Coach Gabriel Mahuda describes Janell Thomas as a warrior with an unstoppable spirit, a powerlifter who always goes for one more rep. Janell is competing at the National Senior Games to inspire other women to find their own strength and never stop moving.
Janell Thomas is making history at the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, not just as a competitor, but as a trailblazer challenging conventional ideas about aging and fitness.
Janell Thomas (middle), with her coach, Gabriel Mihuta (left) and husband (right).
At 57 years old, the powerlifter from Jacksonville, Florida, just started in the sport in 2023. She has quickly become a source of inspiration for many, embodying her message that it’s never too late to embrace a new challenge and lift heavy.
Janell’s journey began after participating in a basketball tournament, when she felt the urge to find a new sport that would push her limits. “I wanted a sport that would challenge me mentally and physically,” she said. She found that challenge in powerlifting, a sport that is proving to be not only a test of strength but a powerful tool for healthy aging. Her remarkable dedication has led to impressive gains in a short time, a fact she attributes to her coach, Gabriel Mihuta.
Gabriel speaks to her relentless spirit, noting that her mindset is reminiscent of a boxing legend. “Muhammad Ali started counting his 100th rep as his first rep. Well, if there’s a reincarnation or if there’s something similar to that, we’ve got that in Janell,” she said. “This young lady, if she fails or if she has a personal best, she’s always gonna do that 101st rep, 102nd, 103rd. There’s no stopping her.”
For Thomas, powerlifting is about more than personal achievement; it’s a platform to motivate others. She hopes to be a trailblazer, urging women and men to prioritize lifting heavy to build muscle and bone density. “As we get into our mature years…we won’t have to walk with a cane or a walker,” she explained.
Representing Jacksonville at the inaugural appearance of Powerlifting in the National Senior Games, she is focused on her performance goals, particularly in her favorite lift – the bench press. “I always wanted to have a high bench, and I’m in that role to have a high bench.”
Beyond the competition, her message is a powerful one that is familiar to all older athletes: “Never stop moving!”
By: Danielle Brown
