CALEDONIA—Here’s the story of a woman named Carol Brady. While not of TV’s Brady Bunch fame, Caledonia’s Carol Brady has quite the story all her own.
Brady’s face may be familiar thanks to her numerous roles in the community: retired principal of River Heights Elementary School; former Brownie leader, soccer coach, and member of the Victorian Order of Nurses Board of Directors; current volunteer at the Caledonia and District Food Bank and at Community Support Centre Haldimand Norfolk; and last, but certainly not least, multiple-time world champion powerlifter by the age of 75.
It was her mother who taught Brady the importance of kindness at a young age. She chalks it all up to her simple motto: “If I can, I should!”
Reflecting on her career in education, Brady measured success as the ability to make learning relatable to the individual.
“Having so much experience, I find it easy to support the individuals I see, and I am often called on by other volunteers to help solve client concerns. It also helps to be a good listener!”
As a principal, she often witnessed the effects that food insecurity had on children.
“I wanted to be able to address this on a broader scale,” she said on now volunteering with the food bank, where she has seen the need grow significantly.
“If I can bring a smile to our food bank clients when I am assisting them, then I have accomplished something,” she added. “Listening to their realities without judgement is important. Some clients also give me a hug and give thanks. That’s all the affirmation I need.”
Brady is also an active member of the grassroots charity 100 Women Who Care Haldimand, which meets four times a year to hear the stories of local charities and provide donations for chosen charities.
“It is heartwarming to know that our donations are going directly back into our community to help the people, animals, and environment. There is a great need to support our youth, which is important for everyone’s future,” said Brady, who urged fellow residents to focus donations on local charities instead of national ones.
Through her success as a powerlifter, Brady is determined to dispel some common myths about aging.
“Many assume because you have white hair and wrinkles that you are delicate/feeble and unable to manage routine daily activities. When we have deliveries at the food bank, the delivery person always assumes I am unable to carry the items. The other volunteers around me just laugh when I pick up more than expected and surprise the delivery person,” she shared.
She relishes the skepticism often received when she tells someone she is an accomplished athlete.
“As a powerlifter I train three times a week for lifting and twice for fitness. I eat a protein high diet. I see a physio, chiropractor, osteopath, and massage therapist. I compete at national and international competitions annually. No different than a 20- or 30-year-old athlete.”
Brady recalled having to fend off younger gym members who thought she would injure herself with the weights when she first joined her gym around 15 years ago, noting she’s now accepted as a role model there.
“Some still stop and stare when I am lifting really heavy weights, but I am showing that you can do it no matter your age,” she said.
Her training began in 2008, when Brady came up with the goal of doing a chin up by her 60th birthday.
Her friend Krista Schaus invited her to join a powerlifting group she was starting and just four months later she was headed to her first competition in Belle River.
“After that I was addicted,” said Brady, who then joined the Niagara Powerlifting Club and travelled thrice weekly to St. Catharines to train up until 2020, when her training regimen was impacted by the pandemic.
She has gone from competing at local and provincial meets, which she now referees, to national and world championships.
“I have competed in 11 national championships and won 10. I have competed in 10 World Championships and been World Champion five times, the last one being at age 75, where I squatted 95kg, bench pressed 65kg, and deadlifted 107.5kg – and outlifted a competitor 14 years younger.”
She added, “In case you were wondering, I did eight chin ups on my 60th birthday.”
Brady described the powerlifting community as unique, explaining, “Everyone encourages and cheers for everyone, even their competition. It is a very welcoming and supportive community. I have met so many new friends young and old from across Canada and the world through this sport that it has enriched my life tremendously.”
The teacher in her still comes out as well, often mentoring students while refereeing high school meets on how to improve their lifts.
She shared some advice for anyone looking to follow in her footsteps, young or old.
“It’s never too late to start. Being active is good for the mind, body, and soul. I walk on the trail by the Grand River most days; it is healthy and meditative. Joining a senior’s fitness class or going to the gym is social and good for the body! If we treat our body with kindness, it will hopefully return the favour,” she shared. “I am not in perfect health, and I have arthritis like most seniors, but I would be much worse if I did not engage in my physical activity. Some days it just takes longer to warm up and get moving!”
