Eagan, Minn. woman beats cancer, becomes trophy-winning powerlifter

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - It’s been an unlikely road for 49-year-old powerlifter Lisa Johnson. After lifting for less than a year, Johnson was able compete in and win five trophies at a powerlifting competition in Wisconsin.

“I’m 49-years-old and I’m just now getting into this and I’m loving it,” Johnson told Fox 9.

The Minneapolis paralegal said she first started getting serious about powerlifting last year, not long after she beat breast cancer.

“I had a double mastectomy, 15-lymph nodes removed because the cancer was spreading,” Johnson said.

Her trainer Scott Teska along with friend and fellow lifter Flavio Abreu say Johnson is gifted and committed.

“(When) I’m working out with her and doing pull ups she can keep up with me,” Teska said. 

Johnson said she’s just getting started and hopes to enter more competitions in the future.