AUSTIN, Texas — If you've spent time in or around the world of fitness, you've definitely heard the question, "How much do you bench?"
When Dora Justice hears that question, she can honestly answer, “More than any woman in the country, my age.”
Justice is a mother of three, a Mexican immigrant and – with hard work and some motivation – she could set a world record in bench press very soon.
At 7:30 a.m. every morning, a garage gym in North Austin will show you purpose, power and unique passion – pushing limits, pushing standards, always pushing through.
“My name is Dora Justice,” she said. “My age is 67. This year I lifted 80 kilos [176 pounds], so now I know I can.”
Justice holds the national bench press record for her age group, and she plans to break the world record later this month.
This push to lift started following a different type of pain in a diagnosis no one wants to hear.
“Thirty years ago, about, I got cancer in my thyroid,” she said. “The healing and the treatment, and whatever it took. I said, ‘Well, this is my opportunity to do something else.’ And I fell in love with that week.”
Now, nearly 30 years cancer-free, Justice's dreams aren't just about living – they're about leading.
“Few years ago, they say, ‘No, you cannot, you cannot when you – are you crazy?’” she said. “Yes, I'm crazy, but I'm crazy because I believe in my head.”
The World Championships are later this month in Austin. But until then, every morning at 7:30 a.m., you'll find Justice at the gym, pursuing her purpose, perfecting her power and always pushing through.