08 | Unleashing Timeless Strength: Embodying Fitness & Finesse at Any Age with G-Unit

Join us for a powerhouse conversation with my mother, affectionately known worldwide by many names G-Unit, Terri a septuagenarian who grippingly defies age stereotypes by embracing the world of powerlifting. Her story is one of metamorphosis—from battling weight gain and osteopenia to breaking an unofficial world record in deadlifting after a complete shoulder replacement at 75. Today, she talks about how she turned fitness into her fountain of youth, with community support and the thrill of empowering others being the cornerstones of her extraordinary journey. This isn't just a tale of personal triumph; it's a powerful testimony to the fact that wellness knows no age boundaries.

Today you'll learn all about:

• How age really is just a number
• How to make health and wellness a pillar in your life
• The importance of play for skill development and physical activity
• Catch a glimpse into granny's plans for the future

Follow Leanne on Instagram @lkstrengthcoach

Join the Strength Seekers community and score big with a vibrant tribe of like-minded individuals, invaluable resources, coaching services tailored to your needs, special guest coaches and workshops and so much more. Click here to join today with our special listener's offer!

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Welcome to Uplift you, creating strong bodies and mind. Get ready to power up your day with practical strength training tools, inspiring stories and build resilience of body and mind. It's time to Uplift you, together with your host, leanne Knox. Hello everyone and welcome to this bonus episode that I thought would be a fantastic opportunity to bring to you today. So the surprise guest is none other than G-Unit no-transcript star of the show, mickey, who's decided to launch himself onto my mum's lap.

Speaker 1: 0:33

My mum was born in 1948. Yes, she's a relic. Kidding, she's not. What did you say? A fossil? She's a fossil. She's a pterodactyl fossil 1948 in Mackay, north Queensland for those of you that don't live in Queensland or Australia and she started powerlifting six years ago, at the ripe young age of 70.

Speaker 1: 0:53

So the reason I thought this would be a fantastic episode is to follow up on a recent 12 months ago where not only we thought she was going to get a shoulder repaired.

Speaker 1: 1:02

However, it ended up she had to get the whole shoulder replaced and she has rehabbed her way through the pain and through the monotony of getting a new shoulder at the age of 75 years old, back to the platform and went in her first practice competition the other day and, just you know, did a casual 90 kilo deadlift at 58 kilos body weight at the age of 76. But you know, we'll just brush over this. On Instagram it is my most popular post of my mum breaking that world record and, mind you, this is an unofficial world record because you need to go to a competition where there are international referees. So that inspired me to think, wow, people are so inspired and uplifted by my mum's performance, her perseverance, and then I thought what a great guest to have on my show following hot on my husband's heels powerlifting journey. I'd like to ask mum this question how have you actually made your own fitness, so your health and wellness, a priority in your life?

Speaker 2: 1:48

Well, I had to start off. I was in a desk job and I wasn't getting much exercise. I started putting on weight and I was getting over a size 14, heading towards a size 16. I thought, oh, something's got to happen here. So I started walking every morning better and my work performance was a lot better. So I thought, well, this is good, this is really really good. And of course, we moved up to Prosprime, to West Sundays, and I retired at 65 and I was looking for something to do and I had a bone density test which said that I had osteopenia. I started walking, I'd walk up hills, but two years later it had not improved that much. So I thought and that's where it started I started lifting and I realized I could do this, I was good at it, and she gave me all the encouragement, all my club members encouraged me, and this is how I am. This is what I am today.

Speaker 1: 2:29

Well, that's fantastic. So that Mums and Bubs for those people. Most people won't know about this part, but a few years ago I got some funding and I wanted to use it to help people in the community, and those of you that are mothers or grandmothers will understand that when you have young children, your opportunities to go and access some sort of fitness are limited. So we started the Mums and Bubs and my mum came along as a special guest and helped us empower those mums to just give them that one opportunity a week where they could connect with other people and work on their fitness. So I'd forgotten about that.

Speaker 1: 2:55

So I'm glad you brought that up, because it's that's what really inspired me.

Speaker 2: 2:59

It really did, empowered as you say also.

Speaker 1: 3:01

I think at that time it gave you an opportunity to feel like you were contributing to a community. That's right.

Speaker 2: 3:04

Yes, that was my biggest problem. I thought of going to work in an op shop volunteer, but I'd been working for a terrible organization for 17 and a half years and I thought, no, I've got to break the habit and go and do something for myself. And this was the perfect outlet well, that's fantastic.

Speaker 1: 3:14

that's that start there. So, going back a little bit more from that what? And because you've had a lot of life, so you were 65. But going back from that, can you please tell us some of your earliest memories? Think right back what was your favourite activity? Because I know your story as being a daughter that you have always valued keeping yourself fit and healthy. We grew up doing lots of physical things together. We used to work in the garden, we used to go sailing, we used to go walking. I remember one of my earliest memories was your favourite activities.

Speaker 2: 3:44

Well, we lived on a cane farm. My father was a cane cutter and, yeah, we used to have to walk to school, which was about three miles. Then we'd have to. Well, on the way home, if it was a hot day, we'd stop down at the creek, remove all our clothes and go for a swim.

Speaker 1: 4:02

So can you think of a time? What was your favourite thing to do, like when I think back to when I was really little. My favourite activity was hide and seek, and I know that's not an organised sport, but it was definitely my favourite thing to do. That was physical.

Speaker 2: 4:09

I love playing rounders, or we'd have this game we call coming over and we'd get over one side of the house and we'd throw a ball right over the other side and we'd yell out, Because what that also brings into physical activity is fun and play right.

Speaker 1: 4:23

So do you find that most of your most fondest memories of being physical are when you were in a state of play? Definitely, Most definitely.

Speaker 1: 4:28

Just loved it, you know. That also reminds me of this morning's powerlifting session. I know I'm jumping around a bit here, but you know the good old Dad's Army, which I've already introduced you to in one of my previous episodes. They were on fire. This morning they were on. And do you think that? You know, even though powerlifting is quite a serious sport, really squat bench dead. It's a bit grindy, what people call grindy, but how do you see it as fun and play right now in this morning's session?

Speaker 2: 4:47

Well, it's leading up to doing the heavy lifts and they say we're going to start on so-and-so and you've got to do three, and of course some of the crowd will go oh's great.

Speaker 1: 5:02

And do you think that's the key to continuing to turn up for yourself? Because you know some people start things and then they slowly drift away. And what's made you continue to turn up, day after day, you know, week after week, year after year, now to squat, bench and dead, essentially Because I'm going to get that record. That's why, for those of you that can't see my mum's expression there the purse lips came out Back in your memory who was someone that really uplifted you and inspired you as a younger person to take care of your health and wellness? Because most of these behaviors are not innate in us. Play is innate in us. Often you learn the value of looking after your health and your wellness from a role model. So can you think of someone in your past that's been a really great role model in that respect? Well, my first thought went to my great grandmother Annie Aitken.

Speaker 2: 5:37

She was a wonderful lady. She had eight children, always have a stubby for anyone called. If they didn't have a stubby, she'd open one anyway and have it herself. She was a wonderful not so much a role model as such, but she was very strong courageous and, yeah, she was a wonderful lady.

Speaker 1: 5:54

I'm sorry these kids never had the chance to meet her.

Speaker 2: 5:57

She died at 101. What do you think her secret was? To die at 101? And did she die at 101 with still a lot of good quality of life? Yeah, but she was still a wonderful person. Yeah, that's it.

Speaker 1: 6:05

And I think you actually told me a story of you said that she was very strong mentally and her body was obviously very strong. So physically and mentally she seemed like a strong lady. You did tell me a story that really made you stand up and respect that lady. Can you please tell us that story? No-transcript. It was absolutely an or. I said I thought I couldn't do that. She was a lovely, lovely person. Actually, glad I didn't meet her because I didn't want to get my guts slit out. To be honest, however, I do like we train on beer.

Speaker 2: 6:41

We train on beer. It brings good cheer.

Speaker 1: 6:42

There you go. There's one line for you and did you have someone else in mind? That really uplifted you to look after your health? Because, as we were saying before the show, one thing that you can mainly control that will give you a great quality of life and longevity of life and satisfaction of your life is your health. You can have a million dollars, you can have all the success and fame, but without your health, none. Stepfather.

Speaker 2: 7:01

He was a very strong, strong man, very fit for his age. He was a rabbit to brook. He fought in the Philippines, he fought in New Guinea and he came back and did a bricklaying course and became a bricklayer. He took us, my mother and us three kids, my brother, my sister, myself. He took us away from a nasty situation and treated us as his own children and to me that took a lot of courage from a man at 36 years of age to take on a woman with three children. I knew him. He was a very, very stubborn but very kind, loving person and he just inspired me. He died at 92.

Speaker 2: 7:26

But the only thing that killed him was he had a melanoma, a very bad skin cancer, on his face, and they ate his face away. That's the only thing that killed him. The doctor said to him if we could give you a new head, you'd live forever. He said you're so fit, so there you go. And what did he do? Different activities, do you think? Tornading us kids, holding us down on the floor over us, letting people come out of his mouth saying I'm going to spit in your eye? We'd be struggling and screaming, yeah, yeah. That's how my mum learned to run.

Speaker 1: 8:00

Yeah, not because I was going to spit in your eye, but he held us down and I think that's for sure. So what I remember of my granddad is his love of fishing and he would walk for hours and hours and hours and go fishing. He'd go like drag for the bait and pump the yabbies and just walk for ages with fishing. And the other thing that I really admired about my granddad and the activity that he, the physical activity that he used to do was his gardening Absolutely amazing gardener. Everything he touched grew. He had the green fingers, he had the magic touch, and gardening really is a therapeutic physical activity. That's not only good for your body but great for your brain, because you're outside, in nature, touching the earth, touching the plants, and it's so rewarding watching everything grow. So how do you feel about that, do you remember?

Speaker 2: 8:39

those activities and anything else. Yeah, I remember quite a bit. He was always a lyrical. We'd go out for the day pick and hammer in hand and he was never, ever bored, never, ever, ever bored. And I think that is the biggest secret in life is not to get bored.

Speaker 1: 8:47

Yes, 100%. I feel as if I take after his name is Norm. I feel as if I take after Norm in a lot of ways, because I am certainly never bored. In fact, sometimes I just look at everything and think, how did I get to doing this? But the granddad was the most creative person I have ever met in my life. Can you please tell the audience some of the creative things that granddad used to do?

Speaker 2: 9:05

Well, he used to get shells from the beach and he'd make all these wonderful ornaments and animals out of them. And then he'd get big fish scales and he actually used to dye those fish scales and make roses and all kinds of flowers and dye the fish scales. But I've still got his work and I treasure that. And I just said to the kids it's starting to fall apart, rid of them no, I certainly won't.

Speaker 1: 9:21

I've got heaps of stuff, um, from my granddad. He did most amazing. He was great at copper, copper painting, so making um artwork out of copper, and he did um, uh, what's that long stitch? Look.

Speaker 1: 9:29

I had a conversation with mom very quickly this morning and I said you know, since I've started podcasting, there's only ever one take. I said it's the first take or it's no take. You get what you get, you don't get upset. And I said to me you have to unpick that the whole thing would go in the bin. The scissors would come out and say I'm done, so it's. You know you do everything you want to do the first time and not have to go back and redo it. But I'm sure my granddad had a lot more patience with me with that sort of thing, with the amount of things that he did. So he was obviously a great inspiration for you to look after your health. Did he teach you any other little tricks of the trade? Because I remember quite a few coming from Grandad to do with health, like how did he fix wounds and things like that.

Speaker 2: 10:09

Condies crystals? Oh my God, yes, condies crystals. And how are your bowels today? Oh well, better have some molasses.

Speaker 1: 10:19

Yes, I learned a lot Some of it. And do you remember some of his favourite recipes, Like? Tell us some of his favourite things that he used to cook and like?

Speaker 2: 10:24

to eat. Oh, he used to make the most beautiful apple pie, apple and rhubarb crumble Pumpkin scones were. That was when we were quite a lot younger. He used to. On a Sunday afternoon he'd just put these pumpkin scones out and they'd come out, oh, at least three inches high, and no, he was anything.

Speaker 1: 10:39

Jam, corncob jam, strawberry jam as well is everything he made, every cord he grew. So when we say apple and rhubarb pies, well, he didn't grow the apples because we live in North Queensland, it's very hard to grow apples here, but he did grow rhubarb because I remember it being in the garden. So the key to a lot of granddad's health, like his wellness, like how he was so well and vital, was because he ate real food that he grew wherever possible and every single day. They used to have their main meal for lunch and there was. I remember that. And so, when it comes to looking after your health and your health through nutrition, one of my personal mantras really is everything in moderation, because people often ask me what supplements do you take? What's your diet? You know, what do you not eat, what do you eat lots of, or what don't you eat? And, honestly, my biggest piece of advice to the people that I coach everything in moderation. So is that something you think that Grandad and Grandad aspired to, and also yourself?

Speaker 2: 11:27

Well, except when I came to drinking beer, he used to make his own wine. He'd grow his own celery and he'd make celery wine. He'd grow his own peas and make pea wine, which Leanne's son-in-law was absolutely astounded. He said pea. We said, yeah, the ones you cook, no something to be happy about. And with his food he was creative. He wasn't one of those people that said, oh, I don't like to look at that. He'd say, let's give it a go, yeah.

Speaker 1: 11:46

So two things seem to be emerging here. It's creativity and having fun. As far as living your life to the best of your ability, it's the ability to be able to have a laugh and have fun and continually find ways to be creative, Because when you become stagnant and let they're bored. So Brenda was a great inspiration to you and me for that one. So, going back to your powerlifting journey, I'm going to play the 90 kilo record attempt, I'm going to put that in here and then we're going to come back and we're going to talk to mum about the strategies that she's used and the stories behind her last seven or six year journey into this world record. So that was a really exciting moment in that video where you weren't actually ended up lifting that on that particular competition because it was only a practice comp.

Speaker 2: 12:25

Well, I was quite happy to retire at 85 kilos and I thought yes, I'll build up to 90. And the fellow that owned the gym, kieran, came to me and he said look. He said, while they're working out all the scores, when this lift is finished they've got to go through working out all the scores. He said why don't you try doing a 90 kilogram? And I thought no, don't stop, you are going to do this. That's how it happened.

Speaker 1: 12:46

So you told yourself you're going to do it and you did it. Surprising, that isn't it? Because your brain believes the words that you tell it. And I've got a million dollar question for you Did you pee? So for those of you that are wondering why I'm talking about peeing, if you go back a couple reps at, I think it might have been even 80 or 85. It was 80 kilos and a little bit of peak skate. But let's celebrate the wins, because not only did she get 90 kilos, which is the world record, she also didn't pee. So we're so going back to. Let's go back to the start of the journey, because obviously the audience, my audience, the people that follow me and which are no weightlifting, are very inspired by your lifting. So let's go back to the start of your actual powerlifting journey. So we know how you got into it. How did you develop that type of strength? Like, where did you start? And how in the world did you get to 90 kilos at the age of 76? Because I'm telling you I coach a lot.

Speaker 2: 13:37

Morning I rolled up and the old dad's army crew were there and accepted me. They coached me. They said don't worry, if you can't do it, just keep trying. And in the end I was doing it and I had a good coach, of course, and I thought, well, I'm really enjoying myself, so let's take this a step further. And then Leanne said mum, there's a yep, I'll give it a go. And of course, I worked hard, I trained hard and we got up there and Leanne said well, the record is 75 kilos. So I was yeah, okay, I can do this. And she came back and said mum, you're going to have to lift 76 to break the record. I was like, oh, I can do this. Hopefully. I got out there, I've lost a fair bit of weight and had a shoulder replacement and went out of action for a bit, but I'm back to 90. So I'm happy.

Speaker 1: 14:26

It was a long journey but I was determined I could do it. So when you say you went out of action and now you're back, that's a really interesting statement, because a's a million reasons why people stop training. What made you want to get back into the gym after that shoulder replacement? Because that was not a small operation.

Speaker 2: 14:44

Well, I thought I can't let myself down, I can't let my family down, I can't let my training partners down, I can't let my physiotherapist down because she worked hard with me. I thought, no, I can do. This was good. She was the one saying mum, how are you this morning? Is that hurting? Well, try another way. It was just wonderful. The support that I got from everyone at the gym.

Speaker 1: 15:03

It was great, and the thing is that I just didn't want to let anyone down, most of all myself well, I'm glad you said that the most important person to not let down or to build yourself up is yourself, because at the end of the day, uh, the most important, the most important way, the most important person in your life is you. When you put yourself first, you're much better at putting other people. You know, giving other people the best of you. So the fact that you came back after the shoulder replacement and it did take a good, it took a good three months just to get out of pain. Then it took another good six months to get enough sort of strength back into the shoulder to be able to start deadlifting again. But here's the thing Once you did start deadlifting again, how fast do you think it came back?

Speaker 2: 15:30

Oh, it was only a matter of a couple of months. Just in that gym said we know you can do it and it makes you feel really, really good.

Speaker 1: 15:39

It does and that's amazing to think and that just shows you the power of the human body, the muscle memory and the memory of the movement memory. So what I mean by that is when I grew up, I did gymnastics. That was my most favorite sport of all time. I just lived and breathed gymnastics and I coached it and I still coach it, so 51, because I have that movement and muscle memory. So for the people that are out there that have maybe they're injured because I know that injury is a really big drawback for some people and it's not just getting injured again so what advice? Like what can you, what did you do that can help people who are in that boat?

Speaker 2: 16:09

From memory. I think to myself, gee, that kind of is hurting a bit, and I think, well, try amount of pain.

Speaker 1: 16:25

It's learning to listen to your body and not go over a certain threshold of pain. So the thing I say to people don't go over a three out of 10. So about a three out of 10, while you're rehabbing any part of your body, that's okay. But if you're pushing it and you see how your body responds the next day, if it's extremely sore, then you've gone past the threshold, which I did quite a few times. I can you get to take the opportunity of realizing that you're not going to go through that activity with no niggles and no injuries? That is a part of the sport and the fitness and being fit and looking after yourself, and you learn a lot about yourself when you have an injury.

Speaker 1: 17:05

Yes, that's, true you find out where your metal is. If you think, oh friend of yours, wouldn't it be if your friend was injured? You wouldn't say to them I'll just give up, just give up. You'd say no, just one day at a time. It took like you think about. I say this to pregnant ladies have come come to me after their baby and they're, you know, feeling down on themselves because they have a big belly and they're overweight, they're not fit anymore. And I say it took nine months to grow that baby. Give yourself nine months.

Speaker 2: 17:27

I agree completely there, because the more you become depressed about this, the less performance you're going to get from your own body and your own mind. You've got to look at it, look at the broad picture and say I can do this. I was like that once and I can be like that again.

Speaker 1: 17:37

Some wise words of wisdom from Terry. You actually just said something before which made me laugh.

Speaker 2: 17:44

You said you know when you get injured you find out wrong. I've got three titanium screws in it.

Speaker 1: 17:48

So mum's got a plastic shoulder, but she does have some titanium screws in there. So, wrapping up, wrapping up about your, you know, with your powerlifting journey, how would you, what would you recommend to people who are, you know, getting older?

Speaker 2: 18:07

And what would you recommend? What would you say to them to help them put their health first? What have you gotten out of it and how do you? Don't like it? Fine, but if you like it, let's start and just build yourself up slowly and see how you go.

Speaker 1: 18:22

And don't fret. If you're not strong, don't fret, it will come. It will come. Yeah, that's a great piece of wisdom. Them and you've talked many times mentioned many times today the power of the community and the connection. So a very big part of enjoying your fitness journey and looking after your health is sharing that journey with other people.

Speaker 2: 18:34

That's right. And people say but I'm not as fit as you and I'm not as strong as you. I say, well, have you tried? Come on, let's just think about it. Just try, you will get there.

Speaker 1: 18:42

Yeah, and you could change their words. I'm not as fit as you, but I'm as fit as me because everybody's fitness is different. Right, everyone has different qualities. Their bodies are different, their minds are different, they have different backgrounds. So where you might be really strong doing a heavy deadlift, you know, I know some other ladies around your age that can still go out and run five kilometers. Yeah, well, I couldn't do that, that's for sure.

Speaker 2: 18:57

Not with my asthmatic lungs.

Speaker 1: 18:59

But never mind, I cope with them and I just do my best should have a think about is find the thing that you love doing. There is no point going to the gym and doing 10 bicep curls, five squats, lat pulldowns if you think it's boring as batshit.

Speaker 2: 19:12

Well, that's right, and to me, sitting on those machines, pedaling away or on a walking machine, that's good to start your fitness off, but after a while it does become as boring as batshit.

Speaker 1: 19:19

So you really need something to challenge you. And well, I've got to say about that is, a lot of the things that we do in life are not just inherent in us. Yes, there is some genetics. I obviously have a very strong gene pool, as in my strength comes from generations of strong people, like my granddad was a cane cutter. Cane cutters were very, very strong men. But also it's the people that you surround yourself with and the role models that you look up to, the people that you look up to and taking on.

Speaker 1: 19:45

You know using the right words. So it's the words that you are telling yourself that you're telling yourself the words, mainly because the person that brought you up said those words and the person that brought them up said those words. So if those words are positive and you can do it and be as strong as you can be, then that is passed down through the generations. And I certainly know that my grandma would have had many words like that, because she was a very strong woman. She was the matriarch of the family and what she said went right. So if you had to do that, you did it. So all my mum needs to do and all I need to do to get the next world record, in fact, is just stand in front of the bar and pretend that your mum and my grandma is screaming at us. There goes the world record. So thanks for being here, mum, and I'm sure everyone's really going to enjoy listening to how you have conquered the many national records that you have and the world record that you unofficially have, that you will soon have because, fingers crossed, we are going to another competition in Cairns, which is great. Cairns has a very special place in my heart because my very first competition in Olympic was in Cairns. My mum's very first powerlifting competition was in Cairns. So it's very fitting that in about five months' time we're going back to Cairns and we're going to go in an official competition and if the correct referees are there, you should soft talk, acknowledged, be able to and I'm saying that because we need the referees get that world record.

Speaker 1: 20:58

And if not want to see mum and you haven't looked at my Instagram on LK Strength Coach, go have a look. I'll put it in the show notes. I can put the link to my Instagram in the show notes. Go and have a look at mum's unofficial 90 kilo. Mind you, she needs 91. So we'll just slip on a little 0.5 on each side. You'll never know Go and.