Bull Stewart Celebrates 30 Years of Strength, Family, and Community at the Alki Beach Powerlifting Classic
The Pacific Northwest’s powerlifting community recently celebrated a major milestone as athletes, supporters, and spectators came together for the 30th Anniversary Bull Stewart Alki Beach Powerlifting Classic.
Known as the largest and longest-running outdoor powerlifting event in the region, the annual tradition once again transformed the scenic Alki Beach coastline into a stage for physical endurance, personal breakthroughs, and intergenerational support.
Humble Beginnings to a Nationwide Legacy
Three decades ago, founder Bull Stewart and his wife launched the event to meet a practical need for their growing family while simultaneously fostering local fitness.
"About 30 years ago, me and my wife had five boys, two sets of twins," Stewart said. "We decided to do something not only to entertain the neighborhood and support fitness, but here we are with five kids... We needed a way to make a little extra money to provide school so our kids can look good doing school. Thirty years later, this became the longest outdoor event in the country. It's a blessing."
What began as a local endeavor has expanded into a prominent institution that now encompasses two fitness centers and trains athletes spanning from ages 12 to 90.
A Foundation Built on Family and Belonging
For long-time competitors and newcomers alike, the annual event forges community bonds. Powerlifter Jessi “Warrior” Allen-Garibaldi, who competed at Alki Beach over a decade ago after returning to Seattle, reflected on how deeply intertwined the team has become with her personal life.
"It's important to find your community and find your people, especially if they're doing something that is good for your health and trying to encourage that longevity and life," she said. "Bull Stewart is an integral part of my life... as I've grown with the team, they've really become more than community, they've really become like family."
She highlighted the environment's supportive nature, noting that family members can roam safely while teammates look out for one another.
"Everybody supports each other. Everybody encourages each other to just push forward and make the lift. We're all trying our best, and we're here to hold each other up,” Allen-Garibaldi said.
Inclusivity and Overcoming Obstacles
The event's roster reflected a broad scope of backgrounds, ages, and physical abilities. The team actively breaks barriers by welcoming lifters who have overcome significant physical hurdles.
"Our team is so diverse," Allen-Garibaldi said. "There's literally no excuse to not lift. We have a guy that's had two hip replacements. We've had amputees. We've had elders. Any excuse that you have, there's no excuses. We have someone on our team that has done it and is still doing it."
The welcoming atmosphere also caught the attention of first-time attendees and spectators. Milton Scott, a powerlifter and first-time participant, noted the unique pull of the energy on the beach.
"I've been around this type of environment since I was 19... but this is just the first time I've ever wanted to step in and be a part of greatness, get my name in the books, set records, set goals, and make accomplishments,” Scott said.
Rayna Martin, a spectator, emphasized the transformative impact of a supportive environment.
"Fitness is such a wonderful way to be able to undertake a challenge and to prove that you can do challenging and difficult things,” she said. “To be able to do that in a safe and warm and welcoming environment with lots of really great people who are all pushing you to get better... improves your life in a way that almost nothing else can."
The Legacy of Giving Back
Beyond physical milestones and record-setting lifts, the event continued to prioritize youth development and drug-free athletics. Through partnerships with organizations like the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), the program has helped young athletes secure college opportunities and academic scholarships.
"If you stay the drug-free way, stay consistent, and work hard at it, you can achieve any kind of goal," Stewart said. "We've had five or six kids that go to AAU, win state, win world, and get a scholarship to college. Giving that back to the kids is just unbelievable. That's my legacy. I want to give back."
Learn more about Bull Stewart and the Stewart Performance Center at stewartperformancecenter.com
Looking to book a space for your upcoming event? Check out Colman Commons for all your event space needs at colmancommons.com
