Lifting her way from rock bottom

Shanna Crosbie, who won the New Zealand Powerlifting Federation’s national championship in the master’s category in May, in her element at the NRG Gym in Mersey St. PHOTO: GEMMA SINCLAIR

Shanna Crosbie’s life hit rock bottom three years ago.

Multiple health issues, including a long-term eating disorder, and a high-profile fraud conviction for forging prescriptions from Gore Hospital in 2022 left her at her lowest point.

Now, though, the 41-year-old credits powerlifting for turning her life around.

Ms Crosbie, a former assistant to Gore Mayor Ben Bell, won the master’s division at the New Zealand Powerlifting Federation’s national championships earlier this month.

‘‘This was only my second competition ... [I got] two new personal bests in my squat and my deadlift.

‘‘It’s something that I can accomplish without needing to rely on anyone ... it doesn’t matter what I’m going through in a day ... the weight [I lift is] still is the same.

‘‘For me it’s about showing my kids that you can be strong and healthy.’’

Daughters Lilith, 8, and Nina, 7, sometimes tagged along to her training sessions, she said.

Her children said to her, ‘‘look at my muscles Mum’’.

Ms Crosbie said she carried a lot of guilt and shame about the effect her actions had had on her children.

‘‘I can’t blame anyone else but me,’’ Ms Crosbie said.

It took a battle for her to get to that point.

From the age of 14 to 29 she had an eating disorder.

She would binge and purge because she was ‘‘cutting too many calories’’, and wanted to lose weight, she said.

During this time, she pursued bodybuilding, which caused her to become chained to a desire to change what she saw in the mirror.

She said she was also using alcohol to ‘‘numb it all’’ when she felt low after the arrival of her son, Braxton.

In 2023, she was diagnosed with a bowel disease, which eventually resulted in her colon being removed.

She said her health challenges made her want to set an example for her children that what her body could do was more important than what it looked like.