Meet Jeana — Co-Founder of Ironwood Athletic

Jeana brings over 10 years of Olympic weightlifting experience to Ironwood Athletic, having competed in 12 competitions at both the national and international levels. Her dedication to the sport has continued through motherhood, earning her a national gold medal and an international bronze medal in the postpartum chapter of her weightlifting journey. As a USA Weightlifting Level 1 Certified Coach, Jeana is passionate about helping athletes discover their strength, build confidence, and develop the discipline and consistency that make weightlifting so rewarding. She is currently pursuing her USAW Level 2 coaching certification, with plans to complete it later this year. Before discovering Olympic weightlifting, Jeana was an avid distance runner, completing three half marathons and one full marathon. That foundation of endurance, determination, and perseverance continues to shape her mindset as an athlete and coach today.

As a registered nurse and mother, Jeana brings both professional knowledge and personal experience to her approach to training. Since welcoming her child, she has learned firsthand about postpartum recovery and the process of returning to Olympic weightlifting after childbirth. Her journey has deepened her commitment to advocating for the strength, resilience, and athletic potential of women and mothers. She believes in celebrating what our bodies can do, continuing to show up for ourselves, and recognizing that motherhood and athletic ambition can grow together.

Community is equally important to Jeana. In 2023, she worked alongside her husband, Jeff, to organize a benefit weightlifting meet supporting small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. The experience reflected her belief that fitness can be a powerful way to bring people together and make a meaningful difference beyond the gym. A Carolina native, Jeana loves her Weaverville community and Western North Carolina. At Ironwood Athletic, she is excited to share her love of weightlifting, support athletes at every stage of their journey, and help create a welcoming community where people feel empowered to grow stronger together. Above all, she hopes to inspire women and mothers to embrace their strength, pursue their goals, and celebrate all that they are capable of accomplishing.