Winning a Strongman – by Ede

August achievement: I won Cumberland Summer Strongman Showdown 2026 women’s Beginners competition! 💪

This wasn’t exactly a carefully planned goal.

After a few drinks, signing up for a Strongwoman competition seemed like a brilliant idea. 😂

The next morning, I realised I had actually entered… so I had better start training for it!

I’ve always loved strength training and, over the years, I’ve seen the benefits reach far beyond the physical. I feel stronger, more confident, happier and more capable because of it.

But training specifically for a Strongwoman competition was a completely different challenge.

I broke down each event, created a training plan and progression, and followed it as closely as I could.

The competition consisted of:

🏋️‍♀️ Yoke into log
140 kg yoke for 10 m + 35 kg log for reps

💥 Bag toss
5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 kg bags over a 4 m height

🏋️‍♀️ Deadlift ladder
90 kg → 100 kg → 110 kg → 120 kg for reps

🪨 Atlas stones
60 kg over a 42″ bar

🚛 Truck pull
Unfortunately cancelled due to safety issues with the harnesses. One of the first competitors had a harness split while pulling, so I’m actually quite glad I didn’t have to experience that one! 🫪

I was SO nervous on the day.

Standing there watching some of the women throwing around weights like they were nothing, I genuinely wondered what the hell I was doing there.

I felt like I didn’t belong.

Then I was called up for the first event, picked up the log, and just got on with it.

The yoke felt light. The log felt light.

And somehow I got 7 reps, putting me second in the event.

Then came the bag toss.

Five bags. 5–9 kg. Over a 4 m bar.
They absolutely flew.

I finished all five in around 23 seconds, winning the event and taking maximum points.

Then the deadlift.

90 kg.
100 kg.
110 kg.
Then 120 kg for reps.

I’d have been delighted with six.
I got 14 reps in one minute.
That one genuinely surprised me.

Finally, the Atlas stones. 60 kg over a 42″ bar.
9 reps.
I actually lost focus because I was too busy chatting to the referees 😂 and afterwards I knew I had at least another couple in me.

But it was enough.
I won the competition.

And honestly, winning was incredible.

But what I took away from the day was so much bigger than the result.

There were men and women competing of all different ages, and it was a real honour to compete alongside such strong individuals, especially those who were challenging the stereotypes and expectations society can place on us about what we should or shouldn’t be doing at a certain age.

People lifting. People competing.
People pushing themselves.
People proving that getting older doesn’t mean you stop being capable.
People showing that strength isn’t just about what your body looks like.

It’s about what your body allows you to do.

And the stronger you are, the more choices you give yourself for the future.

I’m still absolutely buzzing from this experience.

And that slightly questionable decision after a few drinks turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. 😂💪