Joelle Emery
President

I lift and coach out of Lily Weightlifting in Ann Arbor. 

I started lifting through CrossFit in 2012 and competed in my first meet on a whim in January 2015. I showed up 40 minutes late to weigh-in, because I thought that I could come at any point throughout the hour, had never lifted in kilos, didn’t know how to count attempts, and took my opener in the back multiple times because I was so nervous.  So many people at the meet offered to help me, cheered me on, and were so kind and welcoming, that I fell in love with the sport. 

It took me a few years to rip off the CrossFit bandaid, but in March 2017 I decided I just wanted to lift, and haven’t looked back since. Being able to represent Team USA in Germany has been my biggest lifting accomplishment, and I can’t wait for the opportunity to put on a USA singlet again. 

I joined the (then LWC) WSO board as an athlete rep in 2017 because I didn’t know I anyone on the board, didn’t really know what the board did, and wanted to create a greater community in Michigan among the female athletes.  As I spent time on the board, I wanted to have a greater role in growing the reach of the sport, and amicability among clubs.  I’m super proud of how far the WSO has come, and can’t wait to see what this board accomplishes. 

I bought a 1920s Sears Kit House, and try my best to keep on top of renovations. I recently welcomed a floppy, sweet puppy, Persephone into the house!