Jaya Kinley

Jaya Kinley is a biomedical engineering student at the University of Virginia and a passionate advocate for women in strength sports. Originally from Baltimore, MD, she is the co-founder and secretary of Girls Who Lift at UVA, a student organization dedicated to empowering women to lift confidently and safely.

Jaya grew up trying a variety of sports but found her true passion five years ago when she discovered CrossFit—and, through it, Olympic weightlifting. Since then, she has competed in multiple local and national competitions, building both her strength and a deep sense of community through the sport. For Jaya, lifting isn’t just about fitness; it’s about confidence, empowerment, and the tangible rewards of working toward challenging goals.

Her desire to get more girls involved in lifting made joining The Strength Initiative a natural fit. She’s excited to help more women experience the same supportive, encouraging environment that made her fall in love with the weight room.

Outside of training and studying, Jaya enjoys staying active through CrossFit, spending time with friends, and pursuing her academic passion for biomedical engineering. Whether she’s hitting a new PR or helping others discover their own strength, Jaya is committed to building a community where every woman feels empowered to lift.