A powerlifting mum is hoping to bring home a gold medal when she represents Great Britain at a world championship – all while studying to become a paramedic.
Steph Laver, 35, of March, will be swapping her first aid kit for some weights when she jets off to Antwerp, Belgium, in September for the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association (BDFPA) World Powerlifting Championships.
After having her first child, Steph joined the gym to lose some ‘baby weight’, and has been on a mission to get stronger ever since.
“There’s loads of awareness nowadays about the benefits of strength and weight training and how it can positively impact your future self, for example menopause, “ she added.
“It’s my little outlet and the buzz you get from a competition is incredible.
“I have a stressful job and juggling home life – it’s my therapy and I’ve found something that I’m good at and enjoy.”
Powerlifting is a competitive strength sport centred on maximising weight across three specific barbell movements which include squats, bench press and deadlift.
Competitors aim to lift the heaviest single repetition they can for each exercise.
Nearly two years after joining the gym and pursuing her hobby, the student paramedic has accumulated an impressive collection of medals and certificates, showcasing her talent.
Earlier this year, Steph won the BDFPA National Bench Press Championships, earning her place on the Great Britain team for the World Championships.
And in 2025, she proudly won a bronze medal at the World Championships in Rome, and later the same year, she brought home silver at the European Championships.
This year she is hoping to go one better and bring home a gold.
Steph, who has worked for the ambulance service for nearly 10 years, is now five months away from qualifying as a registered paramedic.
She said: “Balancing shift work, university studies, family life and the demands of training has been challenging, but the opportunity to represent Great Britain at the World Championships makes every sacrifice worthwhile.
“I’ll be competing against some of the world’s strongest drug-free bench press athletes in what will be the biggest competition of my sporting career.”
Unlike many elite sports, drug-free powerlifting receives little or no financial support. Therefore, athletes are responsible for funding their own competition entry fees, travel and accommodation.
As a result of this, Steph has launched a fundraising page to raise awareness of the sport and help make her dreams come true.
“Every donation, no matter how small, will help me travel to Belgium to compete at the World Championships. Any support from the local community, whether through donations or simply by sharing my story, would mean the world to me,” Steph added.
If you would like to support Steph, click here to be taken to the GoFundMe page.
Steph will take part in the competition in Belgium on Saturday, September 26.
