my Instagram…which is where I found out I had won the Rep Fitness package through the GGC. This was literally the best thing I have ever won in my 53 years.
Sounds like lifting has been more than just picking up heavy shit for you.
Lifting has brought me an amazing community and a place where we like-minded misfits can be ridiculous and intense without judgment. Although I do not have any competitions on my radar, I continue to lift heavy and often to keep my head straight. When asked what goes through my head during a heavy lift, I would describe it as something between a black out and a chance to show others what they are capable of doing. My musical taste is also ADHD, but I usually revert to Fire Woman by The Cult to get my head in the game.
How are you prepping for the 2022 GGC?
As far as the 2022 GGC, I suppose I best get a plan together…because I will definitely be participating. To me, the best part of what it brings is an all-inclusive aspect where anyone anywhere can participate. I look forward to seeing all the PRs and genuine love of lifting that drives so many of us. Let’s make this the best year yet!
Thanks Christina
You can follow along with Christina’s awesomeness on her IG @big_c_smallz
