Team Praxis is a USAW sanctioned amateur weightlifting club based in Utah but includes lifters from across the country. Team members train together as often as possible during designated team hours. Team Praxis is led by head coach Debbie Millet who provides athlete development, goal direction and competition coaching at local, national and international meets. Team Praxis consists of beginners and elite, world-class athletes training together in a supportive atmosphere.
Some of the team’s accomplishments include: USAW Team USA University World member, Team USA Youth Pan Am member, USAW U25 National Champion, USA Masters World Champions x3, Masters National Champions x7, Masters World records, Masters Pan Am records, Masters National records, Masters Pan Am Champions x2, numerous state champions and state records.
This team is unique as it consists of a weightlifting-specific training culture, a present and experienced head coach correcting technique, an encouraging team dynamic and the inspiration and motivation inherent in training alongside elite athletes.
There is no charge to join Team Praxis. Interested individuals must try out and be accepted by coach Debbie Millet. If you are interested in becoming part of Team Praxis, please contact us. Follow Team Praxis on Instagram @teampraxis1
Many of our Team Praxis athletes choose to purchase written programming and/or video coaching review through Praxis Weightlifting LLC. Many of our Team Praxis athletes do not.
Meet the team
Brittany Riesenberg, retired athlete
Age: 42
Weight class/Division: 64kg Women
Profession: Mom of four, snowmobile tour company operator, retired world level competitor, beach babe, baker, party planner, shopper, and official team model for workout clothes and bikinis.
Why Praxis: The coaches and the people I train with. It’s a fun and encouraging atmosphere.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I was discovered by a weightlifting coach in San Diego who encouraged me to quit long distance running. I took 3rd place in my first weightlifting meet after training for 6 weeks and never looked back!
Fun Fact: Mike Burgener nicknamed Brittany “Weightlifting Barbie” which she uses as her instagram account.
Favorite exercise: Snatch
Favorite lifter: Natalie Burgener
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: S’mores cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory
Playlist: 90’s rap and hip-hop
2014 and 2019 Masters World Champion, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020 Masters National Champion, 2017 Arnold Classic overall winner master women, has set Masters Pan Am records in the Snatch, CJ and Total and the Masters World record in the Snatch. 2015 Masters Pan Am Champion, 2015 Masters World Cup Champion, 2013-2020 national senior-level athlete, holds multiple Utah state records
Maci Winn
Age: 26
Weight class/Division: 81kg Women
Profession: University of Utah MD/PhD student
Why Praxis: Amazing coaching and teammates who know how to work hard and have fun.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I discovered Olympic weightlifting as a spectator at the 2016 Olympic Trials in SLC. I finally started weightlifting in 2017 and never looked back.
Favorite exercise: Snatch
Favorite lifter: Lydia Valentin, Jenny Arthur, Toshiki Yamamoto and Loredana Toma.
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Tacos
Playlist: Classic rock or EDM.
2022 Senior National Champion, 2021 American Open S2 Gold, 2021 Senior National Championships 4th, 2020 Senior National Championships silver, 2020 American Open Finals Champion, 2019 University National Champion, 2018 TEAM USA University World Team, 2018 U25 National Champion, multiple Utah State record holder
Malia Levy
Age: 16
Weight class/Division: 81+kg Youth
Profession: High School Student
Why Praxis: The best environment to not only get the best coaching, but be around the most supportive, hard working, and fun teammates.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I was playing basketball for 3 years and I was sick of it, so I told my parents I needed to find a new sport. One day they randomly asked me if I wanted to be a weightlifter and I thought it sounded cool. We went and visited Praxis and I saw weightlifting for the first time. It was the weirdest thing I’d ever seen and I loved it. Started in 2018, best decision I ever made.
Favorite exercise: Block or power snatch
Favorite lifter: Coach Mary, Kuo, Sarah Robles
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Chicken fettuccine alfredo
Playlist: Lizzo radio
2022 Youth National Champion, 2022 TEAM USA Youth World Team, 2022 TEAM USA Youth Pan Am Team, 2021 Youth National Championships silver, 2020 Youth National Champion, 2020 TEAM USA multiple Utah State record holder, USPA National Teen squat record
Grace Le
Age: 19
Weight class/Division: 64kg Junior
Profession: University of Utah student
Why Praxis: It’s an environment where I am constantly inspired to work hard by my coach and teammates. The knowledge and experience I gain every day there helps me better myself in and out of the gym.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I was introduced to Olympic weightlifting through crossfit. After 4 years in crossfit I learned my favorite thing about it was the Olympic lifts so I made the switch in 2022.
Favorite exercise: Cleans
Favorite lifter: Maci Winn, Neisi Dajomes
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Pasta
Playlist: rap/hip hop, Daisies by Katy Perry
8th overall 2022 National Junior National Championships, 9th overall 2022 National University Championships
Tory Brownlow
Age: 27
Weight class/Division: 64kg Women
Profession: Product Owner for The REDX and Registered Nurse
Why Praxis: I’ve never been around more people who’s only intention is to help continually build you up. I love this team!
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I got peer pressured into doing a weightlifting competition when I was focusing on my Crossfit training. haha. I dropped every snatch in my first competition and knew I had so much more in me. I haven’t looked back since.
Favorite exercise: Snatch
Favorite lifter:
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Sushi and Chip Cookie
Playlist: Destiny’s Child Radio on Pandora
4th place 2018 University National Championships, 2018 Utah State Champion, current senior-level national competitor
Chloe Wise, retired 2018
Age: 17
Weight class/Division: 71kg Women
Profession: Bingham High School student
Why Praxis: Everyone is so kind and welcoming and makes a great environment
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I started lifting at a gym on my own at 12 years old teaching myself how to snatch and clean and jerk. Then I started Crossfit, met my first Olympic weightlifting coach and went to the 2016 youth nationals and ever since then I’ve fallen in love.
Favorite exercise: Clean
Favorite lifter: Rebeka Koha, Mary Peck Mattie Rogers
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Cookie dough
Playlist: Hip hop that annoys everyone in the gym
2018 TEAM USA Youth Pan Am Team, 2015-18 Utah State Champion.
Dustin Ma
Age: 39
Weight class/Division: 62kg Men
Profession: Physical Therapist
Favorite lift or exercise: Push press and whatever the last set of the day is
Why Praxis: The amazing team and supportive training environment
How I started Olympic weightlifting: CrossFit transplant
Favorite cheat meal: pizza, fries, wings, food. EVERYTHING.
Meet day playlist includes: A$AP Rocky, Flosstradamus, Jeezy, Kendrick Lamar…
USA Masters American Record Holder x3, 2021 Masters Pan Am Champion, 2020 Masters National Champion, 2019 Masters National Championships silver, 2018 Arnold Classic Champion, 2018 Howard Cohen American Masters Champion, 2017 Masters National Championships silver, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 Texas state champion, multi time Texas state record holder
Tara Le
Age: 26
Weight class/Division: 59kg Women
Profession: Dental student
Why Praxis: It is a supportive community where everyone has a common goal to become a better version of themselves.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I was powerlifting until some college friends introduced me to Olympic weightlifting and I loved the movements so much more.
Favorite exercise: Jerks
Favorite lifter: Lydia Valentin
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Chipotle bowl with white rice and no beans, DOUBLE steak, fajitas mild and hot salsa, corn, extra sour cream, lettuce, with chips and guac and an agua fresca.
Playlist: Dance pop and trap
2022 American Open Series 1 senior competitor
Kai Duncan
Age: 29
Weight class/Division: 89kg Men
Profession: Biomedical Service Engineer at ARUP Laboratories
Favorite lift or exercise: Muscle snatch
Why Praxis: World-class coaching and the uplifting and fiercely supportive and inspiring team!
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I came to weightlifting from powerlifting thinking there had to be more to life than squat, bench, and deadlift. I learned that there’s also snatch and clean & jerk!
Favorite cheat meal: Poke
Favorite Lifter: Kuo Hsing-Chun and Meso Hassona
Playlist: Anything upbeat that makes me want to MOVE (weights around)
2022 American Open Series 1 competitor
Quint Sudbury, retired athlete, Praxis Assistant Coach (USAW L2)
Age: 47
Weight class/Division: 85kg Men
Profession: Owner/machinist at JQ Enterprises
Fun fact: Has made most of Praxis’ strength equipment
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I took a USAW Sports Performance Cert in 2013 and was hooked. I started training at Praxis shortly after. I enjoy competing in sports where the mental game is as critical as the physical. It’s great to train in an atmosphere with like-minded athletes and knowledgeable coaches.
Favorite exercise: Snatch
Favorite lifter:
Favorite recovery meal: Mint chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone or pumpkin pie
Playlist: I like Rihanna…………a lot
2016 Masters Pan Am Champion, 2015 Masters Pan Am Championships and Masters World Cup competitor
Profession: UofU student, former Marine and bomb detonator
Why Praxis: The coaching and programming
How I started Olympic weightlifting:
Favorite lifter:
Favorite recovery/cheat meal:
Playlist:
Jordynne Faber
Age: 18
Weight class/Division: 59kg Junior
Profession: University student
Favorite thing about praxis: Praxis was recommended by my sister and I decided to give it a try. Everyone is so welcoming and made me feel a part of the team instead of just a young kid.
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I have been doing crossfit since I was 8 and I seemed to like the lifting better than cardio. Ever since then, I have loved Olympic lifting.
Favorite exercise: Snatch
Favorite lifter: Dillon Edelen, my older brother
Favorite cheat meal: Cookies
Playlist: top hits
2021 Junior National competitor, 2018-2020 Youth National competitor, 2019-2020 Utah Junior State Champion, 2019 overall best lifter Utah Junior State Championships, 2018 Utah Junior State Champion
Something about me: To be a well-rounded athlete I continue to do CrossFit, and try to participate in about 5-6 sprint triathlons each summer. I am also returning from an 18-month weightlifting hiatus, after being diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after my first competition in August 2013. I underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery during that time and now I’m excited to be back.
Currently holds 3 Utah state records, Masters National Championships competitor
Weight class/Division: 71kg Master women
Profession: Commercial property manager and single mom
Why Praxis: It feels like home! A bad day at Praxis is still a pretty good day!!
How I started Olympic weightlifting: First learned the lifts from Cross Fit but realized it was my favorite part of going to the gym.
Favorite exercise: Snatch and Squats
Playlist: Anything loud and with a good beat. I don’t discriminate unless it’s slow and uninspiring.
Profession: Sr. Client Success Manager for ViaWest which is a Hybrid IT company. From “dirt to the cloud”
Favorite thing about praxis: Definitely the team atmosphere! Everyone supports each other regardless of where you are in your weightlifting journey. I have social anxiety and even though I still struggle with just walking in the door at times, everyone makes me feel so welcome and loved that I keep coming back!
How I started Olympic weightlifting: I was doing PUMP in my basement and really loved lifting weights but wanted to move away from low weight, high reps. I did a google search and found Praxis and loved that there were several females on the team and a female coach! Debbie invited me down to train with the team and I have been hooked ever since.
Favorite exercise: Back squat because it is my strongest lift, but I’ve been loving SN lately which is my weakest.
Favorite lifter: I am biased but I love all the girls on our team. They all bring something different to the table and I learn so much from them every time we train!
Favorite recovery/cheat meal: Pizza, Mexican food, and pasta. (I love food! haha)
Playlist: I love top 40 pop music as awful as it is haha I love dancing around between sets and singing along when no one else is around. Great way to get my steps in for the day!2022 Masters National Championships competitor, 2021 American Open Series 2 Masters Champion, multi time Utah state record holder
Age: 28
Weight class/Division: 87
Profession: Researcher, lab manager, PhD student
Why Praxis: The inclusion and expertise. Being new to the sport I wanted the best, and I got that with Praxis. It doesn’t hurt that there is great camaraderie among the team!
How I started Olympic weightlifting: It was suggested I needed a hobby that wasn’t work and thought it would be a good fit.
Favorite exercise: Clean
Favorite lifter: Dimitry Klokov
Favorite recovery meal: Beer. Pizza Beer.
Playlist: Prince, and anything funky with a good beat
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