AT WOMEN’S HEALTH, we believe real change can start with seeing what’s possible. Whether it’s overcoming a serious health challenge or simply finding your way back to movement after feeling stuck, these stories prove that progress doesn’t have to look one specific way.
Here, we’ve gathered some of our favorite stories from women of all ages who found strength in everything from Jiu Jitsu to group training. They share the highs and lows that guided their journeys—and what kept them going. Because it doesn’t matter where you’re starting from—progress is always on the table.
1) Jill McLaughlin
Photo credit: Chase M. Keller – Hearst Owned
“Finding Crunch has been instrumental in my journey; I work out there six to seven days a week. I strength train with weights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, do TRX circuit training on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and do a cardio dance class on Sundays. I also walk for about an hour each night.”
2) Nellie Barnett
Photo credit: Nellie Barnett – Hearst Owned
“What really helped get me through the height of the pandemic were all of my home workouts. I already had a set of 7.5 pound dumbbells, and I was able to find a 20-pound set at Target (it was actually the last set available!). There was nothing heavier or lighter. But these two sets really helped me create a balanced workout.”
3) Audrey Galvin
Photo credit: Audrey Galvin – Hearst Owned
“Jiu jitsu has become a workout staple for me—and has totally leveled up my strength, endurance, and resilience. I’ve been consistently taking jiu jitsu classes two to three times a week for almost a year now.”
4) Pam Jackson
Photo credit: Paul Buceta/Jason Speakman/WH Illustration – Hearst Owned
“I live in Toronto, Canada, so when the weather cooperates, I paddle five days a week with the MakaKoa Outrigger club. It’s still my passion, but strength training is now my top priority to support muscle growth and maintain bone health.”
5) Kimber Myers
Photo credit: David Jimenez-Reverie Art – Hearst Owned
“For years after that I dabbled in various group fitness classes around New York City. Then, a friend I met at Barry’s Bootcamp introduced me to my current gym, Tone House. It was there I discovered how much I enjoy strength training—and I realized I wanted to get stronger. It wasn’t until my 40s when I finally started a consistent strength training routine.”
6) Pamela Quayle
Photo credit: Pamela Quayle – Hearst Owned
“I began virtually working with Amanda Lim, a midlife strength coach. Over time, the guidance, consistency, and focus on proper form and nutrition transformed my routine and body. I could clearly see more muscle definition, my body fat decreased, I felt stronger in my everyday activities, and I was a lot more confident.”
7) Rebecca Vizi
Photo credit: Rebecca Vizi / Erika Bencs – Hearst Owned
“I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND), a chronic condition caused by changes in how the brain networks communicate.
Although my body feels different every day, I stayed committed to moving in ways that worked for me—and my hard work paid off. After a few months of consistently training, I felt stronger all over and more confident in my abilities to move well throughout life despite my disability.”
8) Chelita Hall
Photo credit: Courtesy of Chelita Hall – Hearst Owned
“At first, switching from running to resistance training was hard on my knees. I had run them into the ground from all the mileage (literally), and they were stiff and swollen. After a month of less running and more strength training for building my lower body, my knee pain totally subsided.”
9) Neha Verma
Photo credit: Neha Verma – Hearst Owned
“Trust me, there are times where I’m tired or overwhelmed and would rather not train, but I’ve cultivated self-discipline to stick to my goals. Some days it’s lifting heavy, other days it’s getting 10,000 steps and meal prepping for the week, but both count and both help me move forward.”
10) Marcia Allen
Photo credit: Marcia Allen – Hearst Owned
“I saw a woman on Facebook who’d undergone an amazing physical transformation from completing the 75 Hard Challenge. The challenge involves doing two 45-minute workouts a day (one outdoors), eating healthily, drinking a gallon of water daily, reading 10 pages per day, and taking progress pictures for 75 days. I decided to give it a try along with some Facebook friends that served as my accountability group.”
11) Jen Dorman
Photo credit: Jen Dorman – Hearst Owned
“My cancer diagnosis and entering menopause required a smarter approach to fitness. What worked for me for years just didn’t yield the same results anymore. As for what I changed? I didn’t stop training; I just slowed down.”
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