Birdsley sets Montana Log record

Porshia Birdsley is headed to the Strongman Nationals on June 25 in Manchester, New Hampshire. There will be 23 women in the competition.

Birdsley recently placed first place as the best female lifters in the Rocky Mountain Strongman Championship on June 11. Birdsley set the Montana Log record and also did the Log Press for 170 pounds. The National Log Press record in her weight class is 190 pounds.

Birdsley said, "My goal is to break that, with a goal of 200 pounds. Wyoming is doing a Strongman in 2023 to set records in the Log Press, and I hope to set that and break the National Record."

Some of the athletes who will be competing may use performance-enhancing drugs. However, Birdsley does not use them and wants to see how she fares in the competition, anyway. "Strongman" is the name of the competition and includes both men and women. 

Regarding the Strongman National competition, Birdsley said, "I'm nervous and excited-nervous. But ultimately I'm excited to find out how I stand against those types of girls that are going to be the best of the best."

Birdsley added, "Then it gives me goals to set for the upcoming year because I've already qualified for 2023 Nationals because the last competition that I just did."

Birdsley has been training for her competition and said, "I can tell physically that I've gotten so much stronger in the past six months. I've only been training since December. So six months of Strongman, but obviously I worked out prior to it. I've noticed a lot of strength gains."

Birdsley added, "I've been able to increase my maximal strength, and that part I'm super excited about."

One of the challenges Birdsley also faces besides the physical competition is the issue of being a woman bodybuilder, which goes against stereotypes.

Recently someone encouraged Birdsley, she recalled him saying, "It's going to be good for me to set an example for other women, not the stereotypes that are set on women as far as how you're supposed to look in a certain way. We're all created to be unique and different."

Birdsley gains her strength from her faith as well, even in the face of difficulty, and she sees her work as a calling. 

Birdsley said that she is grateful to the members of her community and her fellow staff for their support. Some of that support was demonstrated in a recent fundraiser for Birdsley, which raised about $2,500 so that she can attend the competition. 

Montana's Strongest Competition is on August 25 in Billings, and Birdsley is competing for Montana's Strongest Woman MW title.