Sports and exercise science lecturer Bobbie wins gold in Estonia
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) lecturer is a two-time European Powerlifting Champion after winning back-to-back international titles.
Team GB athlete Bobbie Butters won gold in her 57kg weight category at the European Open Classic Powerlifting Championships 2023 in Tartu, Estonia.
The sport and exercise sciences lecturer completed a squat of 180kg (28.3 stone), a bench of 110kg (17.3 stone) and a deadlift of 182.5kg (28.7 stone), meaning she lifted more than three times her own bodyweight.
Bobbie has been lifting competitively for more than a decade and has represented her country 10 times. In 2021 she set a new Powerlifting World Record at the Championships in Sweden.
"I felt an incredible sense of pride when I won my second international title, especially as it was back-to-back."
— Two-time European Powerlifting Champion and UCLan lecturer Bobbie Butters
She said: “I felt an incredible sense of pride when I won my second international title, especially as it was back-to-back. It still feels strange to even say it.”
Bobbie has made big changes in how she approaches her training and feels it has paid off.
“I’ve learned to value rest, sleep and time away from work” she said. “I really could not imagine being on any other career path but the last six months have taught me that looking after myself has to be a priority.”
The 29-year-old, who is sponsored by SBD, Mirafit, Optimum Nutrition and Macro factor, studied strength and conditioning at UCLan as an undergraduate before going on to complete an MSc via research. She is now using her wealth of experience in her teaching on sports, nutrition and strength and conditioning courses.
"What is amazing about this career path is I am always learning, I get to live what I teach and coach, and teach and coach what I live."
— Two-time European Powerlifting Champion and UCLan lecturer Bobbie Butters
Bobbie said: “I absolutely adore my job as a lecturer, PhD student and strength and conditioning coach.
“I now understand that being a physically and mentally strong athlete allows me to be a strong and healthy lecturer and coach. Being an athlete teaches me so much about how to be better as a person, it's a lifestyle! And this lifestyle allows me to be able to help my students and athletes to the best of my ability.”
She added: “What is amazing about this career path is I am always learning, I get to live what I teach and coach, and teach and coach what I live.
“I am already looking towards international selections for 2024 with the aim to compete at the International Powerlifting Worlds Championships.
“Now that my health is the best it has been in over two years and I have learnt so much more, I am ready to push my limits harder than I have ever pushed them before!”
