Meet strongest woman in Cairns
Decision to change her life has strongwoman heading to national championships
SAMANTHA Jackson is seriously strong. While most of us will never get to ride in an armoured car, this 34-year-old has pulled one — 7.2 tonnes of metal, 16 metres in 60 seconds. Her reward for the feat, which is believed to be a national record, is an invite to the 2018 Arnold Strongman Australia Championships. It’s been a long road since losing 100kg from her once 180kg frame.
A CAIRNS woman who used to weigh more than 180kg is making waves on the strongman circuit after pulling a 7.2 tonne armoured car.
Samantha Jackson pushed her body to its limits, lugging the vehicle 16m in 60 seconds, which is believed to be a national record for such an achievement.
Her efforts landed her an invite to this year’s 2018 Arnold Strongman Australia Championships in March.
The 34-year-old is still slightly speechless.
“My goal was to move it 2m,” she said with a laugh.
“To get 16m, I was shocked but very, very happy.”
Ms Jackson said she “was hooked” on strongman events after winning her first competition in February last year.
“There is a lot of creativity in what you can lift, move, pull,” she said.
She has lifted and pulled a variety of objects, including the back end of a Suzuki Swift and a concrete headstone, as well as the Panhard armoured car.
“It gives you an adrenaline rush when you lift something heavy,” she said. “I’ve always been strong. My body seems to react really well to weightbased strength training.”
Ms Jackson has also competed in powerlifting events for the past 2½ years.
“I like to challenge myself. I like to learn new techniques, so it keeps my brain and body active,” she said.
“I remember when a 100kg dead lift was too hard.” Her personal best is 160kg. Ms Jackson is also sitting at an 88.5kg bench press and 145kg squat.
“What people don’t realise is it’s an endurance race. You can’t lift heavy straight up,” she said.
And mental preparation is just as important as physical strength, she said.
She credits her “gym fam”, especially the other women, and coaches at Athlete High Performance for helping her push harder.
“We know how hard it is, the work you have to do to lift heavy,” she said. “They are really supportive.”