Melanie Roach, born on December 15, 1974 in Dallas, Oregon, United States, is a world renowned weightlifter. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1993 and later joined Green River Community College. She is married to Dan Roach, a member of the United States House of Representatives, and they are currently living in Bonny Lake, Washington with their three children, Ethan, Drew, and Camille.
Before becoming a weightlifter, Melanie Roach aspired to be a gymnast, but a shoulder injury held her back from this dream. After recovering in 1994, she was inspired by her coach, John Thrush, to take up weightlifting instead. Later that year, Melanie Roach competed for the first time in the American Open and finished in third place.
In 1998, Melanie Roach created waves by lifting 250 lbs. (113 kg) in the US National Championships. She was declared the number one U.S. weightlifter for the women’s clean and jerk when she lifted more than twice her own body weight and became a strong contender for the 2000 Olympic Games.
Though Melanie Roach could not participate in the 2000 Sydney Olympics due to an injury, she proved her mettle by winning the gold in the US National Championships in the years 2000, 2003, and 2006. She walked away with a bronze in the 2006 Pan America Championships as well.
In October 2006, Melanie Roach underwent a surgery performed by Dr. Robert Bray at the Los Angeles’ D.I.S.C. Spine and Sports Center for her recurring back problems. After recovering, she came back better than ever and clean and jerked twice her own body weight to win her sixth gold medal at the US National Championships in 2007. Melanie Roach made it to the medals podium of the 2007 Pan America games, which were held in Brazil, and grabbed the bronze medal. She continued to be ranked as the best American weightlifter when she won the US National Championships for the seventh time in 2008.
Her determination and passion for the sport propelled her to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China. She participated in the Women’s 53 kg weightlifting event and secured sixth place.
Apart from her weightlifting career, Melanie Roach runs a gymnastics training facility named Roach Gymnastics with her husband, where they offer training to over 500 athletes. She is a member of Athletes Against Autism and is involved in raising money to fund research on the disease. She is also a Sunday school teacher at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her multifaceted personality has earned her the nickname “Wonder Woman.” When she is not working or competing, Melanie Roach enjoys spending time with her family, reading books, and watching movies and TV shows.
