Amy Shawley
Paquette

Amy Paquette is a professional artist, gallery owner, and record-setting powerlifter who believes strength training has the power to transform lives far beyond the gym. After earning her BA in Art History from Boston University in 2003, Amy built a thriving career in the arts—working as an educator for Golden Artist Colors for over a decade and later opening Waxwing Art Works, her own gallery in downtown Charlottesville.

Amy’s lifting journey began in college while playing rugby, where she stuck to lighter weights and higher reps. But in 2022, she finally stepped under a barbell—and was instantly hooked. Powerlifting quickly became her favorite part of the gym, leading her to start competing in 2024. Since then, Amy has set seven state records (and currently holds four!), with plans to break even more this year.

She first learned about The Strength Initiative after meeting Evie and Jenn at UVA Powerlifting Club’s Bench-a-Thon. Drawn to the organization’s mission, Amy knew she wanted to be involved in helping more women experience the empowerment, confidence, and community that strength training brings.

Outside the gym, Amy is a dedicated mom of three (ages 7, 6, and almost 4) and an avid birder who takes a solo trip each year to explore new birding destinations—last year to Southeast Arizona, this year to Southeast Texas. She loves spending time outdoors, playing piano during family jam sessions, and hosting friends (always with her famous spinach dip in tow). Her family has owned a farm in Scottsville, VA, for 25 years, where she and her husband tied the knot in 2016.

Whether she’s curating an art show, setting a new deadlift PR, or spotting a rare bird at sunrise, Amy brings creativity, grit, and joy to everything she does—and she’s passionate about helping more women discover just how life-changing lifting can be.