'Balancing act': McGuire Airman also a national-level weightlifter

Published Dec. 30, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
305th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- At first glance, her petite frame may fool you. At just 5'2" with long blonde hair, she may not seem like a typical weightlifting champion; however, her list of awards and No. 1 rank in the U.S. in her weight class prove otherwise.

At McGuire, Airman 1st Class Angela Candage works in the 305th Aerial Port Squadron as a traffic management apprentice. In her off-time, she diligently trains and competes in weightlifting events all around the world.

"I got involved (with weightlifting) by my old coach Harvey Newton, who is a prior U.S. Marine and U.S. Olympic team coach," Airman Candage said. "At the time, he was coaching a few friends of mine, and he asked me if I was interested in lifting. I said yes, learned the snatch (a weightlifting maneuver) that day and competed in a meet the following day. Under his expertise in coaching and my natural ability, I was ranked Top 3 Nationally in my second meet."

Airman Candage continued with Olympic-style weightlifting through her senior year of high school and lifted for two years before having to quit due to a lack of funds and no training location.

"I was retired for the last three years until I arrived at McGuire in October -- the Air Force has given me the opportunity to start training again and pursuing the sport I love," she said.

As most can imagine, competing as a weightlifter requires a great amount of hard work and training on a constant basis. In addition to physical training as an Airman, to be ready to deploy at any time, Airman Candage incorporates speed, strength, power, and flexibility movements into her work-out routine.

"(Airman Candage) is very goal-oriented and headstrong, especially when it comes to weightlifting," said Senior Airman Orlando Gonzalez, 305th APS material controller. "Her training regimen is extremely strenuous ... she has been a positive influence on me and other members in the 305th APS -- more so for women, since she is such a strong female athlete."

A few of the exercises in her training sessions include back and front squats, hang snatch, snatch balances, power cleans, push presses, and power jerks, she said. She trains up to five days each week.

Her training enables her to bench press 195 pounds, snatch 160 pounds, hold 320 pounds in a back squat, hold 280 pounds in a front squat, and lift 225 pounds in a clean and jerk.

With such intense training, it can be somewhat of a struggle to maintain being an Airman and a weightlifter.

"It's a constant balancing act juggling being an Airman, national-level weightlifter and student at the same time," she said. "Eating a balanced diet and getting enough sleep is extremely important for the body to recover and to have enough energy throughout the day."

Airman Candage's dedication to the sport and her Olympic dream help her strive to be the best she can.

"Weightlifting forces me to stay focused in all aspects of my life. There is so much you sacrifice on a day-to-day basis that people don't realize," she said. "At times, you do ask yourself, 'Why am I doing this?' But at the end of the day, it all comes back to doing what you love -- and I feel so fortunate I have a second chance to pursue my dream, which is ultimately the 2012 Olympic Games."

Airman Candage has won several awards and records since her weightlifting career began in high school, including three Florida High School Athletic Association Weightlifting State Championships, Junior National Champion in the 127-pound weight class, and she is the record holder for all Seabreeze High School's records at 129 and 139-pound weight classes in bench press, clean and jerk, and total weight.

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'Balancing act'