A powerlifter who encourages others to take up the sport had a visit from The Body Coach.

Catherine Duffy started powerlifting thanks to Joe Wicks's online fitness lessons during lockdown and now she is smashing competitions and hosting her own sessions.

Joe, also known as the Body Coach,  joined in with one of her gym sessions in Hove over the weekend after she made an appearance on his podcast Extraordinary People.

Catherine Duffy in the gymCatherine Duffy in the gym (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

"I had a completely different life before," said Catherine, 65. "I have worked in social care and as a funeral celebrant."

But during the Covid-19 pandemic, Catherine spent time building up her strength and muscle mass with Joe's online sessions and quickly got hooked.

"Then I realised I really liked lifting dumbbells, so as soon as the lockdowns ended I found someone to teach me how to use a barbell."

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Her personal trainer suggested she ditch the day job and dedicate her time to lifting.

"I met somebody who was a powerlifter and I thought that sounded badass. So I did, and started winning things - but what I really wanted to do was coach others how to powerlift."

Catherine is now a world champion in her category and spends her time teaching her skills to members of the Gals, Gays and Theys Powerlifting club at The Fitness Bar in Dyke Road every Sunday.

She said: "This is my joy and I like to make it accessible to everybody. If people can't afford it, they come anyway."

Joe in the gymJoe in the gym (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

After almost two years of running her own lifting club, her work was recognised by the man who started it all.

Fitness buff Joe Wicks posted a call on his social media for people whose lives had been changed thanks to sport for a new podcast series. 

"I thought 'that's me'," said Catherine. She received the call from his team and was taken up to his studio where they talked about her journey.

"It was a full circle moment for me, and a real privilege because the series is called extraordinary people. I don’t feel extraordinary, though.”