WORLD'S STRONGEST GRANNY

She’s beaten cancer three times and now has a world record!

- Keeley Henderson

It’s official – octogenarian and three-time cancer survivor Heather Maddern is the world’s strongest great-grandmother.

In December, Heather set multiple Australian and world powerlifting records when she deadlifted a whopping 80kg at a competition.

“If anyone had told me 12 months ago that I’d be lifting 80 kilos and setting a world record, I’d never have believed them,” the 80-yearold tells Woman’s Day from her Brisbane home. “But powerlifting has given me a new lease of life.”

Th e Mater Private Hospital Redland patient, who also has Parkinson’s disease, only began strength training last April.

“I needed something to inspire me and give me that zest for living again,” she tells.

After 21 weeks of chemo and 25 doses of radiation, plus surgery that saw her have 20 lymph nodes removed, Heather wanted to feel better.

“I was totally fatigued,” she says. “I didn’t even have the willpower to walk the dogs.”

Heather, who has two children, three grand kids and four great-grandchildren, reached out to local strength trainer Jill Cox for help.