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Sault Ste Marie’s Lisa Fryia, Trish Barber, and Echo Bay’s Michelle Pearson will be headed to the 2025 International Masters Weightlifting Championships in September 2025 in Las Vegas to represent Sault Ste Marie and Algoma.
For Michelle Pearson, stepping onto the competition platform isn’t just about lifting weight—it’s about lifting herself above doubt, showing up, and proving that the hard work she puts in, often in solitude, is paying off.
“To compete at this level means so much,” says Pearson. “We train—Trish Barber, Lisa Fryia and I—mostly solo, and that makes it hard to really check in on our progress. So when I show up at a meet, I sometimes wonder, Am I ready for this? Did I do enough?”
Those questions echo the mental battle many athletes face, but qualifying for the international platform has been a powerful validation for Pearson. “It tells me I am doing the work. It’s showing up on the platform.”
Her journey into the world of competitive lifting began in the audience, watching her friend Trish compete in North Bay. “I didn’t have this on my bucket list—Trish did,” Pearson laughs. “But by the time she finished lifting, I knew I was going to take it up too. I contacted her coach, and the rest is history.”
Michelle now shares her strength journey with Trish and Lisa under the guidance of their coach, Joanne Jeffrey, who lives in Midland, Ontario. Though geography separates them, technology keeps them connected. Michelle records her training sessions in her garage gym and sends them to Joanne for feedback. Recently, they’ve started going live with Joanne during training sessions for more immediate coaching, which Michelle says has been a game-changer.
Training is no easy feat. Her goal is to get in three sessions a week, but juggling life, work, and the demands of 2-3 hour workouts is a constant challenge. “Sometimes I win, sometimes I don’t,” she says honestly. “It can be wild trying to fit it all in.”
One of the biggest hurdles for Michelle has been the mental side of training alone. “It’s really hard to pump yourself up—again and again. It’s a mental game.” Her solution? “I put on some grindy, angry music and just lift. I remind myself I have a goal, and I’m not going to reach it if I don’t put in the work.”
The week before any competition is often chaotic—mistakes happen, confidence can waver—but those moments push her to refocus. When competition day arrives, Michelle has one strategy: “Turn my brain off, listen to my coach, trust the training—and just lift.”
Beyond the numbers on the barbell, what lights Michelle up the most is the camaraderie. “I’m just so excited to be there with these women who’ve become friends. To cheer them on, encourage them. The lifting community is incredibly supportive.”
Support doesn’t stop at the gym doors. Michelle’s family has been by her side every step of the way. “My husband and son helped build up my garage gym so I’d have everything I need to train.” And though many friends and family may not fully understand the intricacies of the sport, their encouragement means the world.
Michelle also finds inspiration in unexpected places. At her last competition in Burlington, she met a man who had just started lifting at 73 years old—motivated by a simple desire: “I want my granddaughter to be proud of me.”
“You’re never too old to start,” Michelle says. “He proved that.”
To those who doubt themselves, especially women who say, “I could never do that,” Michelle has a consistent response: “Yes, you could. You just need some coaching.”
In a world that often underestimates the power of perseverance, Michelle Pearson is a reminder that strength comes in many forms—and often, it starts with simply showing up and believing you belong.
Support these women’s adventure to Las Vegas to participate in the 2025 International Masters Weightlifting Championships with a fundraiser on Thursday, June 19th at 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m at Icebreakers. Tickets are $30 to attend and $15 for a support ticket. This includes all you can eat wings, pizza, and fries. Send e-transfers to [email protected], [email protected], or [email protected].
Watch for Trish Barber’s story on Saturday, May 24th and Lisa Fryia’s on Sunday, May 25th.
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