our story

“Let’s make a reel of our Saturday Sweat”
“What should the caption be?”
”Girls Lift Girls?”

For too long, women had been told that fitness was about shrinking—about making themselves smaller, lighter, and more acceptable. The gym was seen as a man's domain, and strength, was a masculine trait. But for Sof and Gem, and the women in their immediate community, lifting wasn’t about looking a certain way—it was about feeling powerful, capable, and unstoppable.

Sofie and I both spent years chasing an image, counting calories, and fearing looking too muscular to fit the image of a dancer. But being around like-minded, athletic women, the focus changed from what our bodies looked like to what they could do. Strength became her measure of success—not aesthetics, not the number on the scale. She realized she wasn’t alone in this mindset. Other women craved the same thing: a space where performance mattered more than looks, where lifting heavy didn’t mean losing femininity, and where they could celebrate their strength without judgment.

So, Girls Lift Girls was born.

What started as Sofie and Gem hyping each other up at the gym turned into something bigger. It became a movement—an online and in-person community where women could connect, encourage, and grow together. A place where they could swap PRs instead of diet tips, where muscle was seen as a symbol of resilience, not a loss of femininity. A space that rejected the tired idea that strength belonged to men and embraced the truth: strength belongs to everyone.

Now, Girls Lift Girls is more than just a community—it’s a mindset. It’s about stepping onto the platform with confidence, embracing challenges, and lifting each other up in every sense of the word. Because when one woman grows stronger, we all do.

And we’re just getting started.

co-founders

Gem and Sof met in 2024 and instantly connected over their shared love of rugby 7s and CrossFit—but what truly bonded them was their similar journeys. Both had grown up as dancers, expected to be small, delicate, and graceful. Instead, they found power in strength, muscle, and movement, redefining their own version of femininity through sport.

Despite excelling as athletes, they faced the same challenges—criticism for being “too muscular,” pressure to conform to outdated beauty standards, and the struggle to find a community that celebrated strong women. Instead of waiting for that space to exist, they decided to create it themselves.

Now, Gemma and Sofie are building a global fitness community for women, where strength is celebrated, muscle is embraced, and women are empowered to own their athleticism—without apology. Through training, mentorship, and a shared mission, they’re proving that being strong isn’t just about lifting weights or scoring tries—it’s about breaking barriers and rewriting the narrative of female fitness.

  • Co-Founder of Girls Lift Girls

    Gemma grew up as an active child, addicted to netball and being the best at everything she set her mind to. She was naturally athletic, but often compared herself to her dancer friends—petite and light on their feet. She wished she could look more like them and spent years trying to change her body through diets and over-training.

    She wanted to be an elite athlete whilst using sport to get smaller, but over time, her focus shifted. She started enjoying lifting weights and noticing how much stronger she was becoming. Instead of worrying about size, she began appreciating her body for what it could do.

    Recently, she found CrossFit, a sport that encouraged strength and endurance. She learned new skills, lifted heavier weights, and pushed her limits in ways she hadn’t before. She also met other strong women who inspired her to embrace her own strength.

    Now, Gemma is focused on performance and growth rather than trying to fit a certain image. She appreciates her body for its capabilities and enjoys challenging herself. Her journey is about finding confidence and strength in being exactly who she is.

  • Sofie grew up in a traditional Chinese family where she was expected to be small, graceful, and delicate—a perfect ballet dancer. Then, she discovered rugby, a sport that embraced her strength rather than suppressing it.

    She earned a place at Harvard University and had the freedom to pursue her passion openly. She played for the Harvard team, then earned a spot on Germany’s national squad, breaking every stereotype that had once confined her.

    Even as an international athlete, she faced criticism—“too muscular,” “too strong for a girl.” But Sofie refused to shrink herself. Now, she’s more than just a rugby player—she’s a role model, proving that strength and femininity are not opposites but allies.