Saul man helping wife in bid to be Ireland’s strongest woman

Saul man helping wife in bid to be Ireland’s strongest woman

26 July 2023

A SAUL man is coaching his wife on her journey to become Ireland’s strongest woman.

Michael McMillan and his wife Nicole are Limerick bound next month where Nicole will compete in the Ultimate Strongman Ireland’s Strongest Woman competition at the Market Fields Stadium.

Nicole, who has previously powered her way to win the Novice Open Weight Total Strength 2021, Ireland, received an invite to the event five weeks ago.

Going into the event ranked third in Ireland, Nicole says she is more excited than nervous about taking part at this stage.

“I don’t really get nervous until I’m at the event,” she explained. “I’ve been basing my training around the event since I got the invite. It will be my second time and it’s exciting because Ireland’s reigning strongest woman will also be competing, along with other competitors from Europe.”

The 32 year-old is competing in the open category where the maximum deadlift, starts off at 160kg, with 20kg jump ups.

She will also participate in the duck walk, an exercise which tests the competitors’ grip strength – carrying a T-bar between their legs, which gives the appearance of athletes walking like a duck.

Nicole spoke candidly about her mental health issues, how she came to be a Strongwoman and how the sport has helped her persevere and power through her demons.

“It is very emotional for me to talk about, but a few years ago, I tried to end my life – it was a really dark time.

“After I knew I needed to do something I started going to the gym where I got the guidance and the tools to deal with my anger issues. It also gave me something to look forward to and allowed me to strive to be the person I want to be.

“During lockdown, I started practising  judo with my husband, who is a strength and conditioning coach, which helped my mental health.”

As Northern Ireland was starting to come out of lockdown in the summer of 2021, Nicole and Michael turned their focus to the Total Strength Strongman event in August of that tear.

“That was my first competition and I only took up Strongman in June the same year.

“It wasn’t long before I found out that I was able to lift the same weights as some of the men who were at the gym,” said Nicole who has no shortage of willpower.

Detailing the challenges of being a Strongwoman, Nicole said it can be both physically and mentally draining.

But she revealed that sometimes she enjoys that.

“It pushes me to go further and prepares me mentally for what lies ahead. I come from a GAA background, which is a team sport that requires you to rely on your teammates. I would sometimes get anxious in group settings, so I enjoy the fact that this sport is individual and the only person you have to rely on is yourself.”

Both Nicole and Michael watch Strongman competitions all the time, with Michael describing his love of strongman as “a hubby, that turned into an obsession”.

Nicole also described Michael’s coaching technique as “very direct”.

She continued: “Michael is also from a GAA background so we tend to argue, but I know it’s because he wants to get the best out of me and reach my potential.”

The 37 year-old Saul man has been an avid gym goer since he was 14, can deadlift up to 260kgs and has read multiple books pertaining to powerlifting. 

And there is no one who understands and appreciates what Nicole does more than him.

He continued: “On good days, Nicole is very coachable. On bad days, we argue like most couples, except we are in a gym. Our focus is always on consistency and I know that is a cliche in most sports to focus on consistency, but in Strongman, it is essential.

“What Nicole and I do is address her weaknesses, work on them and improve her strengths. When it comes to life, Strongman is comparatively easy compared to what Nicole has been through.

“She is a natural, hardworking, determined and egotistical, but every best athlete has an ego – sometimes you have to believe it before you prove it.”

Michael added: “Nicole uses the troubles in her life to fuel and propel her training. She has greatness and natural ability in buckets and greatness is something you cannot teach.”

Between being a full-time nurse and training up to five days a week, Nicole has ambitions to compete in the World’s Strongest Woman competition after Limerick.

Contact details for the Samaritans and Suicide Down to Zero are 116 123 and 07809 441950 respectively. Calls for both are free of charge.