UPCOMING MEETS
Former Georgia State Co-Chair (2020-2023)
Category 2 Level Referee
USPAL Masters Committee Member
USA Powerlifting Masters Pro
2024 Master's World Cup Best Lifter
2016 IPF M2 Classic World Champion
4x USAPL National Team Member
5x National Champion (Raw and Equipped)
Georgia State Meet Director
Raw and Equipped lifter
Cathy began her powerlifting journey via Crossfit. Back in 2012, she and her daughter Lydia (14 yo) began attending crossfit classes at No Excuses Crossfit in Suwanee. It was there that Cathy met Jeff Robison who suggested Lydia try the sport of powerlifting and that Jeff would coach Lydia. After a few months of early training sessions at Quest Gym, Jeff asked Cathy to join in on the training sessions, "you're here anyway", lol. That was spring 2013.
Little did she know the life changing journey they were about to embark on. Jeff became their beloved coach and Lydia and Cathy traveled the world. Nationals 2013 was Cathy's 2nd meet and she won! Lydia also won and they earned a spot on the 2014 National team, heading to IPF Worlds in South Africa, 2014. In 2016 Cathy earned the title IPF Masters World Champion.
What's happening now...It's 12 years later, Lydia is happily married, Cathy is still lifting competitively, coaching, running powerlifting meets, and working on making USA Powerlifting Georgia a community where we welcome all lifters from newbie first timers to experienced elite lifters. Cathy started MelePowerlifting, LLC in 2021 which focus' on promoting high quality powerlifting events. Cathy became a Cat 2 international level referee so she could support the powerlifting community at the National and International levels while helping train and recruit new referees here at home in Georgia. Cathy's desire to serve her fellow masters lifters lead her to become an active member of the USAPL Master's Committee in 2023.
Cathy is married to Robert Mele for 30 yrs. They have four grown children; Robert Mele, Lydia and Cole Baptist, and Ethan Mele. Cathy has a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and retired from Exxon in 1995 to stay home with her kids. All three of her kids were homeschooled.
When not doing powerlifting related things, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family playing board games, visiting the kids, and playing pickleball.
