Natalie's Everyday Heroes: High school powerlifter proves how strong she can be
WATERFORD, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A high school senior in Waterford has won five national titles and set an American record in powerlifting.
That's impressive right there. But she's continuing her lifting career in college this fall.
Jenna Bjorge has done it while overcoming a big loss. And proving she's strong in more ways than one.
For Bjorge, powerlifting takes one thing.
"It's a lot of discipline," she said, before a recent workout.
She spends hours in the gym at Waterford Union High School.
"That was a little hard," she said after a rep.
She's training with her coach, Mike Ruland.
"I think the thing with powerlifting is putting the time in and just having that mentality, the grind day in and day out," Ruland said of the mindset it takes to be successful.
It's a mentality Jenna has had since she started lifting in 8th grade.
"And once I started competing in meets, I realized I'm like actually pretty good at this," she said with a smile.
Pretty good would be an understatement.
Jenna has won multiple state championships in Wisconsin, five different national titles and set an American record, squatting 413.4 pounds.
"I honestly couldn't believe it. I was like shaking. It was crazy," she said of the moment she broke the previous record.
With all of those accomplishments, it's no surprise Jenna got a scholarship to Midland University.
"If you talk about collegiate nationals, Midland is the school that either everybody loves or hates, because Midland is the one that wins the national championship almost every year," Ruland said.
Her powerlifting scholarship will allow Jenna to study nursing.
"My dad had passed from cancer my sophomore year," she said. "After seeing how all the nurses interacted with other people and with him, it made me very inspired to get into that field."
It also taught her mental strength. An orange ribbon is on her belt representing the leukemia that took him. And reminding her he's there.
"He would ask me if I had fun, and that's something I always keep with me. I'm just like, are you having fun?" she said.
The smiles on her face and the awards on the walls show she is having fun. Ruland and his family have become like a second family to Jenna.
"Like the first year or two with me, she was extremely humble and shy and quiet," Ruland said. Now, though, "She's just been part of the family."
Having that support has allowed Jenna to flourish.
"There's genetics and then there's the stuff you just have to put in the time and effort," Ruland said.
And showing her strength, mentally, physically and emotionally.
"Worlds, Midland, what's next? I really don't know what could be next for me," she said of the future.
Last September, Jenna took fourth at Worlds in Costa Rica. She said she's ready to get back to training with a team when she gets to Midland.
And in her spare time, she also raises pigs and chickens. She's been showing them at the Racine County Fair for years.
If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].