The Unyielding Strength of Tim Norris

Smiths Falls Powerlifter Tim Norris Breaks Canadian Deadlift Record in Age Class

Many Canadians will never go to the gym once in their life, while many more go casually to stay fit. A few find their niche and take on powerlifting and bodybuilding as a sport, and some stick with it into their older years; however, very few will ever break a Canadian record in their mid-50s.

Tim Norris, a seasoned powerlifter, has spent over four decades honing his craft in the demanding world of powerlifting. His journey began at the age of sixteen when he received his first set of weights as a birthday gift. Since then, Norris has dedicated his life to the pursuit of physical strength that few will ever know, shaping both his body and character through over 90 minutes of training five days a week, each day focusing on a different body part, with a plethora of injuries, trial, error, and experience along the way. Norris does all of this while working quietly in Smiths Falls, Ontario, where he lives.

At fifty-seven, Norris found himself standing before the barbell, poised to challenge the Canadian bench press record for his age group. With determination etched into every muscle, he gripped the bar and hoisted an astounding 325 pounds, shattering the old record by 24 pounds. This achievement was just one in a long line of victories for Norris, who also won Ottawa bodybuilding competitions and competed in Toronto, placing third in the physique IFBB Pro qualifiers.

But for Norris, this achievement is not just about numbers; it’s about pushing the limits of the human body. Despite the risk of injury and the toll it takes on his body, Norris continues to push himself to the brink, driven by a burning desire to test his own strength beyond boundaries.

“Push through it all the way,” Norris often says, epitomizing the unwavering determination that fuels his every lift. He adheres to the 5 percent rule, believing that true greatness is reserved for those willing to endure the trials and tribulations of the journey.

Norris’s influence extends beyond the gym. He has an 86,000-strong social media following, particularly on TikTok. He frequently receives messages from middle-aged people in their 40s and 50s who have found inspiration in Norris’s journey of strength and resilience and are pushing themselves to be their better selves.

Looking ahead, Norris sets his sights on new challenges, aiming to dominate powerlifting by claiming records in deadlifting, squats, and bench press. While the road ahead may be arduous, Norris faces it with the same indomitable spirit that has carried him thus far.

Reflecting on his experiences in strongman contests, where he once tore both biceps pulling an 18-wheeler, Norris acknowledges the challenges of aging in the sport. “Strongman, when you get older, is a little rough,” he admits. “Thankfully, in powerlifting, you can compete in your own age group.” He remarks his previous time in strongman contests was fun and enjoyable but not without risk, tearing both his biceps during a 26,000-pound 18-wheeler pull that left him unable to lift. Still ever-focused, he started using 5lb weights to get the blood flowing to the muscles. Norris was able to more than recover, setting a Canadian record after this recovery. Additionally, Norris has competed in many strongman competitions and won the Canadian log press championship in 2018 and 2019.

Behind Norris’s remarkable journey is his unsung hero, his mother, who has been his unwavering source of support through every triumph and setback. He says that she has been there for him and is his primary source of motivation.

Tim Norris is more than just a powerlifter; he is a symbol of resilience and an embodiment of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome. As long as there are weights to lift and records to break, Norris will continue to inspire and awe, a living testament to the unyielding strength within us all.