How Strength Training Helped Fiona Rebuild Trust in Her Body
From Injury and Inactivity to Strength and Curiosity
Fiona came to our group strength class looking to rebuild her body after injury and inactivity. As an avid mountain biker, climber, and general adventurer, she was seeking a foundation that could help her return to the things she loves — without fear or hesitation.
“I was coming off an injury. I had been inactive for quite a while… I wanted something that could scaffold my easing back into athletic activities.”
Having worked with us for physio in the past, she already trusted the space, the people, and joined the class with the hope of reclaiming her fitness.
More Than Just Muscle: A Mental and Emotional Shift
What Fiona didn’t expect was how much the group strength class would help her mentally.
“I figured we’d lift some heavy things… but I wasn’t expecting such a cool shift in how I thought about fitness, how I thought about my body, and what I could do with that body.”
The strength gains came, slowly and steadily. But so did something else. A new relationship with her body. She no longer felt betrayed by the injuries she had accumulated over time. Instead, she began to feel curious, even excited, about what her body could do.
How Strength Training Translates to Real Life
Fiona’s growth wasn’t just confined to the gym. Her new strength showed up in day-to-day tasks and with this her confidence followed.
“Snow shoveling, for example, has turned out to be a thing that actually feels completely doable in a way that it hadn’t before.”
Even in a job that involved sitting and hunching at a computer, she found herself more resilient and comfortable throughout the day.
“I just have this sense of ease and comfort in the world — whatever it might throw my way.”
What Makes the Group Class So Effective?
For Fiona, the class worked because of its calm, thoughtful approach and the consistent structure it offered.
“It’s not a huge time commitment — twice a week — but the time is used really well.”
She appreciated the rhythm of the sessions: broken into three parts, no yelling, just quiet encouragement and clear programming. This created a space where she could trust the process and herself.
“It’s built around principles of slow, steady consistency… It allows me to explore whole new ranges of possibility.”
Three Personal Milestones That Marked Her Journey
Fiona shared three key moments that helped her realize how much progress she had made:
1. The Surprise Sled Push
Early in her journey, Fiona felt like she had hit her limit. Until we quietly added weight to the sled. She pushed through.
“It was a moment of realizing: oh, you have a better idea of what I’m capable of… and I was able to do it.”
2. Deadlift Discovery
Pushing for a personal best, Fiona failed a deadlift and celebrated it.
“Nothing fell off, nothing exploded. I could trust myself to push and see where the edge really was.”
3. The Snow Shovelling Victory
After a long snowstorm, she cleared her entire driveway alone and felt fine, even the next day.
“That was a breakthrough. I realized I understood how to operate this fleshy machine in ways that were okay.”
A Message to Anyone on the Fence
Fiona’s final reflection is for anyone who thinks strength training isn’t for them:
“I had never touched a barbell before… now it’s one of my favorite things to do.”
“It’s a safe place to try this out. Especially if you’ve never seen yourself as someone who lifts heavy things — give it a shot. You might be amazed by what you find.”
Final Thoughts
Fiona’s story is a powerful reminder that strength isn’t just about lifting weights.
It’s about rebuilding confidence, deepening trust in your body, and showing up fully in life.
If you're ready to start your own journey, we’d love to help.
