Powerlifting champion, 76, defies odds to set world record

Nutritionist Pat Reeves, who follows a plant-based diet of mostly raw food, has been power lifting since 1983 and has set records galore in the sport and refereed all over the world.

But in September 2018 she was seriously injured in a high-speed crash on Germany’s autobahn.

The horrific collision, which killed her driver and the driver of the oncoming vehicle, left her with crushed lungs which has resulted in pulmonary fibrosis and she says she was given just three months to live in June 2019.

But pint-sized Pat has cheated death twice before.

She has survived, and thrived for many years, following two terminal cancer diagnoses…the first in 1982 due to a brain tumour and the second in 1994 due to osteosarcoma (bone cancer)…and in 2008 she published a book entitled A Living Miracle, detailing how she applied her knowledge of nutrition, exercise, naturopathy and healthy living to try to improve her prognosis and extend her life expectancy.

Now, despite her injuries which have changed her life considerably, she has managed to break not just one record but three in her beloved sport of powerlifting.

Pat Reeves pictured with her trophy in her home gym

Grandmother-of-two Pat, of Bromley Lane, has continued to train, despite her condition which means she requires supplemental oxygen daily, and her schedule includes deadlifting three times a week and bench work four times a week.

She said: “I can really only do single repetition now. If I was to do double or treble I’d need oxygen.”

But she has her own gym at home and her determination has paid off and on March 26 she lifted a record-breaking 60.5kg at the British Drug Free Powerlifting Association national singles event at Motive8 gym, King's Lynn.

Although she admits it’s “nowhere near” the 135kg she used to deadlift in her heyday, the feat meant she set a new national, European and world record for her weight and age classes (U50.5 / over 75s).

She said she still enjoys the sport and is determined to keep participating for as long as she possibly can. She also organises competitive events for the BDFPA – the most recent of which was the West Midlands divisional championships at Black Country Barbell in Stourbridge in January, with a further event planned for later this year.

Pat is believed to be the oldest competitor in the association at 76, going on 77.

Pat Reeves deadlifting pre-pandemic

The 2018 car crash had a devastating impact on her at a time when she was in great shape and she said: “Before the accident I was absolutely wonderful.”

She said she had been working at a hospital in Detroit, USA, and at different clinics in Germany - helping cancer patients with nutritional protocols. She had also been jet-setting around the world refereeing powerlifting events.

She added: “My life has changed considerably and it took me a long time to come to terms with it but there’s a lot I can do.”

She hopes to be back in Buckinghamshire later this year for another event and is hoping to compete at a European event in September.