“Powerlifting is like a state of mind. It pushes you beyond what you really think you can or are capable of.”
Mind–body–and soul.
“If your body is healthy, you are healthy. The mind guides the body, they all work together.”
That’s it Petoskey Strength and Fitness stands for healthy lifestyle.
Todd Budden, owner of Petoskey Strength & Fitness, explains, “It’s a good outlet for everyday stress. Powerlifting focuses on the big three lifts. So that’s your maximal effort in the squat, bench and deadlift.”
Todd Budden is a gym owner, and knowing that the fitness world is a community unto itself – There was *no hesitation in adding a powerlifting team.
He says: “She’s really developed over the last two years. We started with just me and Tammy, it developed into the top five, and then we grew to what you see now, which is about 14.
This powerlifting team is reaching goals and breaking personal records.
“We just recently got back from Las Vegas, which is the highlight of our existence at nationals,” says Budden.
Tammy Jo Remsberg shares, “My first year at nationals, I was fourth. My second year, my third. And this year we just went to Vegas and I was second. Second in the country with 61, and it was pretty amazing.”
For Tammy Jo Remsberg and April Johnson, this team taught them that age doesn’t limit your abilities.
“This is the best thing for my body at my age. I started powerlifting when I was 58, now I’m 61 – I’m in better shape than I was even in my 20s and 30s. And having young teammates is even better. They push me beyond what I think I’m capable of,” says Remsberg.
Johnson says, “I also have two older daughters, so she’s the youngest, she’s eight. But it just shows them that it doesn’t matter how busy you are, you can always fit your passions into your life.”
But it’s not about muscle or strength for this powerlifting team—
“We empower each other. We lift each other up, we check each other up,” says Remsberg.
It’s about being there for each other when life…gets you down.
Johnson adds, “People who push you, people who support you, people who won’t be negative about the lifestyle you choose.”
“It becomes much more than a coach-to-coach relationship. There are genuine friendships here, we hang out on holidays, we hang out outside the facility,” says Budden.
Bringing a tear to Remsberg’s eye, she says, “I get emotional because these girls are my family. He is like a son to me, because I am the oldest. They know more about me than people I’ve known all my life. They are my family.”
And regardless of everything, the strength they gained is thanks to their strong foundation – family.
“It is a family that is out of blood. It’s a family we share blood, sweat and tears,” says Remsberg.
