Mercy Brown: ‘If you don’t understand an individual’s culture, you can’t support them’

SportSpiel

British weightlifter Mercy Brown has been on an extensive journey in her sporting career. But the comeback is very much on.
The 26-year-old Londoner is an exciting talent and secured gold in the 2022 British Weightlifting Championships.
But, unfortunately, her year didn’t pan out as expected despite that promising start and indication that the potential is very much there.
Throughout her rollercoaster ride in the sport there have had to be breaks for Mercy to prioritise her own self-care and mental wellbeing.
There is no substitute for looking after yourself as best as you can and it is all part of that personal development.
She also admits, in this episode of SportSpiel, about how tough it has been losing her coach of so many years, after he passed away.
Part of that connection was that he had a team of lifters who looked like her and she emphasises just how important it is to know an individual’s culture.
But what shines from Mercy throughout this interview is how much she cares and how important it is to give back.
Whether it’s helping to support her own Afro-Caribbean community, or looking to change the nonsensical stereotype that strength sports are masculine, she has that inner drive to make a difference.
That has helped see her become part of the Women’s Sport Trust’s famed Unlocked programme and she’s now a firm fixture in what she calls an army of people looking to change women’s sport for the better.
Going forward now is where the comeback comes into play. Tournaments are booked in and Mercy is ready to get competing regularly again.
But, while she admits she’s nearer the end of her career than she is to the start she is determined to give her absolute all in the next couple of years.
With the talent and commitment she has that success is likely to follow, and she might just be appearing on that Olympic stage soon enough.
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Credits
Image: With thanks to Mercy Brown
Music: Otis McDonald