Alexia Lemire

Canada Powerlifting Junior Classic National Championship
2025 - 69kg - Gold

Best Lifts
Classic Squat - 186kg
Classic Bench Press - 106kg
Classic Deadlift - 222.5kg
Classic Total - 514.5kg

Biography
I am 20 years old, and I have always been an athlete. I played soccer from the age of 5 to 17, and I also danced for about ten years. I started working out at the gym just before the pandemic. At first, it was mostly cardio, just to become a better soccer player. Then one day, my brother showed me how to squat. There were 135 pounds on the bar. That’s when I realized that being strong was way more fun than being skinny. Pretty quickly, I started adding squats, bench, and deadlifts to every workout. I was progressing fast, and most of all, I fell in love with a sport that allowed me to express the strength I had inside of me.

I officially started powerlifting in December 2022 with my coach at the time. On June 2nd, 2023, I competed for the very first time. I lifted 182.5 kg that day. I had never felt so proud. I had found my sport. Since then, I’ve competed more and more, and two years later, I was standing on the national stage, winning first place in the junior women’s division.

It is hard to pick just one event as my biggest accomplishment. To me, the greatest achievement as an athlete is never giving up, no matter the obstacles. It’s having that champion mindset: keeping your head up and moving forward, no matter what happens. In 2024, I lost Fitlog, a Sheffield-style competition here in Québec. I was devastated. But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I chose to train harder than ever, with one promise to myself: to come back stronger the next year. And on May 10th, 2025, I won Fitlog.

I currently train at Podium, in Québec City, but my heart will always be at the powerlifting gym in Saint-Hyacinthe, where I built myself as an athlete for a year and a half. My coach is also my boyfriend. We've been working together for six months, and I don’t think anyone understands me better than he does. He supports everything I do, and honestly, I wouldn’t be where I am now without him.

Outside of training, I’m a full-time student in the bachelor’s-master’s program in physiotherapy. What I love most about this journey is seeing how far discipline, perseverance, and a deep love for sport can take you. Powerlifting is so much more than a sport to me, it’s a way to push my limits, discover who I am, and grow stronger every single day.
And this is only the beginning.

What is your favourite lifting memory?
My favorite moment, the one I’ll remember for the rest of my life, was deadlifting 222.5 kg at Nationals. With that one lift, I didn’t just win first place in the -69 kg women’s category… I became the strongest junior woman in all of Canada, winning the Junior Women's Best Lifter. The adrenaline, the roar of the crowd, the feeling of locking it out…It was electric. That moment right there made every hour in the gym, every missed outing, every setback worth it. I’ll never forget it.

What is one piece of advice you have for up and coming athletes getting into strength training or strength sport?
If I had one piece of advice for athletes just starting out in powerlifting, it would be this: always remember why you started. Powerlifting is a marathon, not a sprint. Building strength takes years. If you try to rush the process, you’ll miss out on key steps that truly shape you as an athlete. You have to be genuinely passionate about the sport. If your goal is to reach the international level, be prepared to make real sacrifices; your time, energy, and sometimes even moments with friends and family. But when you know your why, those sacrifices don’t feel like sacrifices anymore. They just become part of the journey.

What is your favourite lift or event?
The squat is my favourite lift because it challenges me the most. It’s a complex movement that demands balance, strength, and patience. It’s always the first lift in a competition, and it’s the one that stresses me out the most because of its technical nature. But that’s exactly why I love it, it forces me to face my fears head-on.

What is your favourite product and why?
Singlet
I love the singlet because it’s really comfortable. It doesn’t ride up, it’s lightweight, and not too hot, making it perfect for training.

What 3 other items are your go to and why?
13mm Belt
Powerlifting Knee Sleeves
Figure 8 Lifting Straps
I have been using the 13mm belt for 2 years now, and it provides incredible support. The Powerlifting Knee Sleeves are excellent. Lastly, the figure 8 lifting straps are perfect for pull days.

What colourway is your favourite and why?
Classic
It fits with everything.

Why do you believe SBD is the gear all athletes should use?
SBD is highly recommended for athletes because it offers optimal support, durability, and comfort. SBD products are built to last making them ideal for strength athletes. Their perfect fit ensures no distractions, allowing athletes to focus on performance.

Why do you believe in working with SBD Canada as a Sponsored Athlete?
I believe in working with SBD Canada as a sponsored athlete because their gear represents the highest standard in strength sports. SBD is synonymous with quality, reliability, and innovation, and being associated with a brand that shares my commitment to excellence is a powerful partnership.

Photo Credits: WYOS Media