As she prepares to compete at the upcoming European Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, Georgia and with her sights firmly set on representing Team Scotland at Glasgow 2026, Beth Ashbee is on the brink of fulfilling a long-held dream of representing her country at the Commonwealth Games – just not in the sport she first imagined.

Her first love was gymnastics, taking up the sport at the age of nine, competing at Scottish and British Championships and representing Scotland internationally, alongside Birmingham 2022 medallist Shannon Archer, as well as Cara Kennedy and Carly Smith, who would also go on to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

It was a sport with a strong family connection, her mum having competed at the Commonwealth Games, but certainly not one she was pushed into. In the end Beth’s enthusiasm ensured that a second generation took to the vault, bars, beam and floor.

“My mum knew how hard it was, so it was very much, ‘I don’t want you to do it, but if you want to do it then let’s get into it.’

“I wanted to be better. I wanted to build up to where my mum had got to and see if I could go further. So that was my whole life, I couldn’t see any other sport outwith gymnastics.”

Beth went a long way in her mother’s footsteps, but her dream of competing at Glasgow 2014 wasn’t to be, with injuries hampering her chances. Missing out was the catalyst for Beth to step away from the sport.

“It was hard to step away from gymnastics,” says Beth. “That was my life, I would train in the morning, go to school, come back out and it would be straight back into the gym again in the evening. I would see my coach more often than I would see my mum.

“Obviously I wanted to go to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, I didn’t make that one and that was hard. I think I was lost for a good bit [after stepping away], but I still have all my leotards, still have everything around gymnastics, just in case,” she jokes.

Although she had missed out on the Games as an athlete, she embraced them as a spectator. She decided to watch different sports, as watching gymnastics still felt too close to home.

It was weightlifting that captured her attention, struck by the great atmosphere and support for the athletes, but it wasn’t until she was talent spotted at a school strength and conditioning programme that she even considered making the switch.

“I didn’t think, going into the sport, that I would be able to do it, it was more, OK I’ll give it a go”, says Beth, but soon she was hooked. She also found that, although the sports seemed so different, her strength and flexibility from gymnastics were huge assets.

Now training at Glasgow City Barbell Club with coach and former Commonwealth Games competitor John McEwan, she’s found a new focus and sense of belonging.

“This place is everything,” says Beth. “It’s the environment, the people, they’re so supportive. John has a massive part to play, he’s an inspiration. He’s still pushing away in the gym too, after injuries and operations, so it’s great to train alongside him.

“I would never have thought that stepping into weightlifting would change my life in so many ways. Getting into it at first was a struggle, everything hurt, everything was bruised, but I got stronger. Before I started I was strong, now I feel stronger than ever.

“Mentally it’s made a massive difference, just going in and getting stuff done, lifting some heavy weights, it clears your head. I can’t tell you exactly how, but it changes everything massively.”

Since starting weightlifting, the path has not always been easy. Daughter Ruby arrived in 2019, followed by the Covid pandemic closing gyms just as she was getting back to training.

“I had weights in my kitchen and was training in there,” she laughs. “I was sorting Ruby out then, if she was asleep, going down to the kitchen to train. I gave it everything I had at the time, it was hard going but here we are.

“People would say you can’t do that after you’ve had a kid, your body just won’t let you, but I always wanted to try. Obviously training is a massive part of my life, but so is my daughter. I couldn’t tell you how I balance it, but it’s a routine every day.

“Ever since she was little I would bring her into the gym and when she does a lift that I do, I love how happy she gets. It’s good to see her around the people I get on with, and my support system also supports her.”

If Beth is selected for Team Scotland this summer, she’ll be aiming for a personal best total, but also to inspire – her daughter and anyone who’s ever thought they couldn’t do sport after starting a family.

“To have Ruby come and watch, and see that her mum can do this, would be amazing. It’s about inspiring people that you can still do it, even after having a kid. That’s what I want to do, just show everyone that it’s still possible.”

Tickets to watch Team Scotland compete at Glasgow 2026 are available now. Secure your seats at www.glasgow2026.com