“I Dared Myself to Join, Here I Am Five Years Later, I Still Love It” - Ilene Hoyle | 74 | Malpas
Ilene’s Story
*“I always cared about my nutrition, but fitness? That was for other people. I was never coordinated, couldn’t catch a ball, and just assumed I wasn’t built for it. My kids, both athletic, kept pushing me to try something, but I never thought it was for me.
Then one day, I dared myself to join MEE-FIT. And it was love at first lunge.
That was five years ago. Now, at 74, I feel stronger and more capable than I ever imagined. I used to believe that if something felt weak, I should avoid using it. But the coaches here showed me the opposite—if something’s weak, you train it. Bit by bit, I’ve built up the areas I once thought were unfixable.
The biggest surprise? How much fun it is. I laugh my way through sessions, and every time I walk out of the gym, I give myself a little nod of pride—because I showed up, I pushed myself, and I enjoyed it.
Recently, I had my body analysis done and found out I’ve improved my bone density. At my age, that’s not easy to do! But training here has helped me fight back against time, keeping me stronger for longer.
The team at MEE-FIT is what makes it so special. Every coach, every member—they all make you feel comfortable, no matter where you’re starting from. When I joined at 69, I set a goal: to do a full press-up by the time I’m 80. I’m not there yet, but I’m better at 74 than I was at 70. And if I get there before 80? Even better!
To anyone nervous about starting, my advice is simple: Give it a go. Don’t judge it until you’ve committed to coming three times a week for a month. That’s when you really start to see the difference.
At 74, I love coming to MEE-FIT. It’s been slow and steady progress, but it’s real progress. And I wouldn’t change a thing.”*