| Name |
| Shantelle Szuch |
| Age |
| 40 |
| Weight Class |
| 63kg/72kg |
| Where do you live? |
| Moose Jaw, SK, Canada |
| Squat PR: |
| 180.5kg |
| Bench PR: |
| 102.5kg |
| Deadlift PR: |
| 190kg |
| Years lifting? |
| 14 |
| How did you come to powerlifting or Olympic lifting? |
| My brother teased me in our grandma’s kitchen about my aerobics video version of a squat. So a few weeks later when I was back (unfortunately for our grandfather’s funeral) he taught me what I needed to know. He’s coached me ever since. |
| Do you have any previous athletic or lifting experience? |
| 5 pin bowling doesn’t really count except I got good at competition and even appeared on TSN in 1997. |
| Do you compete? Why or why not? If you compete, what do you like most about the competitions? |
| Been competing since June 2007, after only training for a few months. I love the camaraderie and intensity. |
| Equipped or Raw? |
| Geared |
| 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? |
| My brother has been my coach since before powerlifting was cool. Look for experience, not just someone with a good total. |
| Where do you train? Gym, garage? |
| Gym – small group at Unparalleled |
| What is the hardest part about beginning lifting as an older woman? |
| Strength already came slow… Now it’s slower! |
| How has lifting affected your health? |
| I’ve been lifting so long I’m not sure but I think it’s making me immortal… Though I feel like I’m near death some days haha. |
| What would you tell women just beginning this journey? |
| Be consistent. Do what you can. Find the joy. Everything sucks sometimes but if you still find a drive even in the suck you know you’re in the right place. |
| Include your Instagram (optional) |
| Smszuch |
