Queerstrong and Bulgarian bag comp: Recap and how to run events
September and October has really become my game season. Early September I run Queerstrong - the ever growing, glowing trans and queer strongman competition. Where all the Pride in Strength workshops come together in one delicious event hosted by the dazzling, hilarious Mother Lori Mae. It’s a strongman event drenched in glitter. So fun!
This year we must have had 70/80 people out in the car park watching at one point. I love just standing back and seeing this glorious competition in all its glory. We had a wrecking ball hold and it was brilliant giving athletes the chance to have their favourite ‘ramp up’ song play. What a mix! We also had a silly ‘carry a ref’ event which was hilarious - myself and my client Chris won! It wasn’t rigged either!
L-R Laura, Charlie, Sam and me working as a team to run Queerstrong
This thing will outgrow the Commando Temple pretty soon. I’m now considering how it might work in other parts of the country, and Europe!
Early October I run AND compete in the UK Suples Bulgarian bag Championships. It looks like a cult, it’s kinda weird. Groups of people throwing these leather croissants around and grunting, swearing, sweating, regretting their life choices!
I won my category this year and I am delighted. Pulling a performance out of the bag after running around like a headless chicken head-reffing was some feat. A week on, my body and brain still feel ABSOLUTELY wrecked. But it was an amazing event. The way colleagues, clients and friends have come on with the bags is immense. People’s numbers going up and the willingness of our clan coming together to cheer eachother on and ref other rounds through the day - it’s really special.
Charlie, me, Nick and Ritchie going head to head at the Bulgarian bag comp
Two very different events, but both centred around wonderful communities. Both take place during a busy period of 121 training for me. It’s amazing, overwhelming, and it’s A LOT.
I’ve really noticed the toll on my body and brain this year. As I navigate a busier and busier schedule, my patience has definitely reduced! What people don’t tell you about planning events like this is how hard it is, how much time it takes, energy, and indeed money. I have broken down how these two competitions have developed for me. A bit of a guide for anyone wanting to put on sporting events. I’m not saying this is the best way, this is just what’s worked for me.
Getting people to compete
To run a competition you need a good idea - something unique, something that generates interest and intrigue. But not so niche it puts people off. Think about who the event is for. Then of course you need athletes. In order to build interest you need to have some great social media posts, videos, info planned. You need to build up your tribe. For me this is developed primarily via Pride in Strength workshops as well as bag club all through the year, with instagram pages related to both. It’s important to realise this is a gradual process. It requires constant input, keep people engaged!
Generating enough income
How much will you charge? How much do you need? Things cost way more than people expect. Will you have entertainment? Or a host? What do they charge? Having professional photographers is a really nice touch, but it’s another expense. How much will you spend on medals, prizes, t-shirts, banners? To give you a bit of an idea, the photos/videos, drag artist and medals alone for Queerstrong cost over £1000. Then t-shirts, banners etc brought that number close to £2000. Yet you’ll still have people complain about paying £50 to enter.
The bags we needed for the Bulgarian bag championships cost us £1000. T-shirts, medals, entertainment, MC etc brought this number close to £2k as well. Based on my experience, events don’t make money. They probably will at some stage but I’d certainly say that when you’re starting out, breaking even is amazing but I’d be ready to take a loss. Think about how much you want to run the event. As I’ve said before, you have to love it. The dream of course is to get some sponsorship, but it’s not easy. In the meantime, call in favours where you can!
YOUR TIME
So important, your time. You need to be prepared for endless questions, time wasting, complaints, and lots of planning/run throughs. Prepare for every possible problem, run through things in your head and in real life. Answer questions as patiently as possible, find ways to reduce having the same conversations over and over - set up whats app groups, provide lots of info and FAQs in posts, get friends/colleagues onboard to help. And you need to fit all this in around your actual paid job. Will you have help? What roles will you have on the actual day? You need to organise you as well as anyone who is willing to help.
Myself and Marcus setting up for the Bag comp the day before
So why bother? Sometimes I ask myself that. These things can cause more stress, expense and energy than your actual work by some margin. After the bag comp this year I felt like I was ill, my whole body and brain hurt! I was struggling to sleep before and after the event. So this has a significant impact on my life. BUT it’s the competitors, the people who show up, that make it.
Countless lifts from Queerstrong events were genuinely emotional for me and the athletes…you get to see people’s journeys and how much it means to them. You can witness a group of people get stronger because of something YOU created. That’s very special.
From both events this year I had people come up to me and hug me to say thank you…for the hard work, for making them believe in themselves. That’s very special. The recognition. The community. It matters. If you’re willing to put in the work, these events can be so magical.
