Agata Herbert: ‘fluffy pink unicorns’ riding a ‘Harley’ and lifting for Scotland

“I guess there’s quite a lot going on in my life,” she says with a giggle, as we complete our introductions. 

While there are so many places to begin our interview, important questions first; what is the story behind her Instagram handle @fluffy__pink__unicorn? 

She laughs. “It’s just a reflection of me. Like every weightlifter; we’re strong on the outside, but we’re very fluffy and pink inside. It’s just a great coincidence that the actual mascot for the Commonwealth Games (Finnie) is a unicorn! 

“I’m feeling very, very special right now; like it was meant to be.” 

Some opportunities, like those presented to Scottish athletes who are now looking forward to an unexpected home Commonwealth Games, after Glasgow stepped in to host the latest edition next year, will feel like ‘luck’. 

Most though, are only attained through years of graft, sacrifice and near unrivalled determination. Those are characteristics Herbert can relate to, having swapped her homeland for the UK in 2012 in search of “greater opportunities” professionally as well as personally. 

She has fought for them ever since, in and out of sport. 

“I initially moved to England for those opportunities, but also change and while it was work-driven, I was looking for new challenges and ways of keeping my love for sports,” she recalls. 

FROM A CAREER IN CROSSFIT TO WINNING AT WEIGHTLIFTING 

That love of sport began at a very early age. 

“I originally came from Poland, where sport is a very strong part of our culture,” Herbert states. 

“I tried swimming, then it was tennis, but I didn’t find myself doing so well in that one, so next it was athletics where I found I was quite good at jumping, which led to basketball. 

“I played this for a long time and competed at national level in Poland, but eventually my love of CrossFit took over and it was through CrossFit that I discovered the barbell. 

Herbert, who competes at the World Weightlifting Championships in Norway this week, continues; “there was just something cool about having this heavy bar over your head and just throwing it everywhere. I could feel that I had this strength in me.” 

Her progress, while training alone throughout the Covid-19 period, continued and upon the reopening of gyms her coach suggested that a sole focus on squatting could lead to a place at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. He was correct. 

While Herbert will openly describe herself as a “full-time weightlifter,” she also has a full-time job, a challenge many of her rivals do not have to balance. Not that she is complaining, with her non-sport profession, architecture, something she also takes great pride in. 

“I'm not only strong, I also build houses,” she says with a smile. “I’m a senior architect and my real passion is working on conservation projects. 

“I think the main message is that I take the biggest pride from projects which are creating great spaces for people and this is very important when being an architect because we want to people's lives to be better, more accessible, easier and just happier.” 

Bringing joy to the people of Scotland is something Herbert would clearly love to do in a sporting sense come Glasgow 2026, having made her Commonwealth Games debut at Birmingham 2022. 

“I have the video of walking out into the Opening Ceremony on my phone, which I still take out to watch even now because it was truly unforgettable and part of what makes the Commonwealth Games so special,” she says. 

“Obviously going onto the (competition) stage was unforgettable, but it was a funny situation. 

“I was a little nervous and there was a lady there who had been at Glasgow 2014 (Commonwealth Games) and she told me that when I got onto the stage, I had to take a deep breath and memorise everything because it would be such a huge experience. 

“She was right and I’ll never forget about that opportunity and what it meant to be part of something so huge with all of those other sports.” 

 Herbert is anticipating that fans and volunteers alike, will create an atmosphere to rival and potentially better that from Birmingham 2022, come next year’s Commonwealth Games. 

“They were all so encouraging and shouting for Scotland and that makes everything so enjoyable,” she says.  

“For Glasgow 2026, I just can't wait, it’s going to be something very unique for everybody here in Scotland and it’s just an amazing thing having a multi-sport event where people will be standing waving the Scotland flag.  

Herbert continues; “there is something amazing doing this at your home, with your family, being able to share that (experience) with your neighbours and those you're the closest to. 

“There is this opportunity to do that and to inspire so many people in Scotland, which will hopefully to generate another population of amazing athletes. 

She pauses, before adding; “Actually, hopefully a lot of weightlifters, not that I’m biased!” 

By Nick Hope, Glasgow 2026 Content Creator