The woman from Pennsylvania is a world champion lumberjack

CHADDS FORD, Pa. – When you first meet Martha King, “World Champion Lumberjill” isn’t exactly what comes to mind.

“A lot of people picture a big, burly man with a beard,” says King. Many people have heard of the term “lumberjack” and think of Paul Bunion’s childhood stories, but not many people know that there is an entire sport dedicated to the traditional practices of forestry.

King grew up in Chadds Ford, worked in her family’s tree care business and jokes that sawdust is in her blood.

But it wasn’t until college that she discovered her love for sports and followed in her father’s footsteps.

“He graduated with a degree in forestry and competed on the forestry team at Penn State,” she says. “I always found it fascinating and thought, ‘Oh my God, this is my chance.'”

Since then, King has competed professionally for ten years, claiming her third U.S. title at the Stihl Timbersports National Women’s Championships and winning first place at the Timbersports International Women’s Cup in Vienna, Austria.

In a male-dominated sport, King is proud to set an example for young women who want to follow in her footsteps.

“I don’t look like a lumberjack, but I’m really successful. Anything is possible if you’re willing to be disciplined and not let anyone tell you you’re not good enough,” she says.