A mission trip to Zimbabwe in 2015 served as the catalyst and inspiration for John Downing's vision, which has become known as LIFT4LIFE. For several years, he has been an active competitor of the sport of powerlifting, as well as coach both at the high school and USA collegiate level. Although he has always had a passion for coaching and excelling in the sport, his true passion lies in growing powerlifting globally. His passion for spreading the sport continues to grow as he builds partnerships in Zimbabwe and beyond.

Nicola Paviglianiti began her involvement with Lift4Life through her Masters thesis research when she travelled to Zimbabwe to study how grassroots weightlifting could be used as an avenue to provide humanitarian assistance. Ever since, she has been putting her research into action growing Lift4Life and developing initiatives in partnership with the local communities. As a member of Team Canada for powerlifting and female lifter herself, Nicola has a special place in her heart for women empowerment and working with youth. Notably she has been recognized by UN Women for her work, as a Top 30 Under 30 for International Development, as well as 1 of 10 Athletes of Excellence from around the world.

Audrey Svongwa is a local of Zimbabwe, and lives in the community of Glen Norah. This 34-year old single mother began her powerlifting journey in July of 2017, and hasn’t looked back since. Audrey had the opportunity to attend the 2017 Commonwealth Championships in South Africa where she and since this time has made incredible progress in her own lifting and growth as a coach and mentor within powerlifting in Zimbabwe. In 2019, she became the first Zimbabwe lifter to earn a gold medal. Audrey is passionate about growing the sport on the ground throughout her home country.

Hi, I'm Sam and I'm so excited to be the Lift4Life Canada Director. I began my involvement as an Ambassador, with the role growing into becoming the Lift4Life Canada Director and eventually leading the Ambassador Program. I've been strength training for over 4 years and have valued fitness in my life in some form since I was a teenager. I have a degree in History & Human Rights and I currently work at an international development organization fundraising on their Community Events team. I'm excited to be taking some of my skills over to fundraise for something I'm so passionate about and connect to lifters across the world.

Shamal Asnani, is a Certified Public Accountant, coach, and powerlifter from the Bay Area. His strength journey began in 2012 where he started training for powerlifting while working full time as a college student. Shamal currently runs his own accounting firm with his partner Rachel, while also running a coaching business catered towards strength training and powerlifting. He wants to give back to the fitness community by combining his passion of accounting and powerlifting.

Rachel Bitz is an accountant, coach, 56kg powerlifter, and NASM Certified Personal Trainer from the Bay Area. She started her strength journey when she began her first year of college. From the guidance of her partner Shamal, she became focused on powerlifting and has competed in national and world level meets in the USPA/IPL Federation. When Rachel isn’t in the gym you can find her creating business growth strategies for her accounting clients, and runs her coaching business catered towards powerlifting , body recomposition, and strength.