The 34-year-old is a former Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers goalkeeper but after giving up the sport five years ago, she is on a new journey in a different sport. 

In her 20's, she loved playing at the highest possible level in football and had goals of going to the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup. 

Poulos had just come back to Australia after five years of playing abroad, and it was during the lead into a W-League preseason that she stumbled across CrossFit and thought it would a good way to get fit. 

However, while she thoroughly enjoyed her football, just like many players before the historic Collective Bargaining Agreement, she struggled financially. 

During her second season with the Sky Blues, she was working three jobs, one being her own business and was living in Wollongong and travelled up to Sydney every night for training and games.

"It was so difficult financially because at the time we weren’t really getting paid a good enough wage to survive off," Poulos said.

"So I sat down and calculated all my expenses, rent, petrol, food etc. What I realised that day was that I was left with $25 at the end of each week in my pocket.

"The financial struggle was too stressful so I decided that it was my last season and I’d focus on building my career. Didn’t mean I wasn’t upset for giving it up, I just couldn’t manage any more."

With CrossFit, Poulos love the sport pushed her and despite only being part of it socially, soon enough she had taken it to the next level. She was doing double to triple sessions and loved that she had found something that constantly challenged her. 

"I think any athlete will agree, the difference between what makes an athlete good and great is their desire to constantly improve," she said.

"To never be content with where they are at, at any point in time. Some people say it’s a negative outlook on your progress; I disagree completely."

She had the goal to make it to the CrossFit Games so in order to make it a reality, she trained every chance she got. Poulos business allowed her to train in-between clients seven days a week, day or night. 

However, she started to burn out. 

"My heart and mind was 100 per cent in, but my body couldn’t keep up anymore and slowly the injuries started," she said. 

The type of schedule the Wollongong native had set herself was becoming impossible so she packed up all her things and made the move to Sydney.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Proud coaching moment: Tonight I’m happy to say that @zenakatrib rose to the occasion and put up a 162kg DL (triple her body weight). What makes me even more proud is the support that this group of people showed her following her success. A group of people who train together are a team - In this team everybody is equal - In this team everyone supports each other - In this team no one looks down on one another - In this team, all are welcome I love coaching this team 👌 #team #train #strong #triplebodyweight #revx #strengthlab #fitness #lift #hardwork #trainhard #realpeoplerealresults #support #wereallequal #insta #deadlift #justdoit #teammate #coach #proudcoach #strength

A post shared by Dimi Poulos (@dimipoulos) on

She decided to take some time off from CrossFit after having some difficulties with her shoulder and went back to university to complete her Masters in Strength and Conditioning.

During that time, she was introduced to Luca Borreggine, who is now her current coach and got her started in weightlifting. 

"His no-nonsense approach was what I most enjoyed and the fact that I felt like an athlete again was what drew me into this sport," Poulos said.

Weightlifting has been one of the most difficult sports yet. It's a sport which is all about form from the moment your grip the bar and there's no time to be nervous. Athletes have just three chances to hit their lift, if they don't, competition over. 

Footballers can generally have a few touches to get the nerves out of their system but in weightlifting, full composure is needed from the moment you walk up to the bar.

"Maybe because I am young in the sport and haven’t had the time to overcome those feelings like I did in football," Poulos said.

"If I ever had a penalty shoot-out in football I was excited and embraced that moment. 

"When it's just you and the barbell, there is no excuses or no hiding. It’s just do or don’t."

While Poulos has gone on to win Nationals in her weight class, it still not enough and the desire to the become an Olympian has been reignited. 

"Will I get there? Who knows, it’s very competitive out there," she said.

"Will I be content if I give it 100% and don’t make it? 100%... because I’ve given it my all."

In the meantime, Poulos is hoping to make the Australian team and despite being eligible for the Masters, she has her heart set on defying the odds. 

First up if the Arafura Games in Darwin next month, an event which will be her first international competition.