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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nFrom the bright, long fingernails to the hoop hearings, Ayecia Bryant shows it all off while in the gym. She wants women to know that you can be strong and feminine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe get such a bad stereotype when it comes to women lifting heavy because people think we look like men, we can be all bulky, but you can still do this and put on a dress and a pair of heels, but when we come into the gym we\u2019re working hard,\u201d said Bryant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of Bryant’s hard work has led to back-to-back deadlifting world championships in London, England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStill trying to digest it. I have not yet comprehended that I\u2019m a two-time world champion but still going back to win another one,\u201d said Bryant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She said deadlift has always been her favorite event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always been my favorite since day one. I feel like it\u2019s something that actually puts my mental capabilities to the test; I feel like if I can move 300 plus pounds from a complete dead stop, I can do almost anything,\u201d said Bryant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we celebrate Women\u2019s History Month, Bryant is in the process of making some history of her own. On April 13, she will attempt to set a new women\u2019s world record for deadlift in one minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have to deadlift a minimum total of 7,000 pounds in one minute,\u201d said Bryant. \u201cI will be the first woman to actually break a Guinness world record in Lakeland Florida and the first African American woman to break a record in Lakeland Florida.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She\u2019s invited her entire hometown to cheer her on at Simpson Park Community Center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve seen me on social media, they haven\u2019t seen me live and in action, so we are going to have a DJ and food trucks and vendors so everyone can see me and just come out and see me break this world record,\u201d said Bryant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Bryant is becoming known for her strength, she\u2019s even more proud of her voice, serving as an inspiration for female powerlifters across the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt’s important because I want everyone to know that strength sports is welcoming women, we are accepted here, they love us here, they embrace us here, it\u2019s ok to lift heavy weights, it’s ok to be feminine and strong, your strength is your beauty,\u201d said Bryant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n