James Whiteman splits his time between his 9-to-5 job in healthcare and training as an elite-level Olympic weightlifter. Working in disability management, he helps people recover from injuries and return to work—a role that’s as much about motivation as it is about physical recovery.
“Just understanding how to motivate individuals to reach their potential” is a key part of his job, and it carries over into his own athletic journey. Whether helping someone rebuild strength after an injury or pushing himself in training, his mindset is the same—it’s about showing up, doing the work, and making steady progress.
“I spent years in sport—it's been my entire life,” he says. Olympic weightlifting has given him a way to keep competing while also thinking about the bigger picture: staying strong, improving over time, and giving back to the next generation of athletes.
An Unexpected Start
Until his early 20s, James was focused on soccer, playing at the university level, while using strength training to improve his performance and maintain his overall fitness. But, when he eventually stepped away from the sport, he found himself looking for a new challenge.
“I was actually at a party one night, and my friends were watching a YouTube video of Olympic weightlifting, and I thought that it’d be fun to try,” he says. Watching high-level lifters compete, he was drawn to how seamless they made it look. “Watching high-level lifters, seeing how effortless they made it look—that's what drew me in. It was the combination of strength and technical skill that really interested me.”
James spent a year teaching himself the sport before entering a local competition, where he met his now long-time coach, Augie. That introduction shaped the next phase of his career—one focused on technical mastery, long-term progression, and high-level competition.
Setbacks and Longevity in Sport
When James tore his meniscus, he feared it was over. Limited to partial movements for six months, he focused on what he could do—pulls, deadlifts, and power variations. A year later, weights that once felt heavy were just his warm-ups.
The injury forced him to change his approach, learning to balance intensity with long-term sustainability.
“I think recognizing when to push when you feel good, but also knowing when to take a step back and evaluate your progress, is important.”
Rather than letting setbacks define him, James used them as opportunities to adapt and grow.
“In the grand scheme of things, as long as you're able to take those losses where you have them but keep pushing forward with what you got, you're able to reach new heights that you didn't really think were possible.”
Even outside of injuries, weightlifting demands patience. “An off day isn’t going to be the end of the world. When you really look at the big picture, you see the progress that you've made.”
Competing for Team Canada
In 2024, James represented Team Canada at the Commonwealth Chanpionships in Fiji, a moment that solidified just how far he’d come.
“Fiji was unreal. I got to meet some of the coolest people, see a different part of the world, and really feel like I was part of something.”
Competing on the international stage shifted his perspective.
“Weightlifting is an individual sport, but competing with Team Canada and making new friends in the sport—that’s something I’ll cherish forever.”
It was also a turning point for his own expectations.
“I put up numbers in Fiji that I had never done before in competition. It made me realize what’s possible and set the bar even higher for myself.”
Looking Training and Nutrition
James trains five days a week, often starting before sunrise.
“I train at 6:00 a.m., which means I have to wake up at 4:00 a.m., hydrate, caffeinate, take my supplements, and mentally check in before I start throwing weight overhead.”
But progress isn’t just about training.
“It’s more about what you do outside of the gym than in the gym—your sleep, nutrition, hydration, and mindset make all the difference.”
That consistency pays off over time, even when some days feel like a grind.
“Some days you’re going to have amazing lifts, and some days you’re going to have really bad ones. That’s just the way it goes.”
Why Blonyx?
In late 2024, James joined the Blonyx Athlete Team, drawn to Blonyx’s straightforward, research-backed approach to supplementation.
“A lot of supplement companies will make claims about things that aren't necessarily true. I find that Blonyx does a really great job with being able to provide evidence-based products to their athletes. There's not long, complex ingredients that aren't science-based or backed by research.”
James’ supplement routine includes:
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Blonyx HMB+ Creatine: “It gives me the endurance, power, and the muscle-building support I need to keep progressing.”
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Blonyx Beta Alanine: “It helps reduce muscle fatigue so I can keep going and stay as powerful and explosive as possible.”
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Beet It Regen Cherry+: “Tart cherry has been huge for inflammation and recovery, and the fact that I can just toss the Regen Cherry+ shots in my bag makes them super convenient.”
Looking Ahead
James has his sights set on major international competitions.
“I'm looking to continue to represent internationally. The two competitions that I want to attend the most are the World Championships in Norway in October of 2025 and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026—that’s the big goal.”
Beyond competing, he hopes to use his experience to give back to the sport.
“Continuing to learn and help others is important to me. I’ve learned best from my own experiences, and I want to share that with others.”
Building Strength Through Community
Weightlifting may be an individual sport, but James knows he hasn’t done it alone. From coaches and teammates to friends who have supported him along the way, his success has been shaped by the people around him.
“Asking for help is completely okay. I don't think a lot of this would be possible without friends, teammates, or coaches providing the support that you need.”
In Halifax, he’s found a community that lifts each other up—literally and figuratively.
“There’s a big ‘support local’ mentality in Halifax, and I’m lucky to have people who believe in what I’m working toward.”
For lifters just getting started, his advice is simple:
"Keep it simple. A lot of people get lost in overanalyzing everything. Have a plan and stick to it long term."
And most importantly:
“Trust the process. You’re going to reach your goals—or get close—but you have to be patient and enjoy the journey.”
You can follow James Whiteman on Instagram @jameswhiteman.
That’s all for this week! If you enjoyed reading James' story, head over to the Blonyx Blog for more stories of athletic ambition.
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