Strong Women Speakers

Jenedy Paige
Jenedy Paige is a professional oil painter with nearly two decades of experience in capturing spiritual themes in her realistic approach to painting. Her work has won national awards and has been collected worldwide. She is also 5X American Ninja Warrior athlete and believes the persistence she gained in the art world has added to her success in the ninja gym. She uses both her art and her ninja practice as a means of sharing her love of Jesus Christ.
@jenedypaige


Celeste Mergens
Celeste Mergens is the bestselling author of The Power of Days and founder of the global award-winning organization Days for Girls, which has reached more than 3.5 million women and girls in 145 countries, shattering stigma, shame, and taboos and turning periods into pathways of healing, new growth, and opportunity. She has been featured in Oprah's O Magazine, Forbes, and Stanford Social Innovation Review. She was awarded the AARP Purpose Prize, Conscious Company Global Impact Entrepreneur Top Ten Women, and Women's Economic Forum's Women of the Decade. She is happily married to her best friend of over 40 years, Don Mergens. They have six children and live in the Pacific Northwest.
@celestemergens
@Daysforgirls
Adassa Candiani
From animation to arena performances at Madison Square Garden, Adassa is a bilingual Afro-Latin voice actress, singer, and songwriter. Adassa first emerged as a talent in Mc Donald's national "Me Encanta" campaign and later landed commercial roles with brands like TOYOTA and Proctor and Gamble's Secret. Adassa's dynamic four-octave vocal range and artistry have resulted in features and performances on songs with Pitbull, Flo Rida, Snoop Dogg, Daddy Yankee, Ciara, Missy Elliott, and Luis Fonsi among others. In addition to Adassa's vocal prowess, she is a sought-after lyricist having written for the catalogs of Warner, Universal, and SONY. Today, Adassa is being discovered by popular culture playing a principal role as Dolores in Disney's Golden Globe, Billboard and Oscar winning Film "ENCANTO."
@adassaofficial


Sarah Frei
In July 2020, 17- year old Sarah Frei became paralyzed from the waist down and lost both of her legs as a result of a head-on collision with a drunk driver. Sarah was hospitalized for 3 months and endured 20 surgeries. She has adapted to her new life and has remained strong and positive. She believes that no matter your circumstances, everyone has the ability to make the world a better and brighter place.
@strong.like.sarah
Brooke Romney
Brooke Romney is a Utah-based writer, speaker, and mother of four boys, celebrated for her authentic, heart-centered storytelling. With roots on Capitol Hill, she transitioned into freelance writing, contributing to The Washington Post, Deseret News, Scary Mommy, and more—drawing millions of readers. She’s the Amazon #1 bestselling author of 52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens (Volumes 1 & 2), and I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection & Christ, providing practical, positive guidance for families. As a speaker and podcast guest, Brooke encourages connection, imperfection, and purpose, helping moms and teens build meaningful relationships. Through her blog and Instagram @BrookeRomneyWrites, she offers honest, hopeful insight on parenting, marriage (20+ years), faith, and daily life in Utah’s mountains. Whether writing, speaking, volunteering, or enjoying gummy candy and sunshine, Brooke focuses on making life more connected, real, and full of joy—one story at a time.
@brookeromneywrites


Tia Stokes
Tia Stokes is a dancer, choreographer, and motivational speaker known for sharing her leukemia journey through daily dance videos on TikTok. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2020, she inspired millions by dancing through chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. A mother of five and founder of a Utah dance studio, Tia now uses her platform to spread messages of hope, resilience, and choosing joy through adversity.
@thetiabeestokes
Princess Juah Bombyck
Princess Juah Bombyck is a Liberian-born, BYU–Idaho–educated public health advocate, entrepreneur, and founder of Juah Apparel—an activewear line focused on accessibility and social impact. A migrant raised in war‑torn Liberia, she built a career in community health within Utah, working for Sl Co Health Department and the University of Utah, before launching Juah to tackle both fitness and equity challenges. In 2023 she secured a $15,000 grant from the Mountain West Foundation pitch competition, and more recently, placed third and won the audience award at the New American Dream Lab. Juah Apparel’s buttery-soft, affordable designs are more than just clothing—they’re a step toward her vision of inclusive wellness, especially for underserved communities. Bombyck continues her dual mission as a community health worker and entrepreneur, with plans to expand into men’s and children’s lines and eventually launch community wellness centers.
@juahbombyck
@shopjuahapparel


Katrina Rassmusen
Katrina (Trina) Rasmussen is a Utah-based Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit athlete and coach. She holds multiple state and national records in her age group and weight class. What began over a decade ago as a personal journey to cope with postpartum depression has evolved into a mission to help others discover their own strength and confidence.Katrina is certified in postpartum and pregnancy weightlifting, CrossFit Level 2 (L-2), and Precision Nutrition. These credentials support her in offering expert weightlifting tips, nutrition guidance, and motivation through the thriving online community she’s built. She is also the co-owner of Competitive Female Training, a company specializing in fitness coaching tailored specifically for women.
@trina.rasmussen
Larissa Cottle
Larissa Eddington Cottle is a concrete worker, fitness competitor, mother, and seven‑time competitor on American Ninja Warrior from Lehi, Utah. In Season 9 of American Ninja Warrior she ranked among top five women in Denver qualifiers, advancing to finals. Beyond TV, she inspires a dedicated Instagram community of 160K+ followers through fitness coaching, motivational content, and strength training tips, supporting brands like Bucked Up. A driven wife and mom, Larissa juggles family life, construction work, and fitness with passion and resilience—one pull-up, obstacle, and sunrise workout at a time.
@rissfit_warrior


Annie Ogden
Annie Ogden is a comedian, writer, and Diet Coke enthusiast who believes that curiosity, faith and enthusiasm allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things. A BYU graduate with a BA in Advertising and two minors in Hebrew, she now works as a social media manager for The Lisa Show and performs at the ComedyBox theater in Provo, UT. Introduced to ninja by a friend, Annie is building strength—inside and out—as she prepares to apply to law school with a focus on freedom of belief and human rights.
@ogden_annie
Kamali'i Stopper
Kamali‘i Stopper is a mom of two, a neuroscience major, a competitive jiu-jitsu athlete, and a certified yoga teacher with over 400 hours of training. She is also a wellness coach, honors student at UTSA, and someone who’s fiercely committed to making an impact. Kama has battled injuries, burnout, and setbacks—but keeps showing up. Her journey is about strength, resilience, and proving to herself (and her kids) that she's capable of greatness. She believes that being strong isn’t just about what your body can do—it’s about the fire you carry within.
@kama_fit11
