Mom. Wife. Nurse. Gym owner. Coach. Competitor. 

Our November Athlete of the Month, Mai Han Mijares, plays all these roles in her life. She’s worked as a full time nurse for 11 years. She’s also the co-owner of Top Crop Barbell, a strength-based gym specializing in Strongman and Powerlifting located in Wichita. 

On top of all that, she’s funny. She even listens to stand up comedy shows while she deep cleans the house so she doesn’t get angry at the world.  

“I am the funniest person I know. My husband would agree,” she says. “I’m married to a giant Cuban-Puerto Rican man (Top Crop co-owner, Orlando Mijares). We live on the north side of Wichita with our 2 kids and 3 show dogs so we know the best places to get late night tacos.” 

In addition to being a nurse and business owner, Mai is strong…like very strong. She loves to lift heavy things and she exercises for a variety of reasons. 

“I want to look good naked! But beyond that, I like routine and discipline,” she says. “Strength training has given me confidence, self love, and humility inside and outside of the gym. I want to share those values with other women.”

She does exactly that through coaching what she calls her team of “Sturdy Bitches.” This is a team of female athletes competing in strength sports. Building this team is one of her proudest accomplishments. “I built a gym with a team of sturdy B’s and we will continue to grow,” she says.” I have the best people around me with the same vision.”

Mai has competed for more than a decade in everything from NPC Bikini comps to Strongman.  

While she enjoys “picking up heavy things and putting them down repeatedly,” when asked, she says that she doesn’t love rowing. “My short arms and legs aren’t built for rowing,” she says. “They’re built for squatting and manual labor.” 

When asked her best advice for others Mai’s says, “If you’re not first, you’re still in the race. That’s more than what most people are doing. Don’t let their judgment diminish your accomplishment.”