When it comes to strength, both inside and out, few stories are as inspiring as that of Martine and Rashidah — two women who discovered the transformative power of powerlifting and empowered each other along the way.
Their journey into the sport is a testament to what happens when support, encouragement, and belief come together.
Martine: From Academic to World Champion
Dr. Martine Barons, Director of the Applied Statistics and Risk Unit at the University of Warwick, is affectionately known as “Britain’s Strongest Gran.” She first stepped into powerlifting just over a year ago when she was 63, after being introduced to the sport by her colleague and friend, Miss Rashidah Virgo a Research Assistant in the Statistics Department. With Rashidah’s encouragement and coaching, Martine discovered a natural strength she never knew she had — and quickly turned that into record-breaking results.
Martine now holds British, European, and World titles in her age and weight division and is the current holder of all the records in those categories. In August 2024, she finished her first competitive season having achieved what most only dream of — and she hasn’t stopped there.
In 2025, Martine successfully defended her European title for a second consecutive year, adding 25 kg to the World Records and 7.5 kg to her competition personal best in the deadlift.
Her current personal bests:
- Squat: 100 kg
- Bench Press: 57.5 kg
- Deadlift: 155 kg
Martine’s academic background in statistics plays a key role in how she approaches her training. “Statistics is everything,” she says. “How you train, how fast, how many reps — it can all be guided by data. That’s how I structure my progress.”
Reflecting on her rapid rise in the sport, Martine shares, “I’m not someone who was ever good at sport, so to be good at something for the first time feels amazing. I’m a person who needs a goal, and when Rashidah told me I could compete, I decided to go all in.”
She also emphasises the importance of strength training for women, especially in later life. “It’s enjoyable and so beneficial. Resistance training helps combat the loss of bone density and muscle mass — particularly important for menopausal women.”
Rashidah: Embracing the Platform
For Rashidah, strength training had always been a passion, but it wasn’t until Martine returned the encouragement that she took the leap into competitive lifting herself. That leap led her all the way to the World Championships in Limerick, Ireland, where she proudly represented Great Britain and placed second in the deadlift.
“When I’m on the platform, I feel unstoppable,” Rashidah says. “It’s like I can achieve anything I put my mind to. Every time I compete, it lifts me up and gives me purpose.”
She also champions the broader benefits of lifting: “Physically, mentally, and emotionally, lifting can be transformative. Competing gives you drive and confidence. It’s truly life-changing.”
Lifting Each Other Up
Martine and Rashidah’s story is one of mutual support and shared growth. Each helped the other uncover a strength they hadn’t fully realised, both in body and in mindset.
Their message is simple and powerful: you are capable of more than you think — and sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you.
Whether you are lifting for the first time or dreaming of stepping onto a platform, Martine and Rashidah are living proof that with encouragement, friendship, and determination, anything is possible.
