Stefanie (Stefi) Cohen has cemented her legacy as arguably the world’s greatest female powerlifter—her blend of elite athleticism, scientific training, and relentless ambition is nothing short of legendary. Weighing around 121 lb (55 kg) at just 5′1″, she crushed records that many consider near-impossible. From Venezuela to global fame, her story is one of power, precision, and perseverance.
🌍 From Caracas to Champion
Born in Caracas in 1992, Cohen was the daughter of a lawyer and tailor. Her family moved to the U.S. in her teens, where she shone in soccer before redirecting her energy to strength training during high school. She earned a Bachelor’s in Sports Medicine and Physiology, became a certified strength and conditioning specialist in 2016, and completed a Doctorate in Physical Therapy by 2018
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🏋️ Powerlifting Prowess
Between 2015 and 2020, Cohen shattered 25 all-time world records across squat, bench, deadlift, and total lifts. At the 2020 Hybrid Showdown II in Miami, competing at 114 lb, she totaled 510 kg (1,124 lb): a 446 lb squat, 226 lb bench, and 452 lb deadlift—all all-time world records. Impressively, that deadlift alone exceeded four times her body weight—a feat only she has achieved
🧠 Brain Behind the Brawn
What sets Cohen apart is her scientific methodology. A recovered powerlifter herself, she emphasizes auto-regulation, recovery, and hybrid training—fusing elements of powerlifting, Olympic lifting, bodybuilding, and cardio. She’s famous for “move like a weightlifter, look like a bodybuilder, lift like a powerlifter”. Beyond technique, she educates on training adaptation, volume, and the importance of preventing injury
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🍽️ Fueling the Machine
Cohen’s diet is methodical and flexible. In strength cycles, she’ll eat around 2,500 kcal/day—130 g protein, 180 g carbs, 50–60 g fat; off-season, it sits around 1,800 kcal with room for beer and ice cream. Optimizing macronutrients for performance, she eats simple meals—steak, chicken, sweet potatoes, yogurt, kefir, even Oreos—punctuated by protein shakes with greens .
Stefi Cohen
🔄 Entrepreneur & Educator
Cohen is co-owner of Hybrid Performance Method, offering virtual coaching and educational programming, rooted in science. She also hosts “Hybrid Unlimited” podcast and authored Back in Motion, focusing on injury prevention.
🥊 Beyond the Platform
Since 2021, Cohen expanded into pro boxing (record currently around 4‑1‑1). She’s also blunt about her missteps—like training through back pain—and uses those lessons as educational pillars on recovery and adaptation .
⚠️ Recent Controversy
In May 2024, Cohen was arrested in Miami on charges related to alleged cyber-harassment: hacking and sharing nude photos of an ex’s new girlfriend. She faced a $3,300 bond and has legal restrictions pending further court proceedings.
Stefi Cohen is a rare athlete—a world-class lifter, scientist, coach, and advocate who constantly raises the bar for women in strength sports. She’s rewritten what’s conceivable for female powerlifters and fitness professionals. Her story speaks volumes about the power of combining education, discipline, and audacity.
Her influence? Unmatched. Her records? Historic. Her principle? Train hard, recover smart, and never stop evolving.
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