Sr. Pat Farrell—Lifting More than Spirits

oplus_8650784

When Sister Pat Farrell joined The Yard, a local gym in San Francisco, to improve her health and fitness, she had no idea that she would be doing some real heavy lifting as the preacher of truth, love, and justice, as she is vowed to be.

At the end of July 2025, Sister Pat Farrell competed in her first-ever powerlifting competition at age 72 and earned a medal for her efforts for benching 77 pounds — and deadlifting 160 pounds, which is more than her body weight. When her gym asked if she would be part of a video promoting the gym in the weeks leading up to the competition, Sr. Pat eagerly agreed and was very willing to support the organization. One thing led to another, and soon local news outlets were picking up on this story, and several interviews were given before the competition. Sr. Pat’s story was compelling for several reasons—powerlifting at the age of 72, highlighting the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, healthy aging habits, and a nun going to the gym—there was widespread interest.

Sr. Pat follows a strict vegan diet and has been committed to fitness for years, noticing significant improvements in her health, including strengthened muscles and diminished lower back issues. “It’s strengthened my core, and it’s strengthened my muscles, and a lot of the issues with my lower back have diminished incredibly,” she said. The competition was a fun and challenging goal to work toward, and her efforts paid off on the podium and in the way she captured the imagination of so many around the Bay Area and across the country!

The competition came and went, and still the inquiries were coming in—there were print stories in local and national publications, including the New York Times. There were several podcast requests and other TV news spots, including a feature profile on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, where Pat’s story was the #AmericaStrong segment. Sr. Pat, ever the Dominican preacher, has taken each of these opportunities to share about her life with the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and what the congregation is all about.

From an interview with “Plant-Based News”: “While Farrell particularly highlighted the environmental and animal welfare reasons to ‘go plant-based,’ she said that she has also noticed that the lifestyle has supported her health. At 72 years old, she does not have high blood pressure, diabetes, or very high cholesterol.

“Whether it’s on the vegan pathway or the weightlifting pathway, or our spiritual journeys, we make a mistake [and say] ‘oh I didn’t do it, I’m washed up, so I’m gonna go back to the way I was not doing things before.’ So never give up. Just [say], ‘I made that mistake,’ and pick up and go from there,” said Farrell.”

In her interviews, she often highlights the San Rafael congregation’s upcoming 175th Anniversary and how she is part of a legacy of very strong women in every sense of the term. She fondly shares about Sr. Marion Irvine, OP, being a great source of inspiration who took to running later in life—a pursuit that led her to the Olympics. Sr. Marion, now aged 94, was at Sr. Pat’s powerlifting competition, cheering her on. Sr. Pat has shared about the various ministries the sisters have been and are engaged with, from founding schools and hospitals to their commitment to social justice and climate issues. When talking with Plant-Based News, she particularly highlighted the environmental and animal welfare reasons to “go plant-based.” She said that she has also noticed that the lifestyle has supported her health. At 72 years old, she does not have high blood pressure, diabetes, or very high cholesterol.

Sister Pat says she hopes to inspire others her age to move more. Not only that, she is inspiring her gym community regularly with her positive attitude, incredible motivation, and dedication—and her physical strength. Not surprising that a Dominican Sister would love the sense of community she has found at her gym—referencing some of her friends and trainer as her “gym bros”, Sister Pat is enjoying the opportunity to share her story, if not a little taken aback by the attention. Her big takeaway from this experience and one she hopes to convey to others is, “We can do more than we think.” She is already setting some new goals as she carries on her ministry work of managing Rose Court, a Dominican Sisters of San Rafael subsidized housing ministry.