How Strength Training Saved Me

There are seasons in life that leave you gasping for air—grief, motherhood, identity loss, burnout. I’ve lived them all. And in the middle of those heavy seasons, the thing that saved me wasn’t a motivational quote or a perfectly timed breakthrough. It was a barbell.

I started lifting after I lost my husband in a car accident at 24. At a time when everything felt out of my control, strength training became my anchor. Showing up for a workout was one of the only things I could control. I didn’t care about aesthetics—I cared about surviving.

Every rep helped me feel something again. And over time, it helped me rebuild—not just my body, but myself.

Years later, motherhood brought a new kind of unraveling. I was exhausted, postpartum, and overwhelmed. I didn’t recognize myself—mentally, emotionally, or physically. Once again, strength training became my lifeline. But this time, I wasn’t chasing healing from loss. I was trying to reconnect with a version of myself that I wasn’t ready to let go of entirely.

Strength training reminded me that I was still strong. Still capable. Still me—even if motherhood had changed everything.

It gave me space to breathe, process, release frustration, and feel proud of what my body could do instead of what it looked like. And the best part? It didn’t require hours of time I didn’t have. Just a plan, some consistency, and a willingness to keep showing up—especially on the hard days.

That’s why I coach now. Because I know what it feels like to need something steady when life gets messy. And I want to help other women build strength that goes beyond physical.

If you’re feeling lost, stuck, or like you’re holding everything together for everyone else—I see you. And I promise, strength training isn’t just about getting “fit.” It’s about finding yourself again.