This 50-year-old bodybuilding mother of 3 (and former Eagles cheerleader) will crush you

By Andrew Lynch
Published

Physical strength comes in all shapes, sizes and genders. It's also perhaps the one field where you can judge a book by its cover.

One glimpse at Tracy Hess reveals all the strength in the world, wrapped up in the 50-year-old body of a mother of three children. Hess is something of a legend in the Philadelphia area, where she was formerly an Eagles cheerleader, according to Philly.com. And if she wanted to, she could absolutely kick your butt:

Hess will have the opportunity to showcase her skills and physique at the Arnold Classic this weekend, an event that's naturally named after the most famous weightlifter of them all, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Hess called the Classic "the Super Bowl of women's physique competitions," noting that she's participating in a category that emphasizes both strength and beauty (via Philly.com):

Hess will compete in women's physique, a new division "designed for women who were not as muscular as women's bodybuilders - a more athletic, pleasing physique ... it's a prettier look."

Hess' three children, who are all in their mid-20s, are part of her fitness team, which features workout videos and interviews with other bodybuilders:

Hess spends about four hours a day in various training exercises, cardio routines and stretching. During competition, she weighs in at about 140 pounds. 

Can you imagine having to sit across the desk from Hess at a parent-teacher conference? Talk about an intimidating conversation. "Yes ma'am. Your daughter gets an 'A.' Absolutely."