Barbells clanking and plates slamming the floor became the usual noise for Halim on his journey to powerlifting. The built-up discipline from 21-year-old Halim transformed not only his body but his hunger to chase his aspirations. What once started as an innocent “test of limits” became a true competitor amongst others similar.

Halim Tiru Mohammed’s journey branched from an active lifestyle growing up; he has always been active, from gymnastics mats to basketball courts, pushing his body has always been second nature to him. “I’ve always been active,” he recalls. “Training and home workouts had been part of my routine since around 14 or 15. But it wasn’t until I turned 18 that I got my first gym membership and really started lifting properly.”

For any young adult, the gym is a place to socialise with friends, try new workouts, and see who can lift the most. Something sparked in Halim, a realisation that he wanted to take another approach to the typical gym goers’ experience around his age group; it became a place for him to clear his mind. “I found myself drawn to the big three compound lifts, squat, bench, and deadlift, “he explains. “I loved the rush and the test of raw strength. Every time I added weight to the bar, it felt like progress I could see and feel.”

It didn’t take long for Halim to realise his potential. “About a year and a half into training, I was lifting regularly with one of my close friends. I weighed around 58kg at the time, and I managed to deadlift 153kg, with no proper program or power lifting structure,” he says, smiling at the memory. “That was the turning point for me. It showed me what I was capable of.”  

Moments like that unfold something more than just physical power; they birth the belief that has been waiting to emerge. Watching Halim now is a testament to what that belief does to someone, not just his physical growth, but the change in character with his outlook on life being altered due to staying consistent with lifting. Halim is the embodiment of why discipline beats motivation ten times over.

When talking to Halim about his first powerlifting competition, there is a sense of excitement in his face, the kind of excitement you get when remembering something that has changed your life. This competition wasn’t about competing with his fellow lifters but competing with himself.

“One of my close training friends pushed me to just go for it,” Halim recalls with a grin. “He told me to enter a competition even though I barely knew what I was doing. I had decent strength already; I just needed to learn the technique and get that competition experience.”

It wasn’t a smooth ride. The lead-up for Halim was described as the toughest he’s ever faced. The physical training was demanding, but it was the mental battle that tested his limits.

“Discipline became everything,” he says. “There’s always that voice in your head telling you you’re not good enough, but that’s what drove me to train harder. Every session became a lesson.”

On the day of the competition, the energy surrounding Halim was infectious, the weights being stacked up, the echoes of lifters cheering, and the heavy scent of chalk and sweat hanging in the air. Halim remembers taking steps onto the platform, heart pounding, but also having that feeling of accomplishment.

“It was nerve-wracking but also really warm and motivating,” he explains. “Everyone there wanted you to do well, even your competitors. It’s rare to find that kind of energy anywhere else.”

But not everything went to plan. Out of nine lifts, he managed only four. For someone who trained for this nonstop in the lead-up, it felt like failure.

“It was demoralising,” he admits. “I didn’t feel strong enough or ready. But looking back, that first competition taught me so much more than I expected. It made me hungrier.”

Five months later, he came back stronger, both mentally and physically. He took this opportunity to be calm and confident with every lift, which led to an insane increase of 70kg to his prior total.

“That second competition was when it clicked,” Halim says. “I went in to have fun, to test myself, and it paid off. I left feeling proud and motivated to keep going.”

The journey Halim embarked on reflects something deeper than just sport. It’s that constant battle you face between doubt and discipline, and how sometimes one small push will make you realise your potential.

Halim continues his training for his next competition; there’s no complacency, just quiet determination. From casual gym sessions with friends, into a journey of discipline, patience, and personal growth.

Powerlifting for Halim is not just about the heavy weights being lifted, but more so testing your willpower, the battle between the mind and body, fought in silence long before stepping onto that platform.

“Every time I lift, it’s me vs the weight and more importantly me vs who I was before I began this journey,” Halim says.

His story is a reminder that success doesn’t come easy. It’s built from endless sets and reps to failure. Those moments not seen by people are what lead to success. The true rewards do not come from the medals won but from pushing your limits, knowing you have transformed yourself, becoming stronger in more than one way.