Through lifting weights in the gym, she’s lifting women, in life
Written by Kathryn Lekas, Editor-in-Chief
Photography by Paul Buceta
Makeup by Monica Kalra
Hair by Laura Christine Clark
She’s already graced the cover of multiple magazines, including this one, but STRONG Fitness President Jennifer Van Barneveld-Pe knows this time was different. “Being with 11 other women who share the same mission and vision for this, all working together towards something special, was such a brilliant way to mark this milestone for STRONG Fitness Mag, and my follow up cover to January 2020 (when I joined SFM as President),” says Jenny. “Community is everything to me. It’s how I started my coaching business, Team STRONG Girls, which all of these women are a part of. And it’s how it’s grown over the past decade. Team STRONG Girls was built with a foundation in connection. Reaching women intentionally, and supporting them on their fitness journey. First, one-on-one, to now this—a group of us gracing the cover of the biggest women’s fitness publication, reaching all across North America, together.” Jenny says she firmly believes this cover is a testament to the fact that transformation doesn’t happen in isolation. “When we’re together we’re stronger. What I experience every day with my coaching team and community is proof. By working together, sharing knowledge, support, and encouragement all of these women have become stronger, in body, mind, and spirit. And it’s just been amazing to get to know these women over the years, through the ups and downs of life, and becoming the very best version of themselves.” The trickle effect of her efforts is what inspires Jenny the most to continue pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for women to achieve their dreams and live their best lives.
“When we’re together we’re stronger. What I experience every day
with my coaching team and community is proof. By working together, sharing knowledge, support, and encouragement all of these women
have become stronger, in body, mind, and spirit."
After successfully building her own coaching business, she transitioned to coaching coaches—first, in the physical sense. Following, on the business end. “I started my business 10 years ago just wanting to help women become stronger, to stop shrinking down and take up more space with their attitude towards their life, and actions to make it happen.” That’s evolved to helping women build beyond the physical sense. Showing them how to build a thriving fitness business is something Jenny approaches with great enthusiasm and purpose. Because a large part of Jenny’s mission and vision in developing and nurturing strong women is empowering them to not only make a healthy difference in other women’s lives, but to enable them to succeed financially, too. So, Jenny’s coaching encompasses both sides of the coin—from teaching women to be individually healthy and strong and helping others do so, to mentoring them towards a thriving business that generates income for these women and their families. Because women’s financial independence is, ultimately, akin to freedom in several areas of life. And, the economic impact of teaching women how to make money is very real, hopefully breaking cycles of generational financial issues, creating a better, more independent future for the girls and women of tomorrow. Today, Jenny’s ambitious pupils range from moms wanting to better their bodies and up-level their (and their families’) lives to women who are ramping up their careers and improving their circumstances, consistently and methodically pushing towards wild success. Through her tireless work to empower women, Jenny has certainly inspired and lit a fire under so many of us—you could be next.
Get STRONG(er) with Jennifer Van Barneveld-Pe
