Video: @plussize_fitqueen4.0 (Tamara Walcott’s official instagram account)

Powerlifter Tamara Walcott has added another well-deserved accolade to her name by smashing her own world record and performing an incredible 641-pound deadlift. A native of the U.S Virgin Island of St. Croix, Walcott was introduced to the world of powerlifting in 2017 when she joined a local gym in an attempt to regain control of her life and develop a healthier lifestyle.

“Walking in was nerve racking,” Walcott recalls of her early experiences at the gym, often being the only woman in the weight room. “I do remember the snickering and the remarks of,' Why is she here?’ But I tuned things out. I'm here for a goal. I'm doing it for me.”

A year later she had lost over 100 pounds and taken control of her food addiction. The mother of two, then began juggling her new-found passion for powerlifting with a full-time job as a property manager, and a growing business, fitting in evening training sessions several times a week. 

In September 2021, Walcott broke Andrea Thompson's world record of 621 pounds, by performing a deadlift of 636 pounds at the World Raw Powerlifting Federation's The Showdown. She also beat several of her own personal records with a bench press of 363 pounds, and a squat of 584 pounds. 

As Walcott continues to amass a slew of records and awards in the powerlifting sphere, the self-proclaimed ‘plus-size fitness queen’ remains an inspiration to women all over the world and a testament to the power of transforming your passion into an avenue for self-fulfillment and success.

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