Lesley Maxwell, a personal trainer and world champion figure competitor from Melbourne, Australia, says she feels "stronger than ever" in her 60s after turning to fitness in her late 40s. The grandmother, who has over 30 bodybuilding and figure titles, first started weightlifting at 48 after her partner told her she looked "frail".
From pneumonia to weightlifting
Determined not to let criticism bring her down, Maxwell took it upon herself to get in the best shape possible. After a health scare where she was hospitalised with pneumonia, she knew it was time to make lifting weights a priority. Now nearly two decades on, the Melbourne-based coach appreciates her body in all its glory.
In a post on Instagram, Maxwell showcased her physique as she told her 144,000 followers: "When you feel strong and healthy you feel sexy. End of story xo." The post, shared this week, was accompanied by a striking image of her wearing a leopard-print bikini while posing sideways to display her defined muscles.
Fans react to her latest post
The post garnered plenty of attention from fans. One wrote: "You're not just incredible, you're sexy!" Another added: "So gorgeous as always!" While a third posted: "Couldn't agree more you are the definition of sexy Lesley."
Lesley is a fitness coach and world champion figure competitor from Australia. After being hospitalised for pneumonia and told she's "frail", the grandmother discovered weight training in her late 40s. A year into her introduction to fitness, Lesley won her very first figure competition at 49. Since then, she has over 30 bodybuilding and figure titles to her name.
Career highlights and training routine
It was in 2009 when she took first place and earned her pro card at the WNBF/INBF World Championships in New York, US. She continued competing into her late 50s and now her 60s, including a win in the ICN Open Classics in 2019.
While she operates her own coaching business through Lesley Maxwell Fitness, she is also the author of many fitness guides and books, including Get The Body You Want. She mainly chooses heavy weightlifting over traditional cardio where she trains around 4-5 times a week. As for her nutrition, she focuses on clean, dense eating, where she prioritises high protein and healthy fats.
Many people may know her as the "fit gran who attracts men half her age" but she's so much more than that. She regularly trains with her daughter, Vanessa, and her marketing entrepreneur granddaughter, Tia Christofi, who is in her 20s. The influencer is also quite open when it comes to romance, previously noting she prefers younger men who match her gym and life energy better.
