Isn’t it just amazing to see women absolutely crushing it, especially when it comes to fitness and strength? We are living in a time where powerful physiques are being celebrated, and women are redefining what it means to be strong, confident, and totally in control of their bodies. It’s incredibly inspiring to witness these women embracing their power and building communities around health and fitness, showing us all what’s possible when you dedicate yourself to your goals.
This wave of strong women isn’t just happening behind the scenes; they’re front and center, gaining massive followings online and genuinely leaving people in awe. The dedication, discipline, and sheer strength they showcase are captivating, and it’s sparked a whole new level of fascination. There’s even a catchy, popular term that’s emerged to describe this phenomenon: ‘muscle mommy.’
So, let’s dive into the world of some of these incredible women who are making waves, inspiring millions, and yes, sometimes even leaving men completely stunned. We’ll explore their unique journeys, the impact they’re having, and the fascinating ways their strength is being perceived and celebrated in the world today. Get ready to feel motivated!
1. **Julia Rene**: Meet Julia Rene, a self-confessed ‘muscle mommy’ from Texas, US, who is truly making her mark! At 27 years old, she has built an incredible online presence, amassing a hefty following of more than 350,000 fans who eagerly follow her journey and posts flaunting her incredible physique. It’s clear her dedication resonates with so many people out there.
Julia often leaves men completely stunned when they encounter her, and she says she is inundated with DMs from them asking how they can get jacked like her. As she shared with What’s The Jam, “How can I get jacked like you?” is a common question. She also added, “Most of the men I come across are impressed by my physique and are very nice,” which is wonderful to hear, as her strength clearly inspires admiration and positive interactions for many.
However, not all attention is comfortable. Julia also receives comments on the more unusual side, which leaves her feeling a little uneasy. In the past, she has had interactions with random men where she has been asked to ‘flex’ her muscles for them. She recounted a conversation with a man where, after she confirmed she was a bodybuilder and they had a nice chat, it got weird when he said, “‘Show me your legs’ and then he said, ‘Now turn around’.” When she refused, saying, “I’m not going to do that,” and started walking away, he bizarrely replied, “‘I’m going to see it on social media anyway’.” This highlights the challenging side of being in the public eye as a strong woman, and as Julia put it, “Some men can get really weird about it, and there are interactions which are quite disturbing.” It takes real strength, both physical and mental, to navigate such moments, and Julia’s willingness to be firm and direct is seriously admirable.
Julia has been passionately dedicated to bodybuilding since 2019 and has since built a fitness empire, focusing on helping other women achieve their own fitness goals. Her own motivation stemmed from a deeply personal place; she felt like she wasn’t treating her body with love and kept making excuses for why she felt rubbish. She knew she needed a change. As she explained, “I wasn’t treating my body with love and I kept making excuses for why I felt so rubbish so I knew I needed a change, but I never thought I would take it to the pro level.” Her journey is a powerful reminder that self-love and commitment can lead you down incredible paths you never expected.
She also shared her perspective on the unique challenges women face in the fitness world. She believes women face a lot more judgement than men, stating, “Women definitely face a lot more judgement; either we don’t have enough muscle, or we’re too muscular. There’s no winning.” It’s frustrating to hear, but Julia refuses to let that stop her. She has a strong connection to her ‘why’ and is clear on her goal, even writing it down daily as if it’s already happened. She encourages women to create the physique they feel confident in, emphasizing that it will look different for everyone, and to be firm and direct if someone makes them uncomfortable. It’s empowering advice!
The content creator also receives thousands of comments on her videos from viewers online who are genuinely admiring her strong physique. Comments like Tohnie writing, “What I’d do for quads like that,” or Noah commenting, “Some tree trunks! You look amazing! Me & my chicken legs are jealous. Keep it up,” showing the positive impact she has. Others add fuel to the fire with remarks like, “Dammmmm keep going girl,” “Incredible physique! You have the heart of a champion,” and Mitch penned, “The BEST legs.” These comments reflect the genuine admiration and inspiration Julia provides through her dedication and strength.
2. **Lean Beef Patty**: Get ready to be inspired by Lean Beef Patty, whose real name is Patricia! She’s another incredible fitness instructor, TikTok star, and social media influencer who has captured the internet’s attention, often referred to by netizens as ‘Muscle Mommy’ because of her exceptionally fit body. Born in 1997, she’s around 27 or 28 years old as of 2025 and hails from Los Angeles, California.
Patricia comes from a background steeped in athleticism. Her mother taught gymnastics to babies, including a young Patricia in what was called ‘tumbling toddlers,’ and she later went into competitive gymnastics for a while. Meanwhile, her father had a gym membership at the same gym for over 30 years, making fitness a long-standing part of her family’s life. She opened up about her fitness story in a Don’t Be Sour YouTube interview, recounting how she hit puberty, felt like she hated her body, quit gymnastics, and struggled with mental illness for a while before eventually finding her way to the gym with her dad. It’s a powerful reminder that even the most inspiring figures have overcome personal challenges.
From viral TikTok clips to powerlifting platforms, Lean Beef Patty has become a global fitness phenomenon. Bursting onto the scene in 2021, her captivating short-form workout videos on TikTok have amassed over 8 million followers, while her Instagram showcases weightlifting feats and lifestyle content to 6 million fans. On YouTube (2 million subscribers), she shares deeper dives into calisthenics and training, rounding out a digital empire that once even included Twitch gaming streams in 2021. Her appeal lies in a powerful blend: actionable fitness advice, mobility tips, gym humor, and unshakeable body positivity, making her intensely relatable. This reach has attracted major brand partnerships, including Gorilla Mind, Young LA, Raskol Apparel, and Village Hidden In Iron.
Her impressive physique is built on disciplined consistency. Patty trains 5 days a week, dedicating 1-2 hours daily in the gym, as confirmed in her 2022 “Beef Time Q&A” YouTube video. This dedication recently propelled her beyond the screen: on March 24, 2024, she made her competitive powerlifting debut as a guest competitor at the USPA To Infinite and Beyond meet in Costa Mesa, CA, showcasing her raw strength on the platform.
Beyond the weights, Patty embraces authenticity. She’s openly shared being currently single (early 2025), discussing past relationships and her journey with mental wellness and body image struggles. She champions a sustainable, realistic approach to fitness, emphasizing that her transformation – from a toned gymnast build to her current muscular physique – results from years of consistent strength training, mobility work, balanced nutrition, and prioritizing recovery. Her passion extends to helping others through her Lean Beef Patty Fitness app, designed for weight loss and muscle gain. Off-duty, she reveals relatable layers: a love for animals and cosplay, proving strength and authenticity go hand-in-hand.
3. **The ‘Muscle Mommy’ Concept**: So, what exactly is a ‘muscle mommy’? As we’ve seen with Julia Rene and Lean Beef Patty, it’s a nickname that’s gained traction online to describe women with strong, developed physiques who are making waves in the fitness world. It’s a term that seems to capture not just the physical strength, but perhaps a sense of confidence, capability, and maybe even an aspirational quality, like a powerful figure you look up to for guidance or inspiration in your own fitness journey. It’s a modern take on strength that’s resonating with a huge online audience.
This concept is clearly generating a lot of attention and fascination. The context around Julia Rene, for example, shows the kind of awe and sometimes unexpected reactions these physiques inspire. Men are constantly requesting her advice on how they can get jacked, and many are simply impressed by her physique. This highlights how the visibility of muscular women is sparking curiosity and even a desire for self-improvement in others. The sheer visual impact is a huge part of it; comments admiring specific muscle groups like quads or referring to her legs as “tree trunks” and “the BEST legs” underscore the striking nature of these powerful builds.
However, embracing this strength publicly also comes with challenges, as Julia’s experiences show. The uncomfortable requests and the feeling of being judged are unfortunately part of the picture. This ties into the broader point Julia made about women facing judgement regardless of their muscle level—either they don’t have enough, or they’re too muscular, with seemingly “no winning.” The ‘Muscle Mommy’ concept, however, feels like a direct challenge to this narrow thinking. It’s about celebrating the strength, confidence, and physique that the individual woman feels great in, regardless of outside opinions or outdated stereotypes. As Julia powerfully put it, “Why wouldn’t you want a strong fit woman? They’re amazing. You create the physique that you feel confident in.” This encapsulates the spirit of the ‘muscle mommy’ phenomenon—it’s a celebration of powerful women who are building their bodies and their confidence on their own terms.
Now that we’ve celebrated some incredible individual powerhouses and explored the buzzing ‘muscle mommy’ concept, let’s take our journey into the fascinating world of strength beyond just individual athletes! The impact of powerful women is sparking unique trends and showing up in the most unexpected, and sometimes wonderfully wild, places. Get ready for more inspiration and perhaps a few surprises as we continue to explore how strength is being embraced and celebrated.
4. **Muscle Girls Bar in Japan**: Tucked away in Tokyo, Muscle Girls Bar redefines nightlife by turning muscular physiques into the main attraction. This globally renowned fitness-themed venue, staffed exclusively by powerfully built women, transforms strength into entertainment, drawing visitors from Denmark to Mexico.
The waitresses form an elite squad of Brazilian jiu-jitsu experts, fitness influencers, professional wrestlers, and actresses. Patrons exchange yen for special “muscle coins” to request unforgettable experiences—from playful slaps to being carried by these powerful women. Premium services cost up to ¥30,000 (£163), including watching staff crush grapefruits barehanded for cocktails or riding on a waitress’s shoulders during weighted squats (price adjusted for your bodyweight).
Founder Hari launched the bar in 2020 after COVID closed her gym. The former fitness influencer and volleyball player turned her athletic skills into signature services. When she slapped an Australian customer, his friends soon flew in specifically for the experience—a testament to its viral appeal documented on the bar’s visitor world map.
The feats here shatter expectations: Waitress Maru (50 kg) performs “princess carries” on 130 kg men with technical precision. “The pain made me forget all my worries,” confessed Japanese patron Hikaru after being slapped, while customer Samantha Low praised how the staff redefine perceptions of Japanese femininity: “They break stereotypes of women being frail.”
Online reactions reflect polarized fascination. “Women work harder than men to build muscle—I respect these girls!” reads one comment, while another admits: “Being slapped is a unique stress reliever.” Skeptics counter: “Paying for physical pain seems crazy.” As Japan’s latest standout in themed venues alongside maid cafes, Muscle Girls Bar proves strength entertainment has global legs—with similar concepts now emerging in China.
5. **Christen Press and Tobin Heath**: Beyond their World Cup glory and athletic dominance, USWNT legends Christen Press and Tobin Heath are channeling their influence into heartfelt advocacy—demonstrating how strength extends into purposeful living. The power couple, together for nine years, recently partnered with PETA to promote pet adoption, sharing how their rescue dog Bobbi transformed their lives.
Initially fostering Bobbi as a temporary arrangement, they quickly realized they couldn’t part with her. “She has changed my life,” Heath revealed. “She’s given us more than we imagined. Having that extra heartbeat in our home is special.” Press added that adopting Bobbi was a conscious step to disrupt their work-centric lives as athletes and entrepreneurs. Though proudly identifying as DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids), Press sought to prioritize life beyond career demands.
Their journey to adoption unfolded unexpectedly. Press intended to foster an easily adoptable dog, but within days, both knew Bobbi (originally named Bingo) was theirs. When Press suggested taking her to a “Puppy Yoga” event to find adopters, Heath’s protective response was decisive: “My dog isn’t going.” By day four, Heath declared Bobbi life-changing—a significant shift for athletes whose rigorous routines often demand self-focused sacrifices.
Bobbi taught them the joy of companionship they’d previously overlooked. “We used to see dog ownership as a burden,” Press admitted. “Now we cherish coming home to her, even leaving events early just to be with our pup.” This intentional care became a “beautiful addition” to their family.
As they plan for life after soccer—balancing roles as business co-CEOs and exploring new paths—they’re also considering expanding their family. “We’re exploring what it means to put family first,” Press shared, signaling a holistic vision of fulfillment.
The couple has grown more comfortable sharing their lives publicly, using their podcast to connect authentically with fans. Their PETA partnership holds personal significance; Press sees it as a “full-circle moment” since campaigning with her childhood dog a decade ago. Now, alongside her wife and their rescue, she urges others: “Look into shelters. Giving a dog a home is incredibly fulfilling—I can’t imagine a dog like Bobbi without one.”
Press and Heath embody a redefined strength: one built on love, advocacy, and the courage to build meaningful lives beyond the field—furry family members and all. They prove that true power lies in embracing vulnerability, nurturing relationships, and living authentically.
