JULIA GRIFFIN: Leightley competes in 100% RAW, a worldwide powerlifting organization that emphasizes clean, steroid-free competitions. Since 2014, she's garnered 12 world records in her age and weight categories; 132-pound Leightley can dead-lift 273 pounds. But she wasn't always so in shape. In 2006, after years of shuttling three children and six grandchildren to their athletic activities, she finally got her own itch to work out.
A 60-year-old grandmother from Fairfax, Virginia, developed a love for weightlifting and garnered six world records in her age and weight categories. Now 72, Linda Leightley can deadlift 273 pounds and is breaking preconceptions about the limitations of age and gender.