Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Nurse Powerlifts Her Way to Winner's Podium

Image of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Holly Vickers competed in the United States Powerlifting Association’s Virginia Beach Classic on March 26, 2022, taking home the top spot for her weight class. Photo used with permission from DVXT Images. (Photo: Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Public Affairs). U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Holly Vickers competed in the United States Powerlifting Association’s Virginia Beach Classic on March 26, 2022, taking home the top spot for her weight class. Photo used with permission from DVXT Images. (Photo: Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune Public Affairs)

A Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune nurse has another title to add to her name – champion powerlifter. U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander Holly Vickers competed in the United States Powerlifting Association's Virginia Beach Classic on March 26, taking home the top spot for her weight class.

"Powerlifting is a strength sport consisting of three lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift. Some meets do allow you to compete in one specific lift, but if you compete in all three- that's Full Power," Vickers said.

"Full power" is exactly how Vickers competed in the 75 kilogram weight class, recording a 275.6 pound squat, 137.6-pound bench, and 319.7-pound deadlift to round out the win. In addition to competing full power, Vickers competed "raw" meaning with the least amount of equipment or gear, such as knee wraps and deadlift suits, allowed per official rules.

Vickers, a native of Woburn, Massachusetts, currently serves at NMCCL as a perioperative nurse and division officer for the Sterile Processing Division. Vickers says sports have always been a part of her life, but it wasn't until she joined a CrossFit gym in 2017 that she discovered her love of weightlifting.

"I learned that strength was kind of 'my thing' and it grew from there. I deployed to Djibouti in March 2021. While there, Navy Moral Welfare and Recreation hosted a 500 pound and 1000 pound lifting challenge," explained Vickers. "I ended up taking second place overall for women totaling 630 pounds, only five pounds behind the winner. I figured, 'hey-I found something I enjoy that I might be decent at.' When I returned home from deployment, I registered for the Virginia Beach Classic."

With Vickers' win from the Virginia Beach Classic, she qualifies for the International Powerlifting Federation's North American Championship in November in Oklahoma City. Vickers' long-term goal is to improve her upcoming powerlifting total to 804.7 pounds and to hit International Elite standing someday.

"Juggling Navy Medicine commitments and a competitive sport is just that, juggling. I'll hit 11 years of active duty next month," Vickers said. "I know my military commitments come first – but I'm also at the point in my career where I understand the importance of taking care of myself both physically and emotionally. For me, powerlifting does just that."

Vickers hopes her identity not only as a Navy nurse but as a powerlifter will help set an example for other Sailors and encourage them to pursue their passions.

"If you're willing to put in the work and juggle it with your military commitments, it'll only make you a stronger Sailor. Be willing to make sacrifices and understand that results don't happen overnight."

When Vickers isn't training for the next competition, she is working toward her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and commuting to her family home in Virginia to tend to their "homestead of goats, chickens, and other critters."

You also may be interested in...

Article
Dec 2, 2025

Public health team drives readiness at Tyndall

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 325th Operational Medical Readiness and Force Support Squadrons review food temperatures during a routine food safety inspection at the dining facility on Tyndall Air Force Base

The Public Health flight within the 325th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron plays a quiet but essential role in keeping Tyndall’s mission running. The team works to prevent illness, monitor health risks and support every unit on base so Airmen can train, deploy and return safely.

Topic
Feb 6, 2026

Public Health

MHS Seal

Public Health supports the move from a health care system to a system of health by focusing on the prevention of disease, disability, and death in garrison and while deployed.

Article
Jan 15, 2025

U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine is Updating Guidance on Cold-Weather Injuries

A service member is exposed to cold air in environmental test chamber after undergoing a treatment called ischemic preconditioning

As efforts in the Arctic region continues to accelerate, senior leaders need to be confident that warfighters under their command will be able to operate at peak effectiveness for long periods in extreme cold. That’s why experts in nutrition, physical performance, and extreme environments from the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine ...

Article
Jan 14, 2025

U.S. Army Provides Soldiers, Families Variety of Mind, Body Resources

Chaplains and religious affairs specialists provide various types of counseling and training

As the new year begins, soldiers, their families and U.S. Army civilians have a variety of tools and programs available to support their overall well-being. From holistic health and fitness initiatives to spiritual readiness resources, free counseling, sleep assistance, and family support programs, the U.S. Army is committed to fostering resilience ...

Article
Jan 7, 2025

January is National Radon Action Month: Learn to Manage Risk

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month

The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has chosen the last week of January as Radon Awareness Week. This is the perfect time to think about testing your home for radon.

Article
Dec 27, 2024

Frozen on the Slopes: How a Soldier Learned from a Close Call

Graphic of someone on skis falling in the snow

Several years ago, I was stationed in Colorado. I’d never snow skied, but after my first initiation-by-fire trip, I was feeling comfortable and actually considered myself a somewhat fearless skier. I would go hard and fast until I hit something or just fell. Ski equipment would scatter from where I fell to where I slid to a stop—meaning I spent a lot ...

Video
Dec 9, 2024

Warrior Care: A Marine Finds Community with Art

Warrior Care: A Marine Finds Community with Art

Lance Cpl Sara Vanegas is a Marine with the Wounded Warriors Batallion East at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. She is a talented artist who is finding community through her art and the Warrior Care Program. Learn more about the many resources and programs available at health.mil/warriorcare.

Article
Dec 2, 2024

Military Health Expert Explains how Strength is Relative to Body Weight

People working out outside

Each military service selects its physical fitness tests to meet its unique mission needs. All services’ fitness tests include measures of aerobic fitness, such as a timed run, and muscular health, such as the push-up. Depending on the service, the fitness test can include sprinting, carrying weighted items, or deadlifts.

Refine your search