WE ARE

For Nico and Bonny Espinola, teaching doesn’t end when the school bell rings. Through their passion for powerlifting, they’re introducing the next generation to the sport, building a stronger community, and making a lasting impact on young athletes across Oregon.

After surviving a rare medical condition, cancer, and multiple major surgeries, Samantha Thompson was told she might never compete again. But giving up wasn’t an option. The Missouri powerlifter and PLU Level 2 official defied the odds, returning to the platform stronger than ever and setting personal records in all three lifts. Her remarkable journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of the powerlifting community.

Leonetta Richardson and Susan Salazar have accepted invitations to compete at the 2026 American Pro, taking place August 8 in Richmond, Virginia. More than a decade after the only time they previously shared a platform – the two will step onto the same stage once again – this time as Salazar celebrates her 50th trip around the sun. For fans in attendance, it represents a rare and meaningful convergence of legacy, longevity, and mutual respect

Any lifter or athlete knows the feeling of setting a lofty goal and pursuing it for a long time. If the person in question is fortunate and put in the work necessary, they also know the feeling of achieving that goal. That process may be three to six months or even a year or longer. Imagine taking three years to make that aspiration a reality.

She came for the platform and found a family.
From Argentina to PLU Nationals. Micaela’s journey is proof that strength unites us all.