SuperTalk Mississippi Media’s very own Rebecca Turner, host of Good Things with Rebecca Turner, recently demonstrated her strength and determination at a Natural Strongman Federation world championship competition, where she earned an impressive second-place finish in the Max Axle event.
The Natural Strongman competitions are strength contests designed to test raw power, endurance, and technique across a variety of demanding events. Unlike traditional strongman competitions, these events are “natural,” meaning competitors are drug-tested to ensure a level playing field. The events often mirror real-life feats of strength, such as lifting massive logs, flipping giant tires, or carrying heavy stones.
The world championship in Ireland drew more than 250 athletes from over 30 countries, competing across age and weight divisions. Turner earned her spot on the global stage after winning the American regional qualifier earlier this year in the lightweight women’s over-40 division.
Across two days, competitors faced seven grueling events designed to test pressing, pulling, grip strength, and heavy carries. Turner excelled in the axle press, where athletes must lift a thick-handled barbell from the floor to overhead “by any means necessary.” She successfully lifted 165 pounds (75 kilograms), securing second place in the world.
“Eight months ago, when the events were first announced, I could only do one of the seven,” Turner explained. “After months of 4:45 a.m. workouts before school drop-off and mom duties, I was able to complete six out of the seven. That was a huge personal victory.”
Turner was the only American in her division, competing alongside some of the strongest women in the world.
“My goal was simply to show up and look like I belonged,” she said, smiling. “I feel like I accomplished that.”
In addition to her role as a talk show host, Turner has long promoted wellness and healthy living to audiences across Mississippi. Her achievement in the competition reflected the same commitment and energy she brings to her daily broadcast, where she shares uplifting stories, lifestyle insights, and practical tips for listeners.
As a mother and registered dietitian, Turner sees strength sports as more than competition — it’s about setting an example.
“My daughters see me in the gym, drinking water, eating balanced foods, and also enjoying French fries and cheesecake. I want them to know their bodies are something to be cared for, and that they’re capable of amazing things when they’re cared for well,” she said.
Turner’s message also extends to women over 40 who may feel that fitness is out of reach.
“Strength training isn’t about being on a world stage. It’s about health. It improves bone density, supports metabolism, reduces stress, and strengthens mental health,” she shared. “Even 15 to 20 minutes of resistance training two or three times a week can make a difference.”
Turner also challenges the myth that lifting weights makes women “bulky.”
“I work really hard to build muscle, and it’s simply not physiologically possible for women — especially over 40 — to get bulky naturally. What you gain is strength, resilience, and health benefits that last a lifetime,” she said.
Above all, Turner hopes her journey inspires others to see their own worth.
“Women are worth the effort it takes to care for themselves,” she said. “We give so much to our families and careers, but we often neglect our own health. We deserve to feel strong, inside and out.”
Results from the competition can be found here.
