When Robert Crotty graduated from high school nearly a quarter-century ago, he weighed less than 100 pounds.

“I grew up as a super skinny kid, full-on ADHD kid,” Crotty recalled. “I got picked on a ton as a kid.”

Crotty went on to attend Oakland University near his hometown of Rochester Hills, Michigan. Tired of his narrow frame, Crotty began lifting weights and quickly became hooked on working out.

Now 43, Crotty weighs twice as much as his high school days and competes in the 88 kg. weight class for the U.S. Paralympics Powerlifting National Team. He made his international debut last year at a world cup event in Veracruz, Mexico, where he completed a best lift of 99 kg. and helped the U.S. place fifth in the team event.

“I absolutely loved it,” Crotty said. “We played it conservative with my lifts to be on the safe side, so that I knew I could get some good lifts in.”

Crotty’s love for weightlifting began in college, but his path to becoming a Para powerlifter started a few years ago when the big toe on his right foot developed severe arthritis. After a series of surgeries, the pain didn’t go away, and a potentially lethal infection set in. In 2017, Crotty found an orthopedic surgeon who agreed that his lower leg needed to be amputated.

The procedure worked wonders for Crotty, as he was walking on the day of the surgery and began lifting weights in his basement 10 days later. Six months after the amputation, he weighed 150 pounds and could squat 415 pounds.

Now eligible for Para powerlifting competitions, Crotty connected with Team USA powerlifter and fellow Michigan native Bobby Body on Instagram, and Body encouraged Crotty to consider trying out for the U.S. Para powerlifting team. Soon, Crotty was at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and on his way.

Going to the gym has always been a positive outlet for Crotty, who had to overcome some demons earlier in life. In 2006, he was arrested for his second DUI, which made him quit drinking entirely.

“With ADHD, people don’t realize, comes a very addictive personality,” he said. “That happened with booze for me. The thing that people don’t understand with addiction is you can’t just tell someone to stop. They have to have a purpose or a reason why. It can’t be done under duress or a threat.

“With me, I realized I was hurting and disappointing my mom. That was all it took.”

Crotty said focusing on weight training helped him overcome his addiction.

“I had to change my mentality around it all,” he said. “I drink a gallon and a half of water a day, easily. It helped me hyper-focus and change my fitness routine and actually realize what I wanted to do with my fitness routine.”

Still being new to Para powerlifting, Crotty is not on the pathway for the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and is far down the world rankings in his weight class.

“If you look at the numbers, the 88 kg. class is one of the most competitive for strength,” he said. “They’re insane, how strong these guys are.”

Crotty has his sights set on the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028, instead. He would be 47 when those Games take place, but he’s not concerned about his age reducing his chances of being competitive.

“I’ve actually found since I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned more about my body and how to adapt and how to change and how to make the necessary tweaks and what works for my body,” he said.

Crotty currently bench presses three times a week and will probably increase that to five sessions in the quadrennial leading up to LA 2028. On top of making his international debut in Para powerlifting last year, he started lifting in able-bodied competitions as well. To prepare for those events, he does squats and deadlifts, which he said also help him in Para powerlifting.

“A big back is a big bench,” he said. “Your accessories are going to make or break your bench press.”

Crotty plans to compete in Mexico again at the world cup event this May in Cancun, but he will probably pass up the June world cup event in Manchester, England. Ahead of the LA Games, however, he hopes to attend as many international events as he can.

“We’re self-funded, and I don’t have a sponsor,” Crotty said. “I’ll do any of the required meets that I can afford to go to.”

Bob Reinert spent 17 years covering sports for The Boston Globe. He also served as a sports information director at Saint Anselm College and Phillips Exeter Academy. He is a contributor to usparapowerlifting.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

No Longer A ‘Skinny Kid,’ Robert Crotty Is Fully Focused On Powerlifting

Loading...