A 50-Year-Old Mother of Two Defies Odds in Bodybuilding Debut

SINGAPORE – On April 26, 2025, Mayda Jutahkiti stepped onto the stage at Kreta Ayer People’s Theatre, wearing a shimmering red bikini and balancing on five-inch heels.

With her muscles expertly toned and her skin glowing from a spray tan, it was the culmination of four months of intense preparation with her coach.

Yet, as the bright stage lights hit her and she faced the audience, nerves took over. “When I heard my name, my legs turned to jelly,” she admitted, remembering her cautious steps to avoid a misstep.

Competing in the women’s bikini novice category at the Physique & Muscle War 2025, Ms. Jutahkiti wasn’t just a newcomer to the sport.

At 50, she was 21 years older than her only competitor, a 29-year-old who won the category.

She stood alone in the women’s bikini masters 40+ category, making her an exceptional participant at the event.

According to Sabrina Ang, CEO of Fitness Movement, which has organized fitness and bodybuilding competitions for over a decade, most female competitors were under 35 before the pandemic.

However, since 2023, there’s been a noticeable rise in participants over 40, including a 60-year-old in recent years.


She hopes this trend will lead to substantial growth in the coming years, reflecting the growing interest among midlife women in fitness.

A Journey Sparked by Perimenopause

Ms. Jutahkiti’s fitness transformation began in 2023, driven by frustrations with symptoms of perimenopause.

Struggling with brain fog, mood swings, low energy, disrupted sleep, and anxiety, the managing director of PR firm Elliot & Co. found herself battling anxiety and mild depression.

“I’ve always been able to overcome challenges, but this felt beyond my control,” she shared.

Her research revealed that strength training could help alleviate the physical and mental struggles of perimenopause.

Despite being a casual gym-goer, she began incorporating consistent weight training into her routine.

She joined an online program by The Wonder Women, a US-based coaching group focused on midlife women.

Seeing improvements in her physical fitness and mental health, she celebrated her 50th birthday in August 2024 with a bikini photoshoot.

“Strength training gave me focus, structure, and a renewed sense of purpose. It felt like I was taking control of my body and identity,” she said.

Encouraged by her friends, she decided to set a new goal by participating in a bodybuilding competition. The April event aligned with her schedule and provided the perfect challenge.

Preparing for the Stage

Ms. Jutahkiti began her intense “prep” phase in January 2025, just before Chinese New Year. The process included a muscle-building “bulking” phase followed by a “cut” phase to shed fat and highlight muscle definition.

Her training regimen included 60-minute strength workouts five times a week, supplemented with up to 70 minutes of daily low-intensity cardio.

Her strict diet featured meals such as air-fried chicken or barramundi paired with zucchini, spinach, and a measured portion of carbohydrates like sweet potatoes or rice.

Thanks to her workplace’s flexible arrangements, she managed her training schedule around work commitments. However, the rigorous process wasn’t without challenges.

Building muscle in midlife required extra effort, adequate recovery, and a sacrifice of social outings due to her diet.

“Self-doubt was always a challenge. It’s not common for women to take up bodybuilding, and I’d get comments like, ‘Why are you working so hard? Women don’t need muscles,’” she shared.

Her daughter, a university student in Australia, helped boost her confidence, encouraging her to “show off” her hard-earned muscles on stage.

Her husband and 18-year-old son also offered unwavering support throughout her intense preparations.

A Lesson in Resilience

Reflecting on her accomplishment, Ms. Jutahkiti believes her bodybuilding experience has taught her children vital lessons in resilience, discipline, and self-belief.

“By practicing self-care and overcoming challenges, I’ve not only become a better version of myself but also a better mom,” she said.

With her coach and family’s encouragement, she has now set her sights on a larger competition in Johor Bahru in two weeks.

Staying in peak condition, she is determined to gain more experience and continue her fitness journey.

For Ms. Jutahkiti, the stage isn’t just about showing off muscles but symbolizing triumph over life’s hurdles.

Through strength training and bodybuilding, she has redefined her identity and shown that midlife can indeed be a time of growth and empowerment.

Source: straitstimes

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.