Stephanie Scott

Stephanie holds a BA in English and Government from William & Mary, an MA in English, and a PhD in English with a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Penn State. She works as a freelance academic editor as well as a university administrator and professor, primarily supporting nontraditional undergraduate students. On a typical day, you can find her happily scribbling suggestions on an author’s new manuscript before Zooming with a student to discuss their ideas for an upcoming essay. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Stephanie now calls Charlottesville home.

Stephanie began lifting in her mid-30s after realizing that her efforts to improve her fitness weren’t producing the results she hoped for. What started as an effort to tone her arms and improve her core strength quickly became something much more meaningful. As her physical strength grew, so did her self-confidence and, ultimately, her ability to heal her relationship with food. Lifting became an important part of leaving her eating disorder behind and she hasn’t looked back since. Her favorite lift is the deadlift.

Stephanie was drawn to The Strength Initiative because she loves building community, especially empowering, women-centered communities that challenge the status quo and demand better. She was thrilled to find an organization whose mission resonated so deeply with her and she is excited to help others discover the many benefits of lifting.

Outside of work and the gym, Stephanie loves reading, traveling, and connecting with friends over coffee. After living in Vienna, Austria, for two years, she remains a fan of a good Mélange and has a particular fascination with Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture and jewelry. She is also mom to five-year-old boy/girl twins and recently discovered a love of ice skating with her daughter. The two now spend many weekends trying to convince the rest of the family to join them at Richmond’s Skate Nation!