Aldergrove powerlifter turns grief into strength

Aldergrove resident Sharlene Brunjes, at 73, is preparing for the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Winnipeg this September. But for her, it’s not about the medals. It’s about staying healthy, strong, and independent while aging, a message she shared during a talk at the Langley Meals on Wheels’ Food and Friends program in Aldergrove. Brunjes, who also volunteers with the organization, was invited to speak after returning from the 2026 Canada Powerlifting National Championships about two months ago in St. John’s, N.L., where she won gold.

Surprisingly, Brunjes did not begin powerlifting until she was 65. “I was introduced to the bar and I fell in love with it. I just sort of went up from there.” Brunjes said people often ask why she continues. “They want to know why I do it at my age,” she said. “Mostly it’s for strong bone health, making sure I’m active, and to have good balance.” She explained how resistance training changed her health after she was diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition that causes

lower bone mineral density. “Through lifting, I increased my bone density by almost 10 per cent,” Brunjes said. “My doctor didn’t expect that I would put myself out of the danger zone.” Brunjes encourages seniors to start in small groups with instructors instead of trying weight training alone. She pointed to Township or City fitness programs or instructor-led classes as a comfortable starting point for seniors. “You do it to get strong bones so that you’re not the one who falls and breaks a hip,”

said Brunjes. Aside from the physical benefits, powerlifting also has mental health benefits. “It’s my safe space. It’s a place where I go, where I can um forget about if I have any stresses,” Brunjes said. “My husband just passed away and lifting is what helped me keep sane through it.” She described how her late husband William was her “biggest supporter,” cheering for her at competitions. “He would tell anybody and everybody about me and brag.” In 2023, after William was diagnosed with cancer,

the couple began volunteering with Langley Meals on Wheels together. He had been forced to retire but, according to Brunjes, “wasn’t ready” to stop working, so he joined the organization as a volunteer. “I would drive and he would do the meal delivery.” She described how much he enjoyed helping in the community. “Every time they [organizers] would ask, ‘Can anybody do this shift?’ He was always volunteering us.” “Volunteering kept us together, connected, and positive through all of his treatments and his recovery,” reflected

Brunjes. “Eventually, it [cancer] did take him.” Brunjes continues volunteering in his memory, and she finds value in delivering meals and checking in on seniors who may otherwise spend much of their days alone. The Food and Friends program brings seniors aged 55 and older together in Aldergrove, Brookswood, Fort Langley, and Murrayville for low-cost meals, activities, and social connection. Meals cost $8, and events often include guest speakers (like Brunjes) or wellness resources. People can find more information about the program or about volunteering

at www.lmow.ca/.

Sharlene Brunjes, Aldergrove, powerlifting, osteopenia, Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships, Winnipeg, Langley Meals on Wheels, Food and Friends, William Brunjes, St. John’s N.L., 2026 Canada Powerlifting National Championships