Redefining What’s Possible:

Leslie Blumberg

At 82 years old, Leslie Blumberg has discovered a new passion that’s redefining what’s possible at any age: Olympic powerlifting. Her journey is one of resilience and reinvention and she’s found the perfect place to pursue it - the Mandell JCC.
After the passing of her husband Harold, Leslie faced life on her own for the first time. “I always had what I call the ‘could you’s’ in my life - the person you turn to and say, ‘Could you help me with this?’” she recalls. “Suddenly, the ‘could you’s’ were gone, and I had to figure out who I am.”

That self-discovery began in a Florida gym, where Leslie surprised her trainer by announcing, “I want to be like you.” Instead of dismissing the idea or rolling her eyes, her trainer welcomed her determination and Leslie set her sights on powerlifting. “Age is not the defining factor,” she says with conviction. “I can do this too.”

When she returned to Connecticut for the summer months, Leslie searched for the right training environment. After a few false starts, she found her way to the Mandell JCC and connected immediately with personal trainer Cindy. “From the first day, I knew it was right,” Leslie says. “Cindy takes me step by step — not just the lifting, but the learning that goes into it. She’s become more than a trainer; she’s a friend.”

For Leslie, working out is about more than just physical strength. It’s about setting goals, moving past obstacles, and living fully. “If I don’t do anything, I feel lousy,” she admits. “I’d rather run, lift, play golf — whatever keeps me moving. I see friends who say, ‘I’m too tired, I went to the doctor today.’ That’s not going to be me.”

Her commitment has not gone unnoticed by her children and grandchildren, who are members of the JCC in Memphis. “They thought I’d take up yoga,” she laughs. “But instead, they see me training for weightlifting competitions. It teaches them a lesson, too — that you’re ageless if you keep moving.”

Leslie’s story is also about finding a home at the Mandell JCC. Though she grew up in West Hartford and Bloomfield, she never connected with the JCC until last year. “It took me 82 years to walk into the JCC. The minute I walked in, it felt like home,” she says. “Everyone here is welcoming. It’s not just a gym — it’s a family.”

Now, whether she’s in Palm Beach or Bloomfield, Leslie trains with passion and purpose, always setting new goals. “I’ll compete at whatever level I can for my age group,” she says. “And when I reach that goal, I’ll just move it a little higher. That’s what I’ve always done.”

Leslie’s journey reminds us all that it’s never too late to discover new passions, set bold goals, and find community.