Lottie McGuinness believes embracing her true identity has been key to earning her place at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

The para powerlifter will make her Commonwealth debut when she represents England at Glasgow 2026, two years on from representing Team GB at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

McGuinness attended the Birmingham 2022 Games as a spectator and left determined to ensure she would be competing next time around.

Four years later and the Harrogate lifter has made that dream come true but it has taken plenty of soul searching in order to make it happen.

“If you asked people that know me, they will say it is like I am a different woman,” she reflected. “In 2022, I was still quite a shy individual.

“I was trying a lot to be like all my idols. I was forcing myself to not be myself. I was copying other athletes’ performance rituals. That was taking a lot of concentration off my performance. I was scared to be me when I didn’t need to.

“It was my weakness and I started to fall behind, and I started to fall out of love with the sport.

“Once I realised this, I became the person who I am today. My numbers on the bar went up, my love for the sport went up and I found my passion and my belonging.

“Now I am totally different and I am quite proud of how far I have come.

“I used to hate answering the phone, in a Zoom meeting I would have my camera off all the time. In training, I would stick to myself, no talking whereas now I am probably the loudest.”


McGuinness’ new-found confidence means she is relishing the prospect of a packed-out crowd in Glasgow.

Para-powerlifting always brings raucous support with plenty of music pumping, something McGuinness now embraces up on stage.

“I love the crowds, I love the noise and it gives me that boost,” she added.

“Back then, I wanted to hide away from it. I used to be a swimmer, where the attention wasn’t all on you and now I have gone to a sport where the attention is all on you. That was a lot to adjust to.

“Once I found my groove, I have started to love it more. The vibes in Paris were incredible and I am excited to see what the vibes will be like in Glasgow.

“It is almost a home crowd and I have got so many family and friends coming that couldn’t come to Paris.”

McGuinness made the switch to para powerlifting just before the Covid-19 pandemic, having initially been a swimmer.

She was inspired into the pool by watching Ellie Simmonds at the London 2012 Paralympics and now hopes to use own platform to be a role model for the next generation.


“Ellie helped me a lot in becoming me and learning about my identity,” she added.

“When I got to terms with my identity and learned what it would be, I got quite low and into a depressive state.

“Someone actually asked me once what I wanted to be when I was older and I said: ‘taller’. I look back and think why did I say that?

“Swimming was a massive boost for me. I loved being in the water and I didn’t feel different.

“A few weeks ago I had a young girl with dwarfism approach me and ask me how I deal with the staring and the hate.

“I find it sad that it is still a thing but I was quite honoured that she came to me. To be able to inspire is something so special.

“I have gone from being inspired to the one inspiring. It doesn’t feel real."