Introducing Aimee Anaya Everett

Aimee Anaya Everett was featured in Grown Strong’s earlier #IAMGROWNSTRONG community series. We’re revisiting her story because her reflections on resilience and self-worth still speak to what it means to grow stronger.

This is a past community feature. Aimee is not currently involved in running Grown Strong, and the background and personal statement below reflect the original feature.

A life in weightlifting and coaching

In the original profile, Aimee shared a background in Olympic weightlifting that included time at the Olympic Training Center and a transition from competing to coaching. Her coaching work included Catalyst Athletics alongside Greg Everett, CrossFit coaching, and supporting athletes with their Olympic lifting and mental preparation.

Aimee described a passion for helping people build confidence, strength, and resilience. Her approach extended beyond competition: she wanted to support people with different starting points and goals, from everyday movement to ambitious sporting achievements.

Strength beyond the gym

A central theme of Aimee’s story was learning to recognize her own worth without measuring it against someone else’s. Her message acknowledged both difficult experiences and accomplishments as parts of the person she had become.

That perspective remains meaningful for our community. Progress can mean gaining strength in the gym, trusting yourself through a difficult season, or recognizing the effort you have already made.

What Grown Strong meant to Aimee

In her original personal statement, Aimee wrote:

“I used to compare my own strength with other’s—my physical, emotional, and mental strength. And I realized many years ago that this was a huge mistake. We all have different strength and different capabilities just like we are all hit differently with life... I was spending so much time trying to be my best version of someone else that I was diminishing my own strength.

I was letting myself down and not giving my inner strength credit for showing up for me every single day and shaping me in to the woman I am today.

Part of being strong is believing you are worthy, you are important, holding your head high when faced with difficulties, and being proud of your accomplishments.

Strength comes in so many forms — and part of being grown strong is knowing I am enough, I am worthy, I am a champion of my life, and I can carry all of my broken pieces and all of my accolades confidently- because I came from nothing and all of those things form together to make this amazing person you see standing here today.

I am a fighter. I am a survivor. I am amazing. I value my worth. And I am GROWN STRONG.”

Watch the original community video

The video below accompanied Aimee’s original feature and shares more of her story.

Watch Aimee’s original video on YouTube.

Your own version of strong

Aimee’s words are a reminder to give yourself credit for your progress. Wherever you are starting, you can build a routine that supports your own goals.

Explore Grown Strong’s current training programs or read more stories and practical advice from our blog.