Beyond Limits: How I Reclaimed My Strength at 60

This is my story—the story of how I went from morbidly obese and barely able to climb a flight of stairs to deadlifting over 80kg and hip thrusting 120kg. The story of how I discovered strength I never knew I had, both in my body and in my spirit.

Three months before my 60th birthday, I found myself at a crossroads. I was very overweight, struggling with health concerns, and painfully aware that if I didn’t make a change, things would only get worse. Life had been hard that year—filled with upheaval and challenges beyond my control. Some changes had been forced upon me, shifting my world in ways I never expected. But while I couldn’t control everything, I knew there was one thing I could take charge of—my health.

For years, I had put off doing anything about my weight and fitness. I made excuses, convinced myself that I had time, and let fear of failure hold me back. But standing on the edge of a new decade, I realized I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life trapped in a body that felt weak and sluggish. I was tired of watching from the side-lines, tired of feeling exhausted by the simplest tasks.

I didn’t know exactly where to start, but I knew I had to start somewhere.

That wake-up call came one day as I found myself struggling to climb just a single flight of stairs. My heart pounded, my breath quickened, and it felt like my body was betraying me. But the real shock wasn’t just the physical strain—it was the overwhelming fear that I wasn’t just out of shape; I was facing the real possibility of never being able to live the life I wanted.

It wasn’t the first time I had felt like this. Years earlier, I had been diagnosed with heart problems that required a pacemaker. While the surgery saved my life, it also instilled a deep fear of putting any extra strain on my body. That fear kept me in a cycle of unhealthy habits—comfort eating, avoiding exercise, and letting life slip by.

But looking at my reflection that day, I realized I couldn’t keep living like this. If I didn’t make a change soon, I was going to lose my chance at living a full life. And so, I made a decision: I was going to start taking care of myself.

I didn’t have a grand plan or a detailed blueprint for success. What I did have was the desire to change. So, I took that first small step: I focused on eating better. I didn’t try to overhaul everything at once; instead, I aimed for manageable goals. I cut down on processed foods, drank more water, and kept track of my calorie intake. For once, I wasn’t doing it for anyone else—I was doing it for me. And that made all the difference.

As I began to make these small changes, I started to see results. In just three months, I had lost 3 stone and felt lighter both physically and emotionally. But I knew that this was only the beginning. I couldn’t stop now. I had made progress, but there was still so much more I wanted to achieve. 

It was around this time that my daughter gifted me a gym membership—a gesture that terrified me. Walking into a gym felt like stepping into a completely different world. I was intimidated, unsure of how to use the equipment or even where to start. But from the moment I met my coach, Jonathan McCarron, Commit Gym, Derrymacash,  things began to shift.

At first, I didn’t see the gym as a place for growth—I saw it as a place where people already knew what they were doing and where I was the odd one out. I feared being judged, unsure of how to even lift a weight correctly. My coach, however, immediately put me at ease. He didn’t look at me with judgment or impatience. Instead, he looked at me with encouragement and belief.

What really changed my perspective was how he approached working out—not as a punishment or something to endure but as something to enjoy and celebrate. He taught me that strength training wasn’t about perfection, it was about progress. He showed me that each rep, each set, was a step forward, no matter how small.

One of the first things he did was reframe how I viewed working out. In my mind, it was always something I’d “have to do” to burn off calories or punish my body for being out of shape. But he made me see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to strengthen myself, to invest in my health, and to build the confidence I had lost over the years.

He didn’t just teach me exercises; he taught me how to think differently about my own capabilities. When I struggled with an exercise or felt discouraged, he never allowed me to accept defeat. He encouraged me to see those challenges as temporary, teaching me that each struggle was simply a part of the process, not the end of the journey.

What truly stood out to me was his unwavering support and belief in me. He never once doubted that I could get stronger, even when I was so very unsure myself. When I told him that I was afraid I’d never be able to do a proper squat or deadlift, he just smiled and said, "We’ll get you there, step by step." And he did.

There were times when I wanted to quit—times when I felt overwhelmed, when my body was sore, or when I wasn’t seeing the results fast enough. But he was always there to remind me that progress is not linear—some days are better than others, but the key is to keep showing up. And that mindset helped me push through barriers I didn’t even know existed within myself.

Under his guidance, I learned not only how to lift weights properly but also how to build my mental strength. He taught me that true strength isn’t just physical—it’s about pushing through self-doubt and embracing discomfort as a sign of growth. Slowly but surely, I started to feel stronger, not just in my body but in my mind as well.

Now, when I walk into the gym, I see it not as a place of fear but as a place of opportunity. I feel empowered, knowing that I have the tools—and the mindset—to face any challenge that comes my way. My coach didn’t just teach me how to lift weights; he taught me how to lift myself, how to build confidence, and how to believe in my own potential.

The gym also became a place of belonging. The small community there welcomed me, encouraged me, and celebrated my milestones. Their support reminded me that transformation isn’t just an individual journey—it thrives in a positive and uplifting environment.

Now, a year later, I move with confidence. I no longer see setbacks as failures but as stepping stones to growth. The same person who once feared movement now embraces challenges with determination.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that change is always possible. Age, past failures, and fears don’t define you—your willingness to start does. As I continue this journey, I also find myself encouraging others, especially those around my age or those who feel like time has passed them by. I know first hand how difficult it can be to take that first step, but I also know how rewarding it is to experience the transformation that follows. When others ask about my journey, I tell them: You don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to begin. The best time to start is now.

And if you’re thinking about beginning your journey, I can’t recommend enough the value of a great coach. Having someone to guide, support, and push you makes all the difference.  And if you don’t know where to find a great coach I would definitely recommend giving Jonathan a shout, Commit Gym, Derrymacash.

So, my story continues—one lift, one step, one day at a time. I can’t wait to see what comes next.