When Kathleen L hit her 60s, she began searching for a training program that would help her build the strength and stamina to keep up with her grandkids.

“I remember trying to lift my grandson and my back would hurt. And I remember going to the playground with him and I was trying to go through the tunnels and the slide and I was wrecked,” she said.

“I was like, ‘this cannot stand,’” she added.

Kathleen tried all kinds of things, from simple programs that were basically just spreadsheets with a workout, to higher-cost, higher touch point programs with a coach who checked in on her.

At one point, she tried a strength program that she thought might work, but she quickly realized it was “designed for young men who have no issues with their joints or tissues,” said the 64-year-old.

She also dabbled with a calisthenic program for a time, and at another time she worked with a female basketball player.

“Regardless of what I tried, there was a common theme: One way or another, I always seemed to get hurt,” Kathleen said, adding that one program led to a partially torn rotator cuff, while another gave her plantar fasciitis.

“A lot of these other programs were based on, ‘Well, this worked for me, but I’m also a talented athlete who has done this my whole life, so get on the train,’” she concluded.

The only thing that did really seem to work for Kathleen was Pilates, which she said really helped her re-build her core strength and stabilize her back after her body was launched into perimenopause after she had surgery to remove a cyst.

But she didn’t feel like Pilates was enough. She also wanted some strength and conditioning in her regular routine so she could be more well-rounded.

Then, in the summer of 2025, Kathleen, who followed Dr. Stacy Sims’ work, stumbled across Empower.

Finally, it seemed there was a program that was based on science, and built specifically for women of her demographic. Needless to say, Kathleen was intrigued and signed up for the Flight program right away.

Five Months In

Though it has only been five months, Kathleen is certain that, after shopping around for a program that works for her for years, she has finally found it.

“Everything is progressive, and each week I’m able to lift a little bit more. I’m getting PRs all the time,” she said. “And the bottom line is that I’m getting stronger without getting hurt.”

Best of all, Kathleen said she feels like she’s way better able to keep up with her grandsons now, which was “my main inspiration for getting strong again.”

“And I also just like the attitude from Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir. They’re obviously very successful athletes, but they’re also kind and supportive and not a kind of whip your ass attitude,” she added.

Needless to say, Kathleen doesn’t hesitate to recommend Empower to any woman looking for a program designed with her needs in mind.

“It’s well-informed about what is required at each stage of life to train successfully, and it’s implemented in a way that each workout is explained, so you understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it,” Kathleen said.

As for her own goals at the age of 64, Kathleen said this:

“Just to stay as active and strong as I can for as long as I can.”

And with Empower in her corner, she feels like she’s well on her way.

“I’m grateful every day for my health, my growing strength, assisted by the Empower program. I’m grateful I can use the strength to run after my 4 and 6-year-old grandsons, enjoy life with my husband, and our dog and kitten…I feel so rich,” she added.

Kathleen’s story reminds us that, when it comes to your health and fitness, persistence pays off. If what you’re doing isn’t working, keep shopping around until you find what brings you the success you’re looking for.