Fernie local wins WNBF Canada Pro Card in weightlifting
Published 11:53 am Monday, September 21, 2026
Fernie local Falenne Sallenback is holding her head high after winning the World Natural Bodybuilding Federation (WNBF) Canada Pro Card on Saturday, Sept. 12 in Regina, Sask.
It’s been an incredible journey for the weightlifter, born in Surrey, BC, and who spent time in the prairies before finding home in the Elk Valley for the past 16 years.
Sallenback, who also has a background in boxing, was misdiagnosed with symptoms related to a concussion in 2018 that halted life as usual.
“They diagnosed me and I understand that they the heard the word boxing and sparring and placed the symptoms together and said you have a brain injury. They did an MRI that came back completely normal,” Sallenback told The Free Press. “There were no tests that indicated I had a concussion, but I didn’t question it because I didn’t know any better.”
For nearly eight years she was bedridden, sometimes unable to walk and not able to drive a motor vehicle.
In June of 2025 she visited the Foothills Hospital in Calgary and was eventually diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) after a referral to a specialist from an emergency doctor.
“I turned around and walked directly into a wall. And the nurse got me to a station and then did all these tests and told me nothing was wrong,” said Sallenback. “The emergency doctor obviously saw something was wrong with me, and I credit those two doctors for saving my life.”
“I sat down with my husband beside me, and the doctor said to me I know exactly what is going on after reading your file. And I’m so sorry you have been misdiagnosed and not taken care of for eight years.”
POTS is associated with automatic dysfunction. Symptoms of the disorder can be devastating. It includes increased heart rate, dizziness, and fatigue.
It also causes the body to not hold water. At the time, Sallenback was told she was dehydrated, despite drinking six to seven litres of water per day. As it turns out, increased sodium has led her on her recovery and eventually landing on top of the podium. She now drinks 10,000 milligrams of salt daily which triggers her kidneys to hold water, increasing blood volume and oxygen to the brain.
Sallenback began her weightlifting journey at an early age, and with subsequent advice from her doctors she was eventually able to return to her workout routine.
She is not supposed to have a heart rate over 120 beats per minute so she often must lie down around the squat rack when working out at Carbon Fitness and Evolution Health & Fitness. Fellow gym-goers are there for support, for which she is grateful.
When asked about what it meant to win the WNFB Canada Pro Card, Sallenback said it was a proud milestone, and she hopes to inspire others who are diagnosed with POTS.
“This symbolizes so much more than just winning a pro card, to do that after being diagnosed with POTS. It’s something that is debilitating. You can’t function or be physically active. You have to watch what you eat because you’re insulin sensitive. So, to have this achievement is something I want to show to the world.”
“I’ve always felt that there would be a moment that approaches me to share this. And I’ve just be patiently waiting for the moment to share this information so I can help someone.”
Her win was also a family affair. The proudest of her day was when her 18-year-old daughter, Saphria, who has also been diagnosed with POTS, joined her on stage in her first bikini competition.
Sallenback will continue to compete in professional bodybuilding and hopes her story will inspire others.
