My first day at Alloy Training was March 7, 2022, three months to the day before my 50th birthday. Much like my fellow fitness enthusiasts, my 20s and 30s included many physical pursuits, including hiking, biking, skiing, and kickboxing; I loved it all!

However, as my professional responsibilities grew more demanding and I became a mother in my late thirties, time for self-care fell to the bottom of the priority list, and I was not active at all. I actually avoided hiking because it was so tiring, and I even skied less as my knees always hurt. I looked dumpy, felt dumpy, and was in a slump.

In early 2022, my older sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. As she underwent multiple surgeries and treatments, my family anxiously awaited her genetic testing results, knowing they might guide my other siblings and me on our own medical journeys.

Knowing I was about to be 50 and hadn’t been taking care of myself, my daughter was now a tween and needed me more, and I might be faced with prophylactic surgeries to avoid cancer, I realized I needed to make some major life changes: prioritize my health and well-being!

After my first evening at Alloy, I knew I had found something special: a community of people with a common, important goal to be healthy by making fitness a habit. In the 18 months since I began my transformative journey at Alloy, I have made new friends and gained serious muscle. I can ski longer, hike without being out of breath the whole time, and have even taken up pickleball.

But perhaps even more importantly, I am now proud of not only how I look but how I feel! I have more energy, more confidence in myself, and am stronger physically and emotionally.

The past couple of summers, my husband and I have embarked on several off-grid canoe trips. I not only completed but enjoyed and thrived on these trips because of my training and community at Alloy – it has truly changed my life!