Hi Friends!
Today I want to introduce you to some of the amazing ladies I workout with. Remember a few weeks ago when I told you I was partnering with Under Armour and Fitfluential for this campaign? I told you that my What’s Beautiful goal for the Under Armour campaign is “to help women realize that lifting heavy weights and having muscles is healthy and beautiful, not something to be afraid of.” Well, these women are living proof. They are all different ages, have different body types and are at different stages in their lives…but every single one of them proves daily that STRENGTH is what’s beautiful.
These are the women that inspire me every day. They’re not professional athletes, models or super stars…they’re normal, everyday women who care about their bodies and are working hard to stay healthy. They’re working hard to get stronger. They have muscles. And instead of hiding them, they flaunt them…because they already know that strength is what’s beautiful. Just look at the quotes they gave me when I asked them why they lift heavy weights, or why they think strength is beautiful.
Let me introduce you to them:
This is Jackie. She’s a 29 year old Event Coordinator.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 175#
- Back Squat PR: 140#
- Front Squat PR: 115#
- Overhead Squat PR: 90#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 115#
- Push press PR: 85#
How she inspires me: Her DRIVE.
Jackie wants to get better every.single.day. I’ve seen her stay late, after completing an intense workout, try literally 100 times to do a muscle-up…and miss each one. But you know what? Instead of giving up, she comes in the next day and does it all over again. Works harder. Tries again. Gets stronger. Because she believes she can..and she WILL.
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This is Sheryl. She’s a 43 year old mother of two and an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 175#
- Back Squat PR: 155#
- Front Squat PR: 125#
- Overhead Squat PR: 70#
- Clean PR: 105#
- Clean and Jerk PR: 85#
- Push Press PR: 85#
How she inspires me: Her WORK ETHIC.
When Sheryl wants to do something, she is relentless until she gets it done. I’ve seen her try a workout, fail to complete it and then come back just a few days later and knock it out of the park. She believes in herself and it shows in her workouts.
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This is Kasey. She’s a 36 year old mom of two and a Trade Compliance Specialist.
How strong is she?
- Dead lift PR: 185#
- Back Squat PR: 145#
- Front Squat PR: 115#
- Overhead squat PR: 65#
- Clean and jerk PR: 95#
- Push press: 80#
How she inspires me: Her SUPPORT.
Kasey is a terrific motivator and is constantly cheering on everyone else and celebrating their accomplishments. She’s pushed me through several workouts that I’m certain I wouldn’t have finished without her encouragement.
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This is Ashley. She’s a 32 year old mom of two girls.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 165#
- Back Squat PR: 130#
- Front Squat PR: 85#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 90#
- Push press PR: 75#
How she inspires me: Her COMMITMENT.
Ashley is a stay-at-home mom, which means she’s with her kids all the time. Instead of using it as an excuse to skip workouts, she does whatever it takes to get to the gym, including bringing her kids along with her. I love that she’s teaching them from an early age how important it is to take care of your body.
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This is Vanessa. She’s a 31 year old HRIS Specialist.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 205#
- Back Squat PR: 145#
- Front Squat PR: 95#
- Overhead Squat PR: 75#
- Clean PR: 105#
- Push Press PR: 105#
How she inspires me: Her COMEBACK.
A couple of years ago, V broke one of the bones in her leg and had to get some metal put in to fix things. Instead of slacking off because recovery was hard, she’s come back stronger than ever! She pushes herself to get stronger every single day and constantly challenges me to do more as well!
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This is Katelyn. She’s a 29 year old Political Fundraiser.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 210#
- Back Squat PR: 145#
- Front Squat PR: 105#
- Overhead Squat PR: 55#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 105#
- Push press PR: 75#
How she inspires me: Her GOALS.
At the gym we have a goal board where we all wrote down some things we want to accomplish this year. I think Katelyn has more goals written down than anyone else and I love that. She dreams big and works hard. I have no doubt she’ll reach all her goals.
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This is Marianela. She’s a 38 year old mom of 4 and a restaurant owner.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 165#
- Back Squat PR: 133#
- Front Squat PR: 113#
- Overhead Squat PR: 55#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 95#
How she inspires me: Her BALANCE.
Mare has 4 kids and helps run a restaurant…yet somehow, day after day, she manages to take care of everyone around her and still find the time to come to the gym & take care of herself as well.
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This is Kelsey. She’s a 27 year old hair stylist.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 140
- Back Squat PR: 135
How she inspires me: Her ATTITUDE.
Kelsey is always positive. She reminds me every day that working out should be FUN!
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This is Diane. She’s a 56 year old mom of four.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 185#
- Back squat PR: 85#
- Front Squat PR: 75#
- Overhead squat PR: 45#
- Clean/Jerk PR: 85#
- PushPress PR: 65#
How she inspires me: Her HEART.
Diane may not be the youngest person at the gym, but she never lets that stop her from showing up and doing her best. She’s also recovering from surgery but I’ve seen her show up to do modified workouts the whole time she’s recovering. She keeps us laughing and isn’t afraid to bust out her Zumba moves when a good song comes on at the gym!
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This is Liz. She’s a 47 year old mom of one and an HR professional.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 210#
- Back Squat PR: 170#
- Front Squat PR: 115#
- Clean & Jerk: 105#
I want to be as strong as Liz. I wrote about it here, but she pushes me every single day because she’s always just a little bit ahead of me. Chasing her makes ME better. Plus, instead of whining about getting older, she’s embracing her age and is in totally rockin’ shape!
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This is Heather. She’s our coach. She’s also a 31 year old mom of two and an elite Crossfit Competitor.
How strong is she?
- Deadlift PR: 350#
- Back Squat PR: 290#
- Front Squat PR: 235#
- Overhead Squat PR: 195#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 210#
- Push press PR: 250#
How she inspires me: Her PASSION.
Heather loves teaching and it shows every day in class. She is always willing to go the extra mile to help us succeed, whether that means coming early or staying late so we can practice our lifts, giving us advice or patiently correcting our form over and over again. She genuinely wants all of us to succeed, improve and set new PRs. And when we do, she gets just as excited about it as we do! She’s also extremely passionate about her sport, a fearless competitor and isn’t afraid to throw heavy weight around. Such an inspiration!
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This is me. I’m a 28 year old Registered Dietitian.
How strong am I?
- Deadlift PR: 185
- Back Squat PR: 155#
- Front Squat PR: 125#
- Overhead Squat PR: 105#
- Clean PR: 120#
- Clean & Jerk PR: 105#
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I wrote this post to show you guys that strength is what’s beautiful…at any age…in all shapes and sizes. I hope it inspired you to go lift some weights!
Let’s chat: Complete one of these sentences:
“I lift heavy weights because…” OR “Strength is beautiful because…”
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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So awesome Lindsay!
I think it’s always so great to reinforce the message that lifting weights is beautiful! It doesn’t mean you’ll get “bulky” or all those silly things society has lead us to believe in the past.
Strength is beautiful because being no matter what size or weight you are the most important thing is our health. Strength is so much more than a number, it’s about how you feel on the inside!
AWESOME POST! I lift heavy weights because I want to push the boundaries of my mind and I’m addicted to setting new PRs!
This is one of my favorite #whatsbeautiful posts. Wow. How fun to be surrounded by all that inspiration.
You know I love heavy weights. I lift heavy becasue I like to feel BOSS. 😉
This is a great post! I loved reading and learning about this group of amazing and beautiful women. Strength is beautiful because it commands respect, and I have respect for each and every one of you.
Lindsay this is such an amazing and inspiring post! This is making me really really want to try Crossfit and get into Strength training.
Seriously inspiring.
Strength is beautiful because it allows us to be who we are and conquer goals daily!
This is amazing! And I agree… strength IS beautiful.
Such a great post!! These ladies are all so inspirational! It’s truly amazing what you can accomplish when you have the will and passion to stick to it and make it happen.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL post Lindsay! The pics, the comments – LOVE it! You have a bunch of very inspirational women surrounding you. Thanks for sharing! P.S. – makes me want to get into CF even more! 😉
What an awesome post Lindsay! Inspiring to say the least!
Awesome post, I lift heavy because it pushes me to my limits and makes me a stronger person mentally, and physically. I love this post. A lot of women dont like to lift and only do cardio, but its such an important aspect of working out!
Strength IS most definitely what’s beautiful! You nailed it – great post!
…it’s who I am.
YOU ARE SO AMAZING!!!! I love everything about this post. So inspiring! Go girl!!!!!
Love these ladies! What great examples of beautiful strength. Thanks for sharing their stories with us.
This is fabulous! Even though I DONT lift heavy weights, I really, really like the idea of highlighting the people in my life, not some person I’ve never met.
I especially connect the points that lifting heavy (or in my case) running makes you happy, and doing it because you can, and not everyone can say that.
so so true!
Love this post! All of these women are so inspiring. Being strong is beautiful, accomplishing strength and fitness goals definitely makes me more empowered to accomplish other goals in life. I don’t know what I’d do without it!
This post is what’s beautiful! Great job!
Amazing post that truly encompasses the power of beauty in strength 🙂
I lift heavy weights because……….they scare me and I want to show my son that his mom won’t back down from her fears.
Amazing post!
And, damn girl, a 155# back squat??? YOU GO!!
LOVE this 🙂 and thank you! i just got 175# this weekend!!! progress 🙂
Wow, these women are so strong (both mentally and physically!) and so inspiring! I wish I could lift as much as they/you…but I don’t particularly enjoy lifting heavy so I opt to do things that I enjoy more. 🙂
that’s totally fair!
This is indeed an inspiring post, Lindsay! I may not be doing Cross Fit, but I am definitely beginning to get into weight lifting and LOVING IT! About three weeks ago, I started pouring myself 100% in lifting weights by doing the Jamie Eason’s 12-Week Trainer program. As a yogi/yoga teacher and an avid runner, weight lifting had never been in my vocabulary (though I did a few bodyrock HIITS workouts here and there in the past). I dread lifting weights… I even hate it but you know what, secretly I knew how important weight lifting is for me. Especially because I’m lacking in muscle strength. So far, with cleaner eating, I’m feeling stronger way more than I thought I could, I have more sustainable energy throughout the day and can focus better. My confidence in myself and my body has morphed already in the last 2 weeks. I look forward to my weight workouts, meal planning and cooking healthy creatively because I started this strength training program.
I just wanted to make a shout-out to any readers who is not lifting by doing Crossfit to lift weights: BE PROUD with every progress you’ve made. It’s as important to start as it is to finish… with everything in between. 😉
that’s so awesome, Josie! Great job!
I love this so much, such inspiring women!
LOVE SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for sharing & the diversity – LOVE!! No words! 🙂
I lift heavy weights because it’s empowering!! 🙂
I’m a 24 year old food photographer, recipe writer, and technical university teacher and I lift heavy weights because it makes me feel AWESOME!
Strength is beautiful because it shows that you can laugh in the face of adversity, whether it be physical, mental, or emotional.
This is awesome- and so inspiring! I wish I knew what those numbers meant… but they all look EXTREMELY impressive to me!
Such a great and beautiful post Lindsay! All of you are so inspiring and I love reading everyone’s quotes. Seriously awesome. Strength is beautiful because it gives me the courage to believe in me.
You know, there is a ton of CrossFit around the blogosphere, but the way you write about it is so different, fresh, and inspiring! I LOVE this post, and it makes me want to get my butt in the gym and lift some heavy weights!
thanks so much Ari!
I love this post!! This is exactly what every girl and woman should read- exercise is not about about getting skinny or what you look like, its about getting STRONG and feeling confident in yourself and your abilities. have a great wednesday!
I absolutely love this post! Lifting is one of my favorite things, and it’s maddening when women are afraid to do it. Thank you for highlighting how wonderful it is and how inspiring these women are!
I love the range of ages of all the women you featured!!!
I feel much stronger today (at 43) than I did when I ran competitive college track because I lift heavy weights!!!
that’s so awesome Kim!
Wow! As someone who grew up with the mindset that “skinny = beautiful”, these images and statistics just show that being Strong and Confident is the true meaning of beautiful. Congratulations to these beautiful women for being the true definition of beauty, confidence and strength!
Thanks so much!!
One of the most inspiring posts I’ve ever read! Cheers to you and strong ladies everywhere!!
Such inspiring women! Thanks for sharing!
Strength is beautiful because it is what defines us: we can transfer our physical strength to mental strength in times of need. Skinny is no longer the goal, I would rather be fit and strong than skinny any day!
I lift heavy weights because it makes me feel like a beast when I lift heavier!
This post was so inspiring! I loved seeing the other women that push you and how you all work together! I have never done crossfit, but I know it is such a community, and all of these ladies put together have so much to offer!! Such a great reminder!
Super fun post, I love it. It’s always inspiring to see the ladies that are pushing themselves through tough WODs at neighboring gyms and their successes 🙂
I lift heavy weights because I never knew that I could or how good it would make me feel. Now I’m addicted!
yes!!! love it 🙂 glad crossfit is still going well for you!
LOVE!
LOVE this post…so inspirational! I lift heavy weights because I believe in honoring my body and caring for it as if it’s my home.
What a great group of inspiring women!!
Awesome post, Lindsay! I also lift heavy weights because it makes me feel like a badass. 🙂
SUCH a fun/great post! I loved all the highlights on the women 🙂
I lift heavy weights because I like to be/feel strong! Strength is beautiful, for sure!!
Love this post!!! I lift weights to stay healthy and live longer 🙂
Love this post! I lift weights because it is SO empowering!
This is a great post, Lindsay. This is so inspiring. I started lifting weights a month or two ago, but I can say that I lift weights because it makes me feel healthy and that I accomplished something. It takes time to build muscle and be able to lift heavier! It’s a great accomplishment and it makes me feel good.
You highlighted some amazing women! I love to hear someones story and why they do the things they do.
Gah! this is BEAUTIFUL!!! I LOVE this post! what a way to profile beauty in all shapes, sizes, ages – beautiful, fit and strong!
I lift heavy weights because it makes me feel strong, beautiful, and totally badass!
On a side note, I totally love this post. This is super encouraging and I wish that every woman could be featured because everyone in beautiful in her own way!
exactly!!! thanks for reading!
Love this! Wish there was a magazine full of everyday women (not bikini pros and fitness competitors) to look at regularly. I’d buy it.
love this posts for so many reasons!!
Great post! I cannot wait to try CrossFit. Actually I can wait because I’m slightly terrified! I’m going to my first CrossFit workout on June 1st. I used to be the Cardio Queen, but these days I’m loving lifting weights and feeling my body change.
These women are all inspirational. Thank you for sharing and inspiring others along the way. I really enjoy reading your blog!
yay!!! good luck with the workout, girl!
FINALLY sitting down to read this. (Been such a crazy day – I have one sick little lady on my hands.)
This is what’s beautiful. This post. You took the time to talk to them, to get to know them, and you’ve shown your readers that there are MANY reasons why strength is beautiful. To me? Strength is beautiful, because it comes in more forms than just physical…even when you’re centered on the physical. There’s a moment when you’re about to do something tougher than you’ve ever done and you reach down within and your mental strength helps drive you through. When you’re done and have succeeded, the feeling is beyond words.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful women with us!!!
Such a fabulous post! Thanks so much for introducing me to all of these wonderful and inspiring women!
Strong is definitely beautiful!
Hi Lindsay! I’ve been a long time reader, but haven’t commented until now. Just had to tell you that I loveeee this post! I’ve been CrossFitting for 3 years and love hearing and seeing support for women lifting heavy weights, having muscles, and being strong. It’s sexy, healthy, and beautiful and I really appreciate you capturing all those elements in this post by featuring many of the women at your box.
thanks so much for commenting Liz! So awesome that you’re a crossfitter as well!!
Makes you feel like a bad ass, love it! I just have to get brave enough to go to the free weights area. :-/
you can do it!!
I seriously love this post! Every one of those ladies are beautiful.
BEAUTIFUL, STRONG WOMEN! You are all an inspiration!
I absolutely love this post! All amazing, strong, beautiful women!!!
GREAT POST!!! So awesome for you to give shout outs to all those ladies who are ever so deserving!! You really are changing the perceptions on strength and I think it’s amazing!!
thanks so much!!
These ladies are amazing and inspirational!