Pastry Chef by Day, Powerlifter by Morning

Balancing a demanding career as a pastry chef with breaking powerlifting records, Stephano Reid is turning two passions into global achievement.

Mossel Bay, South Africa (04 September 2025) – Stephano Reid’s life is a study in contrasts, as well as in discipline. By afternoon, he is carefully crafting pastries in a kitchen. But early in the morning? He is lifting weights that most would never imagine possible. At 60 kg, he recently deadlifted 232.5 kg at South Africa’s national powerlifting competition in Benoni, setting a world record. Proving that pound for pound, he rivals some of the strongest men on the planet.

His journey into powerlifting began in 2013, sparked by a single Instagram video about the “three main lifts: squat, bench, and deadlift.”

“Before I started powerlifting, I was in the pastry chef industry and going out on weekends, it just didn’t work for me,” Stephano recalls.

He began training, and after winning his first competition in the under-60 kg category, he knew he had found a new calling. Balancing two demanding worlds requires intense focus.

“My discipline in pastry is also first. Powerlifting is a very disciplined sport for me. It taught me things that I didn’t know were possible. You must have patience with pastry because any mistakes, you have to redo a whole recipe. That counts the same in powerlifting. If you do a lift wrong, you can end up with minor injuries or tear muscles,” he explains.

The highlight of his dedication came at the national competition, where Stephano not only broke the world record but also attempted a 240 kg deadlift.

“Standing up with that weight at that moment was a dream come true. I’m super grateful and super proud of myself,” he says, reflecting on the feat.

Stephano’s eyes are now on the World Championships in Durban this November, where he aims to break both the total weight and deadlift records. Beyond strength, he hopes his story inspires others.

“Representing my country means a lot to me. For youngsters, my story is a sign to not let your circumstances predict your future,” he says.

Stephano Reid is proof that two worlds can collide in the most remarkable ways. Support his journey to the World Championships by visiting his BackaBuddy page and helping him cover travel, accommodation, and training costs.