A while ago, we posted our “Top 5 Male Fitness Personalities on YouTube” (we also did Hungry’s Top 10 Fitness Heroes) and although we don’t get as many comments as we used to on our other host (LEAVE MORE PEOPLE!), there was one that really got our attention. Someone requested a list of the five most influential females in fitness. At first I thought, sure, no problem. Then it began to haunt me and I realized that I bit off more than I could chew. Martial arts, sports, fitness, aquatics, athletics, and more are all “fitness” and there are countless qualified candidates for this list.
Thus, I’ve finally decided to take on this monumental task the only way that I know… without any preparation, research, or any kind of grading rubric. I am going to think of decades of females in fitness within a few minutes and deliver to you a list of five that are nothing but pure inspiration. Anyone should be able to look at these five and immediately feel more than motivated to get to work and make some changes for the better.
Well, I guess there are some overall factors that influenced my decisions. No matter how inspirational they are this list will include… No one that tells you constantly to buy products that don’t work. No one that’s been “in the industry” for less than a year. No one that gives you incorrect nutritional advice or inaccurate explanations of exercises. You don’t get bonus points for having ten million followers over all your social media. AND I am trying to represent different communities in fitness because even though one person requested this list, I am creating it for everyone.
And in NO particular order…
Abby Wambach – The Women’s World Cup is upon us and Abby will lead a team that has a #scoretosettle. She’s a total beast, tougher than the men that hit the pitch, who might go down but doesn’t stay down. She’s also a great role model for the LBGT community, showing that one doesn’t have to hide anything but also doesn’t have to extremely outspoken. She lives the life she wants, has a positive influence on others, is one of the top female athletes in the world, and still rocks the pages of the ESPN Body Issue, butt-naked.
Christmas Abbott – I’m not sexist/gender bias but for some time Christmas was one of the only females I followed on Instagram because there was something captivating. It’s something along the lines of Mighty Mouse, how can someone so small, be so badass. A 5’3”, 115 lb female can be covered in tattoos, serve as the first lady on a NASCAR crew, and inspire females to not just transform their bodies, but their lifestyles as well. Oh, and she’s young, so all the more credit to her!
Dana Linn Bailey – DLB is a force in the fitness industry, and THE force in bodybuilding. She recently took on American Ninja Warrior, as if being crowned as a Ms. Olympia wasn’t enough. Her and her husband Rob’s brand Flag Nor Fail and their War House Gym show that their lifestyle is their passion, not just a source of income. Her success is motivating enough, but the fact that she still puts herself through grueling tear and vomit inducing workouts to get better makes you incapable of feeling sorry for yourself. 
Michelle Lewin – Michelle serves two major purposes here. One, you can go from being overweight to arguably the top fitness model in the world in just a few years. Two, you can lift weights, build muscle, and still look damn good and completely like a lady. She provides consistent content on her social media pages and has tons of followers. I’m sure tons are guys that find her attractive, so not only does she motivate the ladies to exercise and build lean muscle, but also the men since they want to be with her!
Ronda Rousey – Who can be more inspiring, empowering, and motivating than a female who not only has asserted herself as the top fighter in the known world, but also as someone who is willing to fight the men as well. While Ronda still has a lot to prove in terms of longevity for her legacy as an athlete, she has nothing more to prove in her ability to inspire others. She defied the odds fight after fight, and now the odds are in her favor. Does that mean she has started to take it easy? No, she trains twice as hard and added acting to her plate. 
We have a little bit of everything going on in the list. Sometimes, they aren’t trying to inspire but they accomplish it and that is far more effective than making the effort sometimes. Please, if you have a list of your own list it or a link to your blog below in the comment section. If I think of someone who might be more inspirational than these 5… oh well, because sometimes, going with your gut is a great way to become hungry and fit!
personally, i think michelle lewin was just perfect in 2009.
I’d add Alana to this list, at least for me personally 🙂
Aww shucks 🙂