| Name |
| Roberta |
| Age |
| 54 |
| Weight Class |
| 63kg – potentially 72 again in the future |
| Where do you live? |
| Seattle |
| Squat PR: |
| 120kg (meet pr) 126 (gym pr) |
| Bench PR: |
| 67.5kg (meet pr) 70 (gym pr) |
| Deadlift PR: |
| 167.5kg (overall pr) |
| Clean & Jerk PR: |
| n/a |
| Snatch PR: |
| n/a |
| Years lifting? |
| On and off since college. Powerlifting competitively 3 years |
| How did you come to powerlifting or Olympic lifting? |
| I was doing crossfit. A crossfit coach was impressed by my deadlifting and suggested I do a powerlifting meet. I thought I would hate the stress and the pressure. But it was amazing. I have now quit crossfit and only compete in powerlifting. |
| Do you have any previous athletic or lifting experience? |
| I have been active since high school. I did marathon running and bike racing in my 20s and 30s. Then started crossfit in 2008. |
| Do you compete? Why or why not? If you compete, what do you like most about the competitions? |
| Yes. I went to IPF worlds this year in Helsingborg, Sweden. I love the feeling you get when you complete a meet. I love the camaraderie. I love being part of a community. I love being incredibly strong. And that’s strong period, not strong for my age. |
| 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 have a coach who I work with online. However, he lives near me so we meet in person occasionally. He usually attends my meets. He was recommended to me by a crossfit coach. Ask strong people for recommendations!! Make sure to get someone who will take age into consideration. |
| Where do you train? Gym, garage? |
| I train part time in my home gym and part time at a small independent gym. I built the home gym in December, the best thing I’ve ever done! |
| What is the hardest part about beginning lifting as an older woman? |
| I didn’t begin lifting as an older woman, so it’s hard for me to answer this. I have always felt confident and bad ass in a weight room. Don’t doubt yourself. Don’t make excuses. |
| How has lifting affected your health? |
| My health is great. Powerlifting is much better for my adrenal glands than crossfit was. I sleep better and losing weight is easier! |
| What would you tell women just beginning this journey? |
| Lifting weights is fun!! Be proud of what you can do and don’t compare yourself to others. |
