BigLaw paralegal sets new Australian powerlifting record

He not only broke the previous record of 176 kilograms but also raised the bar by lifting an impressive 193 kilograms in the bench press, surpassing the old mark by 17 kilograms.

To perform at a high level in both powerlifting and law, Heazlewood-Lee said a key strategy he relies on is treating his time like a training program.

“A key strategy I’ve developed to balance being a student with being a national-level powerlifter and working as a paralegal is by treating my time like a training program, with each hour purposefully assigned to a task,” he said.

“This starts with planning my week into blocks of time that have a clear purpose, whether that be working, studying, training or relaxing.”

By adopting this structured approach, he explained that it allows him to be fully present in each moment, minimising distractions and reducing mental overlap between his various responsibilities.

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“This approach also requires me to be present and focused on the task at hand. When I’m training, I’m not thinking about assignments or exams. When I’m working, I’m not thinking about the gym. When I’m studying, I’m not reviewing training videos,” he said.

“This has benefits beyond tangible success as a student, employee, and an athlete. Solely focusing on the task at hand has huge mental health benefits, particularly during periods that are both physically and mentally intense.”

Another habit that’s proven crucial to managing his various commitments, Heazlewood-Lee added, is learning to prioritise discipline over preference.

“A habit that has been vital to my performance is doing what needs to be done, not what I want to do. I couldn’t count the number of times I didn’t want to pull myself up to the desk, especially after a gruelling workout or do that last set of legs in the gym, but without it, I would not have achieved the results I have,” he said.

“But, that’s not to say that there isn’t room for time off or flexibility in that routine. Getting stronger in the gym requires a fine balance between training hard and recovering. If total training fatigue exceeds the body’s ability to recover, strength declines. The same goes for studying and working. Without breaks, the dreaded brain fog and burnout creeps in.”

Though powerlifting and the legal profession might appear worlds apart, Heazlewood-Lee said the skills he’s developed through competitive sport have seamlessly transferred into his legal studies and professional work.

“While studying and lifting seem worlds apart, they’re much more similar than you would think. Powerlifting has developed my ability to self-manage, critically reflect, and perform under pressure; training has also instilled a sense of relentless determination within me,” he said.

One specific skill that has carried over from his athletic discipline is the composure and self-trust he developed as an athlete, which he now applies to his academic pursuits.

“In competition, lifters are given three attempts for each lift: the squat, bench press, and deadlift. Making attempt selections, fuelling myself with the right nutrition, and staying energised, all while breaking personal and national records under strict competition rules has fostered my ability to perform under pressure. I always remind myself that I’ve done the training, and now it’s time to execute,” he said.

“This repeats in exams where I maintain composure, trust in my preparation, and think swiftly and logically. I trust that I’ve done the preparation and now need to focus on applying it to the question at hand.”

With so many commitments demanding his time and energy, Heazlewood-Lee admits that managing both physical and mental fatigue remains one of his biggest challenges.

“The biggest challenge in managing being a full-time student, part-time paralegal, and an elite athlete is maintaining consistent performance whilst being physically and mentally exhausted. Staring at weeks full of colour-blocked days is mentally exhausting and walking into the gym after a day at work or university is physically draining,” he said.

To overcome this, he explained that he has adopted a triage model where he prioritises tasks based on which require the most attention and energy, helping him avoid burnout and prevent wasted effort.

“But what ultimately helped me overcome this challenge was using a triage model and having ‘deload’ periods. The triage model involves making strategic decisions about the week ahead based on what needs to be at its peak. Considering whether it’s study, work, or the gym that needs more time and energy helps avoid spinning my wheels and burning out,” he said.

“Just as it does with training, over-expending myself generates an unsustainable level of fatigue, which, in the long run, hinders both the quality and the quantity of my output. It’s essential to work hard, don’t get me wrong, but being smart about that work is the key to consistent performance, especially when balancing those commitments.”

While Heazlewood-Lee has implemented structured strategies to stay focused and perform at a high level as both an athlete and law student, he emphasises the importance of scheduling regular breaks, not as unproductive downtime, but as essential moments of restoration.

“Another way I have managed to maintain the consistent performance required to break the national bench press record is by planning ‘deload’ periods or time off. In powerlifting, a deload week is a period of training with lighter weights that reduces systemic fatigue without losing momentum. These periods are essential to continually getting stronger. They’re also something that I have incorporated into my study and work life,” he said.

“Allowing myself those few extra hours at uni after class to play pool or meeting up with friends after work is incredibly mentally regenerative. Over time, I’ve learnt that downtime isn’t necessarily unproductive; when used in a structured way, it’s restorative. Though, on more than one occasion, it’s gotten out of hand, and I’ve binged Netflix until irreverent hours.”