She Was 77 Pounds and Lost Herself — Then She Became a 4-Time World Champion Powerlifter

Meet Fatema Dhoondia — a four-time world amateur powerlifting champion, single mom, and absolute force of nature. Originally from Mumbai, Fatema moved to North Bay in 2022 and brought with her something fierce: unmatched resilience.

In this episode, we talk about how she went from 77lbs and struggling to find herself, to squatting over 313 lbs, coaching clients around the world, and raising a son who's her biggest fan. It’s about more than fitness — it’s mindset, motherhood, migration, and muscle.

This one will leave you inspired, fired up, and maybe ready to hit the gym.

00:00 – Cold open: Meet the “Mini Beast” from Mumbai
01:30 – Moving to Canada & Culture Shock in North Bay
05:00 – What It’s Like Starting Over in a Silent Winter
08:00 – Fatema’s Favorite Indian Dishes (and the local food hacks)
10:00 – How Her Fitness Journey Began at Rock Bottom
13:00 – From First Deadlift to World Championship
17:00 – The Real Power of Consistency (and Finding Your Why)
21:30 – Training Cycles, Nutrition & Coaching Clients Globally
27:00 – Stories That Stick: Coaching a 65-Year-Old Gym Newbie
30:00 – Balancing Work, Motherhood, and World-Class Lifts
35:00 – The First 100 Days in Canada: Advice for Newcomers
39:00 – Final Thoughts: Fill Your Cup, Then Overflow