Inspirational Leicestershire women to compete in ATHX Games World Finals in Lisbon
Rebecca (Becks) McLaurin and Helen Austin, two friends aged 56 and 57 respectively, are set to take the global stage this November after qualifying for the ATHX Games World Finals in Lisbon, Portugal.
The pair had simply entered the ATHX Birmingham event to challenge themselves, so they never imagined they would end up on the world stage together.
Austin and McLaurin’s journey to the finals is a testament to their dedication, having found a new sense of identity through fitness. The pair are proof that it’s never too late to find a new passion, with their initial training for the ATHX Birmingham Games including learning to use a barbell for the first time.
Now, the duo are preparing to take on the ATHX Games World Finals in Lisbon, a challenge that symbolises far more to them than a place on the competition floor.
Becks and Helen, based in Arnesby and Church Langton in Leicestershire, have taken this invitation to compete at the ATHX World Finals as an indication that their potential needn’t be limited by age or ambition.
The pair said: “When we entered our first-ever ATHX competition in Birmingham, we never imagined we’d qualify for the World Finals in Lisbon!
"At 56 and 57, this means so much more to us than competing on a bigger stage. It’s about challenging ourselves, discovering what we’re capable of and proving that getting older doesn’t mean lowering our ambitions.
"We’re two ordinary women on an extraordinary journey, and we hope our story inspires others to step outside their comfort zone and give something new a go. Birmingham was the beginning, now it’s time for Lisbon!"
ATHX has built a supportive, inclusive community where age, background, and ability needn't be a barrier to seeing what’s possible. Whether athletes are seasoned competitors, everyday gym-goers, or defying the odds to compete, they all share the floor in an atmosphere fuelled by belonging, fun, and healthy competition.
From November 27-29, Becks and Helen will join thousands of qualifying athletes from around the globe at The Lisbon Exhibition and Congress Centre. There, they will face a two-and-a-half-hour continuous fitness competition, testing themselves across Strength, Endurance, and MetCon X zones.