67-Year-Old Peterborough Powerlifter Claims Provincial Title

Richard Gosselin is taking the phrase, ‘age is just a number’ to new limits as the 67-year-old Peterborough resident placed first in his division at the Ontario Powerlifting Association (OPA) Provincials at the Montecassino Hotel on Sunday.

Richard Gosselin (left) with Matt Goldsmith, Personal Trainer and Coach (right). pHOTO courtesy of Brianna Gosselin.

Gosselin qualified for provincials, taking first place in his division at the Ontario Powerlifting Association’s Classic AF 2023 at the Anytime Fitness in Woodbridge on July 2.

“It’s been a long road of training, endless time spent in the gym, making sure I am taking care of my nutrition and keeping positive mentally.,” said Gosselin. “You don’t realize how taxing it can be on yourself. But I love it. The gym is my sanctuary and always has been.”

Gosselin was in the Masterclass Division and had the following results:

• Squat : 172.5 kg - 380 lbs.

• Bench Press: 125 kg - 275 lbs.

• Deadlift: 190 kg - 418 lbs.

Gosslein returned to the gym two years ago after retiring from his corporate job. He often worked out as a teen and into adulthood and has worked out every day since. The provincial champion encourages people to pursue their passions, follow their lifelong dreams and never let their age hold them back.

He was coached by personal trainer Matt Goldsmith. Gosselin trains at both Goodlife Fitness locations in Peterborough on Monaghan and Chemong Road.

He plans to continue training and preparing for future competitions this year.

“I'm grateful to be able to do what I love and follow my dreams,” said Gosselin. “The people I have been getting to know and fellow competitors are such an inspiration.”

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Peterborough Woman Wins First Fitness Competition After Losing Over 155 Pounds

Peterborough’s Terri-Lynn and her three-year weight loss quest of over 155 pounds resulted in a first-place finish at the International Drug Free Athletics (IDFA) Bodybuilding Competition at the City Playhouse Theatre in Vaughan.

Terri-Lynn’s before and after photos of her 155 pound transformation. Her competition outfit was made using roughly 6,000 rhinestones that she handmade. Photos courtesy of Terri-Lynn.

Terri-Lynn (who requested her last name be withheld) won in the intergender Transformational Challenge on Oct. 23. She started training for the event in July, working out six days a week for two to three hours. Terri-Lynn lost an additional 20 pounds leading up to the competition.

“I’ve been training with Krista Easto,” she explained. “She gave me a set meal plan and workout plan and was with me every step of the way including cheering me on when I walked across that stage.”

She started her transformation in February 2020 after feeling dissatisfied and coming to terms with her prior lifestyle. She did lots of weightlifting as most of her workout routine during her weight-loss journey.

“I was just not happy. I wasn't living my life the way I wanted to,” explained Terri-Lynn. “I couldn't move very easily. I had knee pain and I was on medication that I didn't want to be on. I just needed to make a full lifestyle change.”

Terri-Lynn said she felt she was regressing in her exercise routines and needed something to reignite her fitness regime. The competition was the perfect motivation to get her back on track.

“In July, I had gotten back into a rut and I needed something to motivate me and get me out of it,” she explained. “I've seen a few people I follow on Instagram who have also lost a massive amount of weight. They were doing fitness competitions.”

Originally, Terri-Lynn wanted to enter the competition to give her ‘biggest loser’ finale moment as her journey’s climax and becoming dramatically healthier.

“This was solely for me,” she said. “I didn't care to compete. I wanted to walk on that stage — in a jewelled bikini that I made myself — and show off to the world that I did it.”

For anyone wanting to start their journey similar to Terri-Lynn’s, she says now is the best time to start.

“Just do it,” she said. “You slowly start to fall in love with doing that it makes you want to do more and be more active.”

Terri-Lynn says she wants to compete in future competitions next summer if possible.

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66-Year-Old Peterborough Man Captures First Place In Powerlifting; Qualifies For Provincial Championship

Age is just a number for Peterborough’s Richard Gosselin as the 66-year-old took home first place in his division in the Ontario Powerlifting Association’s Classic AF 2023 at the Anytime Fitness in Woodbridge on Sunday.

Matt Goldsmith, Personal Trainer and Coach (left) with Richard Gosselin (right) shortly after winning his gold medal at Anytime Fitness. Photo courtesy of brianna Gosselin.

The win allowed Gosslein to qualify for the provincial championships in 2024.

Gosslein returned to the gym after retiring from his corporate job two years ago. He often worked out as a young teen and into his adult life. He works out every day since his retirement. He says he encourages people to pursue their passions, to follow their lifelong dreams and never let their age hold them back according to a press release.

He was coached by personal trainer Matt Goldsmith. Richard trains at both Goodlife Fitness locations in Peterborough, Ontario. Both at the Monaghan and Chemong locations.

During his journey, Gosselin says he has met a lovely group of supportive people and thanks them for all their encouragement and motivation.

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