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The gruelling training behind Australia's fittest 71-year-old taking on the world after beating cancer Gold Coast grandmother will take on the world in Chicago in June Is ranked fourth in the world in crazy new strength and endurance sport Has opened up on how she became an inspiration to millions By JOSH ALSTON FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 05:03, 4 April 2025 | Updated: 05:05, 4 April 2025 e-mail View comments At 71, Debbie Leahy isn't just defying age - she's rewriting what it means to be fit after 70. The Gold Coast grandmother has earned the title of Australia's fittest 71-year-old woman and is preparing to take on the world at the 2025 HYROX World Championships in Chicago this June. But her journey to global competition hasn't come easy.
Debbie's routine would challenge even the fittest 20-somethings. To compete in Hyrox, a global indoor fitness competition, Debbie undertakes gruelling training sessions. Her workouts include cycling up to 250 kilometres in a single day, chin-ups, deadlifts, and 7kg medicine ball slams.
She also trains with rowing machines, completes farmer's carries, and regularly performs wall balls and sandbag lunges. Gold Coast grandmother Debbie Leahy has shown that age is just a number with her incredible physique at 71 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Debbie Leahy (@debbieleahy2024) 'It's just been a fitness journey I suppose,' Debbie told The Today Show. 'I've always been interested and been in the fitness industry for over 30 years.
' Hyrox is no ordinary event. It combines eight rounds of one-kilometre runs with eight demanding functional workout stations. Participants face exercises like SkiErg, sled pushes and pulls, burpee broad jumps, rowing and more.
Founded in Germany in 2017, Hyrox has grown rapidly worldwide and now attracts thousands of competitors across multiple divisions . Debbie discovered the sport through friends. 'Some friends mentioned this Hyrox, this new phenomenon that's happening, so I thought I would give it a try – and behold,' she said.
'It's just awesome the way it's taken off. It's hard to believe.' Debbie will take on the 2025 HYROX World Championships in Chicago this June where she hopes to further improve her global ranking View this post on Instagram A post shared by Debbie Leahy (@debbieleahy2024) Despite her age, Debbie isn't just participating - she's dominating.
'My world ranking is fourth,' she revealed. 'I was amazed when I found that out as well. Hopefully I will be able to get that up a couple of notches in Chicago.
' Her inspiring efforts have earned widespread admiration. One of her workout videos recently reached an audience of 4.5 million on Instagram.
'I couldn't believe it,' Debbie said. 'All the comments, I would open my phone every time I would look at and I've got probably eight to 10, if not more, followers or likes.' 'It's great to be able to inspire people, especially when I do workouts in the gym.
I have a lot of young people coming up and saying I'm an inspiration for them.' Comments like 'I want to be like her when I'm that age' flood her social media. Debbie has become an inspiration to millions, with positive comments flooding her social media Hyrox Australia and NZ posted: 'Debbie Leahy | 71 years young.
A true inspiration to everyone. What's your excuse?' Fitness brand Lorna Jane added: 'We are IN AWE. This has made our day and kept us going.
' Followers have echoed the sentiment: 'Incredible!!! Go Debbie, huge inspiration,' and 'Setting amazing standards.' But Debbie's journey is not just about strength and stamina. She's also a breast cancer survivor - a challenge she refers to as 'a bit of a hiccup.
' 'I was in the fitness industry before that happened,' she said. 'I think that's something that got me through, my fitness.' 'I say to people, it can happen to anyone.
But it was just a bit of a hiccup and I got through it and come out good on the other side.' Chicago Instagram Gold Coast Germany Share or comment on this article: The gruelling training behind Australia's fittest 71-year-old taking on the world after beating cancer e-mail Add comment Comments 0 Share what you think No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
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