April Hutchinson is a Canadian powerlifter and women’s sports advocate who overcame childhood trauma and alcoholism to become a champion athlete. She courageously speaks out for fairness and safety in women’s sports despite facing suspension from her federation. As a powerlifter and women’s sports advocate, she testifies about her journey from childhood sexual abuse trauma through alcoholism to recovery via powerlifting. She describes being suspended for two years from her federation after speaking out against biological males competing in women’s sports categories, advocating for female-only spaces and sports categories to protect women and girls.
* The above video is being streamed via Rumble. Check back often as we continue to update the complete list of links to all witness testimonies in both video and audio/podcast formats.
The transcript for this witness testimony is currently in production by our volunteers. It will be available soon here on this page and as a downloadable PDF.
Summary
April provides powerful testimony about her life journey and advocacy for women’s sports. She begins by describing her athletic childhood and the sexual abuse she suffered at age 6, which led to discomfort with her female identity and eventual alcoholism. She explains how sports saved her life after getting sober in 2019, when she took up powerlifting. She details her suspension from the Canadian Powerlifting Union after calling out a biological male competitor named Anne on social media and the Piers Morgan show. She describes meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith about legislation protecting women’s sports and advocates for female-only categories, spaces, and dignity for women and girls. She emphasizes that 88% of Canadians believe men shouldn’t compete in women’s sports and calls for people to use their voices to protect female athletes.
Credentials
April Hutchinson is a Canadian powerlifter and women’s sports advocate who overcame childhood trauma and alcoholism to become a champion athlete. She courageously speaks out for fairness and safety in women’s sports despite facing suspension from her federation. As a powerlifter and women’s sports advocate, she testifies about her journey from childhood sexual abuse trauma through alcoholism to recovery via powerlifting. She describes being suspended for two years from her federation after speaking out against biological males competing in women’s sports categories, advocating for female-only spaces and sports categories to protect women and girls.
April grew up in an athletic family in Canada, beginning sports at age 5 with her police officer father as her coach. Despite experiencing childhood sexual abuse at age 6 that led to struggles with her female identity and alcoholism throughout her twenties and thirties, she found redemption through powerlifting after getting sober in 2019. After losing her mother at 25 and battling alcoholism for nearly two decades, she attempted suicide before entering rehab and discovering powerlifting as a path to recovery. Her courage in speaking out for women’s sports despite personal cost demonstrates her commitment to protecting future generations of female athletes, emphasizing that sports can save lives and that women deserve dignity, safety, and fair competition in their own categories.
Follow NCI On Social Media and Podcasts:
