Heather Clare

Heather Clare is a personal trainer and lifelong advocate for helping women discover the power of strength at any age. With a degree in psychology and a background in social work, Heather spent several years as a stay-at-home mom raising her two children—now a senior at Virginia Tech and a sophomore at JMU—before pursuing her passion for fitness. Originally from rural Western New York, she spent a decade in Seattle before settling in Virginia five years ago, where she now feels truly at home.

Heather’s own fitness journey began at age 33, when she started lifting weights in her living room and running—despite never having been active before. After falling in love with strength training, she shifted her focus fully to lifting in 2012 and became a certified personal trainer in 2018. Her favorite lift is the deadlift, which she loves for its simplicity and power. After a recent back injury, she’s working hard to rebuild her strength—something she views as part of the ongoing process of learning and growth that comes with lifting.

When Heather first learned about The Strength Initiative, she felt an immediate connection to its mission. She’s deeply passionate about creating safe, empowering spaces where women can focus on building strength—not shrinking their bodies to meet societal expectations. For Heather, strength training is about so much more than muscle—it’s about confidence, self-esteem, and healing. Having been in recovery from an eating disorder for 12 years, she strongly believes in the role of physical activity in releasing trauma and building self-worth.

Outside the gym, Heather is still a country girl at heart. She loves hiking, gardening, exploring farmers markets, and treasure hunting at antique shops. She’s a true crime enthusiast who enjoys podcasts and documentaries, and she dreams of traveling more—especially to Iceland. She’s driven cross-country twice (and highly recommends it!) and is happiest in the quiet beauty of winter, her favorite season.

For Heather, The Strength Initiative represents everything she values—community, empowerment, and the belief that strength is ageless and accessible to everyone. She feels honored to help other women discover just how transformative lifting can be, inside and out.