A Rocky Mountain House athlete is set to compete on the world stage after a rapid rise through the ranks of Strongman competitions.

Tami Newman will represent Canada at the Official Strongman Games in Arlington, Texas, Nov. 20-23, competing in the Masters Women 40-plus division.

Newman, a Cree-Métis athlete and personal trainer, began competing in Strongman events just two years ago after discovering the sport by chance on social media.

“I saw a Strongman competition on Facebook and thought, why not?” Newman said. She placed second in that first competition and says she was immediately drawn to the sport’s challenge and community.

“The whole Strongman community embraced me,” she says. “Not everyone makes a lift — some people zero out, but there are still people on the sidelines ready to high five you and give you a hug.”

Since then, Newman has earned multiple podium finishes, including second place at both the 2024 and 2025 Alberta Provincials and third and second place at Nationals in Moncton, N.B. Her success earned her a spot at the world finals.

While still relatively new to the sport, Rocky Mountain House’s Tami Newman is headed to the Official Strongman Games in Arlington, Texas. (AP Strength Media)

Newman already holds two Canadian records in the Masters Women 40-plus category — the keg press and the single sandbag toss.

She credits her rapid progress to years of fitness training, as well as the encouragement of family, friends and fellow athletes.

“They helped me through the hard days when I thought I wasn’t strong enough,” she said. “They celebrated the wins with me and cheered me on every step of the way.”

Newman says she’s proud to represent not only her hometown but also Indigenous women across Canada.

“I wasn’t the athletic kid growing up,” she said. “So I’m really proud that today I get to call myself an athlete.”

A typical competition sees participants lifting heavy rocks, deadlifting barbells, among other challenges.

The Official Strongman Games will bring together other Canadian competitors from Manitoba and Nova Scotia. International competitors are also set to attend from all over United States, as well as from as far away as Spain, Great Britain, Chile, Scotland, and many other countries.

~ with files from Sarah Fotty