Emma Parkinson is a 58-year-old retired teacher from Whitchurch who came to MEE-FIT feeling stuck. She wanted to get fitter, deal with a painful shoulder, and future-proof her health, but the thought of joining a gym filled her with dread.
The Challenge
Before working with us, Emma had been walking more since retirement and even tackled Couch to 5K.
She knew she should be doing strength training, especially post-menopause, but couldn’t get herself to start.
She tried doing workouts at home, but with no guidance, no accountability, and zero motivation, it just never stuck.
Her shoulder pain was affecting her sleep, and deep down, she didn’t want to become someone who lost strength and independence in her 60s.
Why She Nearly Didn’t Start
Like many of our clients, Emma was sceptical.
She thought gyms weren’t for her, and actually said, “There’s absolutely no way I would set foot in a gym.”
She was uncomfortable being out of her comfort zone, especially after being in charge in her professional life. The idea of someone else coaching her felt totally foreign.
It took her husband signing her up for her to finally take the first step.
The Turning Point
Once Emma came to her first session, everything changed.
She quickly realised how supportive, welcoming, and professional the environment was — a far cry from the intimidating gym stereotype she feared.
With the right guidance and a friendly community behind her, Emma began to love lifting weights and seeing her progress.
The Results
In just 10 weeks, Emma achieved:
Noticeably more strength and confidence in her body- Reduced pain and better sleep thanks to improved shoulder mobility
- A complete mindset shift, she loves coming in now and feels proud of what she’s doing
Noticeably more strength and confidence in her bodyHere’s what she had to say:
“I never thought I would enjoy doing this, and I love it. I feel proud that I’m doing something out of my comfort zone and not just talking about getting fitter. It’s such a friendly, professional place, I’d recommend it to anyone.”
What This Means for You
If you’ve been where Emma was, knowing you need to do something but not sure where to start, you’re not alone.
At MEE-FIT, we help real people, especially those in their 50s and beyond, get real results through a supportive, no-pressure approach to strength training for women over 50.
Ready for Your Own Transformation?
If you’re ready to feel better, move better, and live better, let’s chat.