The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Amy Fraher, owner of We Lift Heavy, in our Community Proud series sponsored by Charter Oak Credit Union.

Amy’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and strength. A Connecticut shoreline native, she grew up in Westport and Old Saybrook before embarking on a remarkable career of service and adventure. Shortly after high school, Amy enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, beginning what would become the first chapter of three very different careers.

After completing her enlistment and earning her college degree, Amy pursued her love of aviation and the outdoors by joining the U.S. Navy. She was accepted into Navy flight school, a rigorous program where she was one of only a few women in her class. Over the course of two decades serving in both the Marine Corps and the Navy, Amy built a distinguished military career before transitioning to civilian aviation, eventually flying for United Airlines.

Never one to slow down, Amy later pursued graduate studies and stepped into a new professional chapter in academia. Living in San Diego at the time, she worked at a California community college as Director of the Aviation Program before moving into business school environments where she taught internationally in the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Australia. After many years abroad, she returned stateside and even spent time teaching at Yale following the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, Amy devoted more than 20 years to higher education.

Life, however, had another turning point in store. After two decades in academia, Amy was diagnosed with cancer. The experience forced her to reevaluate her priorities and consider what truly brought her joy.

Following treatment, Amy found that she had lost much of her physical strength. Determined to rebuild, she joined the LIVESTRONG program at the Mystic YMCA, where supportive counselors helped her regain confidence and rediscover her love of fitness.

“The gym became my happy place,” Amy shared.

Inspired by her recovery and eager to help others feel strong again, Amy began studying fitness and eventually became a personal trainer. She started working at the Westerly-Pawcatuck YMCA with a focus on helping cancer survivors and individuals who were intimidated by traditional gyms. There, she created a class called Women on Weights, designed to teach women how to lift weights in a supportive environment. The class quickly became incredibly popular, often selling out with a long list of participants eager to join.

That enthusiasm inspired Amy’s next step. In February, she opened We Lift Heavy, a welcoming fitness studio built for everyday people who want to get stronger and feel more confident. Amy partnered with Kathleen Jones, co-owner of the space, who leads the yoga side of the business called River Yoga, a peaceful, intimate yoga space welcoming every-body. "Even some of our members who've never tried yoga have become regulars," Amy added.

What sets We Lift Heavy apart is its philosophy. The gym focuses on strength, confidence, and meeting people where they are in their journey.

“There are no scales in the gym,” Amy explained. “We’re here to help people get stronger and feel good about themselves.”

Both Amy and Kathleen bring lived experience to their work. Having navigated their own physical challenges over the years, they understand the concerns and fears that many people feel when starting a fitness routine. Their approach is rooted in empathy, encouragement, and creating a judgment-free space.

For Amy, the most rewarding moments come when someone who once felt intimidated by exercise discovers their own strength.

“Seeing someone who was afraid to lift weights suddenly bench pressing the bar and feeling proud of themselves is incredible,” she said. “They go home and tell their families about it. That confidence is everything.”

Although Amy has traveled the world through her military, aviation, and academic careers, the Connecticut shoreline has always held a special place in her heart. With family roots in the area, she always knew she would eventually return to the eastern shoreline.

Inspiration for Amy comes from many places, including sports and stories of perseverance. She loves underdog films like Rocky and 8 Mile, enjoys watching the Olympics, and follows the NFL closely. These stories of determination and competition resonate with her belief that people are capable of far more than they think.

When she’s not coaching clients or lifting weights herself, Amy enjoys reading, participating in a book club, and writing. She even started a fitness Substack [ https://weliftheavy.substack.com/ ] to share her experiences and insights. After decades of travel around the world, she is happy to stay rooted along the shoreline she has always loved.

Amy’s journey—from military service to aviation, academia, cancer recovery, and now fitness entrepreneurship—embodies perseverance and purpose. Through We Lift Heavy, she is helping others discover their strength, both physically and mentally.

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize Amy for her dedication to building a supportive fitness community and inspiring others to believe in themselves. Her story is a powerful reminder that strength can take many forms, and it is never too late to begin again.