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New Jersey Mother Balances Job, Children, And Competitive Powerlifting Schedule

BERKELY HEIGHTS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey woman juggles a full-time job and three kids, but those responsibilities are light lifting compared to her hobby -- powerlifting.

Jenny Campano said she got hooked on lifting two-and-a-half years ago after a hip injury stopped her from running. Her new addiction eventually turned her into a contender. In March, Campano won her first powerlifting contest and has collected more trophies since.

"It makes me feel good to say,'hey I do have this power.' It's not just a man's world, the weight room," she told CBS 2's Weijia Jiang.

Weighing only 123 pounds, Campano said she started lifting 65 poundsand is now able to lift 265 and can bench press 135 pounds. Her message to others is that they have to start somewhere.

Campano is her trainer's shining student.

"Everyone has their own strength. It's not the dog in the fight, it's the fight in the dog, and she's the perfect example," said trainer Nicholas Matthes.

Campano is also a role model for her three children.

"My kids are funny. they're like, 'strong mommy! Strong mommy!'" she said.

Campano is currently training for a December competition that will be her biggest one yet. Her goal for that competition is to lift 300 pounds.

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