In many ways, Lucy Milgrim is just like other 9-year-old girls. She enjoys spending time with friends, making arts and crafts and studying math at school. But in recent weeks, Milgrim has gone viral for her tenacity in the gym.
In an Instagram video with more than 3 million views, Milgrim sports bright pink and blue shoes and a custom powerlifting weight belt as she deadlifts 180 pounds at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. With AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blaring in the background, sub 60-pound Milgrim approaches the bar and shakes her pigtails a few times before lifting the bar to her waist. After dropping the bar, beaming a smile to the crowd and flexing her muscles, Milgrim retreats to give her father and coach, Brett Milgrim, a high-five.
"People see these numbers, and they say, 'Wow, she must be training really hard to get that number.' The truth is, she just has a different baseline than most kids," Brett told USA TODAY. "Lucy's always been this really naturally strong kid."
In addition to her 180-pound deadlift personal record, Milgrim has squatted 150 pounds and bench pressed 85 pounds, she told USA TODAY in a video call from her home in New York. During her first year of powerlifting, Milgrim has set three American Records through the USA Powerlifting organization, her mother Michelle Milgrim told USA TODAY.
