Jess James is a lifetime Powerlifter with a vast athletic background. From dabbling in youth basketball and softball; to throwing the shot-put, discus, javelin, and hammer in high school; to playing collegiate club rugby; to a sprint triathlete; to a StrongWoman competitor – Jess has seen, done, and felt it all. In 2017, Jess created The FitFat Coach® with one mission: to inspire and promote female body positivity through powerlifting. In 2020, Jess opened TFC Barbell Club: Charlotte’s very first African-American Woman owned open-gym training facility. Unlike most fitness coaches today, Jess has real life experience with the cycle of weight gain and weight loss. Because of this, she’s able to provide relatable coaching and coping techniques for those trying to break the cycle. Jess’ ultimate goal is to help others achieve a strong and healthy lifestyle while continuing to improve her own.