| Name |
| Beth Anne Moonstone |
| Age |
| 50 |
| Weight Class |
| 200 |
| Squat PR: |
| 250 |
| Bench PR: |
| 140 |
| Deadlift PR: |
| 315 |
| Years lifting? |
| 7 |
| How did you come to powerlifting or Olympic lifting? |
| The barbell saved my life. A few years ago, some life-long injuries I had became severe. A doctor told me I would never walk without pain and gave me pain meds and a cane. This led to a few years of pain, struggle and depression. Then my daughter encouraged me to reject this diagnosis and find a solution. I found a new medical team and started walking and educating myself. Slowly this went from a walk around the neighborhood to hiking mountains. Then I started general strength training trying to try and build some strength. Then through researching lifting form and strength routines to try I discovered powerlifting and I have never looked back. I was hooked. |
| Do you have any previous athletic or lifting experience? |
| I had been an avid hiker most of my life but I never played sports or considered myself an athlete. I had never felt comfortable with sports until I found lifting. Now I also compete in Olympic style archery and coach archery as a USA Archery Level 2 Instructor. |
| Do you compete? Why or why not? If you compete, what do you like most about the competitions? |
| Yes. My goal is to compete a few times a year. Competitions help me to set goals and challenge myself. |
| Equipped or Raw? |
| Raw and modern |
| 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? |
| In the years since first discovering my passion for strength training I have worked to learn all I can about this sport, human biomechanics, strength training and mobility. I have become a Strength Coach, USPA Certified Coach, USA Weightlifting Level 1 Coach, Certified Personal Trainer (CPT-NASM), a Certified Pre and Postnatal Coach (CPPC) through Girls Gone Strong and attended numerous workshops on compound lifting, functional training and mobility work. I coach and organize my own team, the Be Awesome Strength Team.
I would advise people looking for a coach to speak to multiple people and perhaps look outside their comfort zone. Look for someone who both knows body mechanics well AND is a good coach. Being a good lifter is not the same skill set as being a good coach. I would encourage you to look for someone who will challenge you to push towards your own personal goals (not the trainers). |
| Where do you train? Gym, garage? |
| I run a small private strength and conditioning gym: Be Awesome, Be Strong. |
| What is the hardest part about beginning lifting as an older woman? |
| As an older lifter it is hard to find a peer group of lifters or find a support community. There are a number of lifters and strongwoman/man athletes at my gym but not many in my age group. Being an older lifter comes with some realities that just aren’t the same for those in their 20’s. |
| How has lifting affected your health? |
| Lifting has changed my life. I have gone from someone resigned to pain and injury to being able to feel that I can take on anything I want in life. I am stronger than I have ever been, happier and more resilient. |
| What would you tell women just beginning this journey? |
| Find your thing and go for it! |
