World-record-holding powerlifter grandmother shares her passion in Binbrook

A Binbrook grandmother is turning heads in the powerlifting community.

At the tender young age of 72, she is setting world records, and bringing home medals from international competitions, all while encouraging other seniors to pick up weights.

Linda Rousseau took up powerlifting when she was 59-years-old.

“At the time, there were not very many women,” said Rousseau. “Now, at this point in time, it’s almost 50 per cent women that are doing this sport.”

READ MORE: Volunteers collect over 3,000 cigarette butts from two Hamilton parks

At 72-years-young, she isn’t even one of the oldest powerlifters.

“Actually, there was a lady from Australia that was 82-years-old that competed at the Commonwealth, and we’re getting a lot larger group of 70 and up,” said Rousseau.

Rousseau has competed in 86 powerlifting competitions and has set world records in her age and weight class.

She says the biggest change has been to her confidence and mental health.

READ MORE: PWHL Hamilton announces inaugural home opener

“It has helped me a lot physically,” said Rousseau. “But more importantly, is the mental aspect of being able to be strong and capable, because that is far more important than even the physical, I feel.”

The grandmother is now sharing her passion with anyone who will listen, enrolling her husband Gary, her son Tony, and family friend Bob Hamer.

“They’ve become the Monday club, and I train them every Monday, and we work out and we do some strength things,” said Rousseau.

Hamer is 81-years-old, he’s got a bad shoulder from working construction and has had one of his knees replaced.

He took up powerlifting two years ago.

WATCH MORE: Hamilton supporters honour veterans’ service with annual walk

“Having worked with Linda then and I’m realizing, I wasn’t pushing myself as much as Linda does, and you need that pushing,” said Hamer.

Hamer considers himself fairly active for his age, but says he really looks forward to pumping iron with the others.

“It’s an incentive that I didn’t have,” said Hamer. “If I didn’t have it, then I would probably just gradually dwindle away.”

Weightlifting or powerlifting is a challenge at any age, but to start it when you’re a senior is something else.

“So it’s not the end, it is not the end for you, and it can give you such a better quality of life, and to be happier,” said Rousseau.

Rousseau’s goal is to compete in a total of 100 powerlifting competitions, and she only has 14 more to go.

WATCH MORE: ‘An exciting time’: navy recruitment climbs in Hamilton