| Name |
| Debbie Thornton |
| Age |
| 68 |
| Weight Class |
| 84+k |
| Where do you live? |
| Oregon |
| Squat PR: |
| 200# unofficial (I use the smith bar) |
| Bench PR: |
| 104# official |
| Deadlift PR: |
| 275# official (300# unofficial) |
| Clean & Jerk PR: |
| 85# unofficial |
| Snatch PR: |
| 60# unofficial |
| Years lifting? |
| 9 1/2 |
| How did you come to powerlifting or Olympic lifting? |
| I’m really not a powerlifter or Olympic lifter, just a crossfitter who likes to lift. Joined Crossfit just before my 59th birthday. It was the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done for myself! |
| Do you have any previous athletic or lifting experience? |
| No previous lifting experience and I didn’t participate in any sports when I was young. |
| Do you compete? Why or why not? If you compete, what do you like most about the competitions? |
| I just did my first competition in the United Ladies of Iron. I only did the Deadlift, as I didn’t think my bench was good enough to do. I got first in Oregon for my age/weight as well as first in the National competition. I’ll definitely include the bench if I get to compete again. I can’t do the squat because I use the smith bar due to shoulder mobility. |
| Equipped or Raw? |
| Raw |
| Do you have a coach or trainer? In person or online? How did you find your trainer/program? Do you have any advice for women looking for a trainer? |
| I just have my Crossfit coach, who is awesome. We live in a small community so there’s not any powerlifting coaches. |
| Where do you train? Gym, garage? |
| Gym |
| What is the hardest part about beginning lifting as an older woman? |
| I think recovery is so much different as you get older. You definitely have to rest more. I think naps work wonders. Also it’s hard not to compare yourself with younger athletes who might lift more but also have more stamina. When I’m sucking air during or after a workout I have to remind myself that I’m only competing against myself and it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing. |
| How has lifting affected your health? |
| I was diagnosed with osteopenia and after about 2 years of lifting my bone density improved by 11.5% and no sign of osteopenia. I’m also stronger than I’ve ever been. |
| What would you tell women just beginning this journey? |
| Just keep showing up. That’s what my coach told me when I first started Crossfit and I’ve never been sorry I did. |
