Melanie Lester, 72, appeared on ITV's This Morning on Wednesday (August 26) to share her powerlifting journey, which began after the sudden death of her mother. During the show, she lifted 100kg, impressing presenters Rylan Clark and Josie Gibson.
From grief to the gym
Melanie explained how she took up the sport to cope with her loss. "My mother died very suddenly, and it sent me down a dark place, and I felt like I had to do something to get myself out of it. This was just before COVID," she said. She joined a fitness class, which improved her mood, and later found a trainer to begin lifting weights.
After training several times a week, Melanie competed and progressed to national level. "I got into the nationals and then from the nationals, I now lift for Team GB," she added.
Competition success and coaching
Melanie won gold in the over-70s category at the British Powerlifting Championships in June, with a 100kg squat. The former teacher can also deadlift 135kg and bench press 45kg. She now teaches lifting to other older adults through u3a, a national charity promoting physical and mental activity in later life.
Melanie, who lives in Sudbury, Suffolk, says the sport has benefited her health and wellbeing. "Your bones get weaker as you age, and power lifting staves off issues like osteoporosis," she told The Sun. "When I go to the gym there are people in their 20s and 30s and I just feel like one of them. If I can inspire one more person to start lifting weights, it will make my day."
