Jono, Ben & Megan - The Podcast - Sandy the 71 Year Old Power Lifter | Itty Bitty Bit

Episode Date: August 26, 2026

We got inspired by Sandy the 71 year old power lifter who started later in life.   Join the Itty Bitty Hitty Committee HERE!Instagram:  @THEHITSBREAKFASTFacebook: The Hits Breakfast with Jono, Ben & Megan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We spoke about this guy yesterday. 71-year-old New Zealand who's taken up powerlifting at 71. I've just been doing a couple of years. He's representing New Zealand, really inspirational. We've tracked him down. Sandy Stollard joins us right now. Good morning. Thank you very much.

So, like, talk us through it. Like, two years ago you had a bit of a heart condition, and then you've gone to the gym, which I get, but taken up powerlifting. Yeah, well, I did a wee bit of research. Well, not research. I did a bit of reading online, I suppose. And at my age, that was pretty challenging, I have to say. And so what is the benefits about?

I mean, the health benefits are going to the gym, but powerlifting feels like a lot for your body to go through. I tried it about 12, 13 years ago, and I got a really bad back injury, so I didn't bother again. So I thought, well, give it a go again, you know, and just start off really light. And I've just done really well.

I've had no injuries. I've got perfect blood pressure now, and I've got no trouble with it. with my heart, so everything's really good, so I've just carried on. So what do people think at the gym when you're like lifting? I mean, we're looking at what you can lift, a back squat, 137 KGs, a deadlift, 160KGs. I mean, what are people thinking when you're shifting tin, as they say, in the gym? Yeah, well, you know, all the young guys and the young girls there, you know, they're just,

you're an inspiration, you know. Basically, what I wanted to do, I didn't want to just go on a journey for myself. I wanted to not role model, but actually encourage people my age to get off the flipping couch, you know. You don't have to be great to start. You've got to start to be great, you know. Oh, I love that, Sandy. You know, do the chair Pilates and stuff like that, you know. At least get yourself active and have some purpose in your life, you know.

The overriding thing for me now is just to encourage other people, young and old. And that's what I'm doing at the gym, you know. people say I'm in inspiration well I don't know about that I'm not doing it for myself well I am in a way but I'm actually trying to encourage the older generation to get off your backside

and you know and do something well that's awesome and going to represent New Zealand the oceania powerlifting championships was that something that you could have dreamed of a few years ago oh heck no to sort of lift you've got a competitions you've got to join a club

and I joined central powerlifting association I did a couple of competitions They went really well. I hold some regional records in two-weight categories. And I was encouraged to apply for New Zealand, so I did. And I've got selected, you know, and I have to say, at my age, pulling a silver fan, that's just a huge honour. It is incredible.

Yeah, you're inspiring us all. Do you know the other day I had a big moment in the gym, I don't want to brag about it, but someone asked me to spot them. And I've never had anyone asked me to spot them before, Sandy. I was quite nervous. Yeah. Yeah. And I said, what do I need to do?

And he said, just make sure I don't die. And that put a lot of fear into my head. But I managed to do it. He only did one and he didn't die. He didn't ask you again. He didn't ask me again. I'm a lot smaller than you and him, Sandy. When somebody asked you to spot here,

they're obviously going to be pushing something heavy that they've never done before. So, yeah, it's pretty important. It was, yeah. It wasn't the job for me. Probably not the job for being, yeah. No, yeah. Oh, congratulations.

Thank you for, you know, inspiring people, not just where you live, but right around New Zealand. it's awesome what you're doing and thanks so much for your time. Oh, thank you very much, guys. I really appreciate coming on. Oh, and actually, you've got to give a little,

sorry, Megan, you've got to give a little page to help you with your getting across to the World Champs? The trip's all self-funded because it's not like a national sport like rugby, you know? So everything's sort of self-funded. So if you go on to give a little New Zealand and look for Sandy Stoddart powerlifting, you'll get it.

And if you want to contribute, that's fantastic. Oh, thanks, Sandy. going to remember that saying you don't have to be great to start but you need to start to be great. That's correct. Awesome. Thanks Sandy. Thank you very much guys. Have a fantastic day. What a guy. What a guy. 71 year old power lift of Sandy Stodder. There you go.