I started my fitness journey in my early 30s only because my health left me no choice. I was prediabetic, and my blood pressure was through the roof. My doctor gave me six months to try to turn it around on my own without medication, so I fixed my diet and joined a gym for the first time in my life. Needless to say, I never had to go on medication for either of those things. 

I taught group fitness and trained for endurance races. I did three marathons and finished a Half Ironman. That led to a shoulder tear and several months of chiropractic visits. During one of those visits, I was told to strengthen all of the muscles around the injury. I found CrossFit and fell in love with weightlifting. I get sore but do not have the pain I had with endurance training. My focus now, at this point in my life, is to be a strong, independent person as I age. 

I’m training for good numbers on the bar and at the doctor’s office, not the scale. I’m fighting to combat stress fractures and maintain bone density. I am focusing on resistance training because that is what will give me the strength to be independent as I age. I want women to feel confident lifting heavy in a safe and supportive environment. Now, the only endurance race I am training for is a long and healthy life.