strength.from.scratch

🌱 I don’t think ‘healthy’ habits need to be complicated.

Mine certainly aren’t.

But the ones I’m consistent with really help ➡️

🏋️‍♀️ Some weeks I have more time and energy than others.

I’ve learned to work with that rather than against it.

Chasing perfect weeks is exhausting, so if it just 2 sessions I celebrate that, rather than get annoyed that I missed one. ➡️

🥣 Having a couple of breakfasts on repeat means one less thing to think about before the day gets busy.

Easy and quick to put together. ➡️

🌳 I rarely regret getting outside.

Even when I nearly talk myself out of it, because I know I’ve got a manic day ahead…even 10 mins count. ➡️

🌿 I haven’t always loved gardening, it was an adulting hobby I found like many of us.

But I didn’t appreciate how much it would help me switch off too.

And how much I’m cheering on the germinating seeds. ➡️

🧘‍♀️ At 61 I’m a whole lot better at listening to my body.

Not every day has to be about doing more, just what it needs.

Stretch and mobility work, is an essential through the years. ➡️

📖 These little habits and approaches to my week don’t always make every week perfect.

But they really help me feel grounded and in control 😁

Who I am, why I coach midlife women, and how I got here.

A little reintroduction, because a few more of you are here now 😁

I don’t think I’ve ever properly shared the story behind this page, or how I got here.

So this is me.

I’m Jacquie. I retired early from teaching, came back to coaching, and somehow found myself building this next phase of my life around something I’ve loved for years: helping women feel stronger in their bodies.

I’ve been here in this online space for over a year and a half now, and this page has slowly become a mix of strength training, midlife health, menopause chat, real life, family, garden, kittens, and the odd reminder that it’s never too late to start again.

Strength training has been a huge part of my life for decades, but this page isn’t about showing off what I can do.

It’s about showing women in midlife that they can feel capable again.

Stronger.
More confident.
More in control of their body.
More like themselves.

This is how I got here, what makes me tick, and why I care so much about helping women build strength from scratch.

And honestly, it still feels like the beginning.

So if you’re new here, welcome.
And if you’ve been here a while, thank you for staying.

I’m very glad you’re here.

The first photo captures me during the thick of perimenopause, pre-HRT, and working out six to seven days a week.

In contrast, the last photo shows me in the midst of menopause 9kg lighter, with HRT working wonders, and training just four days a week.

Perimenopause was a challenging time for me, as it is for many many women.

I struggled to identify the root causes of some severe symptoms that doctors initially attributed to a heart issue.

Despite the difficulties, I pressed on, pushing those symptoms aside.

I was juggling a full-time teaching position, caring for my family, and managing a household.

During this period, I turned to cardio as my outlet, believing it would alleviate my symptoms and my stress.

In reality, I was overtraining. My body was exhausted, stressed, and bloated.

I incorporated very little weight training, opting instead for high-intensity intervals, long runs, and countless metres on the rowing machine.

The last photo illustrates (for me) the profound impact of body-identical HRT, strength training, daily walks, and one HIlT session each week, had on me and my body.

Now that I’ve transitioned through menopause, I feel fitter and healthier than I did 20 years ago.

I realised that I didn’t need to exercise every day—sometimes even twice a day.

What I truly required was quality sleep, nutritious food, a structured exercise program, and HRT.

I’m here, on this platform to constantly share my story and to show women what worked for me might well work for them too.

What I know for certain is that every single woman will benefit from strength training.

Stick around if you’d like to know more and share with a friend that needs to read this too.

Strength training has transformed my life in ways I never anticipated, especially during the pivotal time of perimenopause.

Not only has it reshaped my body, but it has also rejuvenated my spirit.

I’ve found that sleep comes easily now, energy levels have skyrocketed, and I feel stronger and more confident than ever.

The benefits go beyond just physical appearance; lifting weights has empowered me to take control of my health and well-being, helping me navigate this transitional phase with grace and strength.

So, don’t just take my word for it-experience the difference for yourself!

Why not try lifting some weights today?