At 4-foot-11 and 114 pounds, Daisymay Reyes isn't the biggest soldier in the Army, but she just might have one of the biggest hearts.

Earlier this month, Reyes, a recruiter and sergeant first class stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, placed second in her weight class at the Empire Powerlifting competition. For her three lifts, she lifted a combined 633 pounds - a personal best.

"My true goal is to inspire my fellow soldiers to find their inner strength, motivation, passion and balance in life," Reyes said.

It was just her second powerlifting competition. In September, Reyes won her weight class in a competition in Fairbanks, Alaska. After placing second at the Empire Powerlifting, Reyes qualified to compete in the Raw Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, in the fall. In 2017, Reyes also plans on competing in the Military Nationals, where the military from every branch competes.

"When I started powerlifting, I realized this was my passion," Reyes said.

In 2007, Reyes' unlikely journey to powerlifting began when she was training to pass her Army physical fitness test. For Reyes, who never turned out for sports while in high school, her goal to become better fit led her to being committed to Cross Fit. Eventually, she earned her Cross Fit Level 1 trainer title.

But her passion became lifting weights and not running.

"With powerlifting, in order for you to actually grow stronger injury-free is to learn proper technique," Reyes said. "I learned to love powerlifting and tried to enter a competition after that."

In 2014, at the age of 35, Reyes competed in her first bench press competition. Despite her age and late start in weight lifting, Reyes took first in the women's division. After placing fourth in another competition, Reyes cranked up her intensity dial and trained harder for the next four months and won her next competition, setting personal bests.

In powerlifting competition, competitors get three lifts in three events, beginning with the squat press, then the bench press, and finishing with the power lift. Reyes' personal bests are 132 pounds in the bench press, 231 pounds in the squat, and 270 pounds in the deadlift, giving her a combined total of 633 pounds.

Reyes, who enlisted in the Army in 2000 at age 20, doesn't just lift weights to get in better shape. She lifts to inspire others.

"One of my goals is to inspire some of my future soldiers," Reyes said. "To get their dreams. You can do more than just be a soldier. I want them to see me as that recruiter that can do more, not just serving my country. But also to do something for yourself at the same time. Nothing can stop you. You just keep moving forward. Having that self-initiative and self motivation, that's something I'm trying to instill in them."

Early in her weight training, Reyes, who was born in Manilla, Philippines, discovered the importance of proper technique. After getting slight injuries and muscle strains lifting weights, Reyes hired a trainer. Besides getting stronger, lifting weights has taught her a lot about herself.

"I learned a lot about myself," Reyes said. "Like my limitations; how much I can push. It's a learning experience overall, not just with the weights, but about myself. With powerlifting, you really have to be focused. You have to be educated about your training."

Reyes isn't deterred by her lack of size.

"Looks can be deceiving sometimes," Reyes said.

The diminutive Reyes is proof of that.