Linda McHaffie, 58, will be competing in the British Powerlifting Masters at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh on Saturday.
Her appearance in Edinburgh follows on from an amazing performance at the Scottish Powerlifting Masters Open where she scooped a gold medal in her weight category, and won the ‘best lifter’ award.
The Port powerlifter put in a great performance at the North West Masters in Manchester to built up her points for the British contest – and if she does well this weekend, she could be in with a chance of being selected for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this summer.
Linda is hoping to squat 135kg, bench 70kg, and deadlift 150kg – which is around the equivalent of two people, each weighing 11 stone.
She said she’s very excited about lifting in the national competition.
Linda added: “Every wee gain is a plus. It just makes you feel so good.
“I can feel myself getting better and stronger every day.”
Linda started powerlifting just two years ago when she started going to David McGowan for fitness training sessions.
David carried out a strength test and encouraged Linda to come along to his powerlifting club.
She added: “I said ‘absolutely not’ at first.
“I didn’t think it was something for a wee woman like me from Port Glasgow.”
After the first session, Linda was hooked and her dedication to the sport led to her competing in the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships in South Africa.
She said: “It was absolutely out of this world.
“I was watching lifters from all these different countries. It was absolutely fabulous.
“I spent all my down time on safari.
“It was a fantastic experience.”
Linda trained with McGowan Fitness until December last year and is now with Paisley Barbell.
She is coached online by Aidan McDowell from Port Glasgow and works out at Boglestone Activity Centre.
Linda said her friends and family are ‘absolutely amazing’ and continue to be an incredible source of support.
She said her passion for the sport is helping her keep fit and active.
Linda added: “My kids are still young and when I have grandkids, I want to be able to be running about after them.
“I see people in their sixties and seventies competing.
“I hope I’m still competing when I’m that age. It’s amazing watching them.”
Linda has sent a strong message to people who are thinking about trying out powerlifting.
She said: “I think some women are scared that they will end up really muscly and with huge neck muscles but it’s not like that.
“I really recommend anybody to go to the gym.
“A small gain is always a win, you just have to be consistent.
“It’s about pushing yourself for small gains.
“When you get them you feel over the moon.”
