07/31/2026
Let's hear it for our next Lioness of July... Zoe!🥳
I have to say I am straight up embarrassed that we've overlooked Zoe as our Lioness of the Month for this long. Zoe is the definition of a Lioness! She is a supreme badass, everyone's biggest cheerleader and the definition of consistency and commitment. She recently celebrated 2 years with Lioness and is coming up on her 200th class! And while those milestones are always impressive, it's her accomplishments across the years that makes me so proud. Zoe works against hypermobility everyday and has had to train her body to work with its flexibility, rather than against it. She's been eager to learn how to lift safely while not being afraid to challenge her body and her numbers on the bar are clear evidence of those efforts. I know she's working on her deadhang and will no doubt reach that goal, plus so many others she hasn't actually stated out loud. We love having you in the pride, Zoe!
Keep crushing it!💪
Here's her story...
💜Tell us a little about yourself outside of the gym:
I'm a cat lady, horror media lover, and birder. My kitty Naomi is three legged and filled with love and spite. The leg she lost was filled with love, so she's majority spite. If you are looking for me on a Tuesday, I won't be at the gym. You'll need to head to the theater, as I see a new movie every single Tuesday of the year. I have aimed for 52+ movies every year for the last 3 years, and I haven't failed yet! When the weather is nice, I love hiking and paddleboarding at Devil's Lake while looking for birds. I own far too many bird feeders, and I'm desperate to convince the orioles to visit my front window.
💜What brought you to Lioness and what keeps you here?
I had been in a yoga sculpt class for years when I finally realized that I mainly enjoyed it for the weightlifting portions. However, I was way too scared to grab a classic gym membership and start winging it, so I googled around and found Lioness! The first day I actually held my body in a plank during that yoga sculpt class (after working towards it for many many months), I felt invincible. I had never built any kind of muscle before, and I felt powerful. I have continued chasing that high ever since I started properly lifting with Lioness. There isn't a Strength or Power class that goes by without me feeling like a total badass.
I've been at Lioness for 2 years now, and what keeps me here is the people. I need my Monday Power socialization! I need my post Strength chats! I work from home, and these moments are so important to me on days when I haven't seen or spoken to another person until I get to the gym. If you've ever been in a class with me and we've chatted, just know I loved it. I'm so grateful for every Lioness who has worked out with me and shared about their day.
💜What is your favorite muscle group to work?
If I could bench press every single day, multiple times a day, I would. I want everyone to fall in love with bench pressing. Nothing has made me feel like more of a badass than benching.
💜What are you most proud of accomplishing with Lioness?
I stopped being so scared! I genuinely believe that lifting weights and building muscle has altered my brain. I love challenging myself and committing to new goals in a way I never used to.
💜What is the fitness/wellness goal you would like to accomplish in the next 6 months?
I am reaching for my 40 second dead hang! It's been my main goal for 2026, and I'm still working on it!
💜What advice do you have for our newer members or those thinking about jumping in?
Be loud, drop weights, make noise, leave sweat marks on the bench, and drip sweat on the floor. Don't be afraid to exist here.