Avery Jesmer

From PowerLifting to CrossFit Coach: The Rise of Avery Jesmer

At just 23 years old, Avery Jesmer has already lived several athletic lives. The Southern Oregon native first turned heads as a teenage powerlifter, first competing in the USAPL at age 17. Today, she is the Head Coach at CrossFit Ravage in Medford, Oregon, where she’s revolutionizing how CrossFit gyms approach community and competition.

Jesmer’s path to fitness started in her mid-teens when she discovered powerlifting. She quickly showed natural strength, posting impressive competition numbers including a 308-pound deadlift and 275-pound squat at age 20. But rather than stay focused solely on powerlifting, she expanded into Olympic weightlifting, earning her USA Weightlifting Level 2 coaching certification after seven years of dedicated training.

The transition to CrossFit seemed natural for someone with her diverse strength background. Jesmer rose through the ranks, qualifying for the North America West Quarterfinals in 2024 and continually improving her performances. Her current personal records include a 320-pound back squat and 380-pound deadlift, numbers that showcase her raw power while competing in CrossFit’s varied challenges.

She has taken up running, even running a half marathon in 2024, with another planned for Spring 2025. In early 2025, Jesmer marked two years of sobriety, openly sharing her journey of personal growth through faith and fitness. She balances running a successful gym with continuing her education, and working full-time as an Analyst in IT Project Management.

What makes Jesmer’s story compelling is how she bridges competitive drive with genuine care for others. She truly has a passion for serving her community and would drop anything to go help one of her athletes.

As she eyes new challenges in the Grid League and higher levels of CrossFit competition, Jesmer remains grounded in her mission to help others find strength, both physical and mental. She’s proof that success in fitness isn’t just about personal achievement, but about lifting up an entire community along the way.

For someone who started as a teenager pushing heavy weights, Avery Jesmer has grown into much more: coach, athlete, mentor, and community leader. And at just 23, her story is still being written.