It was a long journey, but it was worth every step.
By Roger “Rock” Lockridge
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.
Powerlifting United (PLU) lifter and commentator Melanie Jones knows that feeling very well and is still smiling when she talks about it. That’s because her dream of deadlifting 500 pounds on the platform was finally accomplished at the 2025 Belle of the Bar meet. For those wondering how it may feel to accomplish such a lofty goal, to say it feels pretty good is an understatement.
“This has been a long time coming.”
A SUMMARY OF HER JOURNEY
Jones, who works by day as a fragrance evaluator, first began chasing the elusive 500-pound pull after missing it three years ago. Once it reached her shins, it was like gravity doubled and pulled the weight back to the floor.
“I got it off the ground and to mid-shin. From then on, I wanted this so bad. 500 was going to be mine.”
Jones’ pursuit was on, and it was without fear of failure. Matter of fact, the self-proclaimed former “cardio bunny” entered her very first meet in 2016. That introduction resulted in her bombing out. Noting that she still got bitten by the bug, she kept going. That lack of fear can serve an athlete very well. Ever since that first miss, the mission was clear; 500 must go up. Jones had put the work in ever since.
That work combined with desire led Jones to be in a great position to make 2025 the year it happened. However, her journey suffered a setback after she missed pulling 501 at the 2025 Power Surge meet, which was held the day before her birthday. Jones had initially planned to call it a season, but then she looked at the Belle of the Bar meet, which is run by director Chrissy Castellano, who she admired and considered a friend.
“Having that feminine energy there was what made me decide to do it.”
THE BIG MOMENT
Fast forward to Nov. 16, 2025 in Kenilworth, New Jersey, and from the moment Jones walked in the building, she could feel a special energy in the air. The environment, preparation, and confidence were all in sync, and Jones knew it. This day was the day.
“Right before I stepped onto the platform, I kept telling myself, ‘It’s mine!’ In my head it was already mine.”
With Kesha’s We Are Who We Are playing in her headphones, fans and supporters in attendance and at her workplace watching online, and her mantra being said repeatedly, her moment arrived. Jones stepped to the platform, grabbed the barbell with intention, and began to stand. The emotions were obvious once the bar reached her shins, but it wasn’t because she was about to miss again.
“As soon as I got it past my shins, I started crying,” she recalled. “I couldn’t see anything at that point because I was so overwhelmed with joy.”
The significance of that lift was twofold; Not only did she pull 500, but she ended up totaling 1,200 pounds. Many in the sport feel 1,200 is the female equivalent of the elusive 2,000-pound total on the men’s side of the platform.
“That was the first time I ever got the 500, and I hit the total as a two for one special.”
KEYS TO HER SUCCESS
When asked about what the secrets were to her finally breaking 500 pounds, she credited her mentality as well as the environment and energy in the room that day, but perhaps the biggest change was in coaching and changing gyms. Her training home is now The War Room in Whippany, NJ. Also, after working with her husband Chris for a long time, she opted to start working with Micah Marino.
“I wanted to try something a little different. My husband used to coach me on percentages. It has been tough getting used to RPE, but Micah’s system has been effective to get me to the next level.”
Most athletes are aware of the importance of the right mindset and confidence, and she confirmed being in the right environment like a PLU meet can make memorable moments happen, but Jones feels that for many lifters that are either stuck or unsure of what to do next, working with a coach could be the missing link in the chain.
“Listening to the coach and asking questions always helped. I would ask Micah why we were doing things and how they helped me,” she explained. “The movements suck in the moment, but they worked. Knowing why you’re doing it makes a big difference.”
Jones is still basking in the glow of the moment but is also in the early stages of planning for 2026. Thanks to that total as well as her 527 DOTS, those plans including stepping back onto the platform at the American Pro powerlifting event in Richmond, VA on August 8, 2026.
“I feel like I am a pro now. I’ve been invited to compete internationally and locally. Now, I feel like I’ve earned this and the title of being an elite or pro.”
To see more of Jones, you can follow her on Instagram @mellymelz914 . If you’re interested in entering or attending a Powerlifting United (PLU) meet, you can see the planned events on our schedule here.
